Food to Take Camping: Make Delicious Meals Every Time
Camping is an exciting and adventurous outdoor activity for families, couples, or solo travelers. It’s a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the outdoors. But when it comes to providing the right food for a camping trip, many of us get stumped. What meals can I cook in the great outdoors? What foods should I bring with me? Here we’ll look at what exactly food to take camping, to ensure you have a great meal that everyone will love!
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Having the right food to take camping is essential for a successful trip. As a camper and father of three, I have some neat tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years that I’m happy to share. For starters, easy-to-cook meals are a must. Think ingredients that can be prepared with little effort, such as pre-cut fruits and veggies, pre-cooked or pre-packed meals, and canned goods. Freeze-dried and dehydrated food come in handy, too, as they don’t require additional cooking. They are also compact and lightweight, which makes them a top choice for backpackers and hikers.
Next up is snacks. Pack some shelf-stable munchies, like trail mix, granola bars, jerky, dried fruit, popcorn, and nuts. These are great for little hunger pangs before dinner or when you’re having a quick break in between activities. Another tip I’d like to share: consider packing “breakfast-on-the-go” items like oatmeal packs or single-serving instant coffees. These types of items can make all the difference when you’re trying to make the most out of a camping trip.
Finally, you need to think about how you’ll cook your meals. Will you be cooking over an open fire, or do you need to bring along a camping stove? If you’re camping somewhere with firewood and a campfire pit, cooking over an open fire is a great option. Just make sure to bring ingredients that cook quickly like meats, sausages, eggs, and veggies. If you’re packing a camping stove, bring foods like canned stews, soups, pasta, rice, and one-pot meals.
The foods listed above are just some suggestions and, of course, you can bring whatever you’d like. As a general rule of thumb, make sure you bring non-perishable foods that are easy to cook. Also, don’t forget to bring a few extra items you might need to cook your meals, such as salt, oil, spices, and other condiments. Now that you know what foods to bring and how to cook them, it’s time to get out there and enjoy your camping trip!
Here are 6 Delicious Recipes to Consider for Your Next Camping Trip:
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup: Nothing says comfort food like a classic grilled cheese sandwich. All you need is pre-packaged sandwich slices and cheese slices, a few slices of tomato and you’re good to go. Serve with an easy to make tomato soup mix to complete the meal.
- Skillet Lasagna: This one-pot lasagna is easy and fast to make. Layer the lasagna noodles, your favorite cheese, and your favorite sauce in the skillet. Then, cook over low-medium heat and viola! You can even add freshly-chopped veggies for extra flavor.
- Foil Packet Dinners: These are quick, easy, and fun to make. All you need is aluminum foil, your choice of protein, veggies, and seasonings. You can even throw in a few slices of potato for extra crunch. Place everything in a foil packet and place it over a campfire or on a hot BBQ or grill.
- Dutch Oven Cobbler: A dutch oven is a great tool to have while camping, as it allows you to bake on the campfire. Use it to make a delicious cobbler with fresh fruits and store-bought biscuits. If you don’t have a dutch oven, a heavy-duty foil pan would work just as well.
- Chili Cheese Fries: Make a big batch of chili on the campfire and use it as a topping for some home-made or store-bought fries. Add a generous amount of cheese and you’ve got a yummy meal everyone will love.
- Fajita Skewers: Fajitas are easy to make and great for camping. Slice some bell peppers, onions, mushrooms (optional) and your favorite protein, then skewer them together. Cook on the campfire or on a griddle and top with your favorite toppings. Serve with wraps, taco shells, or rice!
These are just some ideas that I have had success with, but there are many other delicious recipes possibilities worth exploring. Check out the video below for some more camping-friendly food ideas.
We hope this list of food to take camping has given you some ideas of what to pack. While it’s true that camping meals can be challenging to plan for, by planning ahead and packing the right ingredients, you can make sure your meals are both delicious and nutritious.
Happy camping!
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