Camping food is key when it comes to really enjoying your time in nature. It adds to the whole experience, especially if it’s something you can share with your family and your friends. That said, you wouldn’t want to spend too much time preparing for your camp food either.
While instant meals are great for this kind of adventure, you do have the option of creating amazing meals without overloading your hiking bag. All it takes is a bit of early prep and you’re good to go.
Camping Breakfast Ideas
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day—even more so if you’re preparing for a day of adventure. Whether you’re looking to go hiking, kayaking, or simply want to enjoy group activities around your campsite, camping food that is filling is a must for breakfast.
1. Smoky Campfire Scramble
Camping Food Hacks: Keep your eggs safe by pre-scrambling and storing them in a sterilized water bottle. Doing this will keep them viable for two days. Just make sure you keep them in the fridge first. This is just one of many egg hacks you can use for your camping trip!
Ingredients:
- Eggs (one per person)
- Clarified butter (this will make your scramble fluffier)
- Cheese
- Minced carrots or potatoes (mushrooms can be used as well)
- Water
Prep:
- The night before your trip, pre-scramble the eggs and season according to your preference. Keep this in your fridge or freezer to chill.
- Keep your veggies in a resealable bag and place in the fridge until you’re ready to go. This will help keep them fresh.
Directions:
- Take out your camping sauce pan and add your veggies in it.
- Cook until the veggies soften. Next, add the rest of your ingredients.
- The ratio for each ingredient is 1:1:1. Basically, for every one egg, use a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of water. You can add cheese liberally.
- To make it fluffy, start by pulling your pan just a little bit away from the fire. Stir the mixture until it begins to form.
- After the egg completely comes together, take it off the fire and allow the residual heat to cook it through.
2. Simple Scallion Pancakes
Camping Food Hacks: Always carry a camping seasoning kit. You can easily put this together by using a pill container and filling each slot with your essentials.
Ingredients:
- Pancake or waffle mix
- Eggs
- Minced scallions
- Water
Directions:
- Prepare the batter as you normally would. Add in the minced scallions and season according to your preference.
- This is optional, but you can add a pinch of cayenne or some chili flakes if you’re looking for a bit more kick.
- Cook according to your taste. If you have a camping-sized waffle maker, that would work just as well!
- Serve with a side of ketchup or mayo.
3. No-Cook Overnight Oats
Camping Food Hacks: If you want to make sure your camping overnight oats don’t spoil before you can eat them, make sure to use almond or coconut milk instead of dairy. You can add a teaspoon of honey too!
Ingredients:
- One cup of old fashioned oats (these work best for this dish)
- Your choice of nuts and dried fruit
- A teaspoon of cinnamon
- Yogurt
Directions:
- The night before, combine all of your ingredients. You can mix them up or layer the nuts and dried fruit on top.
- Store in an ice chest.
- Serve topped with more yogurt and an extra sprinkling of cinnamon.
Note: You can make this on the morning of your trip, but you will have to wait two hours before it is ready to eat.
4. Camping Breakfast Sandwich (Using Leftovers!)
Camping Food Hacks: When it comes to essentials, foil will not only help keep your camping food warm, it can also be used as a fire starter!
Ingredients:
- Your choice of bread (we recommend muffins, but even bagels work)
- Leftover meat (chicken works best, but BBQ or even steak is fine)
- Veggies (if you have any)
- Plain butter
- Cheddar Cheese
Directions:
- Shred your leftover meat. Season if necessary before setting aside.
- Start by placing some butter on the pan. Toast your bread of choice until it becomes nicely browned. Set this aside while you cook the meat.
- Add a bit of butter to the pan again and cook the meat for a few minutes to warm it up.
- Once done, assemble your sandwich and add the cheddar cheese.
- Heat it again for a minute or two to melt the cheese a little before serving.
5. Easy Camp-Style Breakfast Quesadillas
Camping Food Hacks: Prep your veggies beforehand (except for the potatoes). Chop them up and store in resealable bags then store in your ice bag. This cuts down on prep time and ensures you have everything you need as well.
Ingredients:
- Tortillas
- Bacon
- Mixed veggies (opt for quick cooking ones)
- Cheddar cheese
- Eggs
- Optional: Sour cream and hot sauce
Directions:
- Start by cooking the veggies, then scramble the eggs. Set these aside after.
- Cut the bacon in half and fry it according to your taste. Set aside.
- Toast the tortilla. Once done, assemble all of your ingredients on one side of your tortilla. Make sure you leave enough space so it can be folded.
- Toast the folded tortilla, just enough so the cheese melts.
- Serve with some sour cream or hot sauce, though this isn’t necessary.
6. Breakfast Fritters
Camping Food Hacks: Avoid soggy zucchinis by preparing them on-site. Keep two to three medium-sized ones in your ice bag. Doing so will keep your zucchinis crisp until you need them.
Ingredients:
- Shredded zucchini
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs, beaten
- Scallions (both white and green parts)
- Butter or olive oil
- Optional: Sour cream or your choice of dip
Directions:
- After shredding the zucchini, sprinkle a bit of salt on it before setting it aside. After a few minutes, squeeze out the liquid then transfer to a bowl.
- To the bowl, add your flour, eggs, seasoning, and scallions. The mixture should look similar to pancake batter.
- Add butter or olive oil to your pan and wait until it gets warm. Add the batter in pancake-sized batches and fry until it becomes golden brown.
7. Strawberry-Peanut Butter Toast
Camping Food Hacks: Peanut butter is a great all-around camping food. It doesn’t spoil easily and can provide you with extra energy throughout your trip. Not to mention, it’s the perfect late night snack as well!
Ingredients:
- One loaf of cinnamon raisin bread (or any type you like)
- Sliced strawberries (frozen beforehand)
- Peanut butter
- Honey or maple syrup
- Optional: Cinnamon
Directions:
- Pre-heat your pan. Toast your bread slices. You can add a bit of butter to the pan, but it isn’t necessary.
- While still on the pan, spread a generous amount of peanut butter on the surface of your bread slices.
- Let this warm up before removing the slices and transferring them to a plate.
- Mix the strawberry and honey or maple syrup together.
- Arrange the slices on top of the toast and sprinkle with some cinnamon.
8. Campside Farmer’s Breakfast
Camping Food Hacks: Pre-boil potatoes then poke holes in it with a fork. Rub olive oil and some salt on them before storing in an airtight container. This will boost their flavor and shorten the overall cook-time.
Ingredients:
- Baby potatoes (amount varies on number of people)
- Bacon strips
- Diced onion
- Eggs
- Butter
Directions:
- Start by frying up the bacon strips to your preferred crispness. Set this aside after.
- Add about one to two tablespoons of butter to the bacon fat. Wait until it sizzles, then fry the onions.
- Add the potatoes to the pan and cook well. Toss in your bacon after the potatoes are done.
- Lastly, crack the eggs into the mix and scramble. You can season at this point, but be careful with adding salt since the bacon is already salty on its own.
Camping Lunch Ideas
Using meat when it comes to your camping lunches? Then it’s imperative that these are stored well. An ice bag or cooler will be a necessity, especially if you’re out during warmer months.
1. Beefy and Cheesy Camping Casserole
Camping Food Hacks: Feeding a large group during your trip? Casseroles are not only an easy choice, but you can also make them in large batches without much work involved.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Canned baked beans
- Steak sauce
- Cheddar cheese
- Biscuits
Directions:
- Cook the ground beef until it is well done. Add your beans and sauce to the pan. Stir until it begins to boil.
- Layer the biscuits and cheese on top. Cover this for 10 more minutes until the biscuits turn golden brown.
- Serve with some bread or by itself.
2. Veggie Fried Rice
Camping Food Hacks: You can pre-cook rice prior to camping, but if you plan on making rice on-site, choose fast-cooking ones. Basmati and white rice are the best options for this.
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Frozen vegetable mix (green peas, corn, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, etc.)
- Eggs
- Soy sauce
- Cooking oil
Directions:
- Make sure you thaw the vegetables first. While waiting, heat up the cooking oil in a pan.
- Once ready, fry the veggies until they are evenly cooked. Add the rice and wait until it turns slightly brown.
- Add soy sauce according to your taste.
- Crack the egg onto your rice and mix until it is cooked.
3. Bubble and Squeak
Camping Food Hacks: If you’re taking larger vegetables with you, such as cabbage, chop or shred them prior and keep in an airtight container after. This will preserve its freshness and make it easier for you to carry as well.
Ingredients:
- One small cabbage (chopped)
- Your choice of sausages
- Potatoes (sliced to bite-sized pieces)
- Water
Directions:
- Take your frying pan and layer your potatoes, sausages, and cabbage.
- Add just enough water (about a cup) to simmer it, then cover.
- This will take 15 to 20 minutes, until everything is fully cooked.
4. Easy and Cheesy Pizza Sandwiches
Camping Food Hacks: Sauces are best made in advance. Store them in resealable bags and keep frozen or chilled until needed.
Ingredients:
- White bread (adjust the number of slices accordingly)
- One tablespoon of butter for every two slices
- Mozzarella or plain cheddar cheese
- Pizza sauce
- Pepperoni or your choice of sausage (even Spam suits this recipe!)
- Optional: Sandwich iron
Directions:
- Start by spreading butter all over the bread slices. Place one in the pan, buttered side facing the heat.
- Spread your sauce, cheese, and pepperoni on the unbuttered side.
- Place back on the pan and cover. Wait for another two minutes or until cheese starts to melt.
5. One-Pot Vegan Sloppy Joes
Camping Food Hacks: Keep insects away from your food with one simple dollar store item: a reusable plastic cake cover. You can even stack them up to conserve space!
Ingredients:
- One pack of your favorite vegan burgers
- Olive oil
- Two teaspoons of chili (depending on your preference)
- A jar of salsa (preferably chunky)
- One pack of burger buns or English muffins
- Optional: Scallions
Directions:
- Heat the oil in your pan or pot. Crumble up your veggie burgers and toss in the salsa. Stir and add your seasonings.
- Add in your chili and continue cooking on medium heat until it begins to brown.
- You can opt to toast the muffins or the buns at this point.
- Once the Sloppy Joe starts bubbling, take it off the heat and ladle on top of the bread.
- Garnish with scallions and serve hot.
6. 5-Ingredient Campfire Mac and Cheese
Camping Food Hacks: Aluminum trays are multi-purpose. You can use these to cook, to serve, and to eat in. Keep a few handy when out camping!
Ingredients:
- One box of elbow pasta
- One stick of plain butter
- Half a cup of crushed Ritz crackers
- Shredded yellow or white cheddar
- Half a cup of grated parmesan
Directions:
- Start by cooking the pasta according to package directions. Drain after.
- In a pan, melt your butter then add your cheddar after. Add your preferred seasoning. We recommend adding a touch of ground mustard to the usual salt and pepper.
- Mix in your pasta and coat evenly.
- Transfer to an aluminum tray and cover it in another sheet of foil. Leave this on the grill until the cheese melts completely. Usually 10 minutes tops will do!
- Once cooked, top with crushed crackers and parmesan cheese.
7. Classic Camping Grilled Cheese
Camping Food Hacks: Since meat can easily spoil if you don’t have the appropriate container, opt for alternatives such as mushrooms. These will keep well and taste great for this recipe, too.
Ingredients:
- Mushrooms (sliced)
- Onion (sliced)
- Butter
- Sourdough bread
- Gouda or your preferred cheese (shredded)
Directions:
- Heat up some oil or butter on your skillet. Toss in your mushrooms and onions. Season as you see fit. Cook this for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- While you wait, melt about four tablespoons of butter on a separate pan.
- Take a slice of sourdough. Layer the roasted onions and mushrooms, as well as the Gouda, on top. Top with another bread slice and press together lightly.
- Toast this in the melted butter for a few minutes until it becomes golden brown.
8. Pasta with Lemon and Broccoli
Camping Food Hacks: When it comes to hard veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower, blanch them together with your pasta. This will save you both time and other resources, such as water, as well.
Ingredients:
- Penne pasta
- One head of broccoli (chop to bite-sized pieces prior)
- Two garlic cloves
- Lemon juice and zest
- Parmesan
- Optional: Chili flakes and basil for garnish
Directions:
- Cook your pasta according to instructions. Blanch your broccoli for about three minutes.
- Sauté the garlic. Once it turns brown, add your broccoli and pasta.
- Add the lemon zest, juice, and seasoning.
- If you have chili flakes or chopped basil, you can add it now.
- Mix everything well and top with parmesan.
Camping Dinners Easy Recipes
When it comes to easy camping dinners, the keyword is always this: simplicity. After a long day of adventuring, everyone is likely famished, so whipping up something quick and filling is imperative. Fortunately, with just a few essentials, you’ll be able to make easy camping meals for your family quickly.
1. Camping Food Classic Chili
Camping Food Hacks: Don’t throw away empty cans of beans or sauces. You can use these again for reheating food or even as a make-shift stove.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (adjust amount according to your needs)
- A jar of salsa (chunky)
- Kidney beans (drained)
- Canned diced tomatoes (undrained)
- One can of spicy chili beans (undrained)
- Optional: Butter
Directions:
- Start by browning your ground beef. Don’t forget to season accordingly.
- Once the beef is cooked, stir in the rest of your ingredients. Allow to boil.
- Reduce the heat after it boils. Cover the pot and allow to simmer for another five minutes.
2. 5-Ingredient Vegetarian Camping Burritos
Camping Food Hacks: Use the same ingredients for different dishes when it comes to your campfire recipes. Not only will this save you some money, but it will also make the load lighter for you to carry.
Ingredients:
- Brown rice
- Black beans
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa (pureed or chunky is fine)
- Fajita-size tortillas
Directions:
- Cook the rice like you normally would. Set aside so it cools down a bit.
- Drain the black beans and mix it with the rice.
- Mix in the salsa and the shredded cheese. Season accordingly.
- Heat the tortilla until warm. Let it cool down before assembling the burrito.
- Wrap each one in foil and heat again on a pan for about three to five minutes.
- Serve hot.
3. 5-Minute Campside Fried Noodles
Camping Food Hacks: Instant noodles double as a meal and as a snack. Crush up the uncooked noodles, sprinkle the seasoning in the bag, and give it a little shake. The result? Crunchy and savory instant “chips”!
Ingredients:
- Two packs instant ramen noodles (adjust amount according to need)
- Mixed frozen veggies (leftovers from your earlier meals would work too)
- Leftover meat (shredded chicken or bacon would be delicious for this)
- Scallions
Directions:
- Cook the ramen noodles according to the package. Don’t add the flavor packets.
- In a separate pan, heat up your veggies. Cook until soft.
- Add scallions and your meat of choice. Alternatively, you can also use tofu or beans.
- Season according to your taste.
- Toss in the noodles and fry for five more minutes.
4. Grilled Tempeh with Maple and Soy Sauce Glaze
Camping Food Hacks: Tempeh is a nutritious alternative to meat. The best bit? It won’t spoil as quickly, so it works great as healthy camping food.
Ingredients:
- A pack of tempeh
- Two tablespoons of soy sauce
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
- One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Directions:
- Create a marinade by mixing all the liquid ingredients together in resealable bag.
- Cut the tempeh into triangles (four pieces), then place them in the bag.
- Marinate for half an hour before grilling.
- You can also cook it on an iron skillet for about two minutes per side.
- Serve with bread or rice.
5. Chicken Campfire Pita Wrap
Camping Food Hacks: Three ingredients you should always have to make sure you’ll never go hungry while camping? Flour, water, and oil. With these, you can easily make a flatbread.
Ingredients:
- Pita bread
- Shredded chicken
- Two to three cups of mayonnaise
- Your choice of greens
- Cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Mix the mayonnaise and chicken together. Season as you see fit.
- Spread the mixture to one side of the pita.
- Alternatively, if thick enough, cut a pocket through one half of the pita and insert the filling inside.
- Layer greens and cheese.
- Melt a teaspoon of butter on your pan and place the pita on it. Flip to cook evenly.
6. Campfire Kebabs
Camping Food Hacks: When it comes to kebabs, the densest ingredients should be cut smallest so they cook faster. The softer ingredients should be cut the largest to even out cooking time.
Ingredients:
- Beef (cut into cubes smaller than the rest of your ingredients)
- Whole mushrooms
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sweet yellow onion (chopped into large chunks)
- Zucchini or squash (chopped into chunks)
Directions:
- The night before, marinate the meat with soy sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, olive oil, lime juice, and water. Adjust according to the amount of beef you have.
- In-camp, skewer each piece carefully. Evenly coat the kebabs with the marinade.
- Place on the grill and cook for three minutes each side or depending on how you want your beef pieces cooked.
- Serve with rice or bread.
7. 5-Ingredient Creamy Camping Curry
Camping Food Hacks: Sauce packets are a must for camping! These are already pre-seasoned and will keep well during your trip. Furthermore, they can help you create easy camping meals that are just as delicious as they are convenient.
Ingredients:
- Tikka Masala sauce
- One can of chickpeas
- Half a sweet yellow onion
- Sweet pepper
- Eggs
Directions:
- Drain the water in the chickpeas, then heat oil on your skillet. Once it becomes hot enough, cook the pepper and onions for five minutes.
- Add in the chickpeas and continue cooking for another five minutes.
- Pour in the Tikka Masala sauce. About half a bottle’s worth will suffice. Allow to simmer for five minutes.
- Lastly, create a well in the middle of the pan and crack two eggs in. Season this and cook until the eggs are done.
8. Foil-Pack Baked Potato
Camping Food Hacks: Cut down your baking time by foil-packing food before placing it on the grill or campfire. This is classic camping food made easy!
Ingredients:
- Baby potatoes
- Bacon bits
- Green onions (chopped)
- Shredded cheese
- Roasted garlic seasoning
- Optional: Sour cream
Directions:
- Cut your potatoes in halves.
- Season with the garlic seasoning, salt and pepper, and your choice of other herbs.
- Brush or spread melted butter on both foil and potatoes.
- Pack securely.
- Grill over medium-high heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. Turn it over every five minutes.
- Serve with bacon bits or sour cream on top.
Bonus: Easy Campfire “Cup” Tarts
Camping Food Hacks: Got stainless steel drinking cups? You can use them to help hold the biscuit’s shape while it toasts.
Ingredients:
- Refrigerated biscuit dough
- Canned pie filling
- Whipped cream
Directions:
- Pop open your biscuits and take a small ball of it, enough to cover the bottom of the cup.
- Once you have all of the pieces done, toast until it turns golden.
- Carefully remove the tart cup from its “mold” and scoop in some pie filling into it.
- Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
Conclusion
Remember, camping food need not be the same dehydrated pre-packaged meals again and again. Plan out your camping food list early on, do the necessary prep, and you should be able to create easy camping meals for family and for yourself without a problem!
After all, camping is half about the preparation you do and knowing how to wing it. Good luck!
