Less Stress = More Fun!
Camping is so much fun! It’s a great way to get into nature and live a simpler life for a while. But let’s be real—camping takes some preparation to make sure you have a fun and stress-free time! First, you need to make sure you have all the supplies you need. Check out my Ultimate Camping Checklist with everything you’ll need for a seamless trip! Now, let’s talk food.
When I’m planning for a camping trip, I want meals that require minimal prep and are easy to cook while I’m there. Since we’re packing everything into a cooler, we usually bring about four days’ worth of food before we have to restock. But, let’s be honest—we almost always end up making a store run because it’s impossible to remember everything, no matter how organized you are!
I plan out every meal—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and of course, dessert. If we’re camping alone, we bring everything ourselves. But if we’re with other families, we each handle our own breakfasts and lunches while rotating dinner duties.
Here are some simple, make-ahead meals you can bring on any camping trip!
Make-Ahead Camping Dinners
- Chili – Make a big batch at home, store it in an airtight container, and reheat over the campfire. Serve with pre-shredded cheese and tortilla chips (Pack in Ziplock bags or reusable stackable containers).
- Beef or Chicken Fajitas – Slice and marinate the meat with bell peppers and onions. Store in a zip-top bag and cook in a skillet over the fire. Cooking ahead is possible but can make the meat tougher.
- Foil Packet BBQ Chicken & Veggies – Prep chicken, BBQ sauce, potatoes, and veggies at home. Store in the cooler, assemble in foil and cook over coals.
- Sloppy Joes – Brown ground beef with sauce at home, pack it in a container, and just reheat and serve on buns.
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta – Cook chicken, pasta, and sauce ahead of time. Store in a container and heat over a camp stove.
- Tacos – Cook and season ground beef or shredded chicken ahead of time. Store in a zip-top bag and reheat for easy tacos.
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Slow cook pulled pork at home, store in a container, and serve on buns with coleslaw, reheat on a stove or grill
- Burgers (Pre-Made Patties) – Form patties at home, freeze them, and cook directly over the fire or grill (pro tip: use a portable grill grate for even cooking! ).
- Stir-Fry with Rice – Cook rice ahead (or buy shelf-stable rice packs). Marinate and cook meat and veggies at home, then reheat in a skillet over the camp stove.
- Campfire Quesadillas – Assemble tortillas with cheese, beans, and cooked chicken. Wrap in foil and heat over fire, grill or stove.
- Stuffed Peppers – Pre-cook and stuff peppers with rice, meat, and cheese. Wrap in foil and reheat.
- Shepherd’s Pie – Make and freeze in a foil pan, then heat over the fire or grill (this takes about an hour to reheat).
- Chicken or Steak Kabobs – Marinate and skewer meat and veggies at home, store in zip-top bags, and grill at camp.
- Dutch Oven Lasagna – Assemble at home, then reheat over the fire (bring a Dutch oven for the easiest cooking!).
- Jambalaya – Cook at home, pack in a container, and reheat over the stove.
- Mac & Cheese – Pre-make and freeze, then heat in a foil pan over the grill. You can add diced chicken or canned chicken for more protein.
- Shrimp Boil Foil Packets – Pre-cook ingredients and store. Reheat in foil packets over the fire.
Make-Ahead Camping Breakfasts
- Breakfast Burritos – Scramble eggs, sausage, and cheese, wrap in tortillas, and freeze. Heat on the grill (a cast iron skillet works great!.
- Pancake Batter in a Bottle – Pre-mix pancake batter and store in a squeeze bottle for easy cooking. If you love big camp breakfasts, an electric griddle is a game-changer!
- Overnight Oats – Mix oats, milk, fruit, and nuts in jars for a no-cook breakfast.
- Muffins – Bake ahead and store in a container for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
- Egg Muffins – Bake eggs, cheese, and veggies in muffin tins (love this silicone one, it can be microwaved for easy “baked” eggs) and store in a container.
- French Toast Bake – Pre-make and freeze, then heat in a foil pan over the grill.
Make-Ahead Camping Lunches
- Wraps or Sandwiches – An easy, no-fuss option. Just bring bread, lunch meal, cheese and fixins and you are done.
- Cold Pasta Salad – Make at home with veggies and protein for a no-cook lunch.
- Chicken Salad – Pre-make and store in a cooler for easy sandwiches.
- Hummus & Veggies – Pre-pack hummus in small containers with cut veggies.
- Snack Packs – Pre-portion cheese, nuts, crackers, and fruit for easy snacks.
Bonus: Dessert
- Smores – You gotta do it, these are a Given! Smores are a must! Yes Chocolate, Marshmallows and Graham crackers. Bring these marshmallow roasting sticks.
Food Safety Tips for Camping Meals
I’m a dietitian, so I can’t leave this article with mentioning food safety—since you don’t have access to a refrigerator, these tips are key to keeping food fresh and safe:
- Keep cold food cold – Use a high-quality cooler with plenty of ice packs, and keep it closed as much as possible.
- Store raw meat separately – Use sealed containers or double bag raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
- Reheat food thoroughly – Ensure all meals reach 165°F before eating. (get a meat thermometer – an old-fashioned one or a digital one)
- Use airtight containers – This keeps food fresh and prevents spills.
- Follow the ‘two-hour rule’ – Perishable foods shouldn’t sit out for more than two hours (or one hour if it’s really hot). When in doubt, throw it out!
Happy Camping!
With a little prep, your camping meals can be easy, delicious, and stress-free. Stick to simple, hearty meals, keep food safety in mind, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors!
What are your favorite make-ahead camping meals? Drop them in the comments below!
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