16 Recipes and Tips for Real Food Camping (2024)

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Some of my fondest camp memories involve food. Roasting marshmallows over a fire, chips and hot dogs around the picnic table, and eating dinner directly out of tinfoil packets.

Fond memories aside, just because we are “roughing it” on a camp site doesn’t mean that we have to compromise on providing delicious, nutritious, whole food meals for our families.

In preparation for this year’s camping season I have scoured the internet, and our own recipe archives, for creative, delicious, and easily-prepared camping meals for the health-conscious family.

These recipes contain nothing but real whole foods, or are easily adapted to do so. You can also put all of these items on your camp-out menu and won’t need to pack a single sheet of tinfoil! (See this post for reasons you might want to skip the foil this camping season.)

Breakfast

Paper Bag Eggs

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Everyone can make bacon and eggs, but cooking bacon and eggs in a paper bag over a fire? That’s something special! Best of all, there aren’t any pans to wash after breakfast! Via realfamilycamping.blogspot.ca.

Campfire Bacon

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If it’s just bacon you’re looking to cook, how about this skewer-cooking technique? Via zestuous.com.

Gluten-Free Pancakes (3 variations)

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Pancakes are another camping trip staple. It’s easy to whip up a mix of your favorite pancake recipe and have it ready to go that first morning at camp. This gluten-free variation is brought to the campsite wet — baking soda, baking powder, and salt are added just before cooking. Via kitchenstewardship.com.

Healthy Instant Oatmeal

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No need to buy packets of instant oatmeal — it is quick and easy to make your own. This recipe includes a great tip for making a creamy, dairy-free version. Make it even healthier by using large-flake oats and soaking them the evening before. Via thefirstmess.com.

Light Lunches & Snacks

I don’t know about you, but I like easy, fuss-free lunches when camping. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, veggies and dip, chips and salsa, crackers and cheese, hummus and pita all make quick lunches either at the campsite, or packed to take with you on an adventure. All of these items also make great snack foods on a busy day!

(No Rolling Required) Homemade Sourdough Tortillas

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With no rolling required, these might just be the easiest tortillas you will ever make. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Fermented Tex-Mex Salsa

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Pair salsa with chips or toasted tortillas for an easy snack. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Sourdough English Muffin Bread

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This easy and versatile bread recipe will provide beautiful homemade bread for your camping trip in no time at all. I also love Erin’s sourdough English muffin recipe for a perfect accompaniment to breakfast, or even as burger buns! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Lacto-Fermented Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

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Spread a little hummus on a tortilla, pile on the veggies, and roll up for a quick lunch on the campsite, or packed to go. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Homemade Beef Jerky

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Jerky has long been a mainstay of camp food. This homemade version is incredibly easy, and can be made in your oven — no need for a dehydrator. Via deliciouslyorganic.com. Or use ground meat in this Not-So-Tough Beef Jerky.

Lunch/Dinner

Nothing works like aluminum foil for throwing a bunch of ingredients into the fire and ending up with a tasty dinner. Except maybe a Dutch oven. Although a Dutch oven might require a little more thought (see this amazing post for tips on how to cook with a Dutch oven using an open fire), the results are worth it.

Campfire Chili

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A hearty dinner that cooks during the day, while you are busy with other things. Via seriouseats.com.

Dutch Oven Potato-Stuffed Sausage Boats

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Cook and mash your potatoes at home, for a truly no-fuss meal at camp. Sweet potato would also be delicious. Via everydaydutchoven.com.

Dutch Oven Stuffed Peppers

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For a little something fancier, how about stuffed peppers? The recipe calls for vegetarian ground meat, but you could substitute an equal amount of any ground meat, or cooked lentils or beans. Via dirtygourmet.com.

Black Bean and Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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Hearty Bean Salad over baked potatoes make for an easy vegetarian meal. Skip the foil and cook the potatoes in your Dutch oven instead. Via markingmyterritory.com.

Pie Iron Tacos

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A pie iron is another handy camping cooking tool. And they aren’t just for pies! Use tortillas instead of bread and be ready for some tasty tacos or quesadillas. Via twomaidsamilking.com.

Trout Tacos

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Have a fresh catch of the day? Why not cook it over an open fire, then fold it into a tortilla with yummy taco toppings? Via dirtygourmet.com.

Dessert

Paleo S’More Bars (Egg-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free)

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What would a camping trip be without s’mores? These make-ahead, paleo treats are a fun way to have s’mores that just about everyone can eat. Via megustamantequilla.com.

Special Diets

Planning a camping trip with a special diet in mind may not be as hard as you might think. Here are some great menu ideas for camping gluten-free, on the GAPS diet, and Paleo.

Have you planned a camping trip this summer? What are your must-make recipes?

Need more ideas? Check out Nutrient Dense Food for the Road and Real Food on the Road.

...without giving up the foods you love or spending all day in the kitchen!

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2 free books:

Eat God's Way

Ditch the Standard American Diet, get healthier & happier, and save money on groceries...

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

16 Recipes and Tips for Real Food Camping (20)

About Andrea Sabean

Andrea is an artisan and teacher trying to live a handmade and homemade lifestyle with her husband in Eastern Canada. She is passionate about growing her own food, cooking healthy meals, using herbs for healing, nurturing creativity, and finding joy and blessings in the every-day moments of life. She writes about all of this, plus her adventures in sewing and crafting and bringing children’s drawings to life at Artisan in the Woods.

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16 Recipes and Tips for Real Food Camping (2024)

FAQs

What are the best food options during a camp? ›

Best camping foods
  • Tinned fruit. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Ready-made meals. ...
  • Cereal. ...
  • Tuna. ...
  • Soup. ...
  • Hot chocolate. ...
  • Pasta sauces & salad dressings. Bring a homemade jar of sauce or a salad dressing to upgrade simple meals to the next level.

What food to bring camping for 3 days? ›

Example 3-day menu plan using these recipes
DayBreakfastDinner
1Peanut butter oatmealHot dogs or veggie dogs
2Breakfast burrito in a bagCampfire nachos
3Homemade granola with oat milkGrain bowl
Sep 16, 2021

What are the easiest camping meals? ›

Easy Camping Dinners
  • 'Tasty Bite' Lentil Soup (or Other Flavor) ...
  • Freezer Bag Meal. ...
  • Burgers.
  • Kabobs.
  • Sloppy Joes.
  • Sausage and Potatoes.
  • Make Ahead Chicken Enchiladas.
  • Shredded BBQ Pork or Chicken. At home: Cook and shred your meat at home.

What are easy foods to take camping? ›

Here are some great camping snack ideas that pack and transport well:
  • Trail mix.
  • Chips with dip or salsa.
  • Peanut butter filled pretzels.
  • Sliced fruit or vegetables.
  • Granola bars.
  • Hummus.
  • Popcorn.
  • Olives.
Feb 23, 2023

What food to take camping without a fridge? ›

Non-Refrigerated Camping Food To Consider
  • Bagels with cream cheese.
  • Cereal with powdered milk.
  • Instant oatmeal.
  • Honey or syrup.
  • Toast with peanut butter.
  • Homemade or store-bought muffins.
  • Tortillas.
  • Breakfast-style potatoes.

What do people cook on when camping? ›

The main item you'll need is a camping stove. There are two main types of camping stoves: two-burner propane stoves and canister backpacking stoves. When car camping, I prefer the classic two-burner stoves. Two burners give me more room to cook and the larger surface area is better for bigger pots and fry pans.

How to meal prep for camping? ›

How to prep food for camping
  1. Frozen food is perfect for camping, and it'll keep your cooler colder longer, so you always have a place to keep food and drinks cold.
  2. Chop and pre-prep food and meals at home before you head out. ...
  3. Wrap food in foil to cook on the grill or over hot coals.
Jun 5, 2023

What food to bring camping for 2 days? ›

Top 20 Foods to Take on Your Camping Trip
  • Bread. As the basis of so many easy meals, bread is a must for any camping trip. ...
  • Tortillas. Just like bread, tortillas are versatile and can be the foundation of handheld meals. ...
  • Sausage. Sausage is the ultimate campfire meat. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Nut Butter. ...
  • Crackers. ...
  • Lunchmeat. ...
  • Beef Jerky.

What is the rule of three camping? ›

Normally, the rule of threes contains the following: You can survive three minutes without breathable air (unconsciousness), or in icy water. You can survive three hours in a harsh environment (extreme heat or cold). You can survive three days without drinkable water.

What to buy from a store for camping? ›

These are important items for your camping essentials checklist:
  • Tent (and footprint, stakes)
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Sleeping pads.
  • Camping pillow.
  • Headlamps or flashlights (and extra batteries)
  • Camp chairs.
  • Camp table (if no picnic table)
  • Lantern (and mantles and fuel/batteries if needed)
Oct 17, 2017

What to eat with hot dogs camping? ›

The Best Simple Sides for Hot Dogs (Besides Potato Chips)
  • Grilled Corn on the Cob with Calamansi Mayo. ...
  • Smoky Coleslaw. ...
  • Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables, Parsley, and Feta. ...
  • Classic Potato Salad. ...
  • Gina Mae's Baked Beans. ...
  • Homemade Veggie Chips. ...
  • Tomato Salad with Red Onion, Dill, and Feta. ...
  • Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries.
Oct 14, 2022

Where do you put food at night when camping? ›

You should not store food in your tent. Doing so can attract wildlife, which is a risk to both you and the animals. Instead, use designated food storage areas for camping or bear-proof containers, or hang your food away from your sleeping area.

What food to take camping for a week? ›

For some alternative easy camping recipes, consider peanut butter and banana wraps, grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, deli wraps, and quesadillas. Or bring veggies like corn, peas, and peppers. Sausage and pepper foil packets make a great easy lunch too, just don't forget the olive oil!

Does cooking while camping attract animals? ›

Cooking: Nothing can get an animal's attention quite like cooking—the myriad of scents is likely to attract hungry animals. Try to cook some distance away from your main camp to reduce any chances of encountering wild animals.

What to grill while camping? ›

Best Grilling Ideas for Camping
  • Burgers.
  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches.
  • Chicken Breast.
  • Homemade Bacon.
  • Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese.
  • Pork Spare Ribs.
  • Smoked Queso Dip.

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