We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Figuring out what to cook while camping can mean the difference between heading out the door or staying home. And choosing a delicious meal that everyone wants to eat can be the difference between becoming lifelong campers and never going again. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ve got a list of camping food ideas to keep folks coming back.\u00a0<\/p>\n While preparing camp meals can take all afternoon if you want them to \u2013 think cast iron over coals \u2013 they can also come together pretty quickly with not many ingredients. If you plan ahead, you can do most of the preparation at home for an even quicker assembly.\u00a0<\/p>\n This list is a compilation of my own camping food ideas from years of camping every available spring, summer, and fall weekend, plus those I\u2019ve picked up from others as well as some recommendations from the Outdoor Life<\/em> team. As with all recipes, but especially camping ones, consider these a guide and adapt to your own tastes and supplies.<\/p>\n Whether or not you agree it\u2019s the most important meal of the day, we really do need to eat something in the morning if we plan to spend a long day outside. You can make it easy for quick mornings when you need to roll out and get in a boat, sit in a blind, or hit the trail early. You can also make it more complicated for those mornings when the bulk of the day\u2019s activities involve soaking in the camp life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hearty Oatmeal:<\/strong> Sure, you heat up water with your coffee and dump a little bit in a bowl with your Quaker oatmeal packet. But if you want something that sticks around a bit more, consider bringing your own quick oats and tossing in a handful of trail mix or scoop of peanut butter. The chocolate in the trail mix tends to melt, making it an even more popular breakfast for kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bagels and Cream Cheese:<\/strong> If you want easy, this is easy. But before you take those cold bagels out of your car and smear on some cream cheese, open them up and lay them on a hot griddle on your stove<\/a>. Toasting them a bit is worth it. Trust me.\u00a0<\/p>\n Biscuits and Gravy:<\/strong> It might sound ambitious to make gravy over the flames of a Coleman stove<\/a> in the woods, but it\u2019s actually pretty easy. Fry up your favorite breakfast sausage, drain it if you want, and then stir in a quarter cup or so of flour with your favorite seasonings like mesquite, garlic powder, or chili powder. When the flour and seasonings are thoroughly mixed, add milk and stir over heat until it becomes your preferred gravy consistency. Meanwhile, either reheat the biscuits you made at home and brought along, or open one of those tubes of Grands biscuits you picked up at the grocery store and cook them over low heat in a skillet with a lid. Top with eggs made to order and don\u2019t forget the hot sauce.\u00a0<\/p>\n Breakfast Burritos:<\/strong> Fry up sausage or cook it at home before you leave. Drain and set aside. Then dice potatoes or drain a can of diced potatoes and fry them in oil until they\u2019re crispy like French fries. Add the meat back in with some diced peppers and onions. Then crack eggs and stir everything together until the eggs are cooked. Spoon the mixture into a tortilla with cheese, salsa, lime juice, avocado, or cilantro. Wrap and enjoy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chicken and Waffles: <\/strong>Have someone in camp you want to impress? Want a breakfast that really turns into brunch that\u2019s filling and delicious? Try this next time you have a campfire going, and you\u2019re happy staying in camp for a while. If you have kids in camp, consider buying a heart-shaped cast-iron waffle maker <\/a>to please even the pickiest eaters.<\/p>\n This sourdough waffle recipe comes from \u201cSimply Sourdough: The Alaska Way\u201d<\/a> by Kathy Doogan.<\/p>\n Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n Waffles<\/strong><\/p>\n Fried Chicken<\/strong><\/p>\n Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n When most people think about lunch while camping, they imagine something portable that they can throw in backpacks or bags on a trail or as a picnic. If that\u2019s you, I have some ideas. But if you\u2019re someone who likes spending the day hanging around camp making delicious meals, I also have you covered.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bean dip:<\/strong> Your Midwestern grandma really was onto something with all the 7-layer bean dips she brought to potlucks and backyard get-togethers. Channel that energy but put it in a Tupperware at home with a lid that seals and throw it in your bag for wherever the day takes you, along with your favorite tortilla chips.\u00a0<\/p>\n Make it however you want, but to get you started, heat a can or two of refried beans with some lime juice and your favorite salsa. Smooth it into the bottom of a to-go container. Next make guacamole and layer it on top of the beans. Mix sour cream with taco seasoning and put it on top of the guacamole, then top with shredded cheddar cheese and diced tomatoes if you\u2019re feeling fancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meat and Crackers:<\/strong> Pick up your favorite summer sausage, or branch out a little, and bring some smoked salmon or fish you smoked and prepared at home and your favorite cheese. Toss in some fruit to round out the meal and a pocket knife so you can handle everything while you\u2019re out there with a box of good crackers. Smoked salmon and Gouda might sound decadent, but it\u2019s easy to find and a treat to look forward to on the trail.<\/p>\n Bacon Cheddar Cheeseball:<\/strong> When you\u2019re at home, stir together some cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, chopped bacon, roasted pecans and some Worcestershire sauce. Pack it in the bottom of a to-go container with a secure lid and leave it in the refrigerator until you\u2019re ready to leave\u00a0<\/p>\n Read Next: <\/strong>The Best Camping Meals<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re back from a morning hunt or hike, and have a little time to spend in camp, consider cooking yourself a hot lunch.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grilled Cheese:<\/strong> Bring along a good loaf of bread, cheese, and some deli meat if you want. Assemble in camp and fry in a pan on a stove. It\u2019s less complicated than it seems. If you have a lot of mouths to feed, or temperatures are dropping, bring along some soup to heat up and eat with sandwiches.\u00a0<\/p>\n Could this one work as dinner? Sure, but it also makes a great lunch, especially if you plan to spend the day around a campfire. Bring along some bread for dipping.\u00a0<\/p>\n White Chicken Chili:<\/strong> If it\u2019s a cold night and you need something warm and satisfying, try this chili. Substitute and change to your tastes.<\/p>\n Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n This is one meal we often have a little more time to settle into, but also where camping food ideas can become scarce. Remember, plenty of food we eat at home can be recreated in camp with a little creativity. And the old adage is true, everything does taste better outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beans and Weenies with a Twist:<\/strong> My family eats baked beans and bratwursts more than we should. It\u2019s quick, simple, high in protein and packed with salty flavor. But I\u2019ve also started dressing it up a little more. Chop up your favorite bratwursts and fry them in a pan until hot and brown. Add a couple apples diced up small and a can of green chili. Saut\u00e9 until everything is warm and well mixed. Add a can or two of your favorite baked beans and stir until hot. Mix in shredded cheese until it melts and eat with your favorite hot sauce or mustard.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ramen Hot Pot:<\/strong> This camp meal is simple and particularly soothing on a cold evening. Heat up water and mix in cooked and seasoned hamburger, any veggies you prefer including carrots, corn or Bok choy. Add the noodles and stir in some eggs for extra flavor and protein. Use the seasoning packets if you want, or add your favorite Thai curry paste and lime juice. Consider the ramen a warm base to eat with your preferred meat and veggies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read Next:<\/strong> The Best Backpacking Food<\/a><\/p>\n Tex-Mex Pizza:<\/strong> The great part about pizza, at home or in camp, is it really can be whatever you want. My daughter exclusively eats pepperoni and cheese pizza, so that\u2019s what she gets in camp. I prefer something a bit heartier. Most of it can be made up ahead of time at home and assembled in a fry pan over gas if you\u2019re in a hurry. Fry up hamburger with taco seasoning or grill and shred chicken or pheasant breasts. Heat up some black beans mixed with salsa. Make your crusts at home or buy pre-made crusts. I\u2019ve also made crusts in camp with a simple pizza dough recipe. Use salsa as your sauce and layer meat, beans, cheese, avocados, and cilantro, depending on your tastes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pigs in a Blanket:<\/strong> Let\u2019s be honest, I love this dinner as much as my 7-year-old does, but you can just say you\u2019re doing it for the kids. Cook bratwursts on a stick over a fire, then wrap them in crescent rolls with some cheese if you like. Cook slowly over the fire until the crescent roll is golden brown.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reuben Foil Packets<\/strong><\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t get easier than throwing food in a tin foil packet and placing it on the grill.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ingredients<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Directions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Read Next:<\/strong> The Best Camp Kitchens<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t overlook the importance of snacks for you or anyone else you\u2019re with outside. These are a good place to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n Desserts while camping bring a particular joy, and s\u2019mores aren\u2019t the only option.\u00a0<\/p>\n Freeze-dried Ice Cream Sandwiches:<\/strong> If you haven\u2019t tried these, you really should, they are delicious. And it doesn\u2019t get easier than opening up a package. They\u2019re also novel and interesting for the young ones in your group.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chances are reasonably high you have a campfire, and in that case, I have some ideas for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n S\u2019mores with a Twist:<\/strong> While it\u2019s hard to beat a classic s\u2019more, next time consider using Ghirardelli chocolates, cinnamon graham crackers or add a slice of fried maple bacon.<\/p>\n Pineapple upside down cake (serves 4)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This sweet, sticky goodness is hard to top around a campfire.<\/p>\n Ingredients<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Directions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Read Next:<\/strong> The Best Camping Utensils<\/a><\/p>\n If you want to camp but really don\u2019t have the time or energy to come up with a dinner, bring along some dehydrated backpacking meals. Many are actually pretty good, and the Outdoor Life<\/em> gear team ran a thorough test of the best tasting as well as most filling<\/a>. You can also consider making your own dehydrated meals<\/a> to have ready anytime you need to pack and go.<\/p>\n The best piece of advice is to not overthink it. Come up with meals you and your family enjoy, consider how much time you have to cook while camping, and prepare ahead at home. If you live and camp somewhere hot, consider investing in one of the best camping coolers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n No. Under any circumstances, do not sleep with food in your tent. If you\u2019re car camping, store food in your car. If you\u2019re backpacking, hang your food in a tree or use a bear box or canister. Even if you\u2019re not camping in bear country, food in your tent can attract critters like mice to raccoons.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you don\u2019t have access to a decent cooler, think about dehydrated meals or even consider making your backpacking meals<\/a>. Then you won\u2019t have to worry about food spoiling no matter the conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Camping should be fun, and your camping food ideas should be fun, too. Some people have a tendency to feel overwhelmed when they think about cooking outdoors. But most meals aren\u2019t all that complicated, and can even be a real joy to prepare. Before you head out, just think about how much time you want to spend cooking in camp. Do you want to make cooking an activity or just a way to consume calories before heading into the woods? Then plan accordingly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nCamping Food Ideas for Breakfast<\/h2>\n
Simple Breakfasts<\/h3>\n
Breakfast Cooked Over Gas<\/h3>\n
Breakfast Over Coals<\/h3>\n
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Camping Food Ideas Lunch<\/h2>\n
Simple Lunches<\/h3>\n
![\"Make](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/11\/17\/BBQ-Bacon-cheeseball.jpg\")
Lunch Cooked Over Gas<\/h3>\n
Lunch Over Coals<\/h3>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/11\/17\/Grilling-steaks.jpg\")
Camping Food Ideas Dinner<\/h2>\n
Simple Dinners<\/h3>\n
Dinner Cooked Over Gas<\/h3>\n
![\"Try](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/11\/17\/Camping-pizza.jpg\")
Dinner Cooked Over Coals<\/h3>\n
![\"Roast](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/11\/17\/Pigs-in-a-blanket.jpg\")
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Snacks<\/h2>\n
Camping Food Ideas Desserts<\/h2>\n
Simple Desserts<\/h3>\n
Dessert Cooked Over Coals<\/h3>\n
![\"Try](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/11\/17\/Sweet-and-salty-smores.jpg\")
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Quick Dehydrated Meals<\/h2>\n
FAQ<\/h2>\n
Q: How do you pack food for camping?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Q: Can I sleep with food in my tent?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Q: What food won\u2019t go bad camping?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts on Camping Food Ideas<\/h2>\n