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30 Easy Camping Meals to Make Campfire Cooking a Breeze

Camping is the perfect getaway when you're looking to escape into the great outdoors, relax with the sounds of nature, and kick back at your campsite without a single bar of cellphone signal. So don't let complicated cooking get in the way of your vacation. Instead, use one of these easy camping recipes. Try roasting up chicken and veggies in Campfire Foil Packets, get creative with Campfire Pepperoni Pizza, or just boil water to enjoy Backpackers' Thai Noodles. Pack up your cooler, and maybe a Dutch oven or grill, and hit the road!

Camp Breakfast

Great for breakfast or a fun dinner, this hearty skillet meal has everything you need for a fueled-up day: crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fluffy eggs.

Summer Corn Chowder

This dish is hard to beat when fresh corn is in season. It cooks up in the Dutch oven along with potatoes and peppers to create a rich and creamy chowder.

Camping Pasta with Clam Sauce

Everything that goes into this decadent pasta recipe is shelf-stable, so you won't have to worry about overpacking your cooler. Cooked linguine is tossed with an Old Bay-infused sauce, sliced mushrooms, and chopped clams.

This recipe is stick-to-your-ribs filling after a day of hiking. Ground beef and a variety of vegetables all simmer together in a tomato-y sauce. To make it a one-pot meal, simply sauté the beef in the pot instead of a separate skillet.

• Dutch Oven Recipes for Your Next Camping Adventure

Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans

Fire up the grill for this flavorful dinner the whole family will love. "My husband and I loved this — we licked the plate clean," says reviewer GINAH1 . "It's important to spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the food doesn't stick."

Backpackers' Thai Noodles

Step aside, ramen! All you need is boiling water to enjoy these instant Thai noodles. Rice noodles and freeze-dried veggies cook up in a creamy and spicy peanut sauce.

Campfire Pepperoni Pizza

Recipe creator gonefishn says, "The smokey flavor from the wood fire puts a great twist on an old favorite and with the help of a pizza stone, doing this over an open fire is easier than you may think." Bring a few of your favorite toppings, like pepperoni, veggies, and red pepper flakes, along for campers to customize their pies.

Tin Foil Stew

Who knew you could make stew without a pot? These easy foil packets are tucked into campfire coals to cook. "Friends loved this when I made it camping," says reviewer RAVENSKYLAR . "Only thing is that I made them up at home, and stuck them in the cooler so they were ready to pop in the coals after a long day fishing, and used multiple sheets of foil for each one so they didn't leak. "

• No-Mess Foil Packet Dinners

Killer Bacon-Cheese Dogs

Hot dogs may be standard camping fare, but this recipe takes it up a notch. Savory bacon is paired up with creamy Swiss cheese and sweet barbecue sauce to create a trifecta of flavor.

Campfire Foil Packs

"These are easy to make for camping, my husband loves them," says recipe creator Natural Chef Michelle . "We prepare them at home and then leave them in the cooler until we are ready to cook."

• Delicious Dutch Oven Dinners

Cowboy Casserole

Made with hearty bacon, beef, and beans, you'll feel like a true cowboy stirring up this meal under the stars. Canned biscuits are layered on top of the beans and beef mixture, baking the flaky golden perfection in the Dutch oven.

Chicken and Chorizo Chili

With a kick from chorizo and chili powder, this ground chicken chili is equal parts delicious and easy to make. Just set up your Dutch oven over the fire and you'll have a filling meal in about an hour.

• Browse Our Entire Collection of Camping Recipes

Beef Shish Kebabs for Freezer Cooking

This meal is perfect for camping, as you can prepare, marinate, and freeze all the ingredients in advance in a resealable plastic bag. When you're ready to go, dinner is ready for the grill.

Earth, Sea, and Fire Salmon

Here's another one of the foil packet recipes for camping that we just love. It's the ultimate quick campfire meal: salmon, potatoes, and veggies all cooked in an aluminum foil packet.

Big Ray's Kielbasa Cabbage Skillet for a Crowd

Cabbage, sausage, and potato all simmer together in a smoky tomato sauce. This is camping food at its best. Instead of bringing large jars of spices, store what you need in an empty Tic Tac box.

Omelet in a Bag

You'll wonder why you didn't think of this before. Cook your bagged omelet in a saucepan of boiling water for super quick cleanup.

Flaming Burritos

This tried-and-true Girl Scouts inspired recipe is quick to make, and requires minimal cleanup. Serve with salsa and some sour cream on the side.

Campfire Breakfast Sandwich

Wake up on the right side of the tent with this simple, four-ingredient breakfast sandwich (made with just bread, an egg, a slice of Cheddar cheese, and butter).

Lori's Campfire Potatoes

"These 'taters are delicious and perfect for a camping trip," says recipe creator Loripowell. "Don't forget to dress them up with sour cream, chives, and crumbled bacon. Be sure to use small potatoes, which cook through over an open fire better than larger ones."

Dutch Oven Mountain Man Breakfast

This hearty breakfast is the perfect filling meal to make over an open fire. Fair warning: The recipe makes a lot, so be prepared to share with your fellow campers.

Campfire Chicken Pot Pie

Make this easy and filling campfire recipe with just five ingredients: refrigerated biscuit dough, a can of cream of chicken soup, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and chicken breasts.

Papa Funk's Campfire Chili

This one-pot chili works in a Dutch oven or in a slow cooker. The easy recipe is "great on a cold night," according to recipe creator Cynthia C O'Connor .

Mom's Campfire Stew

Here's a tip from recipe creator Joe Benecasa : "When we make this for a camping trip, I brown the onions, mushrooms, and meat at home and transport it in gallon-size storage bag."

Over the Fire Scalloped Potatoes

These cheesy potatoes can serve as a side dish or, if you top them with crispy bacon, an easy campfire meal.

Hobo's Delight

This four-ingredient meal (made with ground beef, an onion, baby carrots, and potatoes) cooks in individual foil packets, so cleanup is a breeze.

Grilled Chicken and Potato Foil Packs

Here's another quick, easy, and delicious foil pack dinner. "I made this camping," says reviewer Pharmcook . "It was a hit with everyone including the little ones and cleanup was so nice!'

Meal in Foil

Recipe creator WALLEN says this quick outdoor recipe is a great way to let kids make their own meals while camping.

Poor Man's Beer Batter Fish

Use your freshly caught fish to make this incredibly easy and fast dinner. What's the secret ingredient? Shake and pour buttermilk pancake mix!

Hobo Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

Make this slow cooker stew in a Dutch oven over a campfire or in a slow cooker. According to recipe creator Cindy , you can use a bag of frozen mixed vegetables instead of canned veggies.

Kerr Lake Catfish Stew

"When my children were young, we camped most weekends in the summer," says recipe creator LPK . "Saturday night was usually 'catfish night' with fish straight from the lake into the pot or pan. This was a real quickie favorite."

More Inspiration

Try one of our favorite Camping Desserts to Sweeten Your Trip and explore our entire collection of Camping Recipes .

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23 Camping Recipes You'll Be Excited to Eat

Meals on a camping trip don’t have to be sad and plain. With a little preparation, you can nourish yourself and have a tasty culinary experience in the fresh open air.

Our Favorite Ideas for Camping

Camping is a great way to experience the joys of nature. Sleeping under the stars, disconnecting from electronics, exploring the wilderness, and cooking over an open fire are just some of the reasons we love to break out the sleeping bags and get outside. Packing and preparing the food situation properly can make or break your camping experience, and true camping enthusiasts know the value of having a couple of camping breakfast ideas or some tasty campfire recipes in their back pocket. Somehow, food just tastes better in the open air, whether it’s a crispy campfire pizza, a fluffy campfire potato or a super-simple, 5-ingredient camping dish . We’ve even rounded up some easy camping snacks that don’t need refrigeration or cooking once prepared, so you can get fueled up and back on the trail, like this simple muffuletta that gets better the longer it sits. Make this pressed sandwich layering provolone and cold cuts, topped with some tangy giardiniera and chopped olives.

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Camping Baked Potatoes with Herbed Sour Cream

Simple russet potatoes become incredibly fluffy and soft when baked in a foil packet over a wood-burning fire. Whip up a quick topping of sour cream, fresh herbs, and thinly sliced scallions while they cook, or make it ahead of time and pack it in the cooler.

Campfire Lasagna

Cheesy, bubbly lasagna is a universal crowd-pleaser and sure to hit the spot after a long day. This recipe does require some layering, but with the help of pre-made sauce and no-boil lasagna noodles, it comes together in no time and bakes right in the coals of a roaring fire.

Foil-Pack Reuben Sandwiches

We’ve cracked the code on how to make buttery, melty Reuben sandwiches when you're camping—no flipping required! The key is to start by making strategic slices in a whole loaf of rye bread, then stuffing the slots with all the fixings of a classic Reuben: corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. Wrap the whole loaf in foil, place it on a warm grill and in about an hour you’ll have toasty, meaty and cheesy sandwiches for everyone.

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Upgrade your weenies on a stick routine.

When it comes to cooking over a fire, we love how foil packs take all our favorite home-cooked meals and make them campfire-friendly, with almost zero cleanup. Check out all our favorite foil pack recipes , like these gnocchi foil packets , berry crisp foil packs , and surf 'n' turf foil packs . Your favorite cast-iron skillet meals are also campfire-friendly, making it almost too easy to make loaded campfire nachos , skillet beer cheese , and a campfire breakfast skillet . Plus, they all go great with a camping-friendly cocktail !

Looking to replace your camping gear or upgrade your campfire kitchen? We have a handy guide to all the best camping gear and best camping cookware that will turn anyone into an outdoors expert. Camping on a budget? Check out our handy $20 Budget Eats guide to feeding four people while camping .

Best-Ever Burger

There are about a million ways to top a hamburger , and we're not here to tell you what goes onto your patty. It is our duty to make sure that you're cooking burgers as best as you possibly can. Our golden rules: Be sure to let the meat come to room temperature and season generously with salt and black pepper before you grill up.

Get the Best-Ever Burger recipe .

Grilled Peaches

Nothing beats a ripe, sticky-sweet peach , and while you can just bite right in, cooking with peaches is killer. One of our favorite ways? Grilling them, then drizzling them with honey, olive oil, and sea salt. Add freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to take them OTT.

Get the Grilled Peaches recipe .

Grilled Beer Brats

It takes almost zero cooking skills to get perfectly charred brats topped with flavor-packed caramelized onions and peppers. First, the brats get burnished on the grill, then they finish off in a simmering beer bath alongside the veg. Use whatever beer you like to drink, but not IPAs (India Pale Ales), which are brewed to be hoppy (i.e., bitter).

Get the Grilled Beer Brats recipe .

Grilled Brie with Wine

We love digging into a wheel of gooey oven- baked brie , but in the summer, no one wants to bother with the oven. Give this classic appetizer a summery twist by cooking it on the grill, seasoning it lightly with garlic, herbs, and wine, and serving with some lightly charred bread.

Get the Grilled Brie with Wine recipe .

Best Baked Beans

When it comes to year-round American cuisine, baked beans could quite possibly be looked at as one of the most classic side dishes . They’re sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make. Not to mention, they’re a one-pot wonder! Throw in the fact that one batch feeds a small crowd and that most of the cooking is done unattended in the oven, and you have a winning dish that’ll be a staple for all your family gatherings for years to come.

Get the Best Baked Beans recipe .

Gnocchi Foil Packets

The foil packets trap in steam from the wine and juices from the tomato and corn as everything grills, which in turn cooks the gnocchi to perfectly tender while infusing the pasta with all the flavors of the dish. Bonus: Some of the meal browns a bit on the bottom right before it finishes cooking, adding extra flavor.

Get the Gnocchi Foil Packets recipe .

Best-Ever S'mores

Ah, s'mores : three simple ingredients working together to make something much more delicious than the sum of its parts. Whether you keep it to the classic three ingredients or experiment with fun toppings like caramel or sliced fruit, this is one simple dessert that never disappoints.

Get the Best-Ever S'mores recipe .

Maple Chorizo Breakfast Skillet

The smoky-sweet combo will haunt your dreams.

Get the Maple Chorizo Breakfast Skillet recipe .

Honey Mustard Chicken, Tomato & Zucchini Foil Packs

Smothered in sweet honey mustard sauce, these chicken breasts are grilled to perfection, staying super-tender and juicy by cooking inside foil packets. Honey mustard sauce can be as simple as just two ingredients; however, we amped it up for flavor and cooked it slightly to thicken the sauce so it stays on top of the chicken , creating almost a glaze. A duo of mustards is a must for the flavor—grainy mustard is more mild with a pop of texture, while Dijon adds a burst of that signature mustard intensity.

Get the Honey Mustard Chicken, Tomato & Zucchini Foil Packs recipe .

Campfire Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies Treats never go out of style, and this toasted version is one of our new favorite ways to eat them. In order to get your treats nice and charred, they'll need a minute or two over the open fire. Make sure they were tightly packed into the baking dish before cutting; this will help keep them secure on your skewer while you're roasting. Using a double-pronged skewer helps too!

Get the Campfire Rice Krispies Treats recipe .

Skillet Beer Cheese

One of our top hall of famers, this dip will get any campfire party started. The pinch of cayenne really adds that special something to this melty, creamy beer cheese. This is best served with toasted baguette , good company, and a cold beer .

Get the Skillet Beer Cheese recipe .

Grilled Pizza

Here's our #1 tip for success: Prep everything you are going to need before you start grilling your pizzas . The grilling part goes fast. We're talking 4 minutes tops, so don't wait to slice your tomatoes until the pizza is on the grill. Have everything ready and near you so that as soon as you flip the pizza crust, you can start topping and pull your pizza off the grill as soon as it's done.

Get the Grilled Pizza recipe .

Chicago-Style Hot Dogs

Chicago is as picky about hot dogs as New York is about pan pizza . The specific toppings are as important as the order in which they get layered. It's been "dragged through the garden," as the locals say, and we love it so very much.

Get the Chicago-Style Hot Dogs recipe .

Bánh Mì Kebabs

A classic bánh mì is one of the world's great sandwiches. Think contrast: flavor and texture from the meat, veg, and condiments are key to this sandwich standout. An ideal way to get that classic bánh mì taste? With these kebabs! Par-cooked carrots and slightly sweet daikon grill up nicely with thick pieces of pork chop, and they're perfectly matched with a straightforward combo of fish sauce, soy sauce, and honey.

Get the Bánh Mì Kebabs recipe .

Loaded Campfire Nachos

We apologize to many a camping trip for not thinking of this idea sooner. Thanks to a handful of canned goods, these loaded nachos come together almost instantly.

Get the Loaded Campfire Nachos recipe .

Grilled Baked Potatoes

Sure, a baked potato in the oven is great, but have you tried them on the grill? Use this method for your backyard grill or even when you're out camping. The potatoes cook up just as fluffy as they do in the oven, but have the bonus of smoky flavor.

Get the Grilled Baked Potatoes recipe .

Originally created in Mexico but popularized in the American Southwest, Frito pies (not actual pies) are comfort food perfection. Picture this: a freshly opened bag of Fritos smothered in spicy beef chili , cheddar cheese, and some bright, crunchy onions and jalapeños. Best eaten directly out of the bag.

Get the Frito Pie recipe .

Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs

Sure, gnocchi is amazing served in a bowl with a sauce, but have you ever had nicely browned gnocchi taken straight off the grill? We’re here to tell you that the crispy-chewy texture is something that you've GOT to try this summer.

Get the Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs recipe .

Campfire Berry-Peach Cobbler

You can cobbler over a fire—and it even browns like the real thing. Stupid-easy to prep, this bubbling fruit skillet is impossible to mess up.

Get the Campfire Cobbler recipe .

Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets

We love a good shrimp boil , but sometimes we don't have time for the production. Foil packs turn a shrimp boil into individual parties that are so fun to throw onto the grill! It's everything you love with way less work.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets recipe .

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30 Best Camping Recipes to Pack for Your Next Trip

Because cooking outdoors means no dirty kitchen, right?

Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

When the Drummond kids were little, they used to go out camping along the creek every year. "They fish and play and build a fire, and they talk and lie back and look at the stars," says Ree Drummond. They would also eat all the staple "campout grub" like skillet cornbread, cowboy beans, and grilled sausages. Here, you'll find their favorites plus campfire dinners, trail mixes , and foil-packet ideas cooked over an open fire. Some even include handy camping tips so you can get back to enjoying the great outdoors. Oh, and to give your camping trip the sweet ending it deserves, there are campfire desserts like skillet cobblers and s'mores desserts . It wouldn't be camping with roasted marshmallows, now would it?

When sausages, onions, and beer simmer together, it's pure heaven! They become juicy and plump and prime for grilling.

Get the Beer Brats recipe .

Grilled Peaches

Simple and sweet grilled peaches are delicious on their own, but you can also top them with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even greek yogurt for a campfire breakfast.

Get the Grilled Peaches recipe .

Cowboy Caviar

This quick dip is a great way to pack in the veggies and beans on your camping trip. Just serve them up with tortilla chips for scooping.

Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe .

Steakhouse Kebabs

Bring the steakhouse outdoors with this fun recipe for steak kebabs. They have potatoes, mushrooms, and a blue cheese dressing.

Get Ree's Steakhouse Kebabs recipe .

Grilled Watermelon

Fresh slices of watermelon get smoky and caramelized when tossed on the grill. Add some fresh cilantro and lime zest for even more unique flavor.

Get the Grilled Watermelon recipe .

Beef Kebabs

A good marinade is the key to making the best beef kebabs. Stack them up with vegetables and your whole crew will come running.

Get the Beef Kebabs recipe .

Sweet Potato Hash

Using sweet potatoes in this breakfast hash is a nice change of pace from your typical potato hash. Plus, it pairs so well with the smoky flavors from the bacon.

Get the Sweet Potato Hash recipe .

Cowboy Beans

Looking to eat like a cowboy? Just make a batch of these comforting beans! They'll warm you up even when the sun goes down on the open range.

Get the Cowboy Beans recipe .

Southwestern Pasta Salad

This is the kind of make-ahead pasta salad we love! It's loaded with mix-ins, perfectly creamy, and even gets tastier over time.

Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe .

Breakfast Cookies

This grab-and-go breakfast is perfect for fueling you and your family up for a long day of adventures. It's loaded with oats, seeds, cereal, and dried fruit.

Get the Breakfast Cookies recipe .

SHOP COOKIE SHEETS

Black Bean Chili

It wouldn't be a camping trip without a pot of chili! It'll keep you warm even if the temperatures drop.

Get the Black Bean Chili recipe .

Simple Grilled Flank Steak

Flank steak is a long and thin cut of beef, so it doesn't take forever to cook which means it's perfect for camping. Grill the steak for 3 to 5 minutes per side and serve it up with a side of beans—it's that easy!

Get the Simple Grilled Flank Steak recipe .

Poblano-Potato Bundles

Don't even bother with boiling these potatoes! Just toss them with the poblano peppers, butter, heavy cream, and spices, then tightly secure the foil packets and grill.

Get Ree's Poblano-Potato Bundles recipe .

Skillet Cornbread

This is Ree's "all-time favorite cornbread recipe." Make one for your camping trip and one for a snack right now—you won't regret it!

Get Ree's Skillet Cornbread recipe .

Campfire Cones

This trendy summer dessert combines traditional s'mores ingredients with ice cream cones for a mess-free treat that everyone in the family will love.

Get the Campfire Cones recipe .

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw

Grilled hot dogs, barbecue sauce, and crunchy slaw is the perfect flavor combination. Prepare the slaw in advance for an easy camping meal.

Get Ree's BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw recipe .

Grilled Chicken Marinade

You can make this marinade up to four days in advance and store in a mason jar so you can pack it up for your next camping trip. Just be sure to only marinade the chicken for up to four hours.

Get the Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe .

Beef-Vegetable Kebabs

These handheld skewers make it easy for everyone to grill their own dinner. Serve it up with a side of pre-made orzo or your favorite pasta salad.

Get Ree's Beef-Vegetable Kebabs recipe .

Grilled Corn on the Cob

This method of grilling corn leaves some of the husk in place to help steam the corn, but exposes some of the kernels for that ultimate charred look.

Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe .

Lemon-Pepper Grilled Rib-Eyes

You can find lemon-pepper seasoning at most supermarkets, but making your own is easier than you might think. Plus, you can prep it ahead and pack it up with your camping essentials to use on rib-eyes, chicken, or even veggies.

Get Ree's Lemon-Pepper Grilled Rib-Eyes recipe .

SHOP SPICE JARS

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38 Unbelievably Easy Camping Meals Your Family Will Love

Home / Camping

The Best Easy Camping Meals To Keep Everyone Satisfied

Because I’ve been camping now for 40+ years!

Needless to say, I’ve made a TON of meals around a fire…

And out of all my campground meals, 38 are my absolute favorites.

Pick and choose your favs from my list and start eating well in the woods:

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)

• Time-Tested Camp Breakfasts
• Easy ‘On-The-Go’ Lunches
• Delicious Gourmet Camp Dinners
• Foil-Packet Campfire Dinners
• Best Easy Campfire Desserts
• Kid-Friendly Camping Meal Ideas
• Lightweight Backpacking Meals
• Tips For Cooking While Camping

Want a free camping essentials checklist?

*Note: You might want to BOOKMARK this page to reference it again before future trips!!

7 Time-Tested In-Camp Breakfast Recipes

Waking up in camp is always exciting.

But I can never quite get rolling first thing in the morning until I’ve had something to eat ( and a coffee ).

Here are a few delicious recipes for some hearty in-camp breakfasts.

The type you can prepare in camp before heading out to a day full of adventure.

Or let’s be honest, before a date with a hammock and a good book.

↓ 11 Super Easy Camping Breakfast Ideas

1. Camping Breakfast Sandwich ( click for recipe)

For breakfast sandwiches, we’re looking at a pretty simple formula.

Muffin ( or biscuit, if you ask me ) + egg + cheese + meat = perfection!

I like to make it even easier by using up some of the leftovers from the night before.

I love using leftover BBQ pork and crispy fried eggs to start the day!

2. Bacon and Cheese Pull-Apart (click for recipe)

These bacon and cheese pull-parts are a great way to start the day.

I mean, come on, cheesy goodness and chunks of savory bacon, what’s not to love?

They’ll keep you feeling full and warm all morning long.

3. Farmers Scramble Breakfast (click for recipe)

This camping breakfast recipe combines crispy browned potatoes and fluffy scrambled eggs.

You can also add some fried onions and bacon.

This Farmers Scramble hits all the bases – carbs, protein, salt, and fat.

It’ll leave even the biggest eaters satisfied!

4. Campfire French Toast (click for recipe)

But that’s not an efficient way to get breakfast out to a big group.

So, here’s a recipe that makes an entire loaf of bread into French toast.

It’s sure to please the group, and it’s way easier than I’ve always done.

5. Egg and Sausage Breakfast Taquitos (click for recipe)

They’re quick to prepare with sausage links and a pile of scrambled eggs.

You can customize them with whatever extra ingredients you have in your pantry.

I like adding a little hash brown to mine; cheese also works.

You’ll want to make a double batch because they will go fast!

6. Crispy Campfire Bacon (click for recipe)

A well-meaning friend ( but not a skilled grill master ) tried it on my grill in college.

He nearly burned our deck down in the resulting grease fire.

So if you want to try this one, use stainless steel skewers instead and thread the bacon with space between the folds.

This strategy allows the bacon to cook evenly, thoroughly, AND safely.

Yes, you’re bound to get some small flare-ups as the fat renders out and drips.

But slow cooking over low heat helps to minimize these flare-ups and leaves you with crispy, extra-smoky bacon.

NEVER leave it unattended!

7. Dutch Oven Biscuits And Gravy (click for recipe)

A Dutch oven is a perfect tool for cooking some fluffy biscuits.

Add some warm, rich sausage gravy, and you’ll have a delicious and filling breakfast.

5 Easy On-The-Go Adventure Lunches

Camp lunches can mean anything from a quick snack to a full meal prepared in camp.

The name of the game is flexibility, as you never know how your plans will change or when everyone will start feeling hungry.

Individual portions help prevent a big setup and put away challenges…unlike a big spread.

Leave the bigger meals for breakfast and dinner.

↓ 3 Super Easy Lunch Ideas For Camping

8. Salads To-Go (click for recipes)

Salads are NOT the first thing you think of for camping.

But a quick salad can be an excellent break from the heavy meals you may have planned for the first few days.

Hearty leafy greens ( like kale ) last longer in an ice-cooler than more delicate ones.

I tend to avoid iceberg or spring mixed greens for this reason.

I recommend you plan your camp salads accordingly.

This recipe calls for individual salads in single-serving containers.

That way, you can grab one at a time from the cooler when you’re ready to eat.

9. Hot Ham and Swiss Croissants (click for recipes)

Again, individual packaging makes it easy to grab them as needed.

AND each person can choose to eat them cold or heat them on the grill or over the fire.

All I know is a gooey melt sandwich tastes so dang good after a long day hiking!

10. Cashew Chicken Salad Wraps (click for recipes)

The variety of flavors of pre-cooked chicken and tuna makes for endless possibilities.

But this cashew chicken salad version is excellent and packs well.

Try toasting the tortilla if you have a fire or want to break out a portable stove .

It makes the wrap so much better, in my opinion.

11. Trailside Hummus (click for recipe)

But, with a home food dehydrator , you can dry any flavor of homemade hummus ahead of time.

Just be sure not to add the olive oil before dehydrating since it won’t keep that way.

Pack some buttery crackers or tortillas, and you’ll have a filling lunch  on the trail!

12. Crackers/Salami/Cheese (no recipe needed)

Crackers, sausage, and cheese have been a staple on many of my hiking lunches for years.

They’re calorie-dense, pack well, and taste great.

5 Delicious Gourmet In-Camp Dinners

Dinner back in camp is a chance to regroup and wind down after a full day.

It’s a chance to make plans for tomorrow and to share stories of what you saw today.

I find that conversations are even more enjoyable over a hearty meal.

One that will keep you ( and everyone else ) full until morning.

And trust me, there’s nothing worse than having to crawl out of the sleeping bag to find a snack at 3 am .

These are some tested recipes that will tide you over until breakfast.

↓ 9 Easy Camping Dinner Ideas: My Go-To Car Camping Meals

13. One-Pot Beef Stroganoff (click for recipe)

This one-pot beef stroganoff recipe brings some big flavors to enjoy.

Steak, mushrooms, onions, and garlic meld together to create a filling dish that will surely be an in-camp favorite.

14. Campfire Stew (click for recipe)

Let this hearty stew simmer over the fire for hours, and it will develop a vast range of flavors.

Slow cooking can turn even the cheapest cut of meat into a tender delicacy.

The swirling smoke will impart a wonderful smoky flavor throughout the campground.

You may have to beat your camping neighbors off with a stick!

You can adapt this recipe for the vegetables and canned meats you have on hand.

Follow the cooking instructions on how to prep it at home or do everything at camp.

15. Dutch Oven Stuffed Sausage and Potato Boats (click for recipe)

This stuffed sausage and potato boat recipe is super versatile.

Sliced sausage forms a base for potatoes mixed with any toppings you like.

Using a Dutch Oven helps to prevent “drying out,” resulting in a “twice-based potato” texture and awesome flavors.

16. Cast Iron Skillet Pizza (click for recipe)

You can make the dough yourself or buy a convenient pre-made shell from the grocery store.

But cooking in a cast-iron skillet will produce a thicker, chewier crust.

17. Dutch Oven Pork Chops and Potato Casserole

Cream of mushroom soup and bread crumbs make it an easy camp meal to prep and a surefire favorite!

Just don’t burn the bottom of this casserole, focusing most of the heat on the top of the oven.

7 Foil-Packet Camping Meals

Cooking a delicious meal wrapped tightly in aluminum foil is a time-honored camping tradition.

So much so that I decided to give them their own category!

There’s something so satisfying about opening that foil packet and sticking your nose close to enjoy the first whiff of a fantastic feast.

Plus, individual packets allow for easy meal customization for each individual.

I ’ve found it’s the best way to make even the pickiest eater a happy camper!

↓ How To Make Foil Packets For Camping (aka Hobo Meals)

18. Foil-wrapped Baked Sweet Potatoes and Chili (click for recipe)

Cooking them over a campfire can help keep you warm and satisfied even on a cold night.

This recipe calls for sweet potatoes and vegetarian chili.

But you can substitute regular potatoes or add in some ground beef if you prefer.

19. Shrimp Scampi Foil Packets (click for recipe)

But I’ve made a similar recipe on several sea kayaking trips.

I just used rock crabs I caught by hand instead of shrimp.

Crayfish are also another easy option in certain locales.

So mix your shellfish with a fresh sauce and cook everything in tightly sealed packets.

You’ll be known as the best chef in camp for years to come.

20. Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches (click for recipe)

Tender roast beef, melted Swiss cheese, and creamy, salty au jus sauce in a giant pull-apart loaf of crusty bread— yes, please!

The French Dip is also perfect for satisfying a hungry crowd!

21. Bacon Ranch Grilled Potatoes (click for recipe)

You can go with a pure blend of baked spuds and a perfect cheese mix.

Or you can add bacon, sour cream, and herbs; you know it’ll taste great and give you plenty of fuel for the next day.

Just lay out pre-sliced potatoes and extras on a table.

This buffet-style meal allows everyone to make their own version of the Bacon Ranch Potato Packets.

22. Grilled Pineapple Chicken (click for recipe)

This easy camping meal is simple to prepare at home by chopping all the ingredients and pre-mixing the sauce.

Once in camp, dish up to foil packets and cook until the chicken is ready.

It should only take about 15 minutes to have dinner on plates!

23. Southwestern Chicken Packets (click for recipe)

You can even tailor the spice level to fit each person – a win/win situation when camping with kids!

24. Grilled Caramelized Onions (click for recipe)

This combination helps create a great side dish or addition to other recipes.

You can spread them on toasted crusty garlic bread if you get them caramelized and soft.

5 Best Campfire Desserts ( other than S’mores )

All right, my favorite section of them all is Desserts!

And while I’m a big fan of S’mores – I can’t do them 3 nights in a row.

I need to mix it up, and I think you’ll agree after you’ve tried a few of these camping dessert options.

↓ 10 Easy Camping Desserts You Have To Try This Summer

25. Blackberry Dutch Oven Cobbler (click for recipe)

The carbonated soda gives it extra rise, making the cake super fluffy with a crispy top.

It also makes a great breakfast if you have any leftovers!

26. Grilled Banana Boats (click for recipe)

They’re simple to prep and don’t take much in the way of ingredients.

Plus, you can store them all at room temp ( unless it’s mid-summer and your chocolate is melting ).

27. Chocolate Orange Cakes (click for recipe)

Single-serving cakes, baked INSIDE the hollowed-out peel of an orange wrapped in foil!

28. Pineapple Upside Down Pound Cake

Foil packet cooking doesn’t have to end with dinner!

Chunks of fresh or canned pineapple cook to a rich, mellow flavor.

A flavor that pairs well with dense, buttery pound cake.

If you don’t have pound cake, chunks of old-fashioned donuts or even donut holes will work just as well!

29. Cherry Hand Pies (click for recipe)

Using pre-made pie crusts is easy.

But you can also do it homemade if you’d rather not have the perishable dough in the cooler.

Either way, be careful with kids around the hot oil and cast iron.

5 Kid-Friendly Camping Meal Ideas

Anyone who has spent time with young kids knows that mealtime can be a struggle.

New foods are not always a hit, especially with overly tired and hungry kids.

That’s why planning a few tried and true favorites is wise.

It can be a camping lifesaver.

Preventing a meltdown and saving your sanity is key to a great time camping with littles.

Plus, any food your kids can “help” cook is food you don’t have to prepare yourself.

And this helps keep them busy ( at least for a while ).

30. Campfire Cinnamon Roll-ups (click for recipe)

If you’ve already got a fire going to heat water for coffee, give those bleary-eyed kids a fun task.

Teach them how to whip up some cinnamon rolls on a stick!

Using packaged crescent roll dough makes it fast and has no mess.

Plus, you can tailor the cinnamon/sugar mix to your liking.

31. Make-at-Home Mac & Cheese (click for recipe)

The bottom line is it’s a surefire hit for kids and simple to make.

Pack homemade mac and cheese into foil wraps and heat them over the fire.

Since it’s fully cooked, you only have to wait for it to heat up to your liking.

But if you let it sit just a little longer, you’ll reap the reward of crispy cheese on the top and bottom.

This added texture and flavor make a kid-friendly dish enjoyable for adults, too.

32. Campfire Cheesy Breadsticks (click for recipe)

Campfire breadsticks are wrapped around a stick and cooked over an open fire.

There isn’t a kid out there who’s not fascinated by campfires.

So, this is a great way to teach them to use it as a tool.

So wrap store-bought dough around a handy stick and toast to your liking.

These allow your kids to make their very own cheesy breadsticks.

33. Hawaiian BBQ Pork Walking Taco (click for recipe)

But in my 23 years living in Michigan, I never encountered the Walking Taco.

I learned about this camp-friendly / kid-friendly dinner option after I moved out West.

This knowledge gap isn’t to say they’re not a great idea – because they are!

First, prepare any taco/nacho toppings you like.

Next, open a small bag of chips and layer everything inside on top.

This version used pulled pork and pineapple salsa for a Hawaiian flair.

It’s a self-contained nacho platter in a handy bag.

No mess, no dishes, no cleanup!

The more I think about it, it *DOES* sound like something a Midwesterner would invent…

34. Campfire Pigs In A Blanket (click for recipe)

But these Pigs In A Blanket take things to an entirely new level!

Be sure to use the loose foil wrap to slow down the cooking.

This method gives hot dogs time to heat up without burning the breadsticks.

Afterward, dip it in ketchup, mustard, or ( my favorite ) BBQ sauce.

4 Lightweight Backpacking Meals

Backpackers are a special breed. It’s all about minimalist camping!

In pursuit of lighter packs for more comfortable hiking, they do all kinds of odd things, especially with food.

But the need for good, filling, and tasty food is at its peak after a full day of hiking.

Something about long hikes and full packs drives a conversation toward camp food.

This hunger, mixed with ingenuity, likely inspired such lightweight backpacking foods.

I’m talking about inventions such as powdered peanut butter , powdered eggs , powdered milk , and freeze-dried roasted veggies .

↓ 3 No Cook Backpacking Lunch Ideas

35. Backpackers Thai Noodles (click for recipe)

But this one is great to customize for yourself.

It’s got some intense flavors with spices that tickle the taste buds.

And the richness of the peanut butter makes it particularly appealing.

You can purchase most of the ingredients at a local grocery store.

But the powdered peanut butter and freeze-dried vegetables might be harder to find.

That’s why I suggest ordering such backpackers-focused ingredients online.

36. Spicy Curry Noodle Bowl (click for recipe)

This one relies on lots of Southeast Asian spices and coconut cream powder for a thick broth that hits the spot.

Add some grilled chicken or pork to the mix if you feel ambitious.

I find such additions can make these meals so much better!

37. Loaded Mashed Potatoes (click for recipe)

You can start with pre-flavored packets of instant potatoes or add your own spices.

This recipe is perfect if you want to start tinkering with your own flavors— you can add nearly anything!

Mashed potatoes are the multi-tool food of backpacking cuisine.

38. Peanut Sauce Ramen (click for recipe)

This one is a lot like other peanut sauce noodle recipes.

But the ramen spice packet adds more sodium ( you’ve likely sweated out a lot after a day on the trail ).

And it’s cheaper as well.

It’s an excellent addition to your backpacker meal plan.

Best Strategies & Tips For Camping Meals

Unless you have a big RV with a full kitchen, you’ll have to rethink how you cook at a campsite.

Why? Because there are several unique challenges to cooking at a campsite .

From preventing stored food spoilage to dish clean-up – without kitchen appliances, you’ll need to get creative.

The good news is I have experience with these camp food challenges.

↓ How To Clean Dishes Camping Guide

Keeping Food Cold

Most campers do not have access to a fridge.

So, the food items you bring must either be safe to store outside, or you’ll have to protect them somehow.

Most people use a cooler full of ice to keep things cold on a hot day, which works well.

But you can also put canned and sealed items in cold running river water or a snowbank if needed.

This strategy works well if you’re trying to avoid taking a cooler…

Keeping Foods Warm( ish )

Few people realize you can also use a cooler to keep things from freezing if the temperatures dip too low at night.

An empty cooler will insulate the contents from moderate freezing temps.

And the addition of a hot water bottle before bed can protect from extreme cold conditions.

This strategy is handy during the late fall, winter, or early spring camping seasons when it can dip below freezing at night.

Baking Tools / Strategies

It’s a real challenge to bake in-camp without a standard kitchen oven.

Luckily, if you have to make a batch of fresh cookies, you can use a Dutch oven or a backpacker oven.

However, for most baked goods, it’s easier to cook these items at home and take them on the road with you.

Stovetop Camping Solutions

In-camp gourmet meals require cooking over a portable stove or open flames, so prepare for that.

Depending on the fuel source, these can be messy, sooty affairs for your pots and pans.

They also may get scorched on the outside, so this isn’t the time to take your best pots and pans from home.

Instead, I keep a small camp skillet and an old pasta pot with all my essential camping gear .

That way, I know exactly what I have every time I go.

Grilling Strategies

Taking a small grill along might be tempting if you have some trunk space.

If not, you can usually do most of your grilling directly over the campfire ( if the fire ring has a flip grill ).

Or, for some recipes, it works well with camping skewers, baskets, or sticks.

Washing Up / Clean Up

Unfortunately, it takes longer to wash up in camp than at home.

Why? Because heating water for wash-up takes time and energy, I often wash in cold water instead.

Yes, it takes a bit more elbow grease and scrubbing.

Use a metal brush and strong detergent to clean your cast iron skillets and ovens.

You want to be diligent about it, as any leftover food smells will surely draw animal visitors.

Some animal scavengers are cute but mischievous squirrels, but there are also dangerous predators like bears.

Final Thoughts

Cooking in camp should always be fun and yummy ( as long as the weather cooperates ).

And when done right, it can bring everyone together.

Assigning tasks like prep and cleanup to help distribute the load.

And this also helps ensure everyone has time to relax and enjoy their food.

Good camping food is key to keeping you fueled, focused, and ready to enjoy all the moments in the great outdoors.

Hopefully, these recipes give you a starting point to build your next epic camping food menu!

If you enjoyed this article, check out our 20 Camping Hacks article .

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85 Creative Camping Meals to Fuel Your Outdoor Adventures

Unique and easy camping meal ideas! These delicious campfire foods will keep everyone satisfied so you can truly enjoy your camping trip.

If you’re heading out on a fun camping adventure …

… the last thing you want to stress about is the food.

You want to relax, explore, and reconnect with nature or your family and friends.

I’ve got you covered!

I put together a list of easy, make ahead camping meals that even the pickiest eaters will love.

These simple (but highly tasty) camping food ideas are affordable, easy to make in advance or cook over the campfire or on your grill.

I’ve included lots of creative dinner ideas, plus lunches, breakfast, and even unique desserts.

You can plan your whole camping menu, and get back to enjoying the experience.

Okay, let’s check ‘em out!

(☀️ Looking for more delicious summer recipes? Try one of these unique kabob recipes , easy summer appetizers , simple picnic food ideas , crowd-pleasing cookout side dishes , or fun summer charcuterie boards !)

Fun Camping Meal Ideas

Easy Campfire French Dip Sandwiches

Campfire Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches are grill or campfire-friendly and made using foil packs.

Served nice and hot from the campfire with the rich and savory au jus, this is truly one of the highlights of camping!

Campfire Nachos

Campfire Nachos are so easy to make, quite tasty, and totally customizable for your tastes!

Top them with your favorite nacho toppings, or even leftover grilled meat.

Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets

Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets come together in no time and make clean-up a breeze.

Seasoned chicken, veggies, beans, and more, itt’s so flavorful and the perfect easy camping dinner recipe!

Campfire Pizza

Totally customizable, this easy Campfire Pizza is cooked in a cast iron pan over a fire, creating an easy and delicious pizza that smells and tastes amazing.

Storebought dough and your favorite toppings are all that’s needed!

Philly Cheesesteak Foil Packets

Cheesesteak fans, you’re going to want to try these easy campfire Philly Cheesesteak Foil Packs for yourself.

Boasting steak, provolone cheese, green bell pepper, onion, and tasty seasonings, they really are delicious. Just put the ingredients in foil packs and cook them on the campfire!

Walking Tacos

Easy to prep and totally portable, walking tacos are a creative take on traditional tacos using seasoned ground beef mixed into bags of corn chips or tortilla chips, with all the taco fixings!

Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs

Scrumptious Garlic Steak and Potato foil packs make for a fun and easy camping dinner because it can be made on the campfire or grill.

Clean-up is super easy and you can even prep them in advance.

Shredded Pork Camping Tacos

Tender, citrus-marinaded-and-chili-rubbed shredded pork is tucked into warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh orange slices, pico de gallo, and crumbled queso fresco.

These Camping Tacos are a basically party in your mouth and easy to scale up for a crowd.

Grilled Brat Kabobs

Consider making grilled brat kabobs instead of traditional steak or chicken.

These savory skewers are loaded with juicy bratwurst and colorful marinated vegetables.

Chicken Fajita Packets

Chicken Fajita Foil Packets are the absolute easiest meal to make!

They require only a few minutes of chopping chicken and a couple of veggies, seasoning, and wrapping them up!

Hawaiian Quesadillas

Cheesy and savory with just the right amount of sweet, Hawaiian Quesadillas are fun for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

These crispy quesadillas are filled to the brim with melted cheese, ham chunks, and sweet pineapple tidbits.

Chicken Campfire Stew

Chicken Campfire Stew is easy to make with chicken, lots of veggies, and a herbed tomato broth. It makes for a hearty, comforting dinner.

Hamburger Hobo Packets

Delicious Hamburger Hobo Packets are made with hamburger patties, chopped potatoes, mushrooms, and onions.

The whole meal in one easy-to-make packet, they’re such a fun twist on regular old hamburgers!

Easy Taco Salad

This is the best Easy Taco Salad recipe with fun ingredients like Thousand Island dressing and Nacho Cheese Doritos.

It works well when you need to feed a crowd, and can be made in advance by omitting the dressing until ready to serve.

Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes

Cast iron Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes is truly a winning recipe!

Delicious and seasoned to perfection, the combination of potatoes and melty cheese is irresistible, and works for any meal of the day.

Surf 'n Turf Foil Packs

When you can’t decide between meat or seafood, you’re gonna want to make these Surf and Turf Foil Packs.

They’re a tasty blend of grilled tender sirloin steak, juicy shrimp and a selection of carefully chosen spices and seasonings, along with corn cobs and red onion.

Campfire Sloppy Joes

​​If you are looking for the most delicious from-scratch campfire sloppy joes recipe this is it!

No seasoning packets or cans of sauce here - just good ol’ homemade yumminess.

Grilled Chicken Fajita Skewers

All the amazing flavor of chicken fajitas, on a stick!

Enjoy your favorite restaurant dish on an easy-to-eat skewer, while enjoying the great outdoors.

Grilled Cheese Roll Ups

Yummy Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups are a fun twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich.

Cheese is rolled up into plain bread and then pan-fried in a little bit of butter.

The cheese inside gets all melty and the bread on the outside gets all crispy - what’s not to love?

BBQ Chicken Burrito

This BBQ Chicken Burrito is barbecued twice, and tastes so amazing.

It's filled with grilled chicken, zesty BBQ sauce and grilled a few minutes more for a toasted tortilla flavor.

Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots

Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots are cooked in a cast iron pan over an open campfire, giving you deliciously crispy taters with smoky flavor.

They’re the perfect side dish to complement your camping dinner.

Cajun Chicken Foil Packets

Cajun Chicken Foil Packets are an easy camping or grilling meal made with boneless chicken thighs and sliced peppers and onions that are gently infused with Cajun seasoning.

They're mess-free, healthy, and ready in 30 minutes!

Camping Stick Bread

Campfire stick bread makes for excellent camping snacks or to compliment any fireside meal.

Simply mix up a simple dough, wrap it around a wooden stick, and roast it over a crackling campfire!

Campfire Sausage and Peppers

Campfire Sausage and Pepper are so cheap and easy to make.

Each foil packet encloses juicy sausage, tender onions and bell peppers, along with tasty seasonings.

Offering so much incredible flavor, these might be the highlight of your camping trip!

Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas

Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas have ALL the flavors of jalapeño poppers in a fun, portable package.

These little bites make a delicious summer appetizer and can also double as a meal!

Mediterranean Beef Kebabs

These juicy Mediterranean Beef Kebabs are packed with flavor and one of our favorite dinners during grilling season.

Serve them with your favorite side, or inside Naan bread for a satisfying sandwich wrap.

Corndog Bites

Kids of all ages will love snacking on these tasty Corn Dog Bites! Make them in advance and bring them for lunches, appetizers, and snacks.

Grilled Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Smoky, spicy, and ready to party, these Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos are a great way to capture those summertime camping vibes.

They’re super tasty cooked right over the campfire, because the smokey flavor of the chipotle is really enhanced, and we just love all the crispy slightly burnt bites.

Dutch Oven Pot Pie

Easy Dutch Oven Pot Pie is topped with cheddar thyme biscuits and can be made with chicken or turkey and cooked right over a campfire.

The creamy filling includes buttery potatoes, mushrooms, chicken or turkey, and whatever kind of frozen vegetables you like.

Caribbean Pork Kabobs

Caribbean Pork Kabobs will bring some tropical flavors to your camping trip.

The juicy pork is marinated in a delicious blend of spices and grilled to perfection, making you feel like you’re sitting on a beach somewhere.

Campfire Macaroni and Cheese

Make this macaroni and cheese up ahead of time and finish it on the campfire. Easy, creamy, and oh so cheesy!

Walking Gyros

Take your walking tacos to a new level and serve Greek Walking Gyros instead!

Same fun way to eat them but with Greek spiced lamb, feta, tzatziki sauce, and crushed pita chips.

Campfire Chicken Nachos

Chicken Nacho Foil Packets are a super easy recipe that everyone can agree on. They can be prepared in advance, and are totally customizable for your favorite ingredients.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet

One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet is like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Totally kid-friendly, you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want. It’s truly pure comfort food!

Grilled Chicken Kabobs

These Grilled Chicken Kabobs are marinated in a delightful honey lime sauce that combines tanginess of fresh limes with the sweetness of honey.

Sizzling with mouthwatering flavor, they’re abundantly savory, somewhat sweet, with just the right bit of kick.

Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas

Got leftover steak? Switch up your dinner routine with these Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas.

It puts a new spin on everything you love in the classic sandwich!

Campfire Potatoes

Campfire potatoes are so delicious and easy to make, making them an absolute must-try this summer either on your next camping trip or even right on your grill.

So comforting, tasty, and inexpensive to make!

Easy "Baked" Salmon

Foil Packet Salmon is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, not to mention fork tender and perfectly cooked every time.

Plus, you can cook veggies in the foil too - no need to clean up extra dishes!

Grilled Chicken Legs

This delicious Grilled Chicken Legs recipe has just 3 ingredients, so they’re easy to prep, and cook fast.

With crispy skin on the outside, and tender and juicy meat on the inside, you can’t beat the delicious smoky flavor!

Hearty Chili

Hearty Chili is chock full of healthy, chunky ingredients and bursting with great depth of flavor that’ll keep you warm on chilly evenings at the campground.

The seasonings meld together perfectly!

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza grilled cheese combines two favorite comfort foods: pizza and grilled cheese!

This tasty sandwich is loaded with pepperoni and cheese and best of all, a crispy crunchy crust.

Camping Breakfast Skillet

This hearty Camping Breakfast Skillet is made with bacon, scrambled eggs, and hashbrowns.

It’s a simple one-pot meal that feeds a crowd. And not just for breakfast!

Shrimp Foil Packets With Zucchini

These flavorful make-ahead Shrimp Foil Packs are full of juicy shrimp, quick-cook veggies, and everyday spices.

The bonus is that they require minimal prep and no cleanup.

Italian Sausage Skewers

These are so easy, there is no real need for a recipe, so there’s no excuse not to make them at your next camping trip.

Grab some good quality Italian sausages, and some chunks of veggies and skewer away!

Griddle Chorizo Breakfast Burritos

Chorizo Breakfast Burritos taste as good as anything at your favorite brunch place.

They’re made with simple Ingredients and are quick to make, but they taste oh-so amazing.

Cracker Barrel Bacon Baked Beans

Copycat Cracker Barrel Baked Beans with Bacon are hearty enough to serve as a main dish.

Bake them in a dutch oven over the campfire for the ultimate camping comfort food.

Hot Dog and Potato Foil Packs

Campfire Hot Dog Potato Foil Packs are inexpensive and fun for the whole family. Hog dogs, red potatoes and onion pair up with butter, spices and seasonings, shredded cheese, and BBQ sauce.

The result is a hot and flavorful meal you can eat right from the foil packets for easy cleanup.

Blackened Shrimp Kabobs

Grilled Blackened Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Sauce is the perfect balance of slight spiciness and refreshing zestiness. Truly a taste bud teaser!

Summer Charcuterie Board

The variety of ingredients in this Summer Charcuterie Board create such a wonderful medley of flavors and textures.

The roasted mini peppers perfectly balance the savory cheeses!

Hatch Green Chile Sausage Breakfast Burritos

A perfect grab and go breakfast (or lunch or dinner!), these Hatch Green Chile Sausage Breakfast Burritos are filled with pork, egg, potatoes, cheese, and peppers in a soft flour tortilla.

You can even make them ahead and bring them to your campsite.

Campfire Shrimp Boil

Campfire Shrimp Boil features mussels, shrimp, corn, and potatoes cooked with beer in a Dutch oven.

It's a fancy outdoor meal ready in less than 30 minutes.

Honey Garlic Chicken Foil Packets

Tender and delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Potato foil packets are hearty and delicious!

All the ingredients cook together inside the foil to create a steamy, tender and delicious all-in-one meal.

Pinwheel Sandwiches

Pinwheel Sandwiches are a fun and delicious make ahead camping meal because you can just grab and eat, no utensils (or even plates) required!

Plus they're totally customizable for whatever lunchmeat and cheese you have on hand.

Grilled Veggie Packets

Grilled Vegetables in Foil are healthy, easy and simple to make! This delicious vegetable medley on the grill is the perfect side dish to any meal.

Avocado Chicken Salad

Combining the delicious creaminess of avocado and flavorful chicken, Avocado Chicken Salad is the perfect addition to your camping cooler.

You’ll love the freshness and spectacular flavor, it’s both tasty and light, and easy to spread on bread or eat with crackers when ready to serve.

Chicken Breast Fritters

Kids and adults alike will absolutely love and adore these Chicken Breast Fritters!

Made with chicken breast, eggs, flour, mozzarella cheese, spring onion, then pan-fried, they’re so fun to make and eat with your favorite dipping sauce.

Grilled Mediterranean Salmon Skewers

Grilled Salmon Kabobs are gorgeous, and they are even tastier than they look.

The Mediterranean sauce is one of the best grilled salmon marinades you’ll find - it adds in so much extra flavor!

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Pasta Salad is jam-packed with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, crumbed feta cheese, bell pepper and red onion, all doused in a delicious herbed vinaigrette.

It’s honestly hard to stop eating!

Campfire Breakfast Pizza

Campfire Breakfast Pizza is the perfect way to start a morning at the campsite!

With sausage, tater rounds, eggs, and cheese, it is beyond delicious, filling, and family-friendly.

Campfire Cappuccino Monkey Bread

Campfire Cappuccino Monkey Bread is yummy breakfast bread coated in cinnamon, sugar & Salted Caramel Cappuccino mix, baked in tin foil over a campfire.

Roasted Skillet Potatoes with Peppers & Onions

Roasted Skillet Breakfast Potatoes with Peppers and Onions are a down home country classic.

They feed a crowd, make a great filling for breakfast burritos, or taste delicious alongside eggs and bacon.

S'mores French Toast

Decadent S’mores French Toast has chocolate and crushed graham crackers, then topped with some perfectly gooey torched marshmallows.

All the amazing flavors of s’mores, with a breakfast twist!

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Cookies for breakfast? Yes please. With egg, banana, oats, and yogurt, Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bookies have all the traditional breakfast foods in one convenient bite.

Best of all, you can make them ahead - no refrigeration needed!

Granola Crunch Apple Peanut Butter Wraps

Granola Apple Peanut Butter Sandwich Wraps come together in just moments and are completely adaptable.

Perfect for on-the-go camping meals and make-ahead lunches, they’re full of nutrient-rich fruits, whole grains and lots of protein.

A delicious combination of sweet, crunchy, chewy and creamy ingredients that your whole family will love!

French Toast Sticks

Dippable French Toast Sticks are the fun and utensil-free way to eat French toast.

Make them right at your campsite, or bring a batch you made in advance.

Campfire Scrambled Eggs

Whether you are in the woods or your backyard, this Campfire Scrambled Eggs recipe is just the thing to start your day out right.

Loaded with not just eggs, but plenty of veggies and flavor, this hearty breakfast will keep you going all morning.

Strawberry Overnight Oats

Are you looking for an easy make-ahead breakfast for relaxed mornings while camping?

Then this family-approved Strawberry Overnight Oats is just what you need. They taste just like strawberry shortcake!

Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

Add a new sweet treat to your camping experience with these Campfire Cinnamon Rolls, featuring gooey and delicious cinnamon rolls baked right inside orange peels.

S'mores Nachos

S’mores Nachos are the best! All that melted chocolate and gooey marshmallow combined with graham crackers are just the best camping dessert ever.

And you can easily whip up a whole batch of s’mores for a group with this fun recipe.

Oreo Skillet Brownies

Fudgy Oreo Skillet Brownies are loaded with oreo chunks, and chocolate chunks, have a delicious crinkly top, and are ready in under one hour!

They stay fresh for days, and make enough to share too.

Banana Boats

Banana Boat Desserts are one of the easiest desserts to add to your cookouts or campfires!

Full of ooey gooey marshmallow, chocolate, and banana, you can cook them on the BBQ or campfire for a fun and versatile dessert.

Campfire Chocolate Cake

If you love chocolate, you’ll love this Campfire Chocolate Cake.

It’s a rich and decadent dessert to make over the campfire - there’s nothing better than enjoying a slice of chocolate cake while sitting around the campfire in the great outdoors!

Cast Iron Skillet Popcorn

Cast Iron Skillet Popcorn is the perfect way to make popcorn at your campsite.

No burnt popcorn here and it is infinitely better than microwaved popcorn. If you haven’t tried it yet, you are missing out!

Easy S’mores Bark

S’mores and camping go hand in hand, but campfires are banned at many state and national park campgrounds.

But you make this S'mores Bark in advance to bring with you, no fire required!

Campfire Cones

Campfire Cones are a great alternative to the messy s'mores! Stuffed with chocolate, marshmallows, strawberries, bananas, and anything else you have on hand.

Ice Cream In A Bag

Add a cool twist to your camping desserts with this Ice Cream in a Bag recipe!

With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy freshly made ice cream right at your campsite.

Campfire Dessert Board

This Campfire Charcuterie Dessert Board is a great way for everyone to enjoy a variety of delicious and flavorful treats while enjoying the outdoors.

Snack platters and boards just make any event feel like a celebration.

Walking Desserts

Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with these walking desserts!

The dessert version of the walking taco, everyone will have so much fun putting together different combinations of toppings.

Instead of making individual s’mores, make a delicious S’mores dip in a cast iron skillet over your campfire.

Everyone can Dip graham crackers, cookies, pretzels, etc in. It’s SO good!

Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets

Easy, fruity campfire dessert lovers, this one's for you! Apple Crisp Foil Packs are full of sweet juicy apples, cinnamon and granola.

Campfire Dessert Pizza

Campfire Dessert Pizza is so fun and easy to customize the sweet toppings.

Topped with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, it’s the perfect way to end a day in the great outdoors.

Apple Pie Spice Campfire Donuts

These Apple Pie Spice Campfire Donuts are perfect to enjoy with a cup of cider around a campfire or bonfire on cool days.

You can cook them on a stove top, over the campfire, or right on the grill. You just need to be able to get your oil hot enough.

Campfire Whiskey Peach Cobbler

Campfire Whiskey Peach Cobbler is so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and fresh peaches.

You can wow your camping family when you whip up this amazing dessert.

Easy S'mores Snack Mix

S’mores Snack Mix is a fun and delicious treat that the whole family will love!

Made with Golden Grahams cereal, mini marshmallows, chocolate bars, and crunchy chocolate-covered pretzels, you have the perfect snack ready for your next road trip or camping adventure!

Tropical Trail Mix

This tasty Tropical Trail Mix is made with coconut chips, dried mango, banana and pineapple, and yogurt clusters, along with roasted cashews.

The coconut and pineapple offer a tropical taste and the protein-enriched yogurt clusters offer a creamy sweet element that contrasts with the salty cashews.

Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack on the go!

Ready to try some new camping meals?

I hope this list of fun and creative camping food ideas has given you tons of inspiration for what to make for your camping trip.

The food can make or break the experience, and any of the delicious recipes are sure to be a hit!

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23 Easy Camping Meals to Make Family Trips a Breeze

Get outdoors and get fed!

The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

Looking for quick and easy camping meals for your next outdoor trip ? Campfire cooking is all about no-fuss meals that can be assembled quickly and don't take a long time—or a whole lot of pots and utensils. Browse our collection of recipes that work great for the campsite , and satisfy your craving to eat well when you are away from home. All of these recipes use just a single piece of cookware (whether that's a skillet , skewer, pot, grill pan, or foil packet), and many include components that can be prepared (or purchased) before you leave home, saving you time on your trip. You'll enjoy elevated family-style meals that taste delicious, without too much effort or clean-up needed.

French Toast and Sausage Roll-Ups

Diana Rattray

Greet the kids good morning with a camping breakfast of French toast and sausage roll-ups . The whole family will enjoy these fun and tasty breakfast treats of smoky, grilled breakfast sausage wrapped in a pillowy blanket of French toast. Make them in a single pan for a hearty, great-tasting way to start the day outdoors.

Esquites (Mexican Corn Off the Cob)

The Spruce/Kristina Vanni

Shuck some corn (or thaw frozen kernels) before you hit the road, and throw together this easy Mexican corn off-the-cob at the campsite. It cooks up in one pan, with queso fresco, lime, cilantro, and jalapeno peppers, for a South-of-the-border side dish that tastes just like the cheesy corn cobs sold at street food stands in Mexico.

Turkey Sloppy Joes

The Spruce/Diana Rattray

Ground turkey makes these kid-friendly sloppy Joes lower in fat than the kind made with beef. They cook up in one pan, for a leaner, looser, burger-style dinner, without the need to fire up the grill. Feel free to sneak some extra veggies into the saucy meat mixture to fool picky eaters (just chop them up finely). Serve on fluffy buns, with your favorite toppings .

Shrimp Boil Foil Packs

Wrap up a great family day with a celebratory, shrimp boil . All you need to make this classic, low-country boil are a handful of ingredients, aluminum foil, and a campfire or gas burner. It's easy to make, fun to eat, and loaded with plenty of down-home flavor. Serve it with bottled cocktail sauce , or go wild with a generous drizzle of melted butter.

Brochettes (Moroccan Chicken or Turkey Kebabs)

Brochettes may sound like a fancy restaurant meal, but they're a cinch to prep and cook on skewers . These flavorful, zesty kebabs are usually made with either chicken or turkey breast, but dark meat can be used if you prefer. Prep the skewers at home, then pack them into your backpack cooler for easy grilling at the campsite.

Easy Fried Fish Fillets

Fried fish is always a treat but tastes especially great when eaten outdoors with family and friends. Get your fish fry on with our easy recipe for lightly-battered fish fillets that cook up in minutes in a hot skillet. Serve them right out of the pan with lemon wedges, or prepared tartar sauce , for an easy meal that goes great with coleslaw.

Quick and Easy Creamy Coleslaw

A packaged shredded cabbage mixture makes it a snap to assemble a big bowl of coleslaw for serving with fish or grilled meats, or topping burgers and sloppy Joes. The simple, creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, and celery seed for a slaw with sweetness and tang.

Easy Skillet Chili Mac

Satisfy chili lovers along with macaroni and cheese fans with this campfire-ready mash-up of two family-favorite meals. It all cooks together in a single skillet, including the pasta, to make chow time (and clean-up) a breeze. With ground beef , tomatoes, beans, and cheddar cheese, it's a hearty meal that will hit the spot after a busy day of boating or hiking.

Korean Egg Sandwich

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

If you believe mornings are better with a breakfast sandwich , this recipe was made for you. This Korean breakfast sandwich, sold by street vendors in cities, is commonly called  tost-u  (toast) or  gaeran tost-u  (egg toast). Eggs, cabbage, veggies, and a sweet dusting of brown sugar combine for a delicious and satisfying way to start the day. You can toast the bread on the grill and top with ketchup, if you like.

Easy Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders

The Spruce / Rachel Riesgraf

These easy chicken tenders are marinated in  Caesar salad dressing , and then they're grilled to perfection. Serve the chicken breasts whole or slice into strips for an easy salad topper along with any extra dressing. Marinate the chicken in advance, so you can pop it onto the grill for quick cooking at dinnertime.

Seattle Hot Dogs

The Spruce/Leah Maroney

You don't have to travel to Washington state to enjoy Seattle hot dogs . A game day staple in the Emerald City, they are a delicious combo of hot dog and bagel that work great for camping lunches. You make them by splitting open hot dogs, for girdling and topping with sautéed onions, softened cream cheese, jalapeños , mustard, and optional hot sauce.

Campfire Smoked Tuna Dip

The Spruce/Todd Coleman

You don't technically need a campfire to make this delectable tuna dip snack , but it's definitely best done outdoors. Kids will love watching you perform the magic trick of "cooking" canned, oil-packed right in the can, with Greek yogurt and paprika to turn it into a dip. Plate it with crackers or veggie sticks to hold the family over until dinner.

Country Breakfast Skillet

The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi

Whether you're camping, or waking up at home, this old-fashioned country breakfast skillet always hits the spot. It's a hearty, one-pan cook-up with all of the breakfast favorites, including eggs, potatoes , bacon, and cheese, plus chopped peppers and onion for savory flavor and color. Breakfast isn't just for the mornings, so make this for a fun dinner option.

Juicy Grilled Burgers

The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

Even when you want convenient dinner foods, it's nice to know what your family is eating. That's why we recommend making your own burger patties to take on camping trips. Simply form these well-seasoned homemade burgers, and pack them between layers of waxed paper in your cooler before you hit the road. They cook up nice and juicy on the outdoor grill, just as you like them.

French Fries on the Grill With Cheese and Bacon

With a pouch of frozen fries, prepared bacon bits, American cheese, and a bit of butter, you've got the makings of a crave-worthy lunch , hearty side dish or snack. You'll use aluminum foil to create packets for the ingredients, which can then sit on the grill and steam to cheesy , potatoey perfection.

Easy Black Bean Salad

The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

With protein-packed beans, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado in a zesty lime vinaigrette, this picnic-ready bean salad is a tasty vegetarian lunch that packs well for taking on family vacations. You can also enjoy it for a light vegetarian lunch or barbecue side dish , with no cooking required. You can use canned or frozen corn in place of the cobs for easy prep.

Vegan Blackened Grilled Tofu

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Blackened seasoning is a fragrant and flavorful  seasoning blend  used on all sorts of proteins to give the outside a dark and charred crust when cooking in a cast-iron skillet.  Tofu gets a level up with a potent mixture of spices that will make the whole family dance. It happens all in one pan, simplifying both prep and clean-up when you're not in your own kitchen.

Anticuchos de Carne

The Spruce/Nita West

Satisfy a carnivore craving with these tasty grilled beef skewers that are great for a family barbecue or camping holiday. Place the meat in the delicious, Peruvian-style marinade before you leave home, for meat that is nicely tenderized and infused with massive flavor by the time you thread it onto skewers, and place it on the grill for cooking.

Quick and Easy One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner

Does the thought of skipping pasta night make you sad? We've got you covered with this clever, one-pot spaghetti dinner that feeds a family, and is easy to pull off even when you're roughing it. Kids and adults alike will love the meaty sauce, which uses ground beef and convenient store-bought spaghetti sauce (or your own marinara sauce from home).

Black Bean and Mango Salad

​The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

Black beans and  mangoes  combine with fresh bell pepper, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro in this simple vegetarian, vegan, high-protein, bean salad . This vegan salad requires few ingredients making prep 10 minutes or less.

Vegetarian Boston Baked Beans With Molasses

Homemade vegetarian baked beans are a great and traditional addition to a picnic, outdoor vegetarian or vegan barbecue, or to bring to any summer potluck. Plus, this recipe is easy to make in large quantities and just about everybody will love these sweet baked beans, even kids! Turn this one pot dinner into a meat lover's party by stirring in pulled pork or chicken, if desired.

Grilled Brown Sugar Bananas

Grilled bananas  are a delicious side dish to accompany savory foods and makes an excellent and easy dessert. Because of their thick and firm texture, bananas are a great fruit to grill when barely ripe, so for this recipe choose firm yellow bananas and not too mature ones, as the heat will cook them to mush.

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer

Rice Krispie Treats are a classic dessert that require one pot, little cooking, and some patience. With updated ingredients and a couple of simple tweaks, this recipe for brown butter rice krispie treats restores that bygone “wow!” Make sure you have a baking dish or cake pan along to set the treats for later.

RV Living, Camp Cooking, and Family Adventure

25 Easy Make Ahead Camping Meals For A Stress-Free Camping Trip!

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If you’re planning a camping or backpacking trip , one of the best ways to make the most of your time is to prepare some make ahead camping meals.

That way, you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the great outdoors. 

Probably our favorite part of camping is the food. There is nothing like enjoying a meal around the campfire with family and friends. There is something very basic and primal about it that makes me feel good down to my roots.  I’m not the only one who feels that way right?  

Eating around the campfire, however does NOT mean that I want to spend all of my camping time cooking, and I also do not want to eat hot dogs endlessly (ugh) so I have discovered more than a few m ake-ahead meals for our camping trip .

These pre-made meal ideas are fantastic for saving time as well as space since you don’t have to lug along as many ingredients.

Camping food doesn’t have to mean sitting around eating beans out of a can. You’ll notice that I have included some different make ahead unique camping meals that you may not have thought to bring camping.

“This Asian Beef And Broccoli Camping Dutch Oven Recipe is perfect for making at home. Then, just write on the bag so you know what is in it and how to cook and serve at the campsite.” – Kim from Camping with Foodies”

Pre Made Camping Meals Are Awesome

Here are my top 5 ways to spend less camping time cooking. 

• Divvy up meals with other family members so each family/member cooks a meal.
• Chop all vegetables at home.
• Marinate and grill any food you can at home, or at least marinate at home if you want to grill at the campsite.
• Bring paper plates, bowls, etc and burn them after = easy clean up!
• Think of meals that can be pre-made at home, and then heated up at the campsite.

Make Ahead Camping Breakfast Suggestions

Here we have included some recipes that are simple, because who wants complicated on a camping trip ! 

Let’s start with an awesome make ahead camping meal for breakfast, which can include muffins (my kids are HUGE muffin lovers), overnight oats to fill-up those tummies before we go exploring.

1. Orange Strawberry Muffins

Orange Strawberry Muffins

“They are quick and easy to put together and great for breakfast, brunch or eating on the go .” – Bintu from Recipes From a Pantry

2. Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

“Ooey gooey, deliciously easy camping recipe you can make ahead and cook outdoors!” Mel from Adventures of Mel.

3. Hot Ham and Pineapple Sandwiches

Hot Ham and Pineapple Sandwiches

“These Hot Ham and Pineapple Campfire Sandwiches are a delicious and easy tin foil recipe . Plus cleanup is a breeze! ” Amber from Dessert Now Dinner Later  

4. Camping Breakfast Burritos

Camping Breakfast Burritos

“These easy campfire breakfast burritos are made ahead at home, then finished off at the campsite, on the grill, or in your oven.” Nicky from Little Family Adventure. A super breakfast recipe that will satisfy even the biggest appetites. 

5. Healthy Veggie Egg Bake

Healthy Veggie Egg Bake

“This breakfast meal prep casserole is so versatile because you can use any veggie you see fit, and it can be made ahead of time!” Rachel from Radical Strength. A hearty breakfast to start your day. 

Make Ahead Meals For RV Camping

On your next camping trip, try some of these delicious make ahead meal recipes that will please the whole family. These dishes are as versatile as they are yummy! There are dinner recipes as well as camping lunch recipes and many can be heated up on an open fire, or even a camping stove. 

Here are the recommended RV kitchen essentials we use on a daily basis that help make cooking in a tiny home a breeze.

6. Shrimp and Summer Veggie Foil Packs

Shrimp and Summer Veggie Foil Packs

“The best part, is that everything is cooked together in individual foil packs so clean up couldn’t be easier !” – Jaclyn from Cooking Classy 

7. Sausage, Potato and Green Beans

Sausage, Potato and Green Beans

“Sausage and veggies packed in easy foil packets. Perfect for camping or a quick dinner!  ”  Chungah from Damn Delicious

8. Pork Green Chile

Pork Green Chile

“I especially love it while camping. You can make a big batch of it, freeze it and reheat it on your campfire or Coleman stove ” Yvette from Muy Bueno Cookbook 

9. Great Grilled Chicken

Great Grilled Chicken

“They are perfect right off the grill and even delicious when reheated”  Rebecca from Strength and Sunshine

10. Slow Cooker Whiskey Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Whiskey Beef Stew

“Whether you are looking for a cozy meal on a cool day, a hearty meal that won’t heat up your kitchen on a hot day, an easy potluck dish or cooking for a crowd, this crock pot Whisky Beef Stew is a godsend . ” Terri from Food Meanderings

11. Make Ahead Mac n’Cheese

Make Ahead Mac n’Cheese

Now, as for storage: we’re going to cover these with foil because again: foil won’t get completely destroyed in a fire pit ” Lauren from Lauren’s Latest

12. Cheesy Buffalo Foil Packets

Cheesy Buffalo Foil Packets

“They are exploding with flavor, have a little kick of heat but still totally kid friendly , and the combo of buffalo + chicken + potatoes + broccoli + cheese = winner winner the best Chicken Foil Packet Dinner! ” Jen from Carlsbad Cravings. Pre make and heat- simple!

13. Cheesy Sausage Rolls

Cheesy Sausage Rolls

“When we first started to camp years ago, we’d eat very simple meals & a lot of canned foods, but now we realize there are options out there for more flavorful meals without having to sacrifice simplicity or the time in preparing those meals. ” from NW Thrifty Mom

These make a great lunch meal as they can be packed and carried as a camping snack on a hike or to a picnic. 

14. Coconut Curry Chicken

Coconut Curry Chicken

“You can absolutely make low carb chicken curry ahead of time! In fact, it’s similar to soups and chilis where it gets even better after a day in the fridge .” Maya from Wholesome Yum. Easy to heat up in your cast iron skillet. 

15. Easy Chicken Fajitas

Easy Chicken Fajitas

“It’s time for cook-outs, camp-outs, deck and barbecue parties with friends. It’s also time to simply enjoy easy-to prepare meals with your family around a picnic table. ” Elaine from Flavour and Savour

16. Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich

Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich

“The flavors in this sandwich are unique and so hard to resist !” Shadi from Unicorns in the Kitchen

17. Foil Pack Philly Cheesesteak

Foil Pack Philly Cheesesteak

“These philly cheesesteak dinner foil packs can be cooked over the campfire (talk about good food while camping!), cooked on the grill, or cooked in the oven.” Chelsea from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. Melted cheesy goodness!

18. Asian Beef and Broccoli in the Dutch Oven

Asian Beef and Broccoli in the Dutch Oven

“This Asian Beef And Broccoli Camping Dutch Oven Recipe is perfect for making at home .  Then, just write on the bag so you know what is in it and how to cook and serve at the campsite.” Kim from Camping with Foodies

19. Slow Cooker Beef Chili

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

This slow cooker beef chili recipe is the perfect comfort food . This easy beef chili is slow simmered in smokey spices, fire roasted tomatoes, and has some heat!” Stephanie from Girl With the Iron Cast . The slow cooker is a campers best friend! 

20. Cajun Shrimp Camping Foil Packets

Cajun Shrimp Camping Foil Packets

“These Cajun shrimp packets are packed with bold flavors – an easy and healthy dinner ready in about 20 minutes” Stacey from The Soccer Mom. All the flavor with very little effort! 

21. Keto Low Carb Vegetable Soup

Keto Low Carb Vegetable Soup

“Homemade vegetable soup makes a regular appearance at our house in the winter. It’s warming, it’s filling, and it’s good for us .” Maya from Wholesome Yum

22. Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

“This easy turkey c hilli recipe is just a tad spicy, hearty and super good-for-you with lots of veggies and heart-healthy spices ” Jennifer from In the Kids Kitchen. Gotta love those sweet potatoes! 

23. Pesto Pork Chop and Summer Vegetable Foil Dinners

Pesto Pork Chop and Summer Vegetable Foil Dinners

“ One of the summertime activities I loved doing when I was a kid was making foil dinners . They were a guaranteed dinner whenever I was on a camping trip.  I’m sure they’re a camping classic because they’re easy.” Katie from Good Life Eats.

24. Campfire Veggie Packets

Campfire Veggie Packets

“ Cooking over a campfire can be a little intimidating unless you have this recipe for veggie packets that turn out well every time. You can prepare your ingredients at home, or you can bring everything and assemble it on the site.” from Brit & Co.

25. BBQ Pulled Pork

BBQ Pulled Pork

“We like to cook a pork shoulder in the crockpot, shred it up and bring it with us for awesome BBQ pulled pork sandwiches around the campfire ” Grainne from The Roving Foleys

Make at Home, Heat on the Fire

There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing make ahead camping meals. First, it’s important to to choose recipes that can be easily reheated. So anything that can be made at home and heated up over a campfire is perfect for camping .  Think stews, casseroles, soups, grilled chicken,  slow cooker meals are all perfect for this.

Need help with prepping for your upcoming family camping trip? Check out  this article where we suggest what you should bring,  so you forget nothing!  We’ve all been there and done that, this checklist will ensure that doesn’t happen again!

With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy hassle-free meals that will make your camping trip with the whole family even more enjoyable.

Whether you are  cooking with a large camping  group , or a family of two, camping should be fun from start to finish. Even your kids will love getting involved.

 Ensuring that happens means doing a lot of prep in advance.  With  little bit of advance planning, you can create quick and easy meals that will feed the entire family, and stop you from spending all your time indoors cooking! 

In Conclusion…

Camping is a fun, affordable way to enjoy nature and spend time with fiends and family.

But, like most things in life, it’s more enjoyable when you don’t have to worry about the little things.

That’s where make ahead camping meals come in!

These recipes are simple to prepare, easy to transport, and will save you from having to deal with last minute dinner drama while you’re out in the wild.

One of my personal favorites is to make a big batch of hearty chili before we head out.  I simply cook the chili at home, then pack it into an insulated container.

When we get to our campsite, all I have to do is reheat the chili and add some pre-made cornbread or crackers on the side.

Another great make-ahead option is kabobs.  You can use chicken or beef.  I like to marinate them in advance, then thread them onto skewers.

They are perfect for the first night of your trip, all you need to do is heat them over an open fire.

We hope you enjoy this awesome list of make ahead camping food . If you are looking for some more ideas for camping recipes, check out this list of over 100 + Camping meals!    

Here are my go-to meals that I make on RV travel day .  These are simple meals that I can make ahead of time and heat up quickly once we get to our destination!

Throwing everything into one cooking utensil is my favorite way of cooking, if you agree, check out these amazing slow cooker recipes .

Camping Dessert Recipes ?  You know you want ’em, the best camping dessert recipes – go check them out here . Easy meal prepping and so much fun for your whole camping trip. 

Happy Camping!

Make Ahead Camping Meals

Grainne Foley

Grainne Foley grew up in Ireland and spent summers caravanning around Europe with her family. Now, as a wife and mother of 2, she spent 5 years traveling the USA as a full time RVing family. She is passionate about travel, and helping others who are considering the RV lifestyle. She has created dozens of helpful RVing checklists which are available throughout the website, and has curated hundreds of simple, flavorful meals for families on the go.

2 thoughts on “25 Easy Make Ahead Camping Meals For A Stress-Free Camping Trip!”

Great meals. We will be going camping in a few weeks. I will be having my kids each pick one of these meals and help them make it before we go. I can’t wait.

Great idea- get the kiddos involved.

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7 Day Camping Food Meal Plan

Fact: everything tastes better when you're camping. From the first cup of piping hot coffee, to the highly-anticipated gathering around an open fire for dinner, camping food is a joy to prepare, and a delight to devour. Without the conveniences of home like a refrigerator or oven, longer camping trips may seem daunting when it comes to meal planning.

So start simple!

Check out this basic 7-day camping food meal plan so you can head into the wild for your next camping trip ready to explore, and with more time to savor the adventure!

Breakfast Camping Meal Plan for a Week

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, whether you’re in the city or the backwoods. There are two types of camp breakfasts: slow and hearty or quick and easy. You'll likely want to plan for a combination of both, as some days will be filled with activities from the moment the sun breaks over the horizon until it settles in to the crooks of the hillsides in the evening. And some days will be slow going, when you can kick up your feet on a comfy stump and enjoy the home away from home that your campsite offers.

The breakfast plan includes days 2-7, as you often arrive at camp around lunch or later on the first day. But if you’re an early riser and like to get to camp early, do something easy like eggs and toast. Or pick up some breakfast burritos on the drive there!

Day 2: Eggs and bacon over the fire, cut fruit on the side

Day 3: Egg scramble with sausage links over the fire

Day 4: Assortment of cereal and bagels

Day 5: Bacon, egg, and cheese bagel breakfast sandwiches

Day 6: Pancakes on the griddle

Day 7:  Spicy Southwest Breakfast Hash

If you want to swap some things out with other easy camping meals, consider oatmeal, store-bought cinnamon rolls, french toast, pre-made hash browns, corn or flour tortillas to make burritos, granola, avocados, english muffins, black beans, and potatoes. And don’t forget the coffee! Instant coffee is the easiest and lightest thing to pack to get your coffee fix but if that won’t cut it, consider a basic pour-over stand, french press (a sturdy camping-specific version is best), or an AeroPress. Disposable single-serving pour overs are a new popular way to bring coffee on a camping trip too. And coffee-in-a-bag is another popular option. It’s basically coffee in a teabag! And if you’re one of the poor souls who brought the coffee but forgot the tools to make it, there’s always cowboy coffee (boiling grounds in a pot of water). You can filter the grounds through a bandana or clean cloth if you have one. Or if you don’t mind a few grounds, you can skim them off the top. It’s a little messy but it works!

7 Day Camping Food Plan for Lunch

Lunch can be the easiest, and also the hardest meal to plan. Unlike breakfast and dinner, lunch often has to be prepared hours before it happens. If you’ve planned a hike, horseback ride, or day on the lake, you’ll need to pack a lunch ahead of time to prevent any unhappy hunger-related meltdowns. One popular option is to have snacks like trail mix and snack bars ready to go and easy to grab for portable adventures, but if you'll be enjoying higher exertion activities like backpacking, you're going to want a calorie-dense lunch to keep you going!

For a quick Mountain House lunch with easy clean up, all you need is water. There are several ways to boil water while camping such as using a kettle or pot over the fire or with a camp stove system like a Jetboil. If you're car camping at a campsite with electricity or if you have a DC to AC inverter for your car, you could bring an electric kettle with you. With a thermos or vacuum insulated water bottle, you can boil water in the morning to bring with you !

Here’s our 7 day camping menu for lunch:

Day 1: Chicken Fajita Bowl

Day 2: PB&J, granola bar, watermelon

Day 3: Turkey sandwiches, potato chips, pickles and potato salad

Day 4: Chili Mac with Beef

Day 5: PB&J, carrots and hummus, pretzels

Day 6: Chicken and Rice (leftovers)

Day 7: Sandwiches for the road and leftover snacks from the week

For some alternative easy camping recipes, consider peanut butter and banana wraps, grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, deli wraps, and quesadillas. Or bring veggies like corn, peas, and peppers. Sausage and pepper foil packets make a great easy lunch too, just don’t forget the olive oil! And fruits like bananas and apples are good sides to accompany a lunch meal too. You can also bring soup in a can or pre-made soup in a thermos to heat up on the pot and eat with crackers. And if you cook up some extra bacon for breakfast, you can save some for BLTs later. For a great dessert, campers love banana boats! There are lots of recipe ideas and roundups for banana boats but the process is simple. Slice a banana down the middle while still in the peel and fill with toppings like marshmallows, Nutella, strawberries, crumbled graham crackers, granola, and chocolate chips. Then wrap it loosely in aluminum foil and roast on the fire for a few minutes.

Dinner Camping Food List for 7 Days

Dinner may be the best part of camping. Everyone jumps in to help, and there’s a symphony of cutting, chopping, boiling, and, of course, taste-testing. Camp cooking is the reward after a long day on the trails, water-skiing behind the boat, or playing cards with the family.

There are many different ways to cook dinner at the campground, with long held favorites being tin-foil dinners, or browning meat in cast-iron skillets on the fire grate.

For the first day, you’ll want to keep it simple. You’ll have just arrived to camp, and in the process of organizing plastic bins, laying out the welcome mat in front of the tent trailer, and shaking out the tarp, the last thing you want to worry about is making a complicated camp dinner.

Day 1: Beef Stroganoff (#10 can, 10 servings)

Day 2: BBQ hot dogs over the fire

Day 3: Tin foil dinner: baked potatoes, onions, zucchini, and fresh-caught trout

Day 4:  Chili Mac with Beef   (#10 can, 10 servings)

Day 5: Southwest Chicken and Rice

Day 6: Customizable Kebabs (check out these camping recipes from Fresh Off the Grid )

For some alternative meal ideas, you might enjoy tacos (bring shells, toss it in a bag of Fritos or throw on top of some chips for nachos), burritos (our Southwest Chicken and Rice goes great in a tortilla), chili dogs, hamburgers (pre-formed patties are the easiest), sloppy joes, or a one-pan skillet with sausage and sweet potatoes. And with a dutch oven, there are tons of amazing dutch oven camp food recipes you can make. Also check out this huge list of camping meal ideas if you're looking for more! And of course, don’t forget the marshmallows, graham crackers, and skewers for s’mores to keep all of the campers happy!

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72 Ridiculously Easy Camping Foods (With Recipes!) That Make The Best Meals

Posted: December 6, 2023 | Last updated: December 6, 2023

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• Easy Camping Meals

At the Camping and Caravanning Club, we understand that speed is of the essence, that’s why we’ve come up with over 40 easy camping meals for you to try on your next camping holiday. Whether you’re staying in your motorhome  or tent camping , these simple meals require very little prep, they're easy to make, and, most importantly, are super tasty.

Before you take a crack at these delicious recipes, make sure you bring the right cooking equipment  with you on your trip.

Scrambled eggs

Do you have a long day of exploring the local area ahead of you? This protein-filled, energy-fuelled breakfast is the perfect way to start your day.

What you’ll need:

• 2 local free-range eggs (available on most campsites)
• 6 tablespoons milk
• Knob of butter
• Seasoning or sauce

How to make this easy camping meal:

Whisk the eggs and milk together and pour the mixture into a pan of melted butter. Stir, lift and fold the mixture until the eggs are softly set and velvety in texture.

Omelettes are the perfect meal to cook when camping; all you need is two ingredients and a pan.

• 1 teaspoon butter
• Any filling of your choice, e.g. grated cheese, ham, bacon, mushrooms etc.

Beat the eggs and pour them into a frying pan of melted butter. When the mixture starts to become firm, but still a bit runny on top, add your filling(s) and fold it over in half with a spatula. Cook until golden brown and simply slide onto a plate.

Cheese toasties

Follow this simple cheese toastie recipe, tear it apart and watch as the gooey, stringy cheese slowly comes apart.

• Grated cheddar cheese (as much as required)
• Sliced bread and butter
• Optional: tomato puree or sliced vegetables

Spread butter across two slices of bread and place one butter-side down in a frying pan. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheddar cheese on top and place the other slice on top; butter-side up. Cook until both sides are golden, crispy and the cheese has melted.

French toast

An irresistible breakfast that’s easy to make and super tasty is French toast. You could have it plain or drizzle some syrup over it and add a few berries.

• 4 Sliced bread (the thicker, the better)
• ¼ cup of Milk
• Toppings: berries, golden syrup, honey, jam, chocolate spread (savoury options can be cheese, ham, bacon)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Whisk your egg in a bowl and add in the milk. For an extra sweet-tasting French toast, add the vanilla extract and cinnamon to the mixture and stir. Dip your bread slices in the mixture, and generously coat both sides equally. Then lightly grease your pan, place your bread on it, flip it over and dab a bit of butter to keep the moisture. Continue doing that until it's golden brown. Once made, add toppings of your choice.

Eggs Benedict

Who said breakfast needs to be boring? Get your protein in with a delicious eggs benedict.

• English muffins
• White wine vinegar
• Hollandaise sauce
• Toppings: cheese or ham

Add 2 litres of water to a deep saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add three tablespoons of white wine vinegar and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Crack your eggs into separate coffee cups – do not whisk. Return to your saucepan and swirl the water to form a vortex, then slide in an egg. It should curl around and set to a neat round shape which will cook in approx 2-3 minutes. Do this with each egg – swirling the water each time.

While that’s cooking, toast your English muffins, spread some hollandaise sauce on each one, add ham or cheese and finish with your perfectly poached egg. You can add more hollandaise sauce on top if needed.

Ditch the ready-made pancake mix and try this super simple recipe. You can make sweet pancakes or savoury crepes in minutes.

• 100g plain flour
• Sunflower or vegetable oil
• Topping: caster sugar, lemon wedges, berries, Nutella, or add some savoury options such as cheese or ham

Mix the flour, eggs, milk, a tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl and whisk until the batter is smooth. Set it aside for 30 minutes if you have time, or you can start cooking immediately. Using a paper towel, dab some oil onto your frying pan and place it over medium heat. When hot, add your mixture to the pan for a minute, flip it over, and flip it again until it's golden. Serve with whatever toppings you fancy.

Tomato and basil pasta

This pasta recipe is easy to make, requires few ingredients, and it’s ideal for cooking in big batches making it perfect for a family camping trip.

• 400g chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 1/2 crumbled vegetable stock cube
• Generous amount of basil

Cook the pasta in a saucepan of seasoned boiling water. Cook until pasta is al dente in texture, and add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and a crumbled vegetable stock cube. Toss and leave to cook for another 5 minutes. To finish, tear a few basil leaves and stir into the pasta. Serve alongside a cold glass of white wine.

Loaded nachos

A brilliant choice for a sharable lunch. You can tailor the toppings depending on what you’ve got in and fancy that day.

Suggested toppings:

• Tortilla chips
• Grated cheese
• Diced red onion
• Chopped tomatoes

Picnic loaf

Hollow out a freshly baked loaf and layer your favourite sandwich ingredients for an easy family meal you can take on the go. Make this the night before and wrap it up well for your day out. Slice when ready to serve.

Suggested fillings:

• Salad leaves

Sweetcorn fritters

Serve with some fresh vegetables like tomato and avocado for a filling, tasty lunch.

• Tinned sweetcorn
• 150g self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 160ml whole milk
• 2 spring onions
• 10g sliced chives
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: Fresh coriander

Mix flour, baking powder, paprika, and milk in a large bowl. Then add the egg, sweetcorn, spring onions, chives, coriander, a teaspoon of salt and some grounded black pepper. Heat oil over medium heat in your frying pan, and when it's ready, drop in your mixture bit by bit. After two minutes, flip them over until they turn golden brown, plate them up and serve them hot with a sprinkle of spring onions.

Blue cheese, walnut and mushroom pasta

Filling and tasty, this easy camping meal will have you energised and ready for the day.

• 300g of chestnut mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Large knob of butter
• 350g of pasta
• 4 medium-sized free-range egg yolks
• 150ml of crème-fraiche
• Handful of walnuts
• 70g of blue cheese
• 100g of rocket
• Zest and juice of a small lemon

Start by boiling your pasta according to the packet instructions. Once done, set it aside and in the same pot or a separate frying pan, depending on space, add in butter and oil, followed by mushrooms. When the mushrooms are soft and juicy, combine that mixture with your pasta. In another bowl, mix together the egg yolks, crème fraiche and half of the cheese. Pour this into the pasta and mushroom pot and mix well. Cook it gently on low heat for another minute and stir through the rocket, lemon juice and zest of half the lemon. Take it off the heat, toss in some walnuts and sprinkle the remaining cheese before serving.

Bean and pepper salad

Easy to make, filling and one you can make in advance.

• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 can of sweetcorn
• 1 green pepper
• 1 yellow pepper
• 2 tablespoons of chives
• 1 teaspoon harissa
• ½ teaspoon of ground cumin
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ tablespoon of sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

Combine your beans, sweetcorn and diced peppers. You can store this in a container until you’re ready to serve. Make your dressing with the remaining ingredients and pour over just before serving.

Chargrilled chicken kebabs

Sitting beneath a starry sky, slowly rotating skewered chicken and chunky veg over a campfire is an essential part of any camping trip.

• 4 diced chicken breasts
• 2 bell peppers
• 2 diced red onions
• Bottle of barbecue sauce
• Pack of skewers

Roll up your sleeves and mix the chicken, peppers, onions and barbecue sauce in a mixing bowl. Thread the chicken, peppers and onions onto the skewers. Carefully place over the barbecue or griddle and occasionally rotate until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are chargrilled.

Macaroni cheese

Macaroni cheese is bound to be a hit with everyone – minimal ingredients, easy to make, very filling and incredibly cheesy.

• 250g macaroni shells
• 250g grated cheddar cheese
• 40g plain flour

Cook the macaroni in a saucepan of seasoned boiling water. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add flour to the melted butter. Gradually add the milk, a little bit at a time. Whisk in the grated cheese and stir until the sauce thickens. Drain the cooked pasta and toss it into the cheese sauce.

Classic burger

A staple of every camping and caravanning trip, in fact, no trip is complete without a simple and delicious, classic burger.

• 500g beef mince
• 1 diced red onion
• 2 finely chopped garlic cloves
• 4 seeded burger buns
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese
• Optional: any and every extra trimming
• Optional: Vegetarian burger patty

Mix the mince, onion and garlic in a bowl and using the palm of your hand, squash them into patties. Lay the cheese on top of the burgers and cook them on the barbecue or griddle. Sporadically flip them until cooked through and assemble them in a bun with all your various trimmings.

Vegetarian alternative: Use vegetarian burger patties instead of beef mince burgers.

BBQ Chicken

Grab a piece of crispy-skin chicken, covered in a rich, sticky barbecue sauce and tear the meat from the bone.

Serves: 2-6

• Variety of chicken drumsticks, wings and thighs
• Barbecue sauce - and that’s all!

Mix the chicken and barbecue sauce in a mixing bowl, place them on the barbecue or griddle and cook until they’re white on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Grilled corn

Sweet, juicy corn with any seasoning of your choice. Enjoy it on its own or as a side dish.

Flavour suggestions:

• Simple butter and salt
• Italian seasoning, grated parmesan and garlic powder
• Brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, melted butter, lime juice
• Bacon wrapped corn with honey glaze
• Ground cumin, Himalayan pink salt, red chilli powder, and chaat masala powder

Bacon and pea risotto

Fancy something a little bit more gourmet without any additional cost, difficulty or washing up? This simple, one-pot bacon and pea risotto is perfect for those wanting to impress their fellow campers.

• 300g risotto rice
• 1 diced white onion
• 6 rashers of bacon
• 100g frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 hot vegetable stock

Add the diced white onion to a pan of melted butter and fry until lightly browned. Add the rashers of bacon and fry until crispy. Add the risotto rice and hot vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Stir well, reduce the heat and cover for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender. Stir in the frozen peas, season and cook for another few minutes until the peas are cooked.

Vegetarian alternative: Remove bacon rashers.

Fish in foil

Find fillets of local fish, cook them on the campsite and wait until the fish’s flesh becomes flaky and tender.

• 2 white or salmon fish fillets (preferably local)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Lay your fish fillet in a square of tin foil. Drizzle over olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Wrap the foil loosely around the fish and cook on the barbecue or griddle until opaque and cooked through. Serve on its own or with rice and/or vegetables.

Chilli con carne

There are few foods as comforting as a warm, tasty beef chilli. Cook this simple, delicious recipe in just one pot.

• 400g kidney beans
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Add the onions and mince to a pan and fry until browned. Drain the kidney beans and add to the pan with the chopped tomatoes. Add a pinch of cumin and continue to cook until the mixture thickens.

Vegetarian alternative: Remove beef mince.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Scotland, eat some haggis! If you fancy trying out this local delicacy during your trip to Scotland, here’s how to cook it:

• 450g Scottish haggis

Classic Hot Dog

As essential as the classic burger, the classic hot dog is a staple of the campsite barbecue for good reason.

• 4 Sausages (preferably local)
• 4 Hot dog buns
• Optional: Vegetarian sausages

Prick the sausages and place them on the barbecue or griddle, turning occasionally until brown and cooked through. Fry the onions in a pan until translucent. Sandwich the sausage in the centre of the hot dog bun, scatter the fried onions on top and finish with a drizzle of ketchup and mustard.

Vegetarian alternative: Use vegetarian sausages instead of pork sausages.

Whether you pair it with rice, noodles or fancy having it on its own, a stir fry is a great camping meal that’ll keep you full throughout the day. You can have a chicken, prawn, turkey, beef or veggie stir fry, depending on your diet or preferences.

• Sunflower oil
• Finely sliced vegetables of your choice. E.g. carrots, mushrooms, snap peas, broccoli, onions, bell peppers, onions, and chestnuts.
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 juiced lime
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Optional: Diced chicken breast, prawns, beef or turkey
• Optional: Egg noodles or rice

Start by prepping all your ingredients. If you’re cooking beef, chicken, turkey or prawns, add them to a wok with your sauces and spices and let them cook through. You can then add all the diced vegetables and toss everything together, evenly coating the vegetables with the seasoning. If you fancy pairing your stir fry with egg noodles or rice, it's best to cook them first and then add them in again at the end to make sure they absorb the stunning flavouring. Finish off with sprinkling sesame seeds on top, then sit back and enjoy.

Tortilla pizza

If you fancy a pizza on your camping trip, this super easy tortilla pizza is great for satisfying cravings.

What you need:

• Large tortilla wraps
• Topping: diced veggies, pepperoni, ham, shredded chicken, beef, tuna.

How to make it:

Start by prepping your toppings — dice any veggies or lightly season and cook your meats. Once that’s done, grab your large tortilla and place it on a nonstick pan or tray. Toast your tortilla, spread your tomato pure, and add mozzarella, followed by your toppings and more mozzarella or grated cheese. You can then grill it or pop it in the BBQ so it can all melt together. Leave it to cool, and you’ll have a tasty pizza.

Stuffed jacket potato

A tasty comfort food perfect for winter camping is jacket potato. Pair it with your favourite toppings and enjoy.

• Toppings: grated cheese, shredded chicken, beans, tuna, coleslaw.

Poke each potato several times with a knife or fork. Then smear them with a bit of butter and double wrap them in aluminium foil. After, cook the potatoes on a fire or BBQ, and once they're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re ready to enjoy. Cut them open, spread a thin layer of butter and add your favourite toppings.

Ramen noodles

Super simple to make and tasty to eat, ramen noodles are a great camping meal that can be changed up by adding various toppings.

• Favourite flavour raman noodle pack
• Extra toppings: boiled egg, carrots, green beans, spring onions, bell peppers, avocados, broccoli, mushroom, diced chicken, prawns, beef etc.

Follow the instructions on the ramen noodle packet on how to boil and season the noodles. Once made, add any of your favourite toppings or whatever you have lying around.

Turkish salad

A lovely healthy dish that’s super easy to make, and it can be eaten as a meal or had on the side with something else.

• Lemon juice
• Ground sumac
• Optional: ground black pepper, paprika flakes

Simply finely chop all the above ingredients, add a dash of lemon juice, mix and sprinkle some sumac before serving.

Prawn skewers

• Peeled prawns
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Chopped coriander
• Lemon slices

In a bowl mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika and garlic powder. Then add the peeled prawns to the bowl and let it marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes (you can do this whilst your BBQ heats up or as you start your fire). Add 4 to 6 prawns pieces per skewer and grill them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn a pinky-opaque colour. Serve with fresh coriander, sliced lemon and some of your favourite sauces.

Chicken tacos

Chicken tacos are a delicious and easy-to-cook camping meal.

• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Boneless chicken breasts cut into strips
• Taco shells or small tortillas
• Seasoning and spices: salt and black pepper, chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika and cayenne.
• Toppings: finely sliced red onions, diced tomatoes, grated cheddar, diced avocado, coriander, lime, sliced bell peppers, pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream.

Start by seasoning your chicken and leave it on the side to marinate. Add the seasoned chicken to a pan with oil, and keep it on medium heat to let the chicken cook through. Whilst that’s cooking, lay your taco shells or tortilla wraps on a plate. Add the cooked chicken, your favourite toppings and any salsa or sauce to each one. You can serve this with lime wedges or your favourite dips.

Creamy chicken pasta

I know what you’re thinking, another pasta dish? But we can't leave creamy chicken pasta out of our easy camping meals list, especially since it's so simple to make.

• Your favourite pasta
• Chicken and your favourite seasoning
• Parmesan cheese
• Cream: single or double cream

Start by marinating and cooking your chicken. Whilst it’s cooking, boil your pasta until al dente. Once the chicken is cooked, set it aside and add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Add the garlic and cream and bring it to a simmer. If you fancy other seasoning, you can add them here too. Add the chicken back into the sauce and add parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Mix it together and add your drained pasta. If it’s too thick, you can add more pasta water to it.

Red lentil curry

Fill your belly with this Indian dish that’s super easy to make at a campsite.

• Spices: chilli powder, curry powder, turmeric, paprika, cumin
• Crushed garlic
• Red lentils
• Optional: baby spinach, coriander and coconut milk

Wash and clean your red lentils. Then in a pot, add your spices, salt and enough water to sink your lentils. Once that boils, add in the lentils and let it cook on high heat. In a frying pan, add crushed garlic and oil. Let it sizzle until the garlic goes golden. Return to your lentils and check if they’re cooked – this will be when they’re soft and the water has evaporated. Add the garlic and oil to the lentils and stir for a minute. Top with coriander or mix in coconut milk for thickness and serve with rice, pitta bread or naan bread.

Campfire banana boats

A grilled banana stuffed with your favourite toppings, so simple yet so delicious – this recipe is bound to be a hit with the whole family!

• Toppings: chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, crumbled biscuits, diced strawberries, caramel sauce, coconut shavings, peanut butter, honey, pralines, nuts.

How to make this easy camping dessert:

Peel the banana and slice it lengthwise, creating an opening in the middle. Place the banana on a square of tin foil. Cram as many toppings into the sliced banana and loosely wrap the foil around it. Cook it until the fillings have melted and the banana has warmed through. You can serve this as it is or with some ice cream.

No evening beside a campfire is complete without a sweet treat – and there are few sweet campfire treats better than a gooey chocolatey s’more.

• Any biscuit or cookie
• Marshmallows

Wedge pieces of milk chocolate between two biscuits. Toast a couple of marshmallows over the barbecue or griddle and sandwich the gooey marshmallows between the biscuits.

Baked boozy rhubarb

A wonderfully boozy summer treat.

• 100g of fresh rhubarb, sliced into 1cm slices
• 250g fresh strawberries, halved
• 6 tablespoons of icing sugar
• Double cream
• Splash of something alcoholic, preferably rum or white wine

Make four large squares of foil and stack them to make two double layered squares. Divide the strawberries and rhubarb equally between them. After sprinkling with icing sugar and topping with a splash of your chosen beverage, seal the foil packets up, a bit like a pasty. Place on glowing charcoal embers for five minutes or on a grill for a little longer.

Sticky toffee pudding

Sometimes a decadent after dinner treat is very much necessary and doesn’t need to be hard to make.

• 4 chocolate muffins
• 50g dark muscovado sugar
• 75ml double cream
• Double cream for serving

Break your muffins up into four dishes and chop the dates to divide up too. Add the butter and sugar to a pan and melt over a gentle heat. Add the cream, stir and heat gently until the mixture thickens (this will take about four minutes). Remove from heat and pour half of the sauce over the chocolate muffins. Stand the dishes on a griddle or similar and allow to warm through for a couple of minutes. Transfer to serving bowls, add the remaining sauce and extra cream to serve.

A traditionally Scottish dessert, perfect for a summer evening.

• 2 tbsp medium oatmeal
• 300g fresh Scottish raspberries
• 350ml double cream
• 2 tbsp heather honey
• 2-3 tbsp of whisky to taste

Lightly toast your oatmeal in a dry frying pan. Bash the raspberries about in a bowl to crush them slightly and begin to get the juice squidging out. If needed, add a sprinkle of sugar to sweeten the mixture. Whisk your cream in a bowl until it just begins to set. Stir in the honey and whisky. Add the oatmeal and whisk a little more until the mix gets firmer. Now alternate layers of cream with raspberries in 4 bowls.

Cookie dough and ice cream

Whether camping in the peak of summer or during the winter, this warm cookie dough with creamy ice cream fits every occasion.

Depending on how much time you have, there are two ways to create this phenomenal dessert.

Method one:

This straightforward method requires you to put large ready-made cookies on a tray or foil, sprinkle some chocolate chips on top and pop it on a campfire or BBQ. In minutes, you’ll have gooey cookies. Pair that with ice cream, and your sweet cravings are satisfied.

Method two:

• 140g plain flour
• 100g butter (room temp)
• 175g soft brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• Toppings: chocolate chips, break pieces of your favourite chocolate bar, mini Oreos, fresh strawberries

This method requires a little more baking. First, beat the butter and sugar. Then add vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon of salt and flour. Fold the mixture together until you get a breadcrumb consistency. Once you’ve achieved this, slowly add the milk and mix until it forms a dough – here, you can add chocolate chips. Place the batter onto a tray and on a bbq or campfire for a minute just to warm it up. Add your toppings and serve with ice cream.

Chocolate covered strawberries

Another simple dessert that can be made in seconds.

• Washed strawberries
• Chocolate chips or a sharing bar

If you’re camping on a hot day, you can simply leave the chocolate sharing bar open in the sun. This will melt it in seconds, making it perfect for dipping strawberries. Another way to melt your chocolate is by breaking it into pieces and adding them to a bowl. Then place that bowl in a pot of hot kettle water. Stir it every few seconds to help it melt quicker. Once melted, dip your strawberries and enjoy.

For a healthy snack on the go, let the chocolate harden by placing the strawberries in a container and in a cool box.

Fruit salad

A healthy, refreshing and easy to make camping dessert that's perfect for the whole family.

• Favourite fruits: apple, banana, strawberries, grapes, kiwi, mango, pomegranate, pineapple, oranges etc.
• Optional: double cream or whipped cream

Cut up all your fruit and mix them in a bowl together. Add some squash or fresh orange juice for a more tasty fruit salad. Serve it on its own or with some cream.

Whether you want it as a dessert while camping or for an on-the-go snack, flapjacks are a tasty treat.

• 250g rolled oats
• 125g butter
• 125g brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons of golden syrup or honey
• Optional: Raisins, crushed nuts, chocolate chips

In a large saucepan, melt the butter, golden syrup and brown sugar over a low heat. Make sure you continuously stir it to stop it from burning. Take it off the heat and mix in vanilla extract and rolled oats. Once your mixture is done, press it into a grease-lined tin and leave it to set for an hour. Drizzle melted chocolate on top and serve on its own or with custard.

Cornflake cake

A great dessert to make for everyone is a cornflake cake.

• 200g Cornflakes
• 200g chocolate
• 4 tablespoons golden syrup

Over low heat, combine and melt your butter, chocolate and golden syrup. Leave it to set for 5 minutes before adding in your cornflakes. Mix so the cornflakes are evenly coated. Take a spoon full of the mixture and place it into cupcake cases. Leave it to set and enjoy.

A crunchy, gooey and chewy treat all in one. This is a perfect on-the-go snack that can be made in minutes.

• Gummy bears
• Optional: honey

On low heat, melt chocolate, honey and butter. Set it aside whilst you place biscuits into a ziplock bag and smash them into chunks and crumbs. Add the biscuits, gummy bears and marshmallows to the mixture and stir. You can also add chunks of your favourite chocolates, e.g. M&M’s, Malteasers etc.

If, like us, you can’t stop thinking about delicious food, check out our other camping food and recipe insights .

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Camping Food List (Printable PDF Checklist)

For the inexperienced camping cook, sorting out the camping food list can be quite daunting. But really, the secret is in the planning. Plan each meal well before you leave, create an ingredient list from it, and Voila, you have your camping food checklist sorted!

The easiest foods to take on a camping trip have a long shelf life, are sturdy travelers, filling, and nutritious. Many simple meals fit this bill, and even the most inexperienced camper will be able to create delicious camp meals that will keep everyone happy!

Have a look through our camping pantry list and see if the ingredients are there for your favorite meals, or check out our camping meal suggestions and create your ingredient list from there. Either way will work as long as you plan your menu and then grocery shop for it.

Start simple with your camping food list and as you gain confidence and proficiency, start to branch out and dabble in more adventurous meals on your family car camping weekends away ! Bon appetit!

Related: Looking to eat outdoors but hate the bugs? Use a screen tent with mesh walls! Check out our reviews of the best screen tent for camping .

Dairy: Needs to be in the cooler

Meat: needs to be kept in the cooler, fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned food, herbs & spices.

Breakfast meal ideas

Lunch meal ideas, dinner meal ideas, dessert ideas.

A banana boat is a banana in its skin, stuffed with chocolate and marshmallow, wrapped in foil, baked in the fire. A campfire cone is waffle cones stuffed with strawberries, banana, marshmallow, chocolate pieces, wrapped in foils and slowly cooked on the grate.

Hacks for selecting, storing, and preparing camp food

• Menu plan, plan your menu, and write a detailed list of what you will have for each meal and snacks on each day. This list forms the basis of all the foods you will pack.
• Bring as much food as you can that doesn’t require refrigeration.
• Keep a list in your camping box of meals that worked well for you (and meals that didn’t) for your next trip.
• Use the list. And check off each item as you pack it. You would hate to forget the sugar. Or the coffee!
• Bring more food than you think you will need. People eat more when they are camping.

Preparation

• Make the first night’s meal a cold one or one you have prepared earlier just in case setting up takes longer than you thought.
• Also, pre-prepare a meal for your first night at home and leave it in the fridge or freezer. You are unlikely to want to cook and unpack at the same time!
• Freeze your meat before you leave. It helps keep everything else cool too.
• Freeze homemade soups and stews to take with you to cut down on preparation at the campground.
• Try to use leftovers at the next meal.
• Freeze and double bag fresh meats and place them on the bottom of the cooler, so any juice that escapes doesn’t contaminate the rest of your food.

Remember, the secret is in the preparation and planning! Decide on each meal you want to eat each day (including the day you leave and the day you come back) and create an ingredient and equipment list from that list of meals.

Then all you have to do is grocery shop for those items, prepare, freeze, and pack them all, and you’ll be off in no time, creating fantastic camping meals for your family, friends, or partner. They’ll be impressed, and you’ll see how easy it can be. Win-win for everyone!

Bon Appetit! Happy Camping 😊

Back one: Want to take your camping culinary skills up a notch? Try putting together a camp kitchen! Find out what to bring in our camp kitchen packing list .

Next up: Make sure to look after your food when you’re camping – or risk food poisoning! Find out how to keep your food cold when you’re camping .

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Camping Food List and Meal Planning Tips

This post may contain affiliate links.

Take the stress out of prepping for your next camping trip with this camping food list! When you have these essential ingredients with you, it will be easy to make simple but tasty camping meals from scratch!

You’ve booked your campsite, planned your activities, and packed everything on your camping checklist … next, you need to pack all the food you’ll need. This is often the most time-consuming part of prepping for a camping trip.

One of the best ways to have a low-stress camp cooking experience is to make a detailed meal plan. Planning out exactly what you’ll eat for each breakfast , lunch, and dinner means you’ll always know what’s coming up and only bring the ingredients you need. While this approach is great for short weekend trips, it’s not for everybody.

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Maybe you’re not usually a recipe-following type of meal planner. Or, maybe you’re preparing for a longer trip and don’t want to get bogged down with excessive planning. In that case, it might be better to use a camping food list instead. This is just a list of ingredients that are well-suited for camping and can be mixed and matched to make any variety of meals. It is more of a free-form approach to camp cooking.

Below, we’re sharing a list of our go-to camping foods. If you’re rushing out the door on an impromptu camping trip and don’t have time to meal plan, these ingredients are great to have on hand to take the stress out of mealtime!

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Our Essential Camping Food List

English Muffins

We love bringing along a package of English muffins on our camping trips. They don’t require any room in our cooler and they are a great starting point for a number of simple meals. Toast these in a skillet on the stove or campfire!

• Use them for: Serve with peanut butter, jam, or butter for an easy breakfast or as a side for something more substantial like a Mountain Skillet . Or, pair them with sausage and a fried egg for a tasty breakfast sandwich ! Beyond breakfast, try English muffins topped with peanut butter and fresh fruit for a snack, or make sandwiches using toasted muffins and cold cuts.

Eggs are a camp breakfast staple, and are a great source of protein to help you start an active day on the right foot.

• How to use them: Use fresh eggs in scrambles, omelets, fried with breakfast hash, make a Dutch Baby , build a breakfast sandwich, add them to shakshuka , or use them to make pancakes or French toast . Hard boiled eggs make a great snack that can be prepared at home ahead of your trip, or chop them up to make an egg salad sandwich.
• Storage tips: Pick up one of these protective containers and transfer the eggs to it before storing in your cooler. Or, crack and beat them at home and store them in a mason jar or other watertight container (in your cooler) if you’re going to use them exclusively for scrambles (use within two days after cracking them).

Camp Hack: Don’t want to deal with fresh eggs? We use OvaEasy powdered eggs when we’re backpacking, but they are a great ingredient to have in a camping pantry, too. Honestly, the taste and texture are pretty spot on.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter (or other nut butter) is one of those things that always gets packed for our trips! It’s virtually non-perishable and can be used in a dozen different ways at the campsite, from snacks, to meals, to sauces.

• Use it for: Spread on toast, in sandwiches for lunch (with jam or fresh fruit!), stirred into oatmeal for breakfast. It’s also great for savory dishes and can be stirred into ramen, used to make a dipping sauce for kabobs , and it’s featured in this Sweet Potato & Peanut Stew .

Oats–whether rolled or instant–are great to have in your camping pantry for a quick and easy breakfast or fruit desserts like our Campfire Baked Apples .

• Zhuzh it up: Try adding a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, and chopped nuts to your oatmeal. Or, stir in some jam and peanut butter for PB&J Oats.
• Overnight oats: We love overnight oats, and they are so easy to make in your cooler for a no-cook breakfast in the morning. Try adding fresh berries or make peach overnight oats !

Granola is another staple to have on hand for a no-fuss breakfast, just serve it with milk or yogurt, and maybe some fresh fruit. Granola is also our secret hack to the easiest campfire apple crisp dessert !

• Easy Apple Crisp: Slice apples or cut in to small chunks and add them to a skillet with some butter, brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon. Saute until the apples are soft, then top with granola. Dessert is served!

From scratch or from a box, pancakes are a classic camping breakfast!

• Dress them up: Aside from classic toppings like maple syrup and real butter, there are lots of ways to make pancakes feel extra special. Try adding bananas and blueberries, or make Chocolate Chip Pancakes for your kids (or kids-at-heart). In the fall, topping pancakes with cinnamon apples or stirring some pumpkin butter into the batter will help capture those cozy autumn camping vibes.

Bagels & Cream Cheese

Bagels with cream cheese are one of the quickest and easiest camp breakfast options. If you want, you can toast the bagels in a skillet with a bit of butter, or directly over the campfire for a smoky twist (keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!)

• Other serving ideas: Use bagels to make bacon and egg sandwiches, or keep things vegetarian/vegan with hummus and thinly sliced veggies instead.
• Storage tips: Bagels can be kept in a bag in your camp pantry. Cream cheese needs to stay in your cooler. It’s likely that once it’s opened, the container won’t be completely watertight, so keep it in the top basket or sealed in a bag or transfer it to a water-tight container.

Baked Goods

Another great grab-and-go breakfast is pre-made baked goods! Think buttermilk blueberry muffins , croissants, coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, and zucchini or banana bread. Cookies are nice to have on for afternoon coffee and tea time, and rolls make an easy side dish for a lot of camping dinners .

One of the simplest breakfasts for camping is a bowl of yogurt topped with fruit, honey, and maybe some granola or chopped nuts. No cooking, no fuss! Yogurt makes for a great condiment to serve with meals like these Greek Chicken Skewers and Grilled Gyro Kebabs . We also like to serve it with fruit for a healthy dessert, like in this Grilled Peaches with Yogurt recipe .

• Storage tips: Single serve yogurt cups are easy enough to store in your cooler, though it’s best to keep them towards the top so the foil lid doesn’t puncture. The larger tubs tend not to have truly water tight lids, so you will want to ensure that they are stored upright, with the lid above any waterline that has developed.

Milk, whether dairy or an alternative, has a lot of uses in the camp kitchen. You’ll need it in pancakes, French toast, and scrambled eggs or frittata –or for simple breakfasts like cereal. And, at the end of the evening, nothing beats a cup of hot cocoa made with real milk! It’s a level of delicious that hot water alone just can’t provide.

• Storage tips: Milk cartons or jugs that have a screw on lid are much easier to store in a cooler than the cardboard folding-spout cartons as they don’t have to remain upright.

Cheese is a must-have food item for snacking and meals! Pack baybel wheels or string cheese for a simple snack for kids or for day excursions. Shredded cheese can be used in all kinds of meals–pre-shredded cheese makes life easier, though for dishes like mac & cheese, grating your own (you can do this ahead at home) will give you a smoother consistency once melted.

• How to use it: Shredded cheese is great to have to hand for meals like Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese , camping nachos , BBQ Chicken Quesadillas , and Dutch Oven Chili . Sliced cheese is perfect to bring for sandwiches and hamburgers.
• Storage tips: Cheese will need to be kept in the cooler, and we recommend storing it in a water-tight baggie (like these) or storage container, just in case.

Meats & proteins

The star of most meals, meat or alternative proteins have an important place on your camping food list. Here are a few to consider along with our favorite recipes for how to use them!

• Chicken breast or chicken thighs: Thighs are ideal for campfire cooking because they are very forgiving. Try them in these Grilled Chicken Tacos or Pineapple Chicken Kabobs .
• Steaks: Another great grilling option–all you really need is a good cut and maybe a herby sauce like chimichurri to top it off. Or, get fancy and try your hand at Beef Stroganoff !
• Ground beef: Essential for burgers , chili mac , tacos, and more.
• Bacon or breakfast sausage: Need we say more?! Serve with a side of fried eggs and toast, or make Breakfast Sandwiches or a Mountain Breakfast Skillet .
• Bratwurst, kielbasa, or sausages: Great for grilling , adding to a foil packet meal (like these Kielbasa and Potato foil packets ), or in sausage and peppers hash
• Frozen shrimp: Frozen shrimp stores easily and thaw quickly, making them an easy addition to meals like Shrimp Boil Foil Packets , shrimp tacos , and simple grilled shrimp with herb butter.
• Tofu: For plant-based campers, this is a versatile protein source that can be used to make everything from a Tofu Scramble , Thai Curries , or cubed and added to kabobs and skewers (it soaks up all the flavors of your marinade!)

Storage tips: Meat should be transferred to a water-tight container before adding it to your cooler–you really don’t want their juices leaking out into your melting ice water. If your camping trip is a few days, try freezing the meat you’ll use towards the end of the trip–it will help keep your cooler colder! Let it get a head start thawing in the cooler by moving it to the top of the ice the day before you’ll use it. Non-frozen meat should be kept at the bottom of the cooler, where it’s coldest.

Sandwich meat / cold cuts

Sandwiches are such an easy lunch to make camping, so add your favorite deli slices or cold cuts to your list!

• Storage tips: Be sure to pack along a zip-top bag to transfer the meat to once you open the packaging. We’ve found that even if the package claims to be resealable, it’s often not a tight enough seal to prevent water from leaking in.

Canned Beans

Canned beans are another one of our favorite camping ingredients. They can be used in so many meals as a vegetarian/vegan protein, and are shelf stable so you can always keep a few on hand in case of mealtime emergencies. Just don’t forget the can opener!

• Use them in: Chili mac , added to pasta for protein, grilled nachos , in tacos, red beans and rice , and curry . We’ve even used canned chickpeas in place of potatoes to make breakfast hash !

Mac & Cheese

You just can’t beat the convenience that boxed mac & cheese brings to the table. Having these in your camp pantry means you always have a quick lunch on hand for little hungry campers, and there are lots of ways to make it into a full meal. Try chopping up last night’s leftover sausages or hamburger patties, or saute a handful of diced vegetables to increase the nutrition.

Boxed, pre-made rice sides are another convenience food option we like to add to our camping food checklist. They make for a super-duper easy side dish with grilled meat and vegetables (think rice pilaf), or you can use them as a base for a meal (like Zatarain’s Jambalaya mix–try adding grilled shrimp or sausages!).

Soup/Dried Soup Mixes

Soup is one of the simplest camping lunch and dinner options, so it’s a good idea to have a can or two of your favorites in your camp pantry. This is always on the top of our camping grocery list for trips where we know we’re going to be out adventuring during the day and won’t have a ton of time or energy to prepare a meal from scratch back at the campsite later. Ramen soup noodles are also nice to have on hand to add to a stir fry (just cook them without the seasoning packet) or curry .

Pasta is one of the best camping pantry items! It is the base of SO many easy meals, so we always carry a box so we have extra food on hand in case we need to stretch a meal to be bigger or we end up hanging out at camp for an extra day. In addition to dry pasta, fresh or frozen tortellini or ravioli kept in a cooler can be a great start to a tasty, low-hassle meal–just add your favorite sauce and sauteed or grilled vegetables!

• Use it in: Quick one pot pasta dishes, chili mac or from-scratch mac and cheese , Tortellini Soup , or side dishes like pasta salad.

Bread is essential for making toast, sandwiches, and French toast! Breads like baguettes or country loaves are also excellent for slicing and grilling to serve on the side of meals like soups, grilled meat, skillet ratatouille , or these shrimp boil foil packets .

Tortillas & Wraps

Tortillas and wraps are a less bulky alternative to bread that can be used to make roll-up sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos, Dutch oven enchiladas , and more!

You’ll want to bring plenty of vegetables on every camping trip — and we’re here to assure you that packing fresh vegetables is totally easy enough to to! Many whole veggies do not need to be kept in a cooler, so you don’t need to worry about them taking up space. However, chopping and dicing vegetables at home can be a huge time saver when you’re cooking in camp.

If you prep your veggies ahead of time, you’ll want to store them in water-tight containers in the cooler. You don’t need them to stay super cold, so these often get stored towards the top of our cooler, leaving things like meat to be stored closer to the bottom where it’s much colder.

Here are a bunch of great vegetables that transport well on a camping trip:

• Cherry tomatoes (transfer to a hard sided container)
• Bell peppers
• Potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Zucchini or summer squash
• Cabbage (red or green)
• Onions & garlic
• Fresh herbs—these require some extra TLC but it’s SO worth it to have fresh herbs on hand to add to meals (especially herbs like basil, mint, and cilantro!). At home, cut off the ends of the herbs and stand them in a mason jar. Add about ½ inch of water to the bottom, then seal the jar. They should stay perky and fresh in your cooler for a few days this way–just be sure the jar stays upright.

Fresh Fruit

We like to bring an assortment of fruit on our camping trips. Like vegetables, uncut fresh fruit doesn’t typically need to be stored in the cooler (though cold grapes are a great snack!). Fruit can be enjoyed on its own, or sliced and added to breakfasts like oatmeal or yogurt, used as a pancake topping , or for a number of desserts.

Soft fruits (peaches, plums, mango) can be sliced or chopped ahead of time and stored in a hard sided container in the cooler so you don’t need to worry about them bruising. We love fresh mango in salsas (try these shrimp tacos with mango salsa), and of course, Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler is a summertime classic!

Here are a few of our favorite fruits to bring when we’re going camping:

• Oranges or clementines
• Melons (cut up at home and store in a hard sided container in the cooler)
• Berries (transfer to a hard sided container)
• Bananas (use them early before they get too ripe and strong smelling. We love them for Banana Boats or in these Banana Bread Pancakes !)
• Mango (slice at home and store in a hard sided container in the cooler to prevent bruising)
• Peaches & other stone fruit (slice at home and store in a hard sided container in the cooler to prevent bruising)

We’re not going to lie–about half the food we pack for car camping are snacks! We like to be able to graze throughout the day, and have lots of variety to bring with us if we’re going to spend the day hiking or hanging out by the lake. Here are some great camping snack ideas that pack and transport well:

• Chips with dip or salsa
• Peanut butter filled pretzels
• Sliced fruit or vegetables
• Granola bars
• Babybel cheese/cheese sticks
• Dried fruit
• See all of our favorite hiking snacks –these are great to have on hand to throw into your backpack

Graham Crackers, Marshmallows & Chocolate

What’s a camping trip without s’mores?! If you plan on having a campfire, be sure to bring your favorite s’mores ingredients, whether it’s just the classics or something a little more creative! (We love to add raspberries to ours!)

If you can’t have a campfire, make these s’mores cookies at home and bring them along to capture the spirit of the classic camping dessert.

Sauces/Marinades

Sauces and marinades, whether homemade or store-bought, are an easy way to add a ton of flavor to meals without having to bring along a ton of ingredients. Think pasta sauce, BBQ sauce, fajita simmer sauce, jarred curry sauce, pad thai sauce, or herb-based sauces like pesto, chimichurri, and chermoula.

Once you have an idea of what meals you’ll be cooking at your campsite, think about the condiments you might need:

• Salad dressing

If you know you only need a little bit of something, skip bringing the whole bottle and repackage in to refillable squeeze tubes like these GoToobs (we’ve never had these leak) or these twist-top condiment bottles .

Be sure to bring your favorite sweetener for topping pancakes, stirring into hot drinks, sweetening oatmeal, etc.

• Maple syrup
• Agave syrup
• Sugar (make sure you have enough if you’re making pancakes or desserts on-site)

Spices & Seasonings

Spice blends are a simple way to add flavor and transform a simple meal without bringing your whole spice cabinet. We also like to bring a few of our go-to spices depending on what is on the menu.

• Salt & pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Taco seasoning
• Garam masala
• Blackening seasoning
• BBQ dry rub
• Cajun seasoning
• Ras el hanout

Butter & Oil

Be sure to bring butter and/or your favorite oil for cooking! We like to have butter on hand for slathering on English muffins, pancakes, and grilled bread. We prefer ghee or coconut oil for frying pancakes, rather than butter, because it has a higher smoke point. For cooking and sauteing, choose a neutral flavored oil.

• Storage tips: Store butter either in the top basket of your cooler (if it has one), or in a hard-sided container or leak-proof bag–you don’t want it to float around unprotected in your ice water! Make sure any containers of oil have a good, twist on cap that won’t pop off.

In addition to packing your favorite drinks, double check that your campsite has clean, potable water available–if not, you’ll need to pack sufficient amounts of your own to last the trip.

• Coffee & tea
• Hot cocoa mix
• Sparkling water or seltzer
• Beer/wine/cocktails

Camp Hack: If you have a favorite camp cocktail, mix a big batch at home and leave all the bottles at home! We’re a fan of camping Negronis , but this method will work for many other cocktails as well.

Camping Meal Prep Tips

Prep what you can at home: You might only have time to pre-chop some veggies, or you may be able to make a complete meal. Either way, any work you can do now means less work (and clean up!) you’ll have to do at the campsite.

Start marinades at home: At a minimum, you should start your marinades at home! Add all the marinade ingredients EXCEPT any acids (vinegar, lemon juice, etc) to a zip top bag and add the meat (or whatever you’re marinating). Store in your cooler. At the campsite, add any vinegar or citrus juice needed–adding it later will prevent the meat from getting mushy or tough.

Reduce packaging / pack what you need: No need to bring the whole bag of sugar! Repackage bulk ingredients so you’re only bringing what you need. This goes for things like flour, sauces and condiments, bulk spices, etc.

Have a backup meal: We always carry an easy backup meal that we can turn to if we end up hanging out at the lake for too long, or come back to the campsite too tired (or lazy!) to cook our planned meal. Throw a box of mac and cheese or a can of soup into your pantry box and you’re set.

A Crash Course to Packing Your Cooler

Prep your cooler: Bring it inside a day before you need to pack it (especially if it’s been stored somewhere warm) and give it a good rinse. Pre-chilling your cooler by filling it with cold water or “sacrificial” ice can also help it stay colder later on.

Prep your food: As mentioned in the section above, you’ll want to repackage anything bulky or that’s not watertight before storing it in the cooler. The less air in your packaging, the better! Then, freeze anything that will be used towards the end of the trip (assuming it freezes well–meat is the best candidate) and refrigerate everything else. You want the food to start out as cold as possible.

Add ice & pack the cooler: To ensure your cooler stays at a food-safe temperature (41F) for as long as possible, you’ll want to aim for a 2:1 ice to food ratio. Yes, that means twice the amount of ice as food or drinks. Good news–anything you freeze counts as part of the “ice”!

Add ice and frozen food to the bottom of the cooler, then layer in the rest of your food between layers of ice. Place things like meat towards the bottom and items like chopped fruit, veggies, and herbs at the top.

There’s lots more to know about keeping your cooler as cold as possible for longer, including tips on how to manage it at camp, in our guide to how to pack a cooler , so be sure to read the full post!

Basic Camp Cooking Gear

Once you have your camping meals planned out, spend a few minutes thinking about what camp kitchen tools you’ll need to cook them. Here’s a quick list of some of the most common cooking gear:

• Stove (find the best camping stoves here)
• Cooler ( our top pick )
• Non-stick pans ( we love these )
• Cast iron skillet
• Knife ( with a protective cover )
• Cutting board
• Large mixing spoon
• Pot holders
• Instant read thermometer ( our favorite )
• Dutch oven (optional)
• Foil (optional)
• Bottle opener/corkscrew
• Coffee maker (learn about the different ways to make camping coffee here!)

You can also refer to our camp cooking gear or camping checklist posts here for more ideas!

Megan & Michael are the creators of Fresh Off The Grid, a blog dedicated to helping you fuel your adventures by sharing camp cooking recipes, backpacking meals, and outdoor travel guides. Their recipes and outdoor cooking expertise have been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Outside, REI Co-Op Journal, Food & Wine, and New York Times Cooking.

17 Comments

Love. Love. Love this post! It’s super helpful in helping us plan what we ACTUALLY should be stocking in our hatchback’s pantry. I’m a big planner and would definitely try to stock more than we would actually need. And ghee!!!! That’s a brilliant idea…as a Southerner (hailing from deep South GA), butter is my go-to for so many things that I cook. I was already having separation anxiety thinking that we’d not be cooking with butter very often. Haha. Couple of questions… Do you typically purchase pantry staples online, specifically the coconut milk powder and the shelf-stable tofu? I know y’all are big Trader Joe’s fans; are you able to find these items in stores or are you forced to purchase online?

Thanks! Glad you found it to be helpful! Ghee can be found at Whole Foods & Trader Joe’s. Coconut Milk powder can be tricky to find. We used to get it from a Indian market when we lived in LA (there were a few Asian grocers that carried it as well), but haven’t seen it many places since – so that’s one we’d pick up online. Shelf Stable Tofu we’ve seen in a few grocery stores (Whole Foods and some major chains in bigger cities) but it’s not everywhere. Since we’re a moving target, we typically try to avoid ordering online (shipping can be difficult to coordinate) and instead stock up when we’re in a town with a well stocked store. Some things are more expensive online than in store (especially basic pantry items – i.e. canned beans). But for the more speciality items, it might be worth ordering online rather than running all around town trying to find something specific.

Awesome post. I’ll be adding some of these to my camping list. If you haven’t already check out flavor God spices. They are amazing. Spicy blend is my favorite!!!!!

Oo, thanks for the tip! We’re always looking for new spice blends – that is seriously the easiest way to switch up simple meals!

Great post! Did you guys make that cool foldout table and the crates? If so, would you mind sharing the basic measurements and assembly? Also, what basic cookware do you carry in the pantry?

Hello, Your story has inspired me to move out! I’m actually about to purcahse a focus today. Which size cargo box do you guys use? Would you reccomend larger or smaller?

Thanks! -Chris

Just found your site. Love it. Have been a Dutch oven camp cook for many, many years. (Think fresh yeast cinnamon rolls in camp.) I just added a new item to my camp box–“the ringer, stainless steel cast iron cleaner.” It works great. Have one for each home and camp. Check it out.

Thanks! Is this the one? http://amzn.to/2n2XfCj Definitely looks like something we should add to our kit as well. Thank you so much for sharing!

That is it.

Great post and super informative! About to hit the road for a week of camping and I love your recipes – healthy and veg friendly. Keep up the good work. Cheers – CT

Love this post! My boyfriend and I are preparing for an extended cross-country road trip and we’re both huge foodies. This post and your blog has been perfect in helping me put together a packing list and inventory for us! Thank you for all of your insight and inspiration.

That’s awesome! Have a great time on your road trip. Hope this list helps!

That’s a huge list of foods and snacks and while seeing this post water began to jump on my tongue. Lol

Did you make or purchase your wooden boxes? If you made them where did you find the plans? If you purchased them, who sells them?

Our good friend who is a former carpenter built the boxes for us. They were custom designed to fit in the passenger footwell of our hatchback so unfortunately, they weren’t built off of any plans that we can direct you to 🙁

Easy pezzy boxes, i use the large milk crates, work great for can goods. Garage sales you can find good camping items and second hand good will store. For pots and pans ect cheap a buck or two.

We’re gearing up for a cross country mission and due to COVID, trying to be as self sustaining as possible. This is an awesome resource, thank you for putting it together!!!

Comments are closed.

15 camping food ideas

• Natalie Hardwick – Editor, goodfood.com

Unsure which staples to pack on your camping trip? We've picked 15 ingredients that can be easily carried and used in various dishes, from salads to campfire breakfasts.

Which ingredients to take camping

Making a meal using just a handful of ingredients you've carried along is one of the joys of camping – as long as the ingredients you've picked are light and versatile. We've chosen 15 staple 'foundation' ingredients around which to build smart dishes for campsite dining, whether you are using a camping stove or bringing pre-made meals.

See our collection of camping recipes and read on for the best ingredients to add to your camping food list. We also have a variety of vegetarian and vegan camping recipes for you to try.

For more ideas, see our guide to easy family camping recipes .

Best camping foods

1. halloumi.

This firm sheep's milk cheese travels really well in a cool bag as it holds its form and has a very high melting point. The robust nature of halloumi means it can be cooked in slices or chunks to an almost meat-like texture. Fry or griddle it and have with some salad leaves and dressing, skewer it to cook on a campfire or serve it in wraps.

Halloumi & quinoa fattoush Halloumi burgers Griddled halloumi with beetroot and orange Halloumi kebabs with thyme and lemon baste Roasted pepper and halloumi wraps

More like this

Check out our halloumi recipe collection and find more halloumi salads .

2. Flatbreads

Unlike an ample loaf, flatbreads pack down into a neat, flexible stack – ideal for packing in a rucksack or hamper. They can be made into a pizza, either served cold and spread with hummus, or baked with traditional cheese and tomato toppings. Or go Mexican and fold up some melty quesadillas, or use for a zingy chicken and lemon wrap.

Chicken & lemon skewers Hot salami and courgette flatbread Vegetarian wraps Flatbread pizzas Cheese and chilli melts 10-minute steak and blue cheese wrap

Find more flatbread recipes .

Find yourself a good-quality cured Spanish sausage, nestle it into your knapsack and you're away. Chorizo is the perfect camping sausage as it's ready-cured, so it can be sliced and eaten as a snack, crisped up in an omelette to be served with smoky beans and eggs for breakfast, or combined with potatoes in a hash.

Campfire smoky bean & chorizo brekkie Chorizo & halloumi breakfast baguette Chorizo, potato and cheese omelette Chorizo & red pepper hummus Chorizo and fried egg wraps BBQ chorizo potato salad Sweet potato, chickpea and chorizo hash

More chorizo recipes .

4. Sardines

All tinned fish are great for camping, but as sardines usually come in chunky fillets, they feel more like a whole meal. Serve on sourdough toast for breakfast, with canned chickpeas and zesty lemon for lunch and with spaghetti, fennel and broccoli for supper (not necessarily on the same day!).

Sardines & peperonata on wholemeal toast BBQ sardines with chermoula sauce Spanish sardines on toast Sardines with chickpeas, lemon and parsley Pasta with pine nuts, broccoli, sardines and fennel

More sardine recipes

5. Rice pouches

As one of the most versatile grains, rice is the foundation for many great meals. Ready-cooked or boil-in-the-bag pouches are light and portable, and go from cooking stove to plastic plate in minutes. Keep your cooked rice fresh in a bean salad, make it into a spicy curried pilaf, use it as a burrito filling or whip it into Chinese-style egg fried rice.

Mixed bean and wild rice salad Chicken burrito One-pan spicy rice Oriental egg-fried rice

They may need to be perched atop your apparel and transported with relative care, but eggs are fine camping fodder. Omelettes can take all manner of fillings (it's a good way of using up your chorizo), but frittatas – bulked out with potatoes in the Spanish fashion – served in wedges stretch a lot further. Eggy bread also makes a classic campsite breakfast.

Tarragon, mushroom & sausage frittata Feta and semi-dried tomato omelette Chorizo, potato and cheese omelette Potato frittata with pesto and goat's cheese Ham and eggy bread with salsa

We've got plenty more egg recipes to choose from.

Whatever shape or size, pasta is a much-loved convenience ingredient that rules in a league of its own. Slender spaghetti is best for saving space, but penne and fusilli are more palatable once they've gone cold. Create a simple carbonara with sausage instead of bacon, throw together a fresh pesto pasta salad or melt creamy blue cheese into a mushroom sauce.

Pesto pasta salad Sausage and broccoli carbonara Storecupboard spaghetti puttanesca Creamy mushroom spaghetti Bacon, spinach and gorgonzola pasta

Get more easy pasta recipes .

8. Tinned fruit

When it comes to camping desserts, it's often a case of assembling rather than cooking. Tinned fruit can be mixed into an instant salad, but if you want to add a special touch, melt some chocolate to drizzle over tinned pears, then sprinkle with hazelnuts. Sweet, shiny canned peaches with cream are a retro winner, too.

Pears with speedy chocolate sauce Grapefruit, orange and apricot salad Tropical fruits in lemongrass syrup

9. Chickpeas

Ready-prepared canned chickpeas are far more convenient than the dried variety that requires soaking. Pour them directly into a bowl and dress with oil, vinegar and herbs for a versatile side dish. Alternatively, stir them into a spicy one-pot or use as the base for a salad.

Warm chickpea salad Pumpkin curry with chickpeas Spiced chickpeas with halloumi Bean, chickpea & feta salad Spinach & chickpea dhal No-cook chickpea salad

Discover more recipes for chickpeas and chickpea salads .

10. Ready-made meals

And we're not talking a microwave lasagne. One of the best ways to cater for your campers is to make a one-pot dish at home that can be finished off onsite. A pre-made ragu or meatballs in tomato sauce can be heated and poured over spaghetti, a chilli can be served with bonfire-baked potatoes and stew can be served with couscous. Just make sure it has been cooled correctly, and store in a chilled environment.

Big-batch bolognese Spaghetti and meatballs Super-speedy chilli Bonfire Night baked potatoes Spicy chicken and bean stew

Check out more batch cooking recipes and read our meal prep ideas .

Great any time of day, but undoubtedly worth starting your day right, especially if you’re planning a full day of activities. As a dry food, cereal has a long shelf life, making it a must-have on your camping food list. It’s also high in fibre and releases energy slowly so that you will feel content for longer in the day.

High-fibre muesli Orange & raspberry granola Crunchy granola with berries & cherries Low-sugar granola Maple granola crunch porridge topping

Check out more healthy cereal recipes and porridge recipes.

Tuna is a highly versatile ingredient as it is a perfect sandwich filler, pasta topper and addition to any salad. Being tinned, it is easy to transport and has a shelf life of years, so you need not worry about it going off. It’s also high in protein, which boosts your metabolism.

Lemony tuna, tomato & caper one-pot pasta Healthy tuna lettuce wraps Tuna, avocado & quinoa salad Tuna & butterbean salad

Discover more tasty tinned tuna recipes .

Ready in minutes, soups come in all kinds of flavours, giving you plenty of variety. We have warming, hearty soups for cold nights and refreshing cold soups for hot summer days. Either whack the ingredients in a pan and cook on the fire or pre-pack your soups in a flask and warm up.

Cucumber soup Black bean soup with chunky raita Miso & butternut soup One-pan carrot & cumin soup Tomato & basil soup

Try out more flavourful soup recipes .

14. Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is the perfect evening drink when camping as you can prepare it by melting chocolate with milk in a pan. Make it as decadent as you wish. You are on holiday after all, and don’t forget to add a sprinkling of melty marshmallows!

Homemade hot chocolate Hot chocolate stirrers White hot chocolate Deluxe hot chocolate with marshmallows Triple-choc hot chocolate

Discover more delicious hot chocolate recipes .

15. Pasta sauces & salad dressings

Bring a homemade jar of sauce or a salad dressing to upgrade simple meals to the next level. A homemade pesto or tomato sauce can be added to pasta or rice to make a freestyle throw-together meal that everyone will love. Shop locally for your fruit and veg to create a beautifully fresh salad and cover with your dressing to elevate the flavours.

Pesto sauce Tomato sauce Roasted red pepper sauce Easy salad dressing Chipotle & lime dressing

Browse plenty more pasta sauce recipes and salad dressing recipes .

More camping food ideas

Canned beans are a camping saviour, given how inexpensive and transportable they are. They're also a good source of plant-based protein and are high in fibre. Try them in our campfire smoky bean & chorizo brekkie , this one-pan smoky beans & sausage meatballs or a smoky sausage & black bean chilli .

Granola bars

This easy recipe for homemade granola bars makes up to 12, so they'll keep you and the family going the whole trip. They're also great with a cup of coffee as a mid-morning snack.

Waking up to a cup of coffee in the great outdoors is pure bliss – not to mention the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. We like to pack our favourite ground coffee along with an AeroPress coffee maker : an inexpensive, portable and lightweight bit of kit which requires no washing-up. See our coffee gadgets for tools for making the perfect cuppa, from grinders and drippers to the ultimate kettle.

Camping meal prep tips

Prep your food before you leave.

Prepping your food as much possible at home means there's less work to do once you're there, as well as less time washing up. Our make-ahead camping recipe collection features one-pots, salads and snacks which are perfect for making ahead to take on a camping trip.

Only pack what you need

While it's tempting to bring a whole bag of ground coffee, or a bulky box of cereal, a useful tip is to repackage your food so you're only taking what you need. Have a think about portion sizes and pack accordingly – the less air in your packaging, the better. This'll result in carrying a lighter load, plus it'll save bringing any leftovers back home.

Bring back-up meals

You might have plans for cooking lots of different meals from scratch, but after a long day spent outdoors, you may just want to kick back and relax for the evening. It's wise, therefore, to pack soup which you can whack into a pan and cook, or pre-pack your soups in a flask and warm up. A pre-cooked pesto pasta salad , which you can eat cold, is also a great option.

Food safety alert

Camping often means a lack of refrigeration, so make sure you go armed with a cool box and ice packs if you're taking perishables. Cooked food shouldn't be above fridge temperature for longer than 90 minutes, and when you're reheating anything, make sure it's piping hot the whole way through. Take a look at the NHS website for 10 tips to avoid food poisoning and how to store food safely .

Get more camping inspiration...

Top camping recipes for kids The best camping stoves you can buy Camping recipes Family camping recipes 10 foods to cook when camping

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Upgrade Your Campsite Mornings With Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches

Half the fun of a camping trip is cooking over a campfire. Many people might like to stick to traditional camping foods such as hot dogs and s'mores, but there's no reason to leave your standard meals at home just because you're living in the wild for a few days. Pre-made, frozen breakfast sandwiches warmed over a campfire are an easy meal that feels gratifying after spending the night in a sleeping bag.

One of the best parts about making breakfast sandwiches at home, freezing them, and heating them at camp is that most of the work is finished before you leave the house. When you're ready to eat, all you have to do is take the now-thawed sandwiches out of the plastic wrap, bag, or container they were stored in, wrap them in aluminum foil, and pop them onto a campfire grill. Or, you can pre-wrap them in tin foil before freezing them to make things even easier. Whichever method you choose, by heating pre-made breakfast sandwiches, you can have a great meal that doesn't require lugging individual ingredients into the wilderness that you have to assemble at your campsite.

Put together your campfire breakfast sandwiches

Campfire breakfast sandwiches are an opportunity to get creative, starting with the bread. You can make classic English muffin breakfast sandwiches . You could elevate your breakfast sandwich by using French toast or piling ingredients into a buttery biscuit. You could even swap the bread for tortillas or hash browns.

Beyond bread, think about the filling in your sandwich. Eggs, ham, or bacon — all of which freeze well — are popular options for breakfast sandwiches, but you can add other fillings, too. Whichever you choose, cook them ahead of time and add them to your sandwich before you freeze it. That way, the whole thing is put together and ready to cook over your campfire. You can also add vegetables to your sandwich, but note that some freeze better than others. Veggies with a high water content, such as lettuce and tomatoes, are best added fresh and raw. On the other hand, corn, onions, and peppers all freeze fine.

Then, there are condiments to think about. While you can freeze your condiments directly in your breakfast sandwich, it may take away from the flavor. Plus, the texture and consistency might change. So, you may want to add them after heating your sandwich. And, of course, if you don't feel like putting in the work to choose the bread and add-ins yourself, you can always use your favorite store-bought frozen breakfast sandwiches , saving you even more time.

How to heat breakfast sandwiches over a campfire

When it's time to gather around your campfire, there are a few things to know about heating your pre-made breakfast sandwiches before chowing down. For starters, make sure to thaw your sandwiches before popping them on the grill. Check that there's no visible ice and that your sandwich is soft to the touch as opposed to hard and frozen. Nobody wants to bite into a sandwich that is burnt on the outside but frozen on the inside.

The sandwiches should be wrapped in aluminum foil before you heat them, and the foil you use matters more than you might think. Heavy-duty is best, as it can stand up better to the heat of a fire. If you have lightweight aluminum foil, wrap your breakfast sandwiches in multiple layers for extra protection against the flames. Otherwise, you might wind up with burnt bread. From there, around five minutes on the grill should be enough to thoroughly reheat your breakfast sandwich.

Also, you can store pre-made breakfast sandwiches in your freezer for up to six months. Label the sandwiches with type and date to make it easier to keep track of what's what and when they expire. With these tips, you're ready to make frozen breakfast sandwiches at the beginning of the season and enjoy them on your camping trips all summer long.

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Heading into the great outdoors can be an exhilarating experience, offering a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, to truly enjoy your camping adventure , proper preparation is essential.

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or planning your first outing, knowing what to pack can make or break your trip. To help you get it right, we spoke with Nick Madrick, the COO of M22 , a renowned company specializing in outdoor gear and adventures.

Drawing on his extensive expertise, Nick shares the five essential items you need to ensure your camping trip is both safe and enjoyable. From must-have gear to practical tips, our expert-fueled guide will prepare you for any road trip or wilderness excursion.

GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set

“This is literally the only knife set you’ll need for the rest of your life,” Madrick rhapsodized. “These knives are so sharp they can cut through anything. Well, maybe not anything but there is not a type of food that they can’t slice through. You’ll want to cook more by just owning this set. The travel pouch comes with a small cutting board, cleaning cloth, sharpener, and three different knives for all your cooking needs.”

Fanttik X9 Ultra Portable Tire Inflator

“Is this the best mobile power station ever? It just might be,” Madrick mused. “Not only can this recharge your phone, computer, and drone, and act as a flashlight, but in the event you need to air up your tires after hitting the trail it can successfully and quickly bring all four tires from mid-20 psi to 35 psi in just a matter of minutes. It might be small but it delivers some serious power when out on the road.”

UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit

“I traded in carrying around my computer bag for this mobile fire pit and I couldn’t be happier with my choice,” Madrick raved. “I can literally have a campfire anywhere I go. This pop-up fire pit is not only extremely well-built but it packs down into a small carrying bag. It comes with grill inserts if you want to cook over the fire or coals.”

Heavy-Duty Roll-Top Table

“I’ve sat behind a lot of tables in my life and this is by far my favorite,” Madrick said. “This table acts as a desk during the day and a dining table by night. It easily folds up so you can take it anywhere with you on a road trip. Who doesn’t like looking up from their computer and seeing the mountains when working mobile?”

M22 Camp Cup

“I’ve tested every single drink you can imagine in this cup,” Madrick explained. “Sunrise coffee, afternoon wine, sunset cocktails, and even tea before bed. This 12oz cup continues to hold not only great tasting beverages for me while I’m on the road but it keeps my hot drinks hot and my cold drinks cold. This is the only cup you’ll need on your next road trip. Rinse with water and repeat.”

Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted .

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