Here is a simple way to grill on a campfire using kebabs skewers.  You could say that this is probably the oldest, most basic method.  This is by far my favorite way to cook venison.  Of course, you can use whatever meat you may have on hand.  The advantage of this backwoods, peasant approach of kebab skewers is that it requires no modern grill, gas or briquets.  It is a good way to learn how to make a good cooking fire.   Furthermore, for those with little to no experience in getting meat cooked through on a fire, this is a good method start with.

Why Grill on a wood fire?

Without trying to wax too idealistic and romantic on how my simple way to grill on a campfire is better than yours, suffer me to list some attractive benefits to going the peasant route:

Its practically free, man!

There is no need to purchase either a cheap or fancy expensive grill that you have to clean that will eventually rust away and will end up on a trip to the dump.  

There is also no need to purchase gas or briquets.  If you don’t have a ready source of firewood on your property, there are plenty of ways of acquiring firewood for free, if you keep your eyes open.  

Ambience

We have campfires because we like to sit around and look at the embers, enjoying a good brew and a good yarn.  Granted, grilling on a fire may take a bit more of “tending to” as opposed to your state of the art, many $$$ grill.  But if there is no better place you would rather spend your evening than around your fire, why not cook something on it, by George?

A bit of history of skewer grilling (Dagmeat)

Traditionally, skewers were made from sticks of dogwood. In fact, the old English word for a skewer is “dag”.  Hence, the name dogwood actually comes from “Dagwood”.  Therefore, I have fondly named my method of grilling “Dagmeat”. Ya like dags?  

1. get your campfire going…

First, make sure to start your fire well in advance to give it time to burn down a bit before it is prime for cooking on.  What is important to note is that you do not want to cook over high flames.  Were you to do that, the meat would cook too fast on the outside, yet remain raw on the inside.  Rather it is the good hot embers that you want.    

2. Ready your grill iron

Of course, you don’t need a grill iron.  You can simply prop your skewers over the fire if you want to be real basic and primeval in your grilling experience.  

For ease of cooking, I have three large stones placed around my fire to evenly support whatever I am cooking.  

3. Prepare your meat

Next, carve the meat into small chunks.  Try to cut it on the thinner side (say 1/2 inch thick).  The advantage here is that this is a good way of using meat that are irregular in shape and maybe leftover from butchering the prime cuts off of a carcass

4. Make some skewers

Now it is time to make your dags/skewers.  It is important to use fresh green wood so that they don’t burn through when over the fire.  Dogwood, as stated above, is a prime wood for a skewer.  However, practically any green shoot will do.  These here that I used are some mulberry shoots.

5. Skewer your meat

6. Season the skewers well on all sides and throw on the grill

This is a great point to involve your children in helping with the spices and tending the skewers on the fire.

As an added bonus, I dug up some garlic and threw it directly onto the grill.  Garlic will cook in its own skin which will peal off quite easily when it is done

That’s all there is to my simple way to grill on a campfire!  You can elaborate on the recipe with whatever you have available.  Let me know if you’re inspired to give it a try!