36 Make-Ahead Camping Recipes For Easy Meal Planning (2024)

If you want to rough it old-school while you explore the great outdoors, but don't exactly want to eat roasted beans out of a can, consider the convenience of make-ahead meals. Nothing's worse than sleeping outdoors without access to a shower than facing the wilderness on an empty stomach. It pays to be prepared. You already have your camping essentials and your hydration must-haves ready – now you just need to master these make-ahead camping meals and recipes that can easily be made ahead of time or prepped for easy cooking. Go, granola girl, go!

Tasty Pre-made Meal Ideas for a Camping Trip

Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Chili

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Make a biiiig batch of this vegetarian chili, and freeze half of it for your next camping adventure. When your tent is set up and you're ready for dinner, simply reheat the chili over the campfire or grill, add your favorite toppings, and dig in. (via Brit + Co.)

Cast Iron Pizza

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If you thought homemade pizza was incompatible with campground cooking, this gooey pie will change your mind. All you need for this pizza is pre-made dough, a skillet, and the will to live cheesily. (via Brit + Co.)

Campfire Peach Cobbler

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Pack a can oof peach filling and chilled biscuit dough in a cooler, and heat it to sweet bubbly excellence over the campfire. With this easy recipe, dessert is taken care of in a jiffy. (via Brit + Co.)

Try These Pre-made Camping Meals

Barbecue Black Bean Tacos

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Vegetarians can still enjoy the meaty taste of barbecue with these well-seasoned black bean tacos, heated on a grill for *maximum* smokiness. (via Brit + Co.)

Chicken Pepperoni Casserole

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Camp squad can't agree on chicken v. pizza? Settle that heated debate with this make-ahead casserole, filled with chicken breast, tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese – yes, three! 😋 (via Brit + Co.)

Pineapple Pork Kebabs

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These skewers actually benefit from being made in advance; they'll have extra time to soak up the savory-sweet marinade while you're on your way to camp. (via Brit + Co.)

Make Ahead Camping Recipes for Your Summer Trips

Summer Fruit Crisp

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Satisfy end-of-day dessert cravings with this resourceful crisp, made with an oatmeal-brown-sugar base. (via Brit + Co.)

Lamb Burgers

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There's a fair amount of advance prep for these burgers, but when you bite into the flavorful patties after a full day, the make-ahead camp meal planning will have been *well* worth it. (via Brit + Co.)

One-Pot Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

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Recap the day's adventures around the campfire with hearty bowls of chili. This meat-free version made with sweet potatoes and black beans is a *super* easy make-ahead camping meal – and it reheats in no time. (via Brit + Co.)

Vegan Portuguese Kale Soup

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Don't forget to bring lots of crusty bread to accompany this slightly spicy soup, which is swimming with potato pieces, lima beans, and vegan sausage. (via Brit + Co.)

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

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If you're somewhat challenged when it comes to starting a campfire, have no fear. This budget-friendly vegetarian meal comes together in minutes, no heat necessary. (via Brit + Co.)

Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

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Pack your burrito bowl components in separate containers to avoid sogginess, then reheat the rice, beans, and jackfruit at camp before serving this delicious *and* nutritious make-ahead meal. (via Brit + Co.)

Make-Ahead Spinach Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole

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Thyme-flavored three-cheese pasta is *so* cozy, you'll be tempted to eat it while curled up in your sleeping bag. (via Brit + Co.)

Fruit Skewers with Mason Jar Whipped Cream

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Get your daily serving of fruit in the form of dessert with these cinnamon-sugary foil packets. While you fire up the skewers, put your friend on jar-shaking duty to make the whipped cream. (via Brit + Co.)

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins

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Whether you use it to sop up some chili, or slather it with honey butter for breakfast, slightly sweet cornbread is always a nice camping treat. Pre-portioned muffins mean you don't have to bother slicing cornbread at camp. (via Brit + Co.)

Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata

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Camping with a sophisticate? Show them you know about fine cheeses with this frittata, which looks and tastes fancy, but really has just five ingredients and only requires that you don't burn it. (via Brit + Co.)

S'mores Sweet Potato

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Cook and stuff these sweet potatoes ahead of time, wrap them in foil, then let them become molten goodness over the campside stovetop. (via Brit + Co.)

Campfire Cones

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Omit the bananas, and these campfire cones become a make-ahead dessert. Stuff small sugar cones with your favorite blend of chocolate candies and marshmallows, then wrap in foil. Place them over the campfire at the end of the night for a few minutes, until the candy inside is gooey and melted! (via Brit + Co.)

Mason Jar Ramen

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Instant noodles are a backpacking staple, but it gets better. Prep some mason jars of noodles, veggies, and seasonings at home, then fill with boiling water from your campfire kettle when you're ready to eat. (via Brit + Co.)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Cookies

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Spare yourself the trouble of stoking a fire in the morning by bringing a no-heat breakfast with you. A blend of oats, banana, pineapple, and mango breakfast cookies, dotted with white chocolate chips, will energize you for a busy day outdoors! (via Brit + Co.)

Cheesy Swirl Bread with Cheddar and Fig

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This particular homemade bread calls for weaving fig and cheddar into the dough, but you can go with whatever preserves and cheese you love together. Serve this with butter in the morning for breakfast, or as a side for supper. (via Brit + Co.)

Campfire Veggie Sausage Packets

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Marinate chopped peppers, onions, and potatoes in your favorite seasonings. Combine the mixture with sliced vegetarian sausages when you reach your campsite, then wrap in foil and cook until steamy and *a little* browned at the edges. (via Brit + Co.)

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes in Foil

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Individual chicken breasts are cooked atop mounds of Dijon-mustardy, lemony, herby red potatoes. Each camper gets their own chicken packet, and there are no plates to wash. Score! (via Damn Delicious)

Southern Skillet Pimento Mac and Cheese

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Make your camping trip an ode to the South with this cheesy mac that's studded with peppers and crispy bacon. (via Pizzazzerie)

Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets

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Go the lazy-yet-tasty route with pre-made hash browns, salty ham, and a healthy handful of cheddar. Add a fried egg on top of each finished pouch for *extra* sustenance. (via Damn Delicious)

Make-Ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

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Eggs, cheese, and bacon (or sausage!) tucked into a warm English muffin is *just* the combination to fuel you for the day's adventures. Simply pre-assemble and reheat on site. (via The Cozy Cook)

Grilled Bratwurst Kebabs with Veggies

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There's nothing quite like the smoky aroma of sausages wafting off a hot grill. Fold yours into a hot dog bun, or eat it right off the skewer. (via A Fork's Tale)

Carne Asada Skillet Nachos

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Gather around the campfire with a skillet full of crispy tortilla chips, piled high with tender steak, rich queso, and chopped veggies that you brilliantly prepped ahead of time. (via What's Gaby Cooking)

Prep Your Meals for Camping and Save Time

Migas Breakfast Casserole

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Wake up your tent-mates in the tenderest way possible, with the aroma of gently reheating tortilla chips, jalapeños, and cheeeeese. (via Kitschen Cat)

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

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Leafy salads aren't... the best choice when camping. They just don't hold up well over time. Instead, make a salad full of crunchy veggies, herbs, and chickpeas that won't wilt in the cooler. (via My Food Story)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

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Whip up a batch of breakfast burritos to take on your next excursion. Move them from freezer to cooler, then heat up in the morning over your fire or grill. (via Unsophisticook)

Smoky Chorizo and Butter Bean Hot Pot

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Few things are more comforting than a hot pot on a campfire. You can make this bite *completely* ahead of time, or prep the ingredients and cook it at camp. (via Lavender & Lovage)

Backpacker's Blueberry Crisp

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Dinner's just *not* complete without a little something sweet, so what better way to satisfy a dessert craving than this easy blueberry crisp made with granola, sugar packets, and dried blueberries? (via Fresh Off The Grid)

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

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If you make the filling of these crispy 'dillas ahead of time, you only need to assemble and griddle them at the campsite. Bonus points to this recipe for being vegetarian! (via Tabitha Talks Food)

Fried Pizzas

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If you thought pizza was incompatible with camp cooking, color you wrong. Prepare your dough and toppings at home, pack your trusty skillet, and give it a try. After the initial fry over the campfire, add your toppings and continue cooking until the pizza's nice and melty. (via Pinch Of Yum)

Kung Pao White Beans Skillet

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This vegan-ized skillet packs plenty of pre-hike fuel with white beans in place of chicken, plus crunchy peanuts. (via Full Of Plants)

Love these make ahead camping meals? There's more. Follow us on Pinterest for more easy recipes and hacks, join our newsletter, or sign up for our baking and cooking classes!

Additional reporting by Sally Jones and Justina Huddleston.

This post has been updated from a previous post from March 2019.

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Sara Cagle

Sara is a food and lifestyle freelance writer in Los Angeles. She writes a weekly events column for the Los Angeles Times and loves writing food content for Brit + Co. After all, the English language's most fun adjectives are best applied to delicious foods. In her free time, she's a hip hop dancer, avid moviegoer, and thorough face-mask user.

36 Make-Ahead Camping Recipes For Easy Meal Planning (2024)

FAQs

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 can you pre cook for camping? ›

Make-ahead camping recipes
  • On-the-run breakfast bars. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • One-pan smoky beans & sausage meatballs. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Pesto pasta salad. ...
  • Welsh rarebit muffins. ...
  • Chickpea, chorizo & spinach stew. ...
  • Veggie rainbow picnic pie. ...
  • Next level quiche Lorraine. ...
  • Spanish spinach omelette.

What is your favorite food to cook while camping? ›

Cooking fresh meats and vegetables can be a delicious and healthy option when camping. Bringing along a portable grill or a cast iron pan allows you to cook a variety of dishes such as grilled chicken, steak, or roasted vegetables directly over the campfire or on a camp stove.

What is easy camping food 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!

What food to take camping for 3 days? ›

You can have no-cook camping meals that are tasty, healthy, and fun to eat.
  • Peanut Butter and Honey or Jelly Sandwiches. ...
  • Stacked Crackers. ...
  • Hummus and Veggie Sticks. ...
  • Nutty Berry Trail Mix or Granola Trail Mix. ...
  • Jerky. ...
  • Sandwich Wraps.
Aug 24, 2015

What food to take camping without 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 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.

Can you pre cook potatoes for camping? ›

Pre-cooked:

This is a helpful cheat if you are short of time or catering for large numbers. Either part- or fully-cook the potatoes in a microwave or oven.

What are side dishes to bring camping? ›

Top 8 Camping Side Dishes
  • Avocado.
  • Sliced Tomato.
  • Frozen or Canned Veggies.
  • Instant Mashed Potatoes.
  • Precooked Rice.
  • Quinoa Packets.
  • Tortellini.
  • Cold Pasta Salad.

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.

What is the menu for camping? ›

  • French Toast. French toast is a camp classic. ...
  • Chilaquiles. Chilaquiles is an easy camping breakfast – crispy tortillas simmered in a spicy tomato sauce and topped with a few eggs. ...
  • Chickpea Breakfast Hash. ...
  • Dutch Oven Chili. ...
  • Brats with Peppers and Onions. ...
  • Lentil Sloppy Joes. ...
  • Campfire Grilled Fish Tacos. ...
  • Grilled Gyro Kebabs.
Jan 29, 2021

How do you organize camping meals? ›

To simplify the trip, plan out daily menus ahead of time — know what food you are eating on what days. This will help streamline the meal prep and cooking, and when several people come up to you asking what's for dinner, you'll have an answer ready for them.

What are easy cheap snacks for camping? ›

No-Cook, Grab 'n' Go Camping Snacks:
  • Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit.
  • Freeze-dried fruits and veggies with roasted bean or chickpea snacks.
  • Cheese stick + single serving whole grain cracker packs.
  • Snack bars like CLIF Kid Zbar® Protein for the kids and CLIF® Nut Butter Bar for adults.
  • Squeezable yogurt + mandarin orange.

What food doesn't need to be cooked or refrigerated? ›

Fresh apples, oranges, kiwi, mangoes, watermelon, pineapple, and even avocado can be enjoyed without a fridge. Just ensure you finish eating them after slicing them up as soon as possible. This will help you keep bugs away. You can also opt for dry/dehydrated fruits or canned varieties.

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