Probably our favorite part of camping is the food. There is nothing like enjoying a meal around the campfire with family and friends. There is something very basic and primal about it that makes me feel good down to my roots. I’m not the only one who feels that way right?
Eating around the campfire, however does NOT mean that I want to spend all of my camping time cooking though so I have discovered more than a few make-ahead meals for our camping trip. These pre-made meal ideas are fantastic for saving time as well as space since you don’t have to lug along as many ingredients.
Camping food doesn’t have to mean sitting around eating beans out of a can. You’ll notice that I have included some different make ahead unique camping meals that you may not have thought to bring camping.
"This Asian Beef And Broccoli Camping Dutch Oven Recipe is perfect for making at home. Then, just write on the bag so you know what is in it and how to cook and serve at the campsite."
- Kim from Camping with Foodies"
Make at Home, Heat on the Fire
Anything that can be made at home and heated up over a campfire is perfect for camping. Think stews, casseroles, soups, grilled chicken, slow cooker meals are all perfect for this.
Need help with prepping for your upcoming family camping trip? Check out this article where we suggest what you should bring, so you forget nothing! We’ve all been there and done that, this checklist will ensure that doesn’t happen again!
Whether you are cooking with a large camping group, or a family of two, camping should be fun from start to finish.
Ensuring that happens, means doing a lot of prep in advance. Try and get as much done in advance so you can hang with everyone else.
Pre Made Camping Meals Are Awesome
Here are my top 5 ways to spend less camping time cooking.
- Divvy up meals with other family members so each family/member cooks a meal.
- Chop all vegetables at home.
- Marinate and grill any food you can at home, or at least marinate at home if you want to grill at the campsite.
- Bring paper plates, bowls, etc and burn them after = easy clean up!
- Think of meals that can be pre-made, and then heated up.
Make Ahead Camping Breakfast Suggestions
Here we have included some recipes that are simple make ahead camping meals, because who wants complicated on a camping trip!
Let’s start with awesome make ahead meals for breakfast, these include muffins (my kids are HUGE muffin lovers), overnight oats to fill-up those tummies before we go exploring.
“They are quick and easy to put together and great for breakfast, brunch or eating on the go.” – Bintu from Recipes From a Pantry
“Ooey gooey, deliciously easy camping recipe you can make ahead and cook outdoors!” Mel from Adventures of Mel
Hot Ham and Pineapple Sandwiches
“These Hot Ham and Pineapple Campfire Sandwiches are a delicious and easy tin foil recipe. Plus cleanup is a breeze! ” Amber from Dessert Now Dinner Later
“These easy campfire burritos are made ahead at home, then finished off at the campsite, on the grill, or in your oven.” Nicky from Little Family Adventure
“This breakfast meal prep casserole is so versatile because you can use any veggie you see fit, and it can be made ahead of time!” Rachel from Radical Strength
Make Ahead Meals For RV Camping
Easy make ahead camping meals, including some awesome sides to go along with your delicious camping dishes. When you are going away for the weekend camping, get all the prep done before you leave.
Here are the recommended RV kitchen essentials we use on a daily basis that help make cooking in a tiny home a breeze.
Shrimp and Summer Veggie Foil Packs
“The best part, is that everything is cooked together in individual foil packs so clean up couldn’t be easier!” – Jaclyn from Cooking Classy
Sausage, Potato and Green Beans
“Sausage and veggies packed in easy foil packets. Perfect for camping or a quick dinner! ” Chungah from Damn Delicious
“I especially love it while camping. You can make a big batch of it, freeze it and reheat it on your campfire or Coleman stove ” Yvette from Muy Bueno Cookbook
“They are perfect right off the grill and even delicious when reheated” Rebecca from Strength and Sunshine
“Whether you are looking for a cozy meal on a cool day, a hearty meal that won’t heat up your kitchen on a hot day, an easy potluck dish or cooking for a crowd, this crock pot Whisky Beef Stew is a godsend. ” Terri from Food Meanderings
“Now, as for storage: we’re going to cover these with foil because again: foil won’t get completely destroyed in a fire pit ” Lauren from Lauren’s Latest
“They are exploding with flavor, have a little kick of heat but still totally kid friendly, and the combo of buffalo + chicken + potatoes + broccoli + cheese = winner winner the best Chicken Foil Packet Dinner! ” Jen from Carlsbad Cravings
“When we first started to camp years ago, we’d eat very simple meals & a lot of canned foods, but now we realize there are options out there for more flavorful meals without having to sacrifice simplicity or the time in preparing those meals. ” from NW Thrifty Mom
“You can absolutely make low carb chicken curry ahead of time! In fact, it’s similar to soups and chilis where it gets even better after a day in the fridge.” Maya from Wholesome Yum
“It’s time for cook-outs, camp-outs, deck and barbecue parties with friends. It’s also time to simply enjoy easy-to prepare meals with your family around a picnic table.” Elaine from Flavour and Savour
“The flavors in this sandwich are unique and so hard to resist!” Shadi from Unicorns in the Kitchen
“These philly cheesesteak dinner foil packs can be cooked over the campfire (talk about good food while camping!), cooked on the grill, or cooked in the oven.” Chelsea from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Asian Beef and Broccoli in the Dutch Oven
“This Asian Beef And Broccoli Camping Dutch Oven Recipe is perfect for making at home. Then, just write on the bag so you know what is in it and how to cook and serve at the campsite.” Kim from Camping with Foodies
“This slow cooker beef chili recipe is the perfect comfort food. This easy beef chili is slow simmered in smokey spices, fire roasted tomatoes, and has some heat!” Stephanie from Girl With the Iron Cast
Cajun Shrimp Camping Foil Packets
“These Cajun shrimp packets are packed with bold flavors – an easy and healthy dinner ready in about 20 minutes” Stacey from The Soccer Mom
“Homemade vegetable soup makes a regular appearance at our house in the winter. It’s warming, it’s filling, and it’s good for us.” Maya from Wholesome Yum
“This easy turkey chilli recipe is just a tad spicy, hearty and super good-for-you with lots of veggies and heart-healthy spices” Jennifer from In the Kids Kitchen
Pesto Pork Chop and Summer Vegetable Foil Dinners
“One of the summertime activities I loved doing when I was a kid was making foil dinners.
They were a guaranteed dinner whenever I was on a camping trip. I’m sure they’re a camping classic because they’re easy.” Katie from Good Life Eats
“Cooking over a campfire can be a little intimidating unless you have this recipe for veggie packets that turn out well every time. You can prepare your ingredients at home, or you can bring everything and assemble it on the site.” from Brit & Co
“We like to cook a pork shoulder in the crockpot, shred it up and bring it with us for awesome BBQ pulled pork sandwiches around the campfire” Grainne from The Roving Foleys
We hope you enjoy this awesome list of make ahead camping food. If you are looking for some more ideas for camping recipes, check out this list of over 100 + Camping meals!
Here are my go-to meals that I make on RV travel day. These are simple meals that I can make ahead of time and heat up quickly once we get to our destination!
Throwing everything into one cooking utensil is my favorite way of cooking, if you agree, check out these amazing slow cooker recipes.
Campfire Cooking Desserts? You know you want ’em, go check them out here.