50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (2024)

By Julie Kotzbach · Published: · Last Updated: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Love to go camping? Us too! These 50 Easy Camping Recipes will become your go-to resource for planning your next camping trip!

50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (1)

My family loves to go camping. Getting out into the woods and finding that sense of calm away from the city is one of our favorite summer break activities. With two growing boys,e having easy camping recipes on hand is a must. These 50 camping recipes cover every meal of the day.

There is a wide variety of options to please your family’s palate. This is my go-to list whenever we’re heading out. From make-ahead options to on-site easy-to-whip-up meals, these are the best camping recipes around!

Start your day off right with these camping breakfast recipes! You just have to decide if you’re in the mood for sweet or savory.

50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (2)
50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (3)
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Cookies– Make ahead for a great snack in the car or an easy grab-and-go option in the morning!
  • Camper’s Breakfast Hash– Eggs, cheese, and meat! A simple breakfast for the campfire.
  • Churros Muffins– As good as any donut, and they travel well!
  • Camping Breakfast Sandwich– Move over McDonald’s! This sandwich has you beat!
  • Granola Recipe– Add some to your yogurt or eat by the handful!
  • Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets– Prep before you leave or assemble on-site and cook over the fire!
  • Vanilla Almond Overnight Oats– A tasty set and forget option that’s better than cereal!
  • Campfire Cinnamon Roll Ups– My kids love making these fun camping “cinnamon rolls.”
  • The Best Ever Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes– This pancake better gets better overnight. Prep before you bed down and enjoy the morning!

These camping drink recipes have adults in mind since we usually bring water, Capri Suns, and sodas as a default.

50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (4)
50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (5)
  • White Peach Sangria– Add your liquids to a large mason jar and your fruit to a Ziploc bag. Combine them in a plastic pitcher, let it sit for a bit, and you’re ready to go!
  • Camping Margaritas– Freeze your margarita fix and throw it in the cooler! It will melt to slushy or liquid perfection!
  • Jello Shots – Make them at home, pop on the lids, and throw them into a cooler. Boom. co*cktails are served!
  • How to Brew Camp Coffee– Need your morning caffeine fix? Find the best way to brew coffee for your needs!
  • Strawberry Agua Fresca– Refreshing and easy to make. Our whole family loves this drink!

Getting the munchies midday is no biggie with the best camping snack recipes! They’re a great way to satisfy those cravings between meals.

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50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (7)
  • Campfire Nachos– We love this for a fun mid-day lunch option!
  • Horsetooth Trail Mix– Got a sweet tooth? This trail mix has your name on it!
  • Chocolate Chip Energy Bites– Poppable and oh-so-tasty! Great for breakfast too!
  • The Best Fruit Salad Recipe– Technically, this could be a side dish too, but we like it as a snack before or after lunch!
  • The Best Beef Jerky– My boys go crazy for this beef jerky! So much better than store-bought.
  • Peanut Butter S’mores Snack Mix– Because you should definitely have s’mores-flavored things when camping!
  • Homemade Italian Herb Snack Mix– One bite, and you’ll be hooked! This snack mix goes FAST!
  • Refrigerator Pickles– Great for a snack or serve ’em up with your burgers and dog

These simple camping sides can be made or prepped ahead of time and finished off at the campsite for an easy meal pairing!

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50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (9)
  • Camping Mac and Cheese– Prep ahead of time and cook over the fire! So much cheesy goodness!
  • Campfire Grilled Ratatouille Kebabs– A gorgeous veggie option! I cut the veggies and home and assemble the skewers later.
  • Pizza Pasta Salad– I love this pasta salad! Super easy to make, and it’ll keep in the cooler for days!
  • Chicken Poppyseed Fruit Salad– Get a protein boost with your fruit. I love this for a light lunch too!
  • 7 Layer Salad– Layer everything up in Tupperware and store the dressing separately. The veggies will stay crisp!
  • Red Cabbage Slaw– Tangy and delicious! I prep ahead of time and mix it with the dressing later. This slaw is great all by itself or paired with your dinners!
  • Southwestern Mason Jar Salad– add everything to a jar, and you’re set! Shake before eating to mix everything up in the dressing.
  • Firey Campfire Veggies– OMG! This recipe is so good! Fresh veggies seasoned to perfection!
  • Three Bean Salad in a Jar– A classic dish ready to go in a jar. Grab it from the cooler and dig in!

Camping dinners don’t have to be complicated! In fact, the easier, the better! These meals are simple, delicious, and sure to satisfy!

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  • Spicy Teriyaki Grilled Steak Kabobs– Meat is always on the menu with my guys, and they love this teriyaki steak!
  • Shrimp Scampi Foil Packets– Gourmet food at the campsite is easier than you think!
  • Pizza Grilled Cheese– A family favorite and SO easy to make. You can even your pie irons for them.
  • Mason Jar Ramen– Use hot water boiled over your campfire to cook your ramen!
  • Fish and Vegetable Foil Dinner– A lighter meal option that’s great for lunch or dinner!
  • Walking Tacos– My boys ask for these all the time. Just cook the taco meat in as killer over the fire and you’re ready to go. I love how easy they are to make and customize with your favorite toppings!
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Camping dessert recipes? Yes!! You’d be amazed at what you can make over the campfire!

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50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (15)
  • Picnic Perfect Banana Pudding– Hand everyone their own mason jar and watch this pudding disappear!
  • Pound Cake and Berry Campfire Skillet Dessert– Easy and so tasty! I love the Rolos for a little chocolate and caramel indulgence!
  • Campfire Cakes– Baking on a campfire. Everyone will be impressed!
  • S’mores Campfire Banana Boats– If you’ve never had a grilled banana boat, you are missing out, my friend!
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars– Make ’em at home and grab them when you have a sweet tooth craving!
  • Campfire Cones– Load them up with marshmallows, chocolate, and your favorite add-ins. A family favorite!
  • Campfire Tarts– Cook the “crust” over the fire, and add your favorite pie filling and whipped cream for a bite-sized treat!
  • Indoor S’mores(outdoors) – Pass the graham crackers and get dipping!

If you enjoyed these recipes, you may also enjoy our collection of the Best Grilling Recipes!

5 Time Saving Secrets

How to Get Dinner on the Table ... FAST
50 Easy Camping Recipes for the Great Outdoors (2024)

FAQs

What are the easiest camping meals? ›

Dinner
  • Chicken and Veggie Shish Kabobs. These shish kabobs are an easy camping meal - just roast them over a fire or a grill and you're ready to go! ...
  • Shrimp and Summer Veggie Foil Packets. ...
  • Crockpot Chicken BBQ Sandwiches. ...
  • S'mores Brownies. ...
  • No-Bake Camping Cookies. ...
  • Dirt Pudding Cups.

What is the best long life food for camping? ›

Protein
  • processed salami-type meat products, jerky.
  • eggs (fresh, unwashed, home-laid eggs last longest)
  • Tinned (or pre-cooked and dehydrated) Chickpeas, Lentils, Kidney Beans, etc.
  • Single-serve tins or sachets of tuna or other fish.
  • Tinned meats, e.g. braised steak in single serve packs.
  • nuts and seeds.
  • protein powders.
Feb 13, 2022

What food is good for primitive camping? ›

Ideal camping foods are non-perishable, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Think nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and whole-grain crackers for snacks. Dehydrated meals are also great for longer trips, as they're lightweight and only require water.

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 to cook for a large group while camping? ›

10 Big-Batch Camping Meals to Feed a Crowd
  • 01 of 11. Dutch Oven Mountain Man Breakfast. ...
  • 02 of 11. Cowboy Casserole. ...
  • 03 of 11. Big Ray's Kielbasa Cabbage Skillet for a Crowd. ...
  • 04 of 11. Mom's Campfire Stew. ...
  • 05 of 11. Over the Fire Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 11. Papa Funk's Campfire Chili. ...
  • 07 of 11. Campfire Chicken Pot Pie. ...
  • 08 of 11.
May 19, 2023

What food not to bring camping? ›

Don't bring perishable meat or poultry products without a cold source to keep them safe. Bring disposable wipes, hand sanitizer or biodegradable soap for hand- and dishwashing. If using a cooler, leftover food is safe only if the cooler still has ice in it. Otherwise, discard leftover food.

What is the best breakfast for wild camping? ›

Wild Camping Breakfasts

Bring along some powdered milk and fresh fruit if you'd like and you're good to go. Porridge with extras. You can make porridge with those little sachets or pack some porridge oats in a baggie.

Where do you put food at night when camping? ›

At night, place any loose food, plus a cooler if you have one, inside a metal bear box if there is one.

What is the only food that has an unlimited shelf life? ›

Salt // Forever

Since it's a mineral, salt essentially has an infinite shelf life, and because our body needs it, that makes it a critical commodity. So if you keep your salt in an air-tight container, you could probably pass it down to your grandchildren.

What canned food is easy to eat camping? ›

Some of the top shelf-stable food items to bring on a camping trip include canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as dried fruits, nuts, and beef jerky. These foods are easy to pack and don't require refrigeration, making them ideal for camping trips.

What dry food to take camping? ›

Muesli makes an excellent camping food, whether for breakfast or a snack. If fresh milk is in short supply, bear in mind that Swiss-style muesli already contains dried milk – so just add water. If that sounds a bit thin, you can always mix some extra dried milk through your muesli before you go.

What is the most popular food for camping? ›

Here are some great camping snack ideas that pack and transport well:
  • Hummus.
  • Popcorn.
  • Olives.
  • Nuts.
  • Salami.
  • Babybel cheese/cheese sticks.
  • Dried fruit.
  • See all of our favorite hiking snacks–these are great to have on hand to throw into your backpack.
Feb 23, 2023

What to bring food wise for camping? ›

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 most efficient way to cook while camping? ›

Some camping stoves are bulky and take up valuable space in the car. A backpacking stove such as the MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove is a great option because not only does it take up minimal space, it will boil water quicker than a campfire flame and it can be used as a backup option to cook a full meal, if needed.

What is the best cooking option for camping? ›

Cast iron cookware can be used either on a camp stove or over a campfire. They have a naturally non-stick surface, offer excellent heat retention, and are virtually indestructible. We absolutely love cooking on cast iron and think it's a must for any camp kitchen setup!

What is an easy dinner for backpacking? ›

Backpacking dinner ideas: Macaroni and cheese with bacon bits or tuna; dehydrated risotto; pasta with pesto and parmesan cheese; ramen noodles with dehydrated vegetables; instant soups; instant mashed potatoes and beef jerky; instant stuffing with cooked chicken (pouch or fresh); backpacking Thanksgiving dinner.

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