When it comes to mealtime, the last thing you want is to spend hours preparing complicated dishes. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you discover easy and delicious meals to cook while camping.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to outdoor cooking, these recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds without causing culinary stress.
Why Choose Easy Camping Meals?
Opting for easy meals to cook while camping has several benefits:
- Time-Saving: Simple recipes require minimal preparation and cooking time, leaving you with more time to enjoy the outdoors.
- Less Equipment: You don’t need a fully equipped kitchen. Basic campfire or portable stove setups are sufficient for these meals.
- Less Cleanup: Easy meals often involve one-pot cooking, reducing the number of dishes you need to wash.
- Deliciousness: Just because the meals are easy doesn’t mean they lack flavor. You’ll be surprised by the tasty results.
Campfire Cooking Basics
Before diving into the recipes, let’s go over some campfire cooking basics:
- Campfire Setup: Build a campfire with a stable cooking surface. Hot coals are ideal for even cooking.
- Cooking Tools: Bring basic cooking tools like a pot, pan, spatula, and utensils. Don’t forget a fire-resistant glove or potholder.
- Food Storage: Store ingredients in airtight containers or ziplock bags to keep them fresh and safe from wildlife.
- Cooler: If your recipe includes perishables, use a cooler with ice packs to keep them fresh.
- Fire Safety: Always have a bucket of water or sand nearby to extinguish the fire when you’re done cooking.
Easy Meals to Cook While Camping- Camping Meal Recipes
Campfire Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Campfire grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious and fun twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, perfect for outdoor cooking over a campfire You can set up a perfect campfire with the help of firewood available at the campground or you can search local vendors who sell firewood for camping. Here’s a simple recipe for campfire grilled cheese sandwiches, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
- Bread slices (your choice of bread)
- Butter or margarine
- Sliced cheese (cheddar, American, Swiss, or your favorite cheese)
- Optional add-ins (sliced tomatoes, bacon, ham, or other ingredients you like in your grilled cheese)
Equipment:
- Campfire with burning coals or a campfire grill grate
- Long-handled cooking utensils (tongs or a pie iron)
- Aluminum foil (optional)
- Heat-resistant gloves
Instructions:
- Prepare the campfire: Start by building a campfire and allowing it to burn down to a bed of hot coals. You want a nice bed of hot embers to cook your sandwiches. Make sure the fire is safe and controlled.
- Butter the bread: Take two slices of bread for each sandwich and spread butter or margarine on one side of each slice. This will help the bread get crispy and golden when grilled.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Place a slice of cheese between the unbuttered sides of two bread slices. You can also add any optional ingredients you like, such as tomato slices, bacon, or ham.
- Wrap in foil (optional): To make handling the sandwiches easier and to prevent them from getting too dirty in the campfire, you can wrap them in aluminum foil. This step is optional, but it can help keep your sandwich cleaner and cook it more evenly.
- Grill the sandwiches: Using long-handled cooking utensils, place the sandwiches on a campfire grill grate or directly on the hot coals. Cook each side for about 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is crispy and golden, and the cheese is melted. Be sure to watch them closely, as cooking times can vary depending on the heat of the fire.
- Check for doneness: Carefully open the foil (if used) or use tongs to lift the sandwich and check for doneness. The cheese should be melted, and the bread should be toasted to your liking.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the campfire and let them cool for a moment before serving. Carefully unwrap them if you use foil. Enjoy your campfire grilled cheese sandwiches while they’re still hot!
Foil Packet Chicken and Veggies
Foil packet chicken and veggies is a simple and easy meals to cook while camping . It’s a great option for cooking outdoors or when you want an easy cleanup. Here’s a basic recipe for foil-packet chicken and veggies, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups of your choice of vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, onions)
- 2-4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary, oregano)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon slices (optional)
- Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, basil) for garnish (optional)
Equipment:
- Aluminum foil
- Baking sheet or campfire grill grate (if cooking outdoors)
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare your campfire with a bed of hot coals.
- Prepare the foil packets: Tear off four large sheets of aluminum foil, each approximately 12×12 inches in size. Place one chicken breast in the center of each foil sheet.
- Season the chicken: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each chicken breast, then sprinkle minced garlic, dried herbs, salt, and pepper on top. You can also add a slice of lemon if you like for extra flavor.
- Add the veggies: Divide the vegetables evenly among the four foil packets, arranging them around the chicken breasts. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the vegetables and season with salt and pepper.
- Seal the packets: To create the foil packets, bring two opposite sides of the foil together over the chicken and veggies. Fold them down, then fold the remaining two sides to enclose the contents. Make sure to seal the packets tightly to keep the steam and flavors inside.
- Cook the packets: Place the foil packets on a baking sheet or campfire grill grate, and cook in the preheated oven or over the campfire for about 25-30 minutes. Cooking times may vary, so ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Check for doneness: Carefully open one packet to check if the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender. If needed, you can return the packets to the heat for a few more minutes.
- Serve: Carefully open the foil packets (watch out for hot steam), and transfer the chicken and veggies to plates. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your foil packet chicken and veggies right away.
One-Pot Pasta
One-pot pasta is a quick and easy meals to cook while camping that allows you to cook both the pasta and the sauce in a single pot, minimizing cleanup. Here’s a basic recipe for one-pot pasta, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (about 340g) of pasta (such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 can (14-15 ounces) of diced tomatoes (or use fresh diced tomatoes)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (e.g., basil, oregano, thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large, deep skillet or a wide pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until it becomes translucent and soft. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add the minced garlic and dried herbs to the pot and sauté for about a minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, including their juice, and stir to combine with the onion and garlic.
- Add the uncooked pasta to the pot, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid depending on the type of pasta you use and the size of your pot.
- Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Remember that you can always adjust the seasoning later, so start with a modest amount.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Check the pasta for doneness and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- If you like, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve the one-pot pasta directly from the skillet or transfer it to serving plates. Enjoy your quick and easy one-pot pasta meal!
Campfire Tacos
Campfire tacos are a fun and easy meals to cook while camping meal that combines the flavors of your favorite taco fillings with the rustic charm of cooking over an open flame. Here’s a simple recipe for campfire tacos, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- Ground beef or ground turkey (or any protein of your choice)
- Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Chopped onions
- Chopped bell peppers
- Corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- Salsa or diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite)
- Chopped lettuce
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
For Serving:
- Taco shells or tortillas
- Aluminum foil
Equipment:
- Campfire with burning coals or a campfire grill grate
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
- A cast iron skillet or a large heavy-duty aluminum foil packet
Instructions:
- Start by building a campfire and allowing it to burn down to a bed of hot coals. You want a nice bed of hot embers to cook your taco filling.
- While the fire is burning down, you can prepare your taco filling. In a skillet or a foil packet, brown the ground meat over the campfire or on a campfire grill grate. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onions and bell peppers to the skillet or foil packet, and cook them until they become tender and the meat is fully cooked.
- Stir in taco seasoning, following the instructions on the package or using your own blend of spices. Add the corn, black beans, and salsa or diced tomatoes. Continue cooking and stirring until everything is heated through.
- Once the filling is ready, remove it from the fire and set it aside.
- Place your taco shells or tortillas on a separate piece of aluminum foil, and warm them over the campfire for a minute or two. Be careful not to burn them.
- To assemble your campfire tacos, place a spoonful of the taco filling into each taco shell or tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, and fresh cilantro if desired. You can also add a dollop of sour cream.
- Fold the tacos and wrap them in the foil, if you like, to keep them warm and make them easier to handle.
- Serve the campfire tacos, and let everyone customize their toppings according to their preferences.
Campfire Quesadillas
Campfire quesadillas are delightful and easy meals to cook while camping campfire meal that combines the goodness of melted cheese and your favorite fillings between tortillas. Here’s a basic recipe for campfire quesadillas, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
- Flour tortillas (burrito-sized or your preferred size)
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or any melting cheese of your choice)
- Fillings of your choice (cooked chicken, cooked steak, sautéed vegetables, cooked bacon, etc.)
- Salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping (optional)
- Cooking oil or non-stick cooking spray
Equipment:
- Campfire with burning coals or a campfire grill grate
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
- Aluminum foil (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by building a campfire and allowing it to burn down to a bed of hot coals. You want a nice bed of hot embers to cook your quesadillas.
- Prepare your fillings: If you’re using cooked chicken, steak, or vegetables, make sure they are already cooked and sliced or diced. You can also use pre-cooked ingredients or leftovers from a previous meal.
- Lay out your tortillas and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla.
- Add your chosen fillings on top of the cheese. You can mix and match to create your favorite combinations. Be careful not to overstuff, as it may make the quesadillas challenging to fold.
- If you want to prevent the quesadillas from sticking to the grate or getting too dirty from the campfire, you can wrap them in aluminum foil. This step is optional but can be quite helpful.
- Fold the tortillas in half to cover the fillings, creating a half-moon shape.
- Grease the cooking surface of your campfire grill grate with a little cooking oil or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the quesadillas directly on the grill grate or campfire grate and cook for a few minutes on each side, or until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Cooking times may vary depending on the heat of the fire, so keep a close eye on them.
- If you’re using aluminum foil, you can flip the foil packets instead of turning each quesadilla individually.
- Carefully remove the quesadillas from the fire once they are golden brown and the cheese is oozy and melted.
- Serve the campfire quesadillas with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or your preferred dipping sauces.
Breakfast Burritos:
Breakfast burritos are a hearty and satisfying morning meal that’s easy to prepare, making them a great choice as an easy meals to cook while camping or any time you want a delicious breakfast. Here’s a basic recipe for breakfast burritos, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
- Large flour tortillas
- Eggs
- Breakfast sausage, bacon, or ham (cooked and crumbled)
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite)
- Diced bell peppers, onions, and other veggies (optional)
- Salsa or hot sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil or butter
Equipment:
- Campfire with burning coals or a campfire grill grate
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
- Skillet or campfire-safe pan
- Aluminum foil (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by building a campfire and allowing it to burn down to a bed of hot coals. You want a nice bed of hot embers to cook your breakfast burritos.
- If you have a skillet or campfire-safe pan, you can cook the eggs directly on the campfire grate. Heat it over the coals, add a little cooking oil or butter to prevent sticking, and cook any optional veggies you want to include until they’re tender.
- Once the veggies are cooked (or if you’re skipping veggies), crack the eggs into the skillet and scramble them. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until they are mostly set but still slightly runny.
- Stir in the cooked breakfast sausage, bacon, or ham, and cook until everything is heated through.
- If you don’t have a skillet, you can cook the eggs and meat in advance and bring them to the campsite in a container, or you can cook them over a campfire using aluminum foil packets.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the egg mixture. Add salsa or hot sauce if you like a little heat.
- Fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll it up from the bottom to create a burrito.
- Place the wrapped breakfast burritos directly on the grill grate or campfire coals and cook for a few minutes on each side, or until they’re warm and slightly crispy.
- Carefully remove the burritos from the fire and let them cool for a moment before unwrapping or serving.
- Enjoy your breakfast burritos hot and fresh from the campfire. They’re a satisfying and customizable breakfast option for your outdoor adventures.
Grilled Skewers
Grilled skewers, also known as kebabs, are a delicious and versatile way to enjoy grilled meats, vegetables, and more and it is an easy meals to cook while camping. Here’s a basic recipe for grilled skewers, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
For the Skewers:
- Protein (your choice): Cubed chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu, or other options
- Vegetables (your choice): Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.
- Marinade (optional): Olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, herbs, and spices (to your taste)
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the Marinade (optional, but recommended):
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Herbs and spices (e.g., oregano, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper)
Equipment:
- Grill (charcoal or gas), campfire grill grate, or stovetop grill pan
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
Instructions:
- If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Prepare your protein and vegetables by cutting them into evenly sized pieces. This helps ensure even cooking.
- If you’re using a marinade, mix the ingredients in a bowl. Place the protein and vegetables in a large zip-top bag or a bowl, and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag or cover the bowl, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or longer to allow the flavors to meld.
- While the ingredients marinate, prepare your grill. If you’re using charcoal, light the coals and allow them to burn down to medium-high heat. For a gas grill, preheat to medium-high.
- Thread the marinated protein and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating to create a balanced mix.
- If you’re using a campfire grill grate, place it over the coals and oil the grate to prevent sticking.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the protein is cooked through and the vegetables are tender and have nice grill marks.
- Keep a close eye on the skewers to avoid overcooking the protein.
- Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve your grilled skewers hot, either on or off the skewers, with your choice of sides and dipping sauces.
Grilled skewers are a versatile meal that you can customize with your favorite proteins, vegetables, and marinades. They make for a delicious and visually appealing outdoor or indoor grilling experience.
Campfire Chili
Campfire chili is a hearty and satisfying easy meals to cook while camping that’s perfect for enjoying around the campfire. Here’s a basic recipe for campfire chili, along with the ingredients and cooking instructions:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) of diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) of tomato paste
- 1 cup of beef or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred level of spiciness)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cooking oil
Equipment:
- Campfire or campfire grill grate
- Large cast iron Dutch oven or a heavy-duty aluminum foil packet
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
- Wooden spoon or campfire-safe utensils
Instructions:
- Start by building a campfire and allowing it to burn down to a bed of hot coals. You want a nice bed of hot embers to cook your chili.
- If you have a cast iron Dutch oven, you can cook the chili directly in it over the campfire. If not, you can make a heavy-duty aluminum foil packet to cook the chili. To do this, place a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface, add the ingredients, fold the foil over the top, and crimp the edges to create a sealed packet.
- Heat a little cooking oil in the Dutch oven or skillet over the campfire. If using aluminum foil, you can do this over the campfire grill grate or use a skillet.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the Dutch oven or skillet and sauté until they become fragrant and softened.
- Add the ground beef or turkey and cook it until it’s browned and crumbled.
- Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the Dutch oven or skillet. Pour in the beef or vegetable broth. Mix all the ingredients well and let the chili simmer over the campfire for about 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If using aluminum foil, place the packet on the campfire grill grate and cook for the same amount of time.
- Adjust the chili’s seasoning to your taste, adding more salt, pepper, or spices.
- Serve your campfire chili hot, garnished with grated cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions if you like. It’s perfect with some crusty bread or cornbread.
Conclusion
Cooking while camping doesn’t have to be complicated. These easy meals to cook while camping are perfect for campers who want to enjoy delicious meals without the fuss. So, pack your ingredients, head into the great outdoors, and relish the simplicity and flavors of these quick and easy camping meals on your next adventure.