Country Chuckwagon Dinner

Country Chuckwagon Dinner

Share this Recipe!

Host Your own Country Chuckwagon Dinner! Throw out a red checkered tablecloth, brew up some tea (or coffee), grab your cast iron skillet and guitar, and invite your friends! Click to Tweet

Living in the country with horses and cowboys, I love a good Country Chuckwagon Dinner. It doesn’t have to be authentic–out in the pasture cooked over an open fire. Just throw out a red checkered tablecloth, brew up some tea (or coffee), grab your cast iron skillet and guitar, and invite your friends!

The first time I served many of these dishes was at a Chuckwagon Dinner I hosted for our family and church. I set out tables with red checkered cloths under our awning and decorated them with jars of wildflowers from our pasture. The kids ran and the adults played horseshoes in the yard.

Chuckwagon Dinner

After dinner, we sat around an open fire and listened to songs on the guitar. It was a lovely evening.

It reminded me of those cowboy dinner music theatres. Have you ever been to one? Here in Kansas, we have the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper. And long ago, my husband and I attended one near Colorado Springs called the Flying W Ranch. I suppose that’s where I got the idea for the outdoor shindig.

 

Hosting a Country Chuckwagon Dinner

 

Baked Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon – These little appetizers are so delicious. And every chuck wagon dinner needs some “heat” so I highly recommend these poppers before your meal.

Baked Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon
Here's an easy recipe to make with your garden jalapeno peppers.
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Baked Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

 

The Main Course on an Open Fire or Grill

 

Sirloin Steak that’s out of this world yummy. – Marinate the steaks overnight or for at least 6 hours, and then grill or cook over an open fire.

Sirloin Steak Marinade
Here's a recipe we love on steaks. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Country Chuckwagon Dinner Ideas - Sirloin Steak Marinade

 

Steak and Pinto Beans – If grilled sirloin steaks don’t tempt you, perhaps this easy dish will. Cook Steak and Pinto Beans over a campfire and let everyone line up with their plates so you can serve them straight from the skillet. I’m reminded of a song by one of those wrangler bands – “Beans for Breakfast, Beans for Dinner, Beans for Supper, Lord, deliver us from that.”

Steak and Pinto Beans
Here's an old favorite to serve your family when you want a satisfying yet quick meal. Serve with Country Fried Potatoes. 
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Steak and Pinto Beans

 

Biscuits or Cornbread

Every chuckwagon dinner needs some form of bread, and either of these biscuit recipes are a perfect fit. Even better, served with apple butter! Yum!

 

Savory Southwest Biscuits

Savory Southwest Biscuits
Here's a delicious recipe based on my Country Biscuit recipe to use for dinner or breakfast. The inclusion of cheddar cheese, green chilies, and bits of bacon take these biscuits to a savory new level.
Check out this recipe
Featured Image - Recipe for Savory Southwest Biscuits

or Sourdough Biscuits

Sourdough Biscuits
Here's a recipe you make from an "unfed" starter that's pretty delicious with honey or homemade apple butter.
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Sourdough Biscuits

 

Skillet Cornbread If biscuits aren’t your thing, try this cornbread recipe. It is amazing! Sweet and tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Again, another bread winner for your dinner.

Skillet Cornbread
This recipe so good. I never knew how good cornbread could be until I made it in my cast iron skillet. Delicious!
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Skillet Cornbread

 

A Few Cowboy Sides

 

Cabbage Bacon Salad – You’ll need a side dish or two for your dinner, and this cabbage slaw with bacon is a great match for the other items on this menu.

Cabbage Bacon Salad
Here's a recipe I really enjoy. Crunchy, sweet, with the added saltiness of smoked bacon. Yum!
Check out this recipe
Featured Image - Recipe for Cabbage Bacon Salad

 

Pan Fried Country Potatoes is an easy recipe I make a lot for our family in the summer. Crispy, tender potatoes, seasoned just right with onion, bell pepper, and salt and pepper. So easy to make.

Pan Fried Country Potatoes
Here's an easy recipe I make a lot for our family in the summer. Goes great with fried catfish, steaks, or even a simple dish like Goulash.
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Pan Fried Country Potatoes

 

Kenny’s Cowboy Beans – No cowboy dinner would be complete without a side of beans. So, if you decide not to make the Steak and Beans above, please give these Cowboy Beans a try. This recipe from my oldest brother is a crowd-pleaser.

Kenny's Cowboy Beans
My brothers are both good cooks. Here is a recipe my oldest brother concocted, which turned out fabulous. My favorite go-to recipe when I want a pot of cowboy beans. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Kenny's Cowboy Beans

 

Fried Apples – The one time I attended the Flying W Ranch, they served fried apples as a side dish. I thought it was perfect, so I included it here. An apple a day…

Fried Apples
Here's a recipe that reminds me of apples served at Cracker Barrel. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Fried Apples

 

A Perfect Ending to a Perfect Evening

 

Spice Cake with Penuche Frosting – Finish the dinner with a lovely spiced sheet cake topped with a buttery, caramel frosting. It could be fudge, it’s that delicious! And yes, you guessed right–it blends wonderfully with the fried apples.

Spice Cake with Penuche Frosting
Here's a delicious recipe for an old-fashioned spice cake with a yummy frosting. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Spice Cake with Penuche Frosting

 

Cowboy Cookies are a favorite in our house. Filled with old-fashioned oats, cornflakes, raisins, pecans, and coconut, they keep a person going in the afternoon and are wonderful to snack on.

Cowboy Cookies
This is a favorite in our house.
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Cowboy Cookies

 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a perfect ending to a summer dinner. I love that I can bake this cake in my cast iron skillet. That’s what I love about cast iron. You can go from stove top to oven in an instant. And this recipe is such a show-stopper! It really is quite beautiful.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Here's a sweet treat to make using your cast iron skillet. Perfect for a party with family or friends!
Check out this recipe
Recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake

 

I hope these recipes will inspire you to try your hand at hosting a Country Chuckwagon Dinner. If you do, I’d love for you to share your experience with me in the comments below! Happy Trails!

See more Entertaining Ideas Here. 

Share this Recipe!



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *