Easy Food to Make For Camping Trips

• In this article, you will find the easiest camping meal ideas to make on your next camping trip.
• We also include recipes and extra tips to cooking when camping.

Camping can be easy and fun, and it certainly doesn’t have to be stressful. However, you need food to eat when camping, and you are limited to what you can cook with and how you can cook it. Our team of expert campers has helped come up with our favorite quick and easy meal ideas that you can try on your next camping trip!

Check out our options on the easy campfire meals and tips on packing food for extra inspiration. Once you get the hang of it, you will be a professional camp cooker in no time. Super easy to prepare, can be done in advance, and perfect for making and enjoying around the campfire!

7 Easy Camping Meals Ready for Campfire

1. Taco in a Bag

This “taco in a bag” recipe is not only fun but also super quick and easy! You can make it with a variety of leftover ingredients at the end of your camping trip. All you need to do is buy a few bags of Doritos or tacos or buy in bulk to save money, and follow the instructions below.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 7 lunch-size bags Nacho Doritos, Cool Ranch Doritos, and/or Fritos
• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Diced tomatoes
• Jalapeno slices
• Taco sauce
• Sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat your camping stove and add a small amount of cooking oil into the pan.

2. When the oil is ready, place the ground beef, taco seasoning, and ¼ cup of water into the pan. Stir until browned.

3. Tear open the top side of the Doritos bag and squeeze the bag gently until the chips are crushed.

4. Combine cooked ground beef, shredded lettuce and cheese, diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, taco sauce, and sour cream into the bag, and mix them all.

5. Serve in the bag and ready to eat!

2. Chilli Campfire Bake

This chili recipe is a classic and can be done over the campfire with a skillet. It is quick and easy to whip together and let’s face it, no camping trip is complete without chili!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz) box of elbow macaroni pasta
• 1 (15 oz) chili can
• 1 (7 oz) bag corn chips
• ½  cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a large skillet of boiling water, add the macaroni pasta and let it cook on high heat for 10 minutes – you may add a pinch of salt.

2. Stir the pasta a few times and wait until almost all water evaporates.

3. Pour the canned chili and heat at a low temperature.

4. Take the skillet off the heat. Serve with corn chips and your favorite shredded cheese!

This recipe for camping can be cooked in advance at home before you go and then stored in Tupperware containers in the cooler. All you need to do at the campsite is just gently heat it up on the fire. You can even have this pasta with a salad on the side. We love this recipe because it requires minimal ingredients, but it is still tasty and filling.

3. Campsite Mac n Cheese

Another classic heartwarming camping food is mac n cheese. There are so many variations on this dish that it can sometimes be hard to find the simple one to cook over a camping stove. But the following recipe has been tried and tested by our team members. We can guarantee it is easy, tasty, and just satisfying!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of elbow macaroni pasta
• 8 oz prepared Alfredo sauce {just over half a jar}
• ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
• ¼ – ½ cup half and a half or whole milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your camping stove and boil the water in a pot.

2. Once it is completely boiling, pour macaroni pasta into the pot, and keep cooking until al dente (Read for the instruction in the package to know the exact cooking time)

The perfect al dente pasta should be mostly chewy but still firm on the inside.

3. Drain the water and wash the pasta with cold water if you have. Pair with alfredo sauce, cheese, and enough milk to retain moisture. Keep stirring, add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Coat the inner side of an aluminum foil pie pan with nonstick cooking spray – we recommend MontoPack Disposable 5″ Aluminum Foil Tart/Pie Pans (50 Pack)

(Optional: divide the mixture into four different pans)

5. Place the aluminum pie pan over the cooking rack 2-3 inches above the fire. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

6. Remove from the rack and you’re ready to eat!

You can also try this delicious recipe at home using an oven-safe glass baking dish and bake it on 350℉ for 20 minutes!

4. S’mores Cones

The ultimate thing you need to eat while camping is s’mores, and we love this unique take on s’mores, which adults and kids will love! Maybe not so healthy, but it is a treat worth having at least one evening while you are away.

Ingredients:

• 12 Cone Keebler Colosso WCM Waffle Cone Medium

• 1 bag of mini marshmallows
• 12 oz chocolate chips
• (Optional) Butterscotch chips

Directions:

1. Fill each cone with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Wrap each one carefully in foil.

2. Stick on the campfire grill for seven to ten minutes but make sure you keep them away from direct flames.

3. Unwrap and enjoy – drizzle with maple syrup for an extra sweet boost!

You can even add sliced up apples, fudge, and toffee to make some fascinating cones. These work great every time, and you can even do them at home in the oven!

5. Campfire Pies

We weren’t too sure about this recipe when we tried it, but we ended up loving it. It is a diverse and easy campfire meal. For a super quick dinner or breakfast, these campfire pies will be loved by everyone on the campsite! Get your sandwich irons out and have some fun experimenting!

Ingredients:

• Cinnamon-sugar mixture
• Seasonal fruit (sweet cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peach slices, apple slices) or preserves or canned pie filling
• Bread Slices

Directions:

1. Get the campfire heated and coals ready.

2. Spray the oil onto the sandwich cast iron using non-stick cooking spray.

3. Place two slices of bread on each side of the iron and slightly make a small dent on the center for the fillings.

4. Add two tablespoons of seasonal fruits and one teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture for the fillings. Cover up with bread on the other side of the iron.

5. Lock the handles together, place it in the middle of the grill over a high flame, and turn it once every 1 minute. (Remove the excess bread hanging out of the irons to avoid burn)

6. After 2-3 minutes, the bread is set. Allow the iron to cool down for a few minutes before opening it, and enjoy your toasted golden brown pie!

You can also try this ready-made pie -> Katz, Gluten-Free, Personal Size Pie Variety Pack, 1 Apple Pie, 1 Blueberry Pie, 1 Cherry Pie, 1 Pumpkin Pie

If you aren’t too keen on the fruit fillings, you can try it with peanut butter, Nutella, and sliced bananas. You can even do savory fillings and have pizza filled pies or use the vegetable leftovers from the night before. So much you can do with it, and they are simple, tasty, and require less washing up!

Even More Tips To Cooking When Camping

It is no secret that eating simple meals cooked over a camping stove under the stars is so much more tasty and remarkable. We agree that it takes a little extra patience and thought, but as we have told, time and time again, it is worth it in the end. Here are some tips to get it right the first time before we continue with our recipes for camping!

• Plan your camping menu ahead of time by listing down all the ingredients, pack them in reusable storage bags separately with labels. We recommend ZIPLOC® Brand Storage Bags.
• Freeze all liquid foods such as soups, stews, or chili ahead of time. When it is time to eat, you grab them from the cooler and reheat!
• Bring high-quality aluminum foil with you every time you go on a camping trip. You will need it!
• Take precaution whenever you use the gas canister. Make sure that it stays upright and only use it in open areas. Use soapy liquids to check for leakage. If the liquid bubbles, there is a high chance of leakage. Shut off the valve tightly when not in use.
• Only keep frozen meats in the cooler to keep other perishable foods long-lasting.
• Cover the pots using lids for fast-cooking, and you will save time and fuel gas. No bugs or dirt can get into your cooking too!
• Always use water-sealed bags or containers to pack your food in the cooler.
• Apply dish soap onto the exterior of your pots and pans before placing them over the fire to protect them from smoke and burn damage. And easier to clean up at the end of the day.
• Block ice is better than cubed ice.
• Store your food leftovers away from your campsite or hang them from the tree to avoid unwanted animals stealing your food.
• Apply cooking oil or rub onion all over the grill rack to keep foods from sticking when grilled.
• Freeze the juice and use it to chill other foods.
• Instant foods are perfect for quick meals.
• Only bring cooking equipment that is resistant to fire when camping.
• Always keep matches dry by placing them in a waterproof container. Or you can dip the match into the wax. When you need to use it, scrape off the match, and it will still light up.
• The wax tips also apply to fix a cooler leakage. Apply melted paraffin wax on the hole where the leakage area is.
• Fill up the stained pan with hot water on the fire after cooking. The residues will fall off easily when cleaning.
• Keep your soap bar clean when you are camping by placing it in a sock and hang it somewhere above the ground.
• Choose pita bread instead of regular bread.
• Bring homemade energy bars and snacks with you so you can have them ready in between meals.
• Make a small-sized hole at the center of your hamburger patty before you grill, and your hamburger patty will cook evenly.
• Mix a gallon of warm water and 1 cup of baking soda, and wipe down the inside of your stinky cooler.
• Use separate coolers for drinks and food to avoid spoiling your food. Also, renew the ice as often as possible.
• Sprinkle powdered sugars into marshmallows to prevent them from sticking together.
• Use a canning ring to cook the perfect eggs for your English muffin sandwich.
• Prepare your dinner earlier in the morning so that it will be ready to eat when you get back from hiking.
• When your cooking is too salty, add a peeled potato, and the potato will absorb the excess salt.
• The last day of the camping trip is the best day to cook omelets. Mix all the leftover meats and vegetables into your omelets so that you don’t waste any.
• Chop the vegetables, and cook the meats ahead of time at home and pack them in separate reusable and resealable bags. More convenient and saves time.
• Put butter or margarine into a squeeze bottle, and only squeeze it when you need it when you are cooking.
• Coal is more stable than wood and charcoal as it produces heat evenly so that your food will neither be overcooked nor undercooked in the middle.
• Use your cooking pot as your salad mixing bowl.
• Don’t coat the sauce onto the grilling chicken too early, as it can burn the chicken. The later you apply the sauce, the better the flavor will be.
• Use a charcoal chimney to heat the grill faster.
• Add a few ice cubes into the aluminum foil dinners or vegetable wrap to prevent them from burning and still retain moisture.
• Remove food burn on your skillet or pan using dish soap and water. Fill up the pan with enough water, add a few drops of dish soap and bring to a boil.
• Use an old large coffee pot to heat water on the grill.
• Use a leather/suede work glove as an insulated mitt to save cost.
• Invest in airtight sealed bags to preserve your food longer. They are lighter and thicker than other reusable bags. Without the air, bacteria cannot grow fast and spoil the food.
• Use cans as the grill stand. Fill up 2 or 4 cans with water and cover the top with aluminum foil. Place the grill on top of the cans. As the meals cook, it also heats the water. Use the hot water to clean dishes.
• Make a DIY paper towel holder by placing a rope through the paper towel tube. Make a loop over slat in a picnic table or any piece of branch and tightly tie it. Now, your paper towel will not get lost or dirty again!

6. Campfire Cheesy and Spicy Fries

We love this healthy, juicy, creamy, cheesy, and packed full with carbs recipe. You can even try this one at home in your oven to save on washing dishes later. Either way, this has to be the best food for camping.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chili of choice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 small package of frozen french fries (not mega family size)

Directions:

1. Lit and preheat the coal or firewood grill.

2. Coat a sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Grab a handful of the fries and place them on the sheet. Fold tightly and make sure it seals well.

4. Place the fries packet on the grill and cook for 15 to 20 minutes – turn for every few minutes to make sure every side cooks evenly.

5. Once cooked, open the packet slowly, sprinkle with chili and shredded cheese on top of the fries and close again.

6. Let the packet sit on the grill until the chili is cooked and the cheese melted completely.

7. Place it away from the fire, let it cool down, and grab your fork to enjoy the cheesy, spicy fries right out of the packet!

7. Roasted Mushroom On The Fire

Who doesn’t love mushrooms, especially when they are roasted on a skillet on top of the fire? This great recipe can be used as a side dish or as a topping for rice or pasta. Whichever way you choose, guarantee you will need to make plenty as everyone will just love it as their camping lunch idea.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb brown crimini mushrooms, cleaned and cut into thirds
• ¼ lb portabella mushroom, cleaned and cut into thick slices
• ¼ lb morels, cut the very end off;  leave whole
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• ½ lemon juiced
• A drizzle of red wine or beef stock (about ¼ cup)

Directions:

1. Preheat your firewood to make a campfire grill and place the grate over the top.

The smokey flavor from the firewood will make the mushroom taste much better!

2. Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of butter in the large frying pan over medium heat.

3. Once melted, cook the shallots for a minute or until they turn slightly brown. Then, add garlic and rosemary.

4. Add brown crimini mushroom and keep stirring for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, add the portobello mushroom and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until they are crisp at the edges and golden.

5. Add a half cup of lemon juice and stir for 1 minute. Drizzle the wine or beef stock and let it cook for another 5 minutes. Once done, let it heat for 3 minutes over low heat.

6. Ready to serve with your favorite steaks!

Frequently asked questions

1. What are cheap camping meals available?

All of the recipes listed in this article use less than 10 ingredients. They are affordable and can be found easily in any grocery store.

2. What are easy campfire meals to make for camping trips?

You can try any of our recipes in this article, they are easy to make on a grill or camping stove, and the ingredients require less time and effort.

3. How to cook meals while camping?

Having ready-made packaged food while camping is good. However, it is still possible to make an amazing meal on your next camping trip. There are plenty of ways to cook good meals while camping, such as using a campfire grill or camping stove, or you can prep everything in advance!

Follow our tips to cooking when camping listed above, and you’ll be good to go.

This camping stove is our favorite →  Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Classic Propane Stove, 2 Burner, 4.1 x 21.9 x 13.7 inches

Cooking Up a Storm

When you cook meals at the campsite, consider the washing up and the prepping tools needed. Try to make things as easy as possible for everyone and consider sticking meat and veggies on a skewer and cooking over the campfire. Everything tastes so much better when cooked this way, and everyone will have a hungry appetite after a day in the fresh air. Try aluminum foil meals where you stick everything in an aluminum foil pan or wrapped in aluminum foil sheets and then chuck over the campfire.

We hope that you enjoy our easy campfire meal ideas! Whatever meals you decide to make while camping, make them trouble-free and fun by preparing and doing the hard work at home. All you need to do then is sit back and relax with a drink while watching the campfire flames light up the night sky!