Let’s face it. When you’re eating outdoors, any food tastes better than usual. And if you’re camping, the easier it is to make, and the quicker you get to the actual eating, well, that’s a win-win. There’s something about the fresh air, the crackle of the campfire, and the company of those around you that just makes every meal more enjoyable. Easy camping meals ensure that you won’t be bent over the camping stove or the coals for too long, and you won’t be frustrated by messy prep and clean-up.
We’ve pulled together 10 camping recipes anyone can make, whether you’re car camping or setting up in your RV. I personally love those meals that have components you can prep ahead of time, in the comfort and convenience of my own home kitchen. Plus, those recipes – while super easy to finish at your campsite – have a fancier feel when you’re eating them in the woods (think curry, fish tacos, or even pad thai!). I give bonus points to anything that can be cooked in one pot, whether it’s a big Dutch oven, a skillet, a griddle, or even a foil packet (no pot at all!).
New to camping? Check our Complete Camping Guide for all you need to know.
My 10 All-Time Favorite Camping Foods
Here are 10 of my favorite easy camping meals that are simple, delicious, and easy to clean up.
1. Campfire Breakfast Burritos
Move over, scrambled eggs – there’s a new protein-packed camping meal that gets any tenting morning off to a heartier start. I like to make these camping breakfast burritos ahead at home, wrap each in aluminum foil and freeze them. I throw them in the cooler when packing, where they’ll thaw a bit over time. On the morning we want to eat them, I pull them out and warm them up in the foil over the campfire. If you’d like to make them fresh right at your campsite, just scramble up eggs with bacon bits or crumbled sausage, add fillings like cheese, onions, peppers, and hash browns, then roll it all up in a large flour tortilla. Wrap in foil and warm up over your campfire oven or your camping stove.
2. Camp Breakfast Hash
This is a good choice on that last morning, when you might have leftovers floating around in your cooler. You can use plant-based or regular hot dogs, frozen hash browns or diced potatoes, chiles, salsa, grated cheese – it’s flexible enough to add bits and pieces of whatever looks good! Here’s one take on the classic recipe that even gives you a dose of heart-healthy kale!
3. Pancakes
Use this easy Mason jar pancake recipe once, and you’ll never need another one for all your camping days. (I used to just heat up silver-dollar pancakes from the grocery store freezer aisle, but no more!) Pre-measure all the dry pancake ingredients into your jar, then pack it up with your other dry goods. When you’re ready for a pancake morning, add the liquid ingredients (you also pre-measure these out in separate small containers before leaving home), shake it all up and pour into a sizzling griddle prepped with butter. Experiment with different flours, add flax or chia, whatever you’re into. Just don’t forget to pack the maple syrup!
Bonus: Add freeze-dried foods, like strawberries or blueberries, to the batter, or chocolate chips!
4. Grilled Veggie Kebabs
Here’s an easy one for vegetarians. Cut up your favorite veggies and marinade them in your favorite sauce before you leave for your camping trip. If you keep them in the fridge, they can still be used up to five days later. We’re fans of these spicy grilled kebabs with yogurt marinade and paneer cheese. Use mushrooms, peppers, artichoke hearts, onions, zucchini, or whatever you’ve got kicking around.
5. Campfire Nachos
Crowd-pleasing, tummy-filling campfire nachos are always a good idea! You’ll turn to this recipe over and over, which you can make in a Dutch oven or in a foil packet over the fire. If you’re going the Dutch oven route, layer tortilla chips, shredded cheese, your choice of canned beans (black and pinto are always yummy), and a can of diced tomatoes. Cover it all with the lid and place over your campfire on a cooking grate or on your camp stove until the cheese is melted. Be sure to pack along your favorite toppings: canned jalapenos or green chiles, sour cream, avocado, lime, etc.
6. Sloppy Joes
Comfort food reigns at camp, and that’s where these Sloppy Joes come in handy. We love these at home, too! The tangy, ground beef filling is easy to prep before your trip, with onions, peppers, ketchup, mustard, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, and more. Then, simply store it until you depart for your trip. Pull it out of the cooler and reheat it in a big pot, maybe adding a little water to make it saucier, then serve with toasted buns and your favorite toppings. Vegetarian? Make red lentil Sloppy Joes instead – equally delicious!
7. Kielbasa (or Chicken) and Potato Foil Packets
Foil packets are super easy, and come with the added benefit of using zero dishes! Rib-sticking combos of meat and potatoes fill you up, while veggies and spices add personality. Doctor up kielbasa or diced chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever spices you’re in the mood for. This kielbasa foil packet recipe uses spicy mustard for zing. Once you have everything you want packed in there, seal up your packet tightly and cook it over your campfire stove or on a grate over a campfire for about 20-25 minutes.
8. Chickpea Curry
Another make-ahead meal that will land a winning spot on your camp dinner rotation: this plant-based, protein-packed, flavorful chickpea curry. You can prep the curry and a big pot of rice in the day or two before your trip, and pack along plenty of naan to grill over your campfire. If you’re up for it, it’s also not that time-intensive to make the curry at the campsite over your stove. Consider pre-dicing the onion and pre-mixing your spices, then just pack along a can of chickpeas and coconut milk. Easy-peasy, and super delicious.
9. Campfire Pizzas
Whether it’s made on pita bread or naan, or pre-made pizza crust, campfire pizza is a big hit. Bring along your favorite can or jar of tomato sauce, spread it over your crust of choice, then add shredded cheese and all your favorite toppings. Cook it in a cast-iron skillet, or if you like a wood-fired pie, directly on a campfire grate. If you have a pie iron, you can do “calzones.” Just take whatever you were using for a crust, layer it with sauce, cheese, and toppings between the two halves of the iron, seal it up, and cook it over the coals.
10. Walking Tacos (My Favorite!)
Kid-friendly walking tacos can be personalized to every taste, making them an instant favorite. This is my go-to for every camping trip and can be customized in countless ways. The only ingredient you’ll need to cook is your meat of choice. I like to do this ahead of time at home and warm it up at camp, but you can also quickly saute it up on your camp stove. Pre-dice (or cut up at the campsite) all your toppings: onions, peppers, tomatoes, avocados, etc. Pack along various salsas, grated cheese, guacamole, and hot sauce. Now, for the best part. No taco shells! Just individual bags of corn chips – tortilla, Doritos, Fritos, whatever you like. Crush up the chips in the bag a bit before opening, then open up, add meat, then all the other toppings as you wish. Presto – walking tacos!
Tips for Campsite Cooking
Dial in your campsite kitchen for the best cooking results. A few tips:
- Learn to love freeze-dried foods! Whether you’re adding mango to your oatmeal or peas and carrots to a foil packet, you’ll be thankful to these little extras.
- Consider your camp stove choice. Look for one with adjustable burners and windshields.
- Add a good cast-iron skillet, tongs, and aluminum foil to your kitchen bin. (If you want to up your game, add a campfire oven. You’ll have nearby campers flocking over for the breads and desserts you’ll be pumping out!)
- Do some prep work. The pre-chopping and portioning out of ingredients will save you time and mess at your campsite, and allow you a bit more flavorful and involved meals.
