10 Fun Things to Cook on The Deck Tonight

Summer is here and it is time to put your backyard deck to good use. Cooking over a propane firepit offers a great bonding experience and can add some zest to your dinner routine. Are you tired of cooking the same old barbecue chicken and want to add some variety to your roasting?  

It can be difficult to find new dishes to put over an open fire. We have made the work a little easier and provided 10 fun dishes to place over your firepit.

S’mores: A Classic Summer Treat

You would be hard pressed to find someone that is not a fan of s’mores. This delicious, comforting snack is the best dessert offering that you can put over your propane firepit. 

You can cook them over a dutch oven with the ingredients mixed together or you can make them more traditionally.

Everyone has their own ways to make s’mores but all recipes should include:

• Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate

Either way you and your party are in for a treat. This flavorful dessert is an instant mood booster. 

Hot Dogs Cook Great Over Propane

Hot dogs are another great dish to consider for your backyard deck gathering. Hot dogs are also great if there is a sporting event. 

If you have just invited friends over to watch the game, put some bratwurst over the pit to add to your entertainment. Even if your favourite team loses, this will act as a consolation. 

Consider these sides to add to your hot dog experience:

• Peanuts
• Chips 
• Potato Salad
• Fries

Try Roasting Chestnuts Over a Propane Grill

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire reminds you of the holidays but you can enjoy these delicious treats all year long. While they are incredibly sweet, they also offer you a lot of nutritional benefits as well. 

This is the perfect alternative for your health conscious friends who do not want something that is going to ruin their diet. It can be hard to accommodate our healthier friends in times like this but this is a great option. 

Cook Some Salmon Over Propane

Another healthy option that you can put over the pit is salmon. Salmon is a fish that is extremely amplified by seasoning. Salmon tends to absorb this flavour profile in a way that will excite you and your party’s taste buds. 

Seasonings that go well on salmon include:

• Cayenne Pepper
• Cajun
• Ginger

There are a number of other seasonings that you can try to test your preference. Wrap the salmon in foil over the pit and do not forget to add a squeeze of lemon for added moisture. 

Tilapia Is a Summer Grill Favorite

Another aquatic treat that you should consider is tilapia. There is a big misconception that tilapia is the poor man’s fish and that it is extremely bland. This could not be further from the truth. 

Tilapia can satisfy your taste buds just as much as more expensive fish. Tilapia over a propane firepit adds another dimension of flavour. 

Seasonings that go well with tilapia include:

• Lemon Pepper
• Garlic
• Paprika
• Parsley

Just like salmon, wrap this in foil and revel in all the savory goodness. A little lemon on this goes a long way as well. 

Tempeh Is a Great Vegetarian Option

Are you struggling to find a vegetarian dish to put over the pit? Look no further than the versatile plant based protein Tempeh. 

Tofu tends to be the most popular vegetarian dish but tempeh is a vegetarian option that carnivores can appreciate. Tofu often has to be pressed to drain all the water out and drowned in seasoning in order to be edible. The brave who have tried putting tofu over a firepit will tell you that is a tough task. 

Here is a quick marinade for tempeh:

• Ketchup
• Soy sauce
• Vegan Worchester sauce
• Maple syrup
• BBQ sauce
• Liquid smoke

Tempeh was meant to be put over a fire and can still be eaten without seasoning and marinade. It has a texture that rivals meat without the heaving processing of most plant based meats. Surprise your friends at your next backyard deck party and let them know that they are ravishing a completely plant based dish. 

Corn On the Cob Over Propane

Next, corn on the cob provides a great compliment when you have finished your main dishes. Corn’s naturally sweet flavor can act as a perfect contrast to a multitude of spices.

My personal recommendation would be to use Mexican seasoning and try to make your own Mexican street corn. You may spend the next couple days with corn stuck in your teeth but it is completely worth it. 

Trout: Local Caught Fish Over Propane

Our last fish item is one that you will have to catch yourself. What is more fun than going out fishing with some friends and coming home and cooking what you caught? 

A fair warning needs to be given as this is not for the faint of heart. You will have to open the trout and place the seasoning and vegetables that you want to cook inside its cavities. 

My personal recommendations for garnishes and seasoning:

• Lemon wedges
• Salt
• Pepper

You can also cook the trout with bacon which will make your mouth water as you dive in. Like other fish, wrap it in foil until fully cooked. This is the perfect cap to a day fishing at the lake.

Seasoned Potatoes Are a Must Around a Firepit

The sides that you put over the pit are just as important as your main dish. Potatoes are a great option if you are looking for a starchy vegetable. 

Potatoes are also another healthy option because they are packed with vitamins and minerals. If made properly, it is hard to eat just one. 

Seasoning to add to potatoes:

• Garlic & Herb
• Salt 
• Pepper

Red potatoes in particular tend to be more appetizing with all the main dishes mentioned above. They also offer a faster prep and cook time. They will be done to perfection in half an hour when wrapped in foil.

Finish Off with Some Bell Peppers

Lastly, we have the most popular vegetable put over fire, the bell pepper. The bell pepper is a popular staple over a propane firepit for good reason. 

Once you slice this crunchy vegetable with a knife, the flavour immediately fills the room. There is a good reason why it is a barbecue staple. 

It is the piece de resistance to main dishes like fish, but also compliments side dishes like potatoes well. If this is not in your bag as you are getting ready to start the fire, you are missing out. 

Conclusion

If you are stomped, try these dishes out. They are for the most part healthy and meet dietary restrictions and offer some variety to tried and true backyard dishes.