The scent of wood smoke, the sound of nature, and the taste of well-cooked meals — there’s truly nothing like dining in the great outdoors.
Now with the camping season upon us, many are on the hunt for easy foods to take camping.
The great news is you don’t have to limit your meals to hot dogs or sandwiches; there’s a world of delicious, simple dishes waiting to grace your camping table.
Delight your taste buds without the fuss with our list of 40 easy camping meals with easily accessible ingredients and impressively straightforward cooking methods!
Breakfast Delights
The morning at the campsite calls for a special beginning; it’s a moment to get energized for the day’s upcoming adventures.
These easy camping meals for the family are designed to delight everyone and ensure they have the energy needed for a day filled with outdoor activities.
Gluten-Free Grilled French Toast
This campfire breakfast idea is perfect for those mornings when you want a touch of luxury without sacrificing simplicity in the great outdoors.
To prepare, mix coconut milk, vanilla extract, nutritional yeast, and chickpea flour, dip gluten-free bread into the slurry, and then grill it.
The result is a perfectly crisp and subtly sweet treat — an easy vegetarian camping meal!
Roasted Skillet Breakfast Potatoes
In this recipe, sliced red-skinned potatoes, bell peppers, and a sweet Vidalia onion dance in a trusty cast-iron skillet right over the crackling flames of a campfire.
A blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic infuse each morsel with flavor.
With each mouthful of this dish, you’ll get the energy you crave and taste the essence of the wilderness, creating cherished campfire memories.
Chili Spam and Eggs
Kick off your camping day with a hearty breakfast of sizzling spam and luscious eggs cooked in a cast iron skillet over an open flame.
Add more delightful flavors to your meal by tossing in some green peppers, chickpeas, tomatoes, cumin, and coriander.
Finally, melt some cheese atop this camping masterpiece, creating a satisfying finish.
Main Course Feasts
After a day of hiking, swimming, or just basking in nature, nothing beats gathering around the campfire for a satisfying meal.
Our selections below include the best easy camping meals for hearty sustenance. From classic foil packet recipes to exciting one-pot meals, there’s something to tickle every palate.
One Pot Chili Mac
Whether in the woods or by the lakeside, this one-pot chili mac gives you comforting warmth and ultimate satisfaction in the wilderness.
To make this, sauté onions in your Dutch oven, then add ground beef, spices, and tomato paste into the same pot. After this, add elbow macaroni, kidney beans, and beef broth.
Once cooked, stir in cheddar cheese for a hearty camping delight. Top with red onions or jalapeños for a kick.
Grilled Chicken
Chicken breasts seasoned with paprika, Trader Joe’s Season Salute, and cumin create a flavorful delight.
And this easy camping meal simplifies outdoor cooking with no fancy gear needed — just your trusty camping grill!
Simply grill the seasoned chicken breasts to perfection for 12 minutes on each side, then serve for your and your fellow campers’ enjoyment.
Dutch Oven Chili
Savor this hearty campfire chili, cooked in a reliable Dutch oven over crackling flames.
Ground beef, diced tomatoes, garlic, white onion, kidney beans, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika meld into flavorful harmony in this dish.
Pair it with freshly baked bread or sprinkle cheese on top for extra indulgence.
You can make this in large batches for an easy camping meal for large groups!
Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets
Want a simple dining and cooking experience in the wild? Go for foil packet recipes like this one!
Place seasoned chicken breasts in foil, top them with beans, diced tomatoes, and sweet corn, and grill them easily. Simple and delicious, it’s wonderful to enjoy after exploring nature.
Orange BBQ Salmon
Here’s a healthy and easy camping meal ready to elevate your camping experience!
To make it, brush Pacific salmon fillets with a zesty, slightly sweet blend of BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, honey, and soy sauce, then grill it up directly on your camp grill for 10 minutes on each side.
You can also combine it with foil packets of grilled veggies, including carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions!
One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese
How do you make this easy one-pot camping meal? Begin by sautéing onions in olive oil over a camp stove, then toss in ground beef seasoned and a bit of salt and pepper.
Once the beef has browned, add pasta shells, beef broth, salsa, and taco seasoning to your pot, and let cook for 15 minutes.
Finish by amping up the creaminess with cream cheese and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for a truly comforting meal.
Chicken Campfire Stew
In this hearty stew, chunks of chicken breasts are cooked in chicken broth with garlic, pearl onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, and tomato paste in a Dutch oven.
A hint of cayenne adds heat to the recipe, while thyme and bay leaves infuse it with herbal notes.
The result? A nostalgic, mouthwatering outdoor feast.
Veggie Wraps
For a light but filling camping lunch, try these veggie wraps. Spread cream cheese on a whole wheat tortilla, then layer thinly sliced carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Sprinkle everything with salt and pepper, then fold, tuck, and roll to create a wholesome bundle.
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables in a convenient, satisfying, and easy vegetarian camping meal!
BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
If you want a memorable campfire meal with familiar flavors, go for this recipe.
First, let tender chicken breasts, bacon, and colorful veggies like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini sizzle in foil pouches over the grill. Cook over open flames to lock in the meat’s juices and enhance the smoky essence.
Then drizzle with olive oil, add your favorite spices, and slather all the ingredients in BBQ sauce for flavor.
Sprinkle with crispy bacon bits, a final brush of sauce, and garnish with avocado.
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Got an RV with a fully equipped kitchen? This easy RV camping meal is for you!
All you need to do to make it is season chicken drumsticks with a dry rub of your choice, brown them in your Instant Pot, and pour in a mix of chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and tomato paste.
Then set your device to the “Pressure Cook” function for 10 minutes.
These drumsticks can be served right after, but you can also finish by glazing them with BBQ sauce, olive oil, and a touch of butter and broiling them in a blazing oven for added crispiness.
Beer Brats Recipe
Create this savory camping classic by soaking bratwurst in a beer-and-sauerkraut mix.
In an aluminum pan, combine beer, caraway kraut, a small amount of mustard, and herbs like bay leaves and fresh thyme to enhance the flavor.
Place the bratwurst into the pan, letting it soak up the mixture effortlessly.
After the beer bath, place the tray on your hot camping grill. Turn the brats occasionally for even browning, guaranteeing juicy bites and a satisfying char.
Once cooked, serve the brats in buns, then top with sauerkraut.
Hobo Dinner Foil Packets
You can make this flavorful meal by layering slices of potatoes, carrots, sweet onions and topping them with seasoned ground beef, sliced bacon, and cheddar cheese on foil.
Grill the foil packets on hot coals for 30 to 40 minutes, then serve!
Enjoy savory bites of this exciting meal after a day of outdoor fun. A quick and easy camping meal for family adventures!
Shrimp Foil Packets With Summer Veggies
Indulge in succulent shrimp complemented by a colorful medley of bell peppers, zucchini, corn, squash, cherry tomatoes, and onion.
Seasoned with garlic, thyme, oregano, and paprika, this campfire delight is warped in foil and grilled to perfection in just 15 minutes.
Top it off with a sprinkle of parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a seaside-inspired camping feast.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets
Struggling with making sure everyone in the family is satisfied with your camping menu?
Try this easy camping meal for picky eaters with everyone’s favorites: chicken, potatoes, and ranch dressing!
Simply blend butter with ranch seasoning for a flavor-packed mix. Coat chicken and potatoes with this heavenly concoction, then place them on foil squares.
Cook in a camp grill or your RV oven, then sprinkle with cheese toward the end of cooking until it melts.
Easy Indian Lentil Curry Recipe
Embark on a culinary camping journey with this delicious meal!
In a large pot over a campfire, simply sizzle onions and garlic in coconut oil, creating a fragrant base.
Add chicken broth, lentils, turmeric, and cumin for a tantalizing aroma. Once the lentils are cooked, add in diced tomatoes and let them cook.
Finish with basil and salt, and pair with bread or rice.
Additionally, if you want to make this easy camping meal vegetarian, opt for veggie broth instead.
Baked Salmon Foil Packets with Vegetables
Looking to step up your camping cuisine?
Make this meal by topping salmon, zucchini, asparagus, and tomatoes with a mix of olive oil, lemon, garlic, parsley, and dill for a burst of flavor. Wrap all the ingredients in foil to grill.
Aromatic and delectable, this recipe lets you indulge in a super easy camping meal with a touch of elegance.
Campfire Seafood Boil With Chorizo
Spicy chorizo, squid, mussels, shrimp, onions, white wine, cherry tomatoes, and lemon come together in a Dutch oven over coals in this gourmet camping meal.
It cooks up in minutes, and it can be served in bowls with crusty bread so you can enjoy its irresistible broth to the fullest.
Campfire Chili
Each spoonful of this chili embodies the warmth and camaraderie of a campfire night!
You can make it by browning your choice of meat, seasoning it with chili seasoning, and adding fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro, and tomato sauce.
Infuse it with a genuine campfire taste with liquid smoke, then fold in chili beans and black beans for a hearty base. Let it simmer.
After everything has come together beautifully, garnish it with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
Grilled Shrimp
To whip up this appetizing grilled shrimp dish, whisk together lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and cilantro to make a zesty marinade. Let the shrimp soak in it for 20 minutes.
Heat up your grill to medium-high heat, oil the grates, thread the shrimp onto skewers, and grill for three minutes per side.
Not only is this an easy and cheap camping meal, but it’s also perfect for enjoying under the stars.
Greek Pork Souvlaki
Take your dining experience in the wilderness to new heights and transport your taste buds to Greece with this pork souvlaki recipe.
Simply marinate pork cubes in a zesty mix of garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and olive oil for 30 minutes.
After this, skewer them with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes coated in oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Grill the skewers over medium heat until tender and charred.
Also, if you want an easy make-ahead camping meal for the family, this is your best bet. Just marinate the pork cubes ahead of time and grill them at the campsite!
Dutch Oven Chicken and Vegetable Dinner
For a healthy, unforgettably flavorful camping dinner, layer sweet potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms and sprinkle them with onion flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add a dash of water for moisture.
Top them all off with seasoned chicken thighs, and bake to perfection in a Dutch oven over coals. Great for giving you extra warmth on cold nights outdoors!
Campfire Salmon
Here’s another salmon recipe you’ll be sure to love!
There’s minimal prep involved in this dish; just wrap wild salmon fillets in foil, season with brown sugar, pepper, and salt, top with dill and lemon, and then cook it gently on your camp grill.
Enjoy it with a zesty, tangy dip by mixing Greek yogurt with dill, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Easy Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are one of the easiest recipes to make, and they’re always a sure hit among campers of all ages!
Start by sizzling ground turkey in a skillet over a campfire, then enhance its flavor with a mix of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Once cooked, serve on soft buns with pickles for a satisfying meal that delights your taste buds and fills your belly!
Campfire Foil Packets
Create these hassle-free, flavorful campfire foil packets with ease.
First, create a marinade with lemon zest, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and smoked paprika. Next, let the chicken marinate in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
Then toss baby potatoes and green beans in olive oil, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Once the chicken is ready, assemble your foil packets by creating a bed of veggies on the foil squares and topping them with the chicken.
Cook over your grill, and savor the burst of flavors it offers afterward.
Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs
Delicious bites await with these foil packs! You can make this by placing ribeye steaks, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts in individual foil packets.
Season them generously with minced garlic, lemon, and your favorite spices. Add a pat of butter for extra richness.
Place these flavor-packed packs on the camp grill for a rustic cooking experience. As the tantalizing aroma fills the air, you’ll get everyone excited for dinner!
Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
No need to compromise on flavor when you’re out in the wild with this recipe!
Just layer shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and zucchini on foil squares, season generously with Old Bay seasoning and Cajun seasoning, and add butter.
Grill to perfection, then sprinkle with parsley for a seafood treat amidst nature’s embrace.
Honey Dijon Chicken Foil Packets
What makes this foil packet recipe unique is that it involves drenching chicken breasts in a sweet and tangy sauce made with honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and lemon juice.
Combine the sauce-drenched chicken with zucchini, asparagus, and tomatoes in foil packets, grill on medium-high heat for 20 to 25 minutes, then garnish with thyme and parsley.
Grilled Carrot Dogs
Put a healthy twist on hot dogs — classic camping favorites — by parboiling carrots and soaking them in a blend of apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, coconut aminos, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and garlic and onion powder.
After infusing them with all those complex, delicious flavors, grill them, then serve in whole wheat buns, topped with your choice of creamy or spicy toppings.
Mushroom Wrap
The main player in this flavorful and easy vegan camping meal is the sauteed button mushrooms. But the tangy garlic sauce made with vegan mayo, garlic, chili flakes, and rosemary is the real spotlight stealer!
Assemble this wrap by layering spinach, mushrooms, caramelized onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and that delectable sauce.
Pesto Orzo Salad With Sundried Tomatoes
Prepare a delightful camping meal by boiling orzo until al dente.
Then add pesto sauce, crisp cucumbers, fresh parsley, creamy feta, chickpeas, and a dash of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper for a flavorful dish.
Enjoy fresh or chilled in a cooler at the campsite.
Snacks and Light Bites
Sometimes all you need is a little pick-me-up in between meals or after a short hike. That’s where these snacks and light bites come into play.
Perfect for those moments when you’re peckish but not quite ready for a full meal, these dishes range from light soups to flavorful wraps.
Camping Walking Tacos
Tacos while trekking? Yes, please!
Walking tacos are an easy food to take camping with a simple assembly of nacho chips or crushed hard taco shells, seasoned beef, fresh lettuce, salsa, sour cream, cheddar, and green onions.
Combine all these ingredients in your chip bag, fold the top, shake to mix, and enjoy straight from the bag! It's a campfire-friendly twist on traditional tacos, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Spicy Mexican Chili Bean Soup
Create this chili bean soup by sautéing onions, garlic, and scotch bonnet chilies in a Dutch oven. Add cumin, paprika, and cayenne, then pour vegetable stock, beans, and tomatoes into the pot.
Simmer until it thickens, then blend for a smooth texture. Add corn, a dash of lime juice, grated cheese, jalapeños, and tortilla chips as toppings.
The best part? This is an easy make-ahead camping meal that you can prep before you head out to your camping destination.
Camping Skillet Pizza
Stargazing and pizza? A perfect combo!
To whip up this skillet pizza for outdoor dining bliss under the stars, press Pillsbury pizza dough into your skillet, layer mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings like pepperoni.
Then place the skillet over hot campfire coals and remember to rotate occasionally for even cooking.
Grilled Cheese Quesadilla
Enjoy a taste of Mexico on your campfire adventure with these cheesy quesadillas! Just add your choice of grated cheese to your tortillas, then cook them in a heated pan with butter until they turn golden.
Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and zesty salsa. Simple, flavorful, and unforgettable!
Campfire Nachos
To create this campfire snack, add tortilla chips and shredded cheese in a sturdy iron skillet over a campfire, and watch as the cheese melts into a gooey, velvety delight — contrasting perfectly with the crunch of the chips.
Of course, don’t forget to add beloved toppings for nachos like jalapeños, olives, salsa, sour cream, and green onions.
Decadent Desserts
After a big lunch or a hearty dinner, it's time for decadent desserts.
These recipes ensure that every camping trip ends on a sweet note. They're the perfect culmination of a day spent in the wild.
Dutch Oven Bread Pudding With Blueberries
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this treat! Start by heating butter in a Dutch oven over a charcoal chimney, then add torn slices of brioche bread and dried blueberries into the pot.
Whisk together evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, pour the mixture into the Dutch oven, and let the bread soak up the goodness.
Sprinkle more blueberries and add a few more pats of butter before putting on the lid and letting it bake until it forms a golden crust. Finish with a drizzle of maple syrup!
Campfire Apple Crisp
For this dessert, opt for tart, thinly sliced Granny Smith apples and coat them in a mix of brown sugar, regular sugar, and cinnamon.
Create a crumbly topping with flour, brown sugar, oats, butter, and more cinnamon.
Wrap the apple slices in foil packets, sprinkle with the crumbly mix, and let the campfire work its magic for 15 to 20 minutes. The result? A bubbling apple delight with a crispy crust.
Top it off with vanilla ice cream (or any ice cream flavor of your choice!) and caramel sauce for an unforgettable outdoor dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can These Recipes Be Prepared at Home Before Heading to the Campsite?
Most of these recipes are designed with campsite preparation in mind. However, several of them can be prepped or partially prepared at home to save time.
For instance, ingredients can be measured, marinated, or chopped beforehand.
Are There Vegetarian or Vegan Substitutes for Easy Camping Meals That Use Meat?
Absolutely! Many of the recipes can be adapted for vegetarians or vegans.
Meat in chili or foil packet recipes, for example, can be replaced with tofu or plant-based meat substitutes.
Always be sure to adjust the cooking time if necessary.
How Can I Ensure Food Safety While Camping?
Food safety is paramount when camping. Always keep perishables in a cooler with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs.
Also, always cook foods to the recommended internal temperatures and avoid cross-contamination by using separate utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked foods.
Can These Meals Be Cooked Over a Campfire, or Do I Need a Portable Grill?
Most of the recipes provided can be cooked over a campfire, especially those that are cooked in a cast-iron skillet or a Dutch oven or placed in foil packets that can be grilled on a grill grate.
However, using a portable grill or camping stove might offer better heat control for some dishes, ensuring even cooking. Adapt based on your preference and the equipment you have.
Savor a Taste of the Wilderness With These Easy Camping Meals
Camping is a timeless activity, a chance to connect with nature and loved ones. Yet it's the shared meals around the crackling fire that often become the most cherished memories.
With our hand-picked selections of easy camping meals, we hope to elevate your next camping experience.
Whether you're a seasoned camper or a newbie setting up your tent for the first time, these recipes are sure to impress and satisfy you.
So on your next camping adventure, give these dishes a try and let the flavors enhance your time outdoors!
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