Camping is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature, but it can also be a lot of work. One of the toughest things about camping is trying to come up with meals that are easy to cook and don’t require a lot of ingredients or utensils. That’s why we’ve put together a list of easy camping meals that will make your life a lot easier on your next trip!
5 Helpful Tips For Camp Cooking
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Before we get into the recipes, here are a few tips that will make your campfire cooking experience much smoother:
Plan Ahead
This is probably the most important tip. You’ll want to make sure you know what you’re going to be cooking before you even leave for your camping adventure. That way, you can pack all of the necessary ingredients and utensils ahead of time.
Make A List
Once you’ve decided what meals you’re going to make, write everything down in a list so that you don’t forget anything. This will save you a lot of headaches later on.
Pack Light
Avoid packing too many pots and pans, as this will add weight to your backpack. Instead, focus on packing items that can be used for multiple purposes. For example, a cast-iron skillet can be used for both cooking and eating out of.
Bring Simple Ingredients
When possible, try to stick to simple ingredients that can be easily found at your local grocery store. This will make your life a lot easier and help you avoid any last-minute scrambling.
Use A Cooler
A cooler is an essential piece of camping equipment, as it will keep all of your food fresh and safe to eat. Make sure to pack it full of ice so that everything stays nice and cold. Don’t know what kind of cooler to get for your camping trip? Check out our list of the best coolers for 2022.
9 Easy Camping Meals
Here are some easy camping recipes for your next camping trip:
1. Campfire Nachos
What’s simpler than filling a Dutch oven with tortilla chips, melted cheese, black beans, salsa, and all your favorite nacho toppings? This easy-to-cook camping meal will
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon neutral-flavored oil
- ½ lb tortilla chips
- 7.75 oz can El Pato hot tomato sauce or equivalent
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 large avocado, cubed
- 3 green onions, sliced
- a handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 14.5 oz can of black beans, drained
- 1 small lime, cut into wedges
Directions:
1. To prevent the nachos from sticking, lightly oil the bottom of your dutch oven.
2. For the first layer, distribute ⅓ of the chips into the dutch oven and add ¼ can El Pato, ¼ can black beans, ¼ cup cheese, a handful of avocado, green onions, and cilantro. Repeat for the second layer.
3. After that, add the final layer of chips, half a can of El Pato and half a can of black beans, 1 cup of cheese, and the remaining avocado, onion, and cilantro.
4. Place the dutch oven directly on the flames of your campfire for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
5. Serve with lime wedges as a garnish.
2. Easy Chickpea Curry
This easy chickpea curry is a great option if you’re looking for something hearty and filling. It’s packed with protein and can be made in one pot, so it’s perfect camping food.
Ingredients:
- 15 oz can of chickpeas, drained
- 14. oz can of diced tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup red lentils
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup frozen peas
Directions:
1. In a large pot, combine the chickpeas, diced tomatoes, water, lentils, spices, and salt.
2. Place the pot over a camp stove and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked.
4. Add the frozen peas and cook for an additional five minutes. Serve over rice or quinoa.
3. Campfire Breakfast Burrito
This easy camping meal is perfect for breakfast or brunch. It’s hearty, filling, and can be made ahead of time, so all you have to do is heat it up in the morning.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz package of chorizo sausage
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced potatoes
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- 12 eggs, beaten
- 16 oz jar of salsa
Directions:
1. In a large skillet, cook the chorizo over medium-high heat until browned.
2. Add the onion, potatoes, and bell pepper and cook for about five minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.
3. Stir in the eggs and salsa and cook until the eggs are scrambled and firm.
4. Serve in tortillas with cheese, sour cream, and avocado. Enjoy!
4. Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
This Shrimp Boil Foil Packet is one of our all-time summertime favorites.
Ingredients:
- 1 ear of corn, cut into 8 pieces
- ½ lb uncooked shrimp
- 2 andouille sausage
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced thick
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
1. You’ll need a few other supplies as well. For each packet, use an 18″ length of thick-duty foil and a 16″ sheet of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper on top of the aluminum foil.
2. Place the corn, zucchini, minced garlic, shrimp, spices, and butter between the two layers of foil.
3. Bring one of the short edges of the foil to meet the other, then crimp around all edges to seal.
4. Over a campfire, roast the pouches for 8 minutes on each side, flipping them occasionally.
5. Remove the packets from the grill and allow them to cool slightly. Carefully open the packets because they will be full of hot steam. Add fresh parsley to each serving and serve.
5. Chicken And Veggies
This Foil Pack Chicken and Veggies is an easy and healthy camping meal that can be made in advance.
Ingredients:
- 20 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 16 oz package of frozen mixed veggies
- ½ cup bbq sauce
Directions:
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the bbq sauce, chicken, and frozen veggies.
3. Divide the mixture evenly between four pieces of foil.
4. Roll up the edges of the foil to seal in the chicken and veggies—grill for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Enjoy!
6. Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese
This Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese is a classic camping meal that’s always a hit. It’s creamy, cheesy, and can be made in one pot so that clean-up is a breeze.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1-2 tablespoons mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 oz bag Kettle Brand Jalapeño chips
Directions:
1. Start by preparing your coals or campfire.
2. Place a 4-quart Dutch oven over a bed of coals or embers and add the elbow macaroni, water, butter, and salt.
3. Cover and place it on top of a few small coals or embers. Place 10-15 coals on top of the Dutch oven.
4. Stir and cook the sauce for 10 minutes or until the pasta is soft.
5. Remove the lid and transfer the Dutch oven to a cooler place. Stir in the shredded cheese, mustard, and garlic powder until combined. Add salt if required.
6. Serve in bowls or on a plate, garnished with crushed Kettle Brand chips.
7. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
These Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are a classic camping meal that’s easy to make and always a hit. All you need is some bread, cheese, and a little bit of butter.
Ingredients:
- Bread
- Slices of cheese
- 2 tablespoons of Butter
Directions:
1. Slice the bread into pieces that will fit comfortably on your grill or campfire grates—spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
3. Add a thin layer of cheese to the unbuttered side of each slice and place them on the grill, cheese side down.
3. Grill for about two minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the grill and serve immediately. Enjoy!
8. One-Pot Protein Pasta
This is one of the best pot camping meals you can make. It’s packed with protein and vegetables and can be cooked in the campfire or on a grill.
Ingredients:
-
12 oz package of pasta
-
32 oz package of chicken broth
-
15 oz can of diced tomatoes
-
16 oz package of frozen mixed veggies
-
24 oz jar of marinara sauce
Directions:
1. In a large pot, combine the pasta, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, frozen veggies, and marinara sauce.
2. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through.
3. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
9. Sweet Potatoes
These Sweet Potatoes are an easy and healthy camping meal. This is our favorite breakfast recipe simply because it’s easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious.
Ingredients:
- 4 Sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Cut the sweet potatoes into thin slices and place them on a piece of foil.
3. Dot with butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Roll up the edges of the foil to seal in the sweet potatoes.
5. Grill for about 15 minutes, or until they’re soft. Remove from the grill and enjoy!
Conclusion
These are just a few easy camping food ideas that you can make while out in the wilderness. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can enjoy delicious and hassle-free camping trips this summer. Bon appetit!
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