The Meateater Outdoor Cookbook - by Steven Rinella (Hardcover)
Overview
The Meateater Outdoor Cookbook by Steven Rinella is a hardcover cookbook that translates home-cooking technique into practical meals you can make at a campsite, backyard firepit, or car-camping setup. Drawing on Rinella's field-to-table experience, the book organizes more than 100 recipes by outdoor cooking method — grilling, smoking, portable-burner cooking and more — and marks each recipe for its ideal setting (backyard, car camping, backpacking). Recipes range from wild-game centric dishes to seafood and comfort fare, and include approachable techniques and flavor builds that work with cast-iron, grills, smokers and stoves. This title is for outdoor cooks who want method-driven, realistic recipes and inspiration for cooking well away from a full kitchen.
Key Features
- Hardcover binding (durable for repeated outdoor use but adds weight compared with paperback or digital editions).
- Publisher: Random House; authored by Steven Rinella, a recognized outdoor-cooking authority.
- More than 100 easy-to-follow recipes spanning game, seafood and camp-friendly comfort foods.
- Organized by outdoor cooking method (grilling, smoking, portable-burner, cast-iron campfire) with each recipe tagged for backyard, car camping, or backpacking.
- Technique-driven approach — focuses on heat control, equipment choices, and practical adjustments for variable outdoor conditions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Over 100 outdoor-tested recipes covering grilling, smoking, and portable-burner cooking.
- Method-first organization helps cooks learn techniques that transfer between backyard and backcountry.
- Recipes are labeled for backyard, car camping, or backpacking so you can plan by trip type.
- Authoritative voice from Steven Rinella — practical, field-tested advice from a known outdoorsman.
- Includes a mix of wild-game dishes and approachable recipes that use common pantry ingredients.
Cons
- Hardcover format makes it heavier and less ideal to carry on long backpacking trips.
- Some recipes call for uncommon ingredients or tools (e.g., beaver thigh, kelp butter, specific smokers).
- Not a dedicated hunting manual — readers wanting step-by-step harvesting instruction should consult Rinella's previous titles.
- Photography and layout details vary by edition; this description doesn’t guarantee photo-heavy, step-by-step visuals.
Recommendations
- Backyard cooks who want to bring campfire techniques to their grill or smoker.
- Car campers and weekenders who can carry a hardcover book and want reliable, flavor-forward recipes.
- Hunters and foragers who want tested ways to prepare wild game and incorporate rustic ingredients.
- Gift for outdoorsy foodies, anglers, or anyone who enjoys entertaining around a fire with elevated, rustic dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Price History
More to Explore
from Target