Everyone knows that one of the best things about camping is the food. It’s practically science; things just taste so much better when eaten in nature or cooked over a campfire. It can be tricky coming up with camping meals beyond the basics, though. You can only eat burgers and BBQ chicken so many times.
Luckily, with just a bit of advance planning, you can easily make meals that look and feel fancy (some could even pass for Christmas dinner!), but are actually quite simple to prepare. We put together 20 of exactly those kinds of recipes, including several that don’t require any cooking at all. What could be easier than that?!
Easy Camping Meals – Breakfast
Breakfast Burritos
When you want something just a bit different than standard eggs and bacon or you’re on the go, breakfast burritos are the answer. Best of all, you can make them ahead of time and wrap them individually, and they freeze very well.
Eggs in Jail
Also known as Bird’s Nest or Egg-in-a-Hole, this breakfast featuring an egg cooked inside a hole cut in bread is super simple but fun and a bit unexpected. We love Sunset Magazine’s version, which was adapted just for camping.
Breakfast Hash
Need an especially filling breakfast or a recipe to use up a bunch of random ingredients you have on hand? Throw ’em into a skillet, season, and cook them until perfectly caramelized! That’s all there is to the perfect breakfast hash!
Biscuits & Gravy
Is there anything better than the comforting smell of classic biscuits and gravy at camp? This is one of the best camping meals because it’s unbelievably easy. Make it even easier by using refrigerated biscuits or pre-making your gravy.
Chilaquiles
This hearty, flavorful dish comes together surprisingly easily. Better yet, it’s very adaptable. Start with Fresh Off the Grid’s vegetarian recipe, then add meat or toppings and tweak the spice level to your liking.
Easy Camping Meals – Lunch
Walking Tacos
It doesn’t get much easier (or fun!) than walking tacos. Just assemble your favorite taco fillings, then put them all in an individual-sized Fritos bag. Best of all: no cleanup!
Hot Ham n’ Cheese Sandwiches
A classic ham n’ cheese sandwich is already one of the most classic camping meals, but making a hot version really takes it to the next level! Heat it in a pan like a grilled cheese or put it right over a campfire.
Nachos
This is one of our favorite quick and easy camping meals. Assemble nachos in a cast iron pan or on a sheet pan, then serve directly from that. For extra fun, get small pans and let everyone make their own personal-sized plate of nachos!
Loaded Brats or Hot Dogs
Always a crowd pleaser, hot dogs or brats deserve a regular spot in your arsenal of go-to meals. Pick a theme, like German or Chicago-style dogs, or set out an assortment of toppings and let people make their own.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Another fan favorite, “stuffed” or “loaded” baked potatoes are quick and inexpensive. Make them with regular or sweet potatoes and get creative with toppings. One of our favorite camping hacks is to load them up with leftovers!
Easy Camping Meals – Dinner
Sausage & Peppers
Using literally just a few ingredients, this satisfying camping meal comes together in just minutes. Cook it in a skillet or throw everything together in foil packets and toss them right on top of the campfire. Bonus: leftovers are even better!
Kabobs
Kabobs were practically created to be one of the best easy camping meals. You can prep them ahead of time, there’s no wrong way to do it, and they’re extremely versatile. Make a few varieties and letting everyone assemble their own!
Chili
Is it even really camping if you don’t make chili at some point? This is the perfect easy camping meal that’s comforting, hearty, and versatile. Plus, you can make it before your trip or make a large batch for leftovers (they freeze well!).
Dutch Oven Pot Pie
If you have a simple Dutch oven, you can easily make one of the most classic comfort foods of all time into a camp meal! Allrecipes’ method even uses refrigerated biscuits to keep it even simpler, but you could make your own.
One-pot Lasagna
Lasagna isn’t associated with camping foods. In fact, it’s just the opposite! But in this version, you make a “deconstructed” lasagna, without assembly. Now you can make this crowd favorite, even if you have a tiny kitchen!
No-Bake Camping Meals
DIY Yogurt Parfaits
For a quick, easy camping breakfast or satisfying snack, make DIY yogurt parfaits. Start with vanilla or strawberry yogurt, then set out a variety of toppings for everyone to create their own, like granola, berries, and chocolate chips.
Stuffed Avocados
If you’ve never had stuffed avocados, you’re in for a treat (and we can pretty much guarantee they’ll become your go-to). Halve ripe avocados, then fill each half with chicken or tuna salad, salsa, or another combo that strikes your fancy.
BLT Sandwiches
It’s easy to overlook old standbys like the classic BLT, but this actually makes one of the very best camping meals (hint: cold bacon is just as good as hot!). Pro tip: make big batches of bacon every few days and use it as needed.
Cobb Salad
For a surprisingly easy meal, assemble a cobb salad (it comes together even faster if you use pre-prepped ingredients!). Centered around protein-packed ingredients like eggs, bacon, and chicken, this doesn’t feel much like a salad!
Charcuterie
If you’re looking at this thinking charcuterie isn’t a meal, we hate to tell you this, but you’ve been doing it wrong. A tray or plate loaded with meats, cheeses, veggies, nuts, toppings, and whatever else you’re craving — it’s the perfect meal!
