Camping is one of the best outdoor activities you can do with your friends and the whole family. Not only can you bond with them, but you can also get to enjoy nature’s beauty. People who are getting ready for camping season also look forward to easy camping meals, which are more appreciated when you are outside.
However, going camping and preparing for it can be stressful. Thus, a lot of people make their camping menu beforehand. Make-ahead camping meals are highly recommended to do before going on a family camping trip so you don’t have to only stick to hot dogs during a long day. A great way to get ready for your next outdoor adventure is to prepare these easy meals and use foil packs to keep them safe.
If you are worried about what step to take on when preparing make-ahead camping meals, don’t be. I will be showing you a couple of items that are perfect to have as pre-made camping meals. These delicious meals are easy to do, pack, and your friends and family will surely love how it tastes.
Easy Camping Meals for Family
Camping is a fun and exciting way to spend time with family. It’s a great way to get out of the city and into nature. But there are some things you should know before you head out on your next outdoor weekend. While you may have a delicious dinner planned, your children may want something they are more familiar with. Here are some ideas for the easiest camping meals for family that will make everyone happy.
One of the most important things is to be prepared for the trip with easy camping meals for family.
These meals can be made in advance so that you can spend more time enjoying your time outside. Here are some easy camping recipes that are perfect for any family gathering. When it comes to packing, there is some amazing food that should be in your bag at all times. In this article, we’ll show you how to make some delicious precooked camping meals that are easy and quick to make.
You can easily find an easy camping meal for family with kids that are tasty and fun for them to make. Here are some suggestions for delicious camp meals for kids:
- Bacon-wrapped hot dogs
- Crispy bacon-wrapped chicken
- Baked beans with bacon
- Homemade macaroni and cheese
- Corn on the cob (for campfire cooking)
- Rice pudding (also great for campfire cooking)
What food can I make ahead for camping?
As mentioned earlier, getting on a camping trip is not easy. You need to prepare a lot and can bring a lot of work. Preparing easy meals is one of the most crucial parts of preparing, and it should be done correctly, or else you and your companions will starve on the trip.
There is a lot of food and meals you can prepare in advance. Camping meal prep makes it easier for you to bring food without doing much cooking at the campsite. Plus, cooking outdoors is bulky, so you better have something prepared earlier.
You can experiment with a variety of meals to make ahead of your outspanning trip. When preparing meals, keep in mind that you will need to have ready-to-eat or easy-access food. If you wish to cook during the trip, you can prepare meats and non-perishable items for it too.
Here are some easy camping recipes for family that you can do for make-ahead camping meals:
- Wraps such as breakfast burritos
- Sandwiches and bread
- Pasta salad
- Pancake mix
- Pre-cooked or instant noodles
- Chilli
- Skewers and marinated meats
- Baked meals
- Chocolate chips
For marinade meats, you can pack them in ziplock bags, plastic bag or in plastic containers.
30. Tuna Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Looking for a quick, nutritious lunch or snack for the outdoors to be your camping food? Camp food doesn’t have to be limited to hot dogs. Try these tuna stuffed sweet potatoes. A healthy tuna salad and a baked sweet potato make for a filling and delicious lunch or snack. The tuna salad can be made ahead of time, so all you have to do is bake the sweet potatoes when you’re ready to eat. The tuna salad is also a great way to use up any leftover canned tuna, which can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
Check it here.
29. Chinese Chicken Salad
Here is an easy camping meal idea for you! There is nothing like being outside on a hot summer day. And there is nothing better than being able to cool off with a refreshing drink and a light meal. This recipe for Chinese chicken salad is loaded with chicken, veggies, wontons, and almonds outdoors. This salad has a light, refreshing taste that will make you feel refreshed after a long day. Can be served with olive oil or another vegetable oil and soy sauce.
Check it here.
28. Rainbow Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Rainbow Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps is a great meal prep idea to make ahead of time. It’s super easy to make, and it is really healthy! All you need is some chicken, lettuce, and a few other ingredients. For this recipe, I used a little bit of cilantro, mint, and basil for flavor. This recipe is also great for kids!
Check it here.
27. Rosemary Chicken Fillets (Pan Fried)
To make these Rosemary Chicken Fillets (Pan Fried) camping meal, simply take a couple of chicken breasts and cut them into thin strips. Then, in a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip the chicken strips into the bread crumb mixture and then place them on a greased or parchment paper lined pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. To make the sauce for this dish, mix together the mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl.
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26. Cheese, Bacon and Potato Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This is a quick and easy breakfast recipe that’s perfect for those who want something savory and delicious. You can use any type of cheese you like, but I recommend using sharp cheddar cheese. You can also use bacon bits or crumbled bacon if you prefer. I like to use both types of cheese in this recipe because they taste great together. If you are looking for a more health-conscious breakfast option, try using egg whites instead of whole eggs..
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25. Campfire Pizza Sandwiches
Campfire Pizza Sandwiches are the perfect way to make use of a campfire and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time. With a few simple ingredients, this dish is super easy to make and tastes amazing. You will need a thin crust dough, 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons of pesto, 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, and salt and pepper. Roll out the dough and place it on a piece of tin foil, spreading the pesto on top. Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese and place in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Then put the pizza on the grill until the cheese is crispy and serve with your favorite toppings!
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24. Dutch Oven Mac And Cheese
Camping is also a great opportunity to enjoy some of America’s favorite foods, like mac and cheese. To make this campfire mac and cheese recipe, you will need a large pot and some aluminum foil, a large bowl, and a small bowl. In the large pot, you will need to melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to the butter and stir until there are no lumps. Add the milk slowly while stirring constantly. Next, add the Cheddar cheese and stir until it is melted. Once the cheese is melted, pour the mixture into your small bowl and add the elbow noodles. This will create a cream sauce for your mac and cheese. Now that your cream sauce is ready, you can put it in your aluminum foil bowl and put it over your campfire. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the noodles are done. Once they are done cooking, take them out of the aluminum foil bowl and put them on top of your macaroni and cheese.
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23. Easy Healthy Pasta Salad With Veggies
This easy and healthy pasta salad is the perfect meal for a hot summer day. It has a simple dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, and is filled with colorful vegetables that make it a healthy meal. This salad is great for those who are trying to eat healthy because it has a lot of vegetables and is light on carbs. You can also make this salad ahead of time so that you can just grab it and go.
Check it here.
22. Southwest Quinoa Salad
The Southwest Quinoa Salad is a great way to use up leftover quinoa and vegetables. The dressing is simple and can be made ahead of time so that it’s ready to go when you need it. If you don’t have any leftover quinoa, you can always make some quinoa from scratch. This salad is perfect for a meal prep lunch or a quick dinner. It is also perfect for cookouts or a picnic table.
Check it here.
21. Roasted Skillet Breakfast Potatoes With Peppers & Onions
This is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make breakfast dish that you will want to eat every day. This recipe calls for simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchens and takes just minutes to prepare. The potatoes are roasted until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This dish is gluten-free, vegan, and paleo friendly.
Check it here.
20. Chicken Kebabs
The ingredients for these chicken kebabs are simple and easy to find in your kitchen. All you need is chicken breast, a can of crushed tomatoes, a can of sliced black olives, a package of frozen mixed vegetables, and some white sugar. Once you have these ingredients, you can prepare the chicken kebabs in less than 20 minutes.
Check it here.
19. Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
Cookie Dough Overnight Oats are much fun, prep ahead breakfast made with simple ingredients you probably already own. Simply grab one for a quick and easy breakfast or camping meal. Definitely one of the favorites for my family outdoor holiday!
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18. Pressed Italian Sandwiches with Olive Tapenade
They make a simple lunch or dinner but are jam-packed with savory cold cuts, creamy cheese, briny olive tapenade, tangy pickled peppers, and peppery greens so you won’t get bored. They’re also excellent for picnics and day trips!
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17. Grilled Mexican Pizza With Chorizo
Grilling a pizza outdoors is an easy way to add a little flavor to your meals. Just make sure you have all the ingredients on hand, and then follow these steps:
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush the grill grate with vegetable oil and place the pizza dough on the grill.
3. Spread the chorizo and cheese on top of the dough.
4. Place the pizza on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is browned.
5. Remove from grill and slice into 8 pieces.
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16. Creamy Vegan Potato Salad (Easy & Healthy)
One of the biggest misconceptions about plant-based diets is that you’re stuck with boring green salads. In reality, plant munchers really take veggie dishes to the next level! One example of this is our flavorful creamy potato salad as your vegan camping food idea. This is an easy meal even fore picky eaters.
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15. Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
This Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes is a fabulous meal (or side dish) that’s perfect for summer. It’s light, refreshing, and so easy to make; less than 10 minutes from start to finish!
Check it here.
14. Chickpea Salad Recipe
Ready in 15 minutes, this easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is loaded with fresh veggies and zesty lemon cumin drizzle. Yet another “simple ingredients – big flavors” recipe from the ProfusionCurry Kitchen.
Check it here.
13. Easy Vietnamese Spring Rolls
They are often called Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, sometimes fresh summer rolls. This non fried, low calorie recipe is full of fresh vibes, marvelous flavors and easy to customize.
Check it here.
12. Roasted Vegetable and Sausage Kabobs
Making vegetable kabobs is a great way to get in more vegetables and some protein to your meal. These kabobs are easy to make, and they taste amazing. To make these kabobs you need to first buy the vegetables of your choice. I like to use a mix of mushrooms, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers. You can also use onions, zucchini, and yellow squash. Next, you will need to buy some chicken sausage links that are already broken into pieces. If you don’t have any pre-broken sausage, then you can simply break the sausage yourself by hand. You will need a skewer for each of the vegetables you choose to put on your kabobs.
Check it here.
11. Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
My favorite Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich is loaded with hummus and feta cheese, fresh vegetables and topped with sprouts. You won’t miss the meat in this vegetarian sandwich recipe.
Check it here.
10. Cajun Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
There is nothing better than a night spent grilling with friends. Whether you are looking for a delicious meal that requires minimal prep time or a dinner party where you can throw everything on the grill, these Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets are a mess-free meal that can be cooked on the grill, in the oven, or even in the microwave.
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9. Sardine Fish Wraps
These quick sardine fish wraps are an easy, healthy lunch on the go! They’re perfect as a packed lunch for work, and are ideal for road trips and camping.
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8. Overnight Mango Coconut Oats
Make these Overnight Coconut Mango Oats with tropical flavors for a quick breakfast or breakfast on the go.
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7. Cucumber Dill Avocado Tuna Salad
Fresh and easy mayo-free cans tuna salad with avocado, cucumber, dill, carrots, and bell pepper. The perfect go-to for a healthy lunch!
Check it here.
6. Hummus Mashed Chickpea Sandwiches
Mashed chickpea sandwiches with hummus spread, avocado, red onion, mixed greens, and tomato make for a delicious well-balanced plant-based lunch.
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5. Cold Cucumber Soup With Greek Yogurt
Cold cucumber soup with greek yogurt, crunchy veggies, and herbs is the perfect answer for the hot summer. Try this no-cook cold soup recipe that gets ready in just 10 minutes. One of my favorite camping food ideas!
Check it here.
4. Cheese Bacon and Potato – Camping Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This recipe is an easy way to feed your family. This breakfast casserole recipe can be made ahead of time and then baked when you are ready to eat it. This recipe can be used for a quick breakfast or a hearty meal. The bacon and cheese help to make this breakfast casserole recipe really delicious.
Check it here.
3. Healthy Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad
Healthy Greek yogurt fruit salad where fresh summer fruits are served with vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt that is mildly sweetened with monk fruit.
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2. Strawberry Cucumber Salsa
This fresh and vibrant homemade strawberry cucumber salsa is easy to make and prepared with just six ingredients. In the summer, serve it with grilled recipes like paneer, fish, salmon, chicken, or tacos or as a side.
Check it here.
1. Raspberry Salsa
This easy red raspberry salsa is inspired by the Traditional Mexican Pico De Gallo and instead of tomatoes, I use fresh raspberries to make this homemade fruit dip.
Check it here.
What do you need to make ahead camping meals for a crowd?
Now that you have a slight idea of what you can make ahead of camping meals, it’s time to know what else you need to make it. Depending on what meal you want to prepare, it is essential to keep a list of items. Remember, any trips make people hungry and tired, and cooking takes time to prepare.
If you’re aiming to do healthy make-ahead camping meals, there are many options you can make as well. You can make overnight oats, banana bread, muffins, pre-made breakfast meals, and pies. It will help you save time in cooking the following day.
You can prepare some vegetables for lunch and store them in an insulated container with ice to keep them fresh and crunchy. When you arrive at the camping site, you can easily make a salad. All you must do is mix the pre-cut veggies with some dressing.
For dinner, you can make use of marinated meat and premade skewers. If you plan to do BBQ by the bonfire, marinated meat is a good choice. It does not only save you time during camping, but it also cooks fast.
As part of your prep work, when making easy camping recipes for family and large groups you most likely need the following items:
- Plastic bags and disposable containers
- Zip lock bags
- Insulated bags
- Iceboxes
- Foil wraps
You can make a delicious meal without any cooking equipment by using ingredients you can find in your home. If you have fresh vegetables, ground beef, and bread, then you are ready to go. All you need to do is cook the ground beef and vegetables in a frying pan on the camp stove. Once they are cooked, put them on a plate and top with bread. Now you have a delicious, easy meal that will be ready in minutes.
When I was a kid I loved going camping with my family. We would spend our days outside and make s’mores and hot dogs on sticks over the open fire. My favorite part of the camping trip was the pie iron. It was a portable oven that you could take with you when you went hiking or to the beach. I would pack a big pot and fill it with water, add some rice, and place the pie iron on top of it. When we were done cooking, I would take out the pie iron and let it cool down for about five minutes before taking it apart.
If you are planning a sleeping-out adventure, you should definitely pack a pie iron. It’s my personal favorite! It’s small, easy to store, and is a perfect way to cook a wide variety of food options. You can easily cook up some homemade bacon and eggs in the pie iron and then pack it up. You can also use the pie iron to cook other meals like pancakes, omelets, or even biscuits and gravy. If you’re not a fan of the metal pie iron, there are also stainless steel and cast iron models available.
When you are camping, cooking can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Cooking spray is an amazing product that helps make cooking on the grill easier and more efficient. Using cooking spray on your food will help keep it from sticking to the grill, making cleanup much easier. Plus, cooking spray will make your food taste better because it will leave a light coating on your food.
Can you make foil packets ahead of time for camping?
One of the items you must have when preparing make-ahead meals for your trip is foil. Foil packets the best way to wrap your healthy meals. Foil can be used as a wrap for leftovers and grilling. You must also have a non-stick cooking spray on hand if you plan to use an aluminum foil packet.
Can you cook make-ahead camping recipes on foil?
Using foil packets when cooking has many advantages. Among those perks is foil makes it easier and faster for food to cook. You don’t need to bring many pots and pans on the trip because foil packets will do the job for you.
Cleaning up will also not be a problem when you use foil for cooking. You can even serve the food fresh and hot from the foil and throw them right away after eating. The last thing I should mention is that foil packets are an easy way to prepare meals. Simply put food in it, seal, and stack until you’re ready to cook it.
Camping food ideas no cooking – What is the best camping food?
If you are looking for more ways to serve camping food without cooking, don’t worry. There are tons of meals you can prepare that do not require fire. Here are some ideas you can make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Make Ahead Camping Breakfast
- Granola. Granola is best served with milk. You can either make granola at home before the trip or buy one from the grocery. Simply get a bowl, put some granola, and mix it in with fresh milk.
- Breakfast sandwiches. A sandwich is a great no-cook meal. You may put jam, peanut butter, or cold meats. Instead of fried eggs, why not make boiled egg sandwiches instead? You can make boiled eggs before the trip and put them in your sandwiches at the campsite. Scrambled eggs are also an option if you prefer them cooked this way!
- Overnight oatmeal. Overnight oats are easy to make. All you need to have is some jars, put oatmeal, fruits, nuts, and cold milk in it, then refrigerate. Your overnight oats will taste exquisite the morning after – a great option for your camping breakfast!
Prepping Food for Camping Lunches
- Sandwiches. If you are a big fan of sandwiches, having them both for breakfast and lunch will not be a problem. There are tons of ways to upgrade a good sandwich. All you need to do is choose. They will take less time to cook than other foods on this list. Otherwise, you could replace it with hot dogs. Pizza sauce, barbecue sauce, or even sour cream (whichever you like more!) can be a great way to add some taste to your sandwiches or hot dogs and other camping food.
- Hummus. Although you can easily buy hummus at grocery stores, making your homemade one is far better. You can use one of the easy yummy recipes to make hummus a day before you go tenting too. Pair it with some of your favorite bread or some healthy veggie sticks if you like.
- Jerky. Beef jerky is easy to do at home. You can make a bunch of beef jerky days before the trip, and you now have a ready-to-eat lunch.
Premade Camping Dinner
- Dinner bowls. You can cook whatever meat you want to eat before the camping trip and make it into dinner bowls. May it be chicken, beef taco, or any choice of cooked meat. You can put some veggies in the bowl, too, like some garden greens, tomatoes, and cheese. There are so many meal ideas for easy camping dinners listed below!
- Salad bowls. If you don’t have any meat prepared, going on a whole vegetable salad is also a dinner option. You can toss in some greens, onions, dressing of your choice, and crunchy croutons.
- Charcuterie board. If you plan to have wine during camp, why not pair it with a lovely charcuterie board setting? Toss in different slices of cheese and cold meat and pair it with some bread and crackers. You will indeed have a great night under the stars.
30 Make-Ahead Camping Meals | Easy Camping Meals for Family
Camping is one of the best outdoor activities you can do with your friends and family. Not only can you bond with them, but you can also get to enjoy nature’s beauty. People who go on camping trips also look forward to easy camping meals, which are more appreciated when you are outside.
Ingredients
- COOKIE DOUGH OVERNIGHT OATS
- PRESSED ITALIAN SANDWICHES WITH OLIVE TAPENADE
- CREAMY VEGAN POTATO SALAD
- CHERRY TOMATO CAPRESE SALAD
Instructions
- Choose any Make-Ahead Camping Meals from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Make-Ahead Camping Meals and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.