No matter your experience level with camping, cooking while doing so can be a breeze while doing so, if you just take some time to learn the basics and prepare accordingly. Really what it boils down to (see what we did there…sorry) is to just come prepared – bring along all of the camping cooking essentials and learn some basic cooking techniques – like what and how to cook over an open fire, for example.
These camping recipes we provide below are easy peazy to make on that lovely camp ground and use ingredients you likely already have on hand at home. Not only that, but they’re packed with delicious flavors that’ll make camping a fun and memorable experience for you and your family!
1. Chicken Enchiladas
Make these delicious enchiladas on-the-go with just some basic cooking equipment and pantry ingredients. All you’ll need are tortillas, enchilada sauce, cheese and shredded chicken for the filling and toppings.
One of the easiest and tastiest meals to cook while camping is this cheesey, spicy casserole dish! It makes an ideal weeknight dinner and can even be prepared ahead of time and stored in your freezer for up to three months!
This Americas test kitchen recipe makes six servings, so you can easily double and freeze for later. Plus, the delicious enchilada sauce can also be used to whip up an easy batch of nutritious soup in no time!
1.) The Filling: This recipe is incredibly flexible, so feel free to customize it however you please. For your enchilada filling, you can use cooked chicken breasts or thighs and top off with sour cream, cotija cheese or even chopped jalapenos!
2.) The Sauce: Store-bought red enchilada sauce can be purchased, or you can make your own using garlic, kosher salt and black pepper. For this project you’ll need garlic, kosher salt and black pepper.
To assemble, spread half the enchilada sauce on a shallow dish and dip each corn tortilla in it to coat them. Top with your chicken mixture/filling and roll up until you have an even-sized enchilada. Place in a baking dish, cover with remaining sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbly and melted.
2. Shredded Meat
Shredded beef is an indispensable component in many dishes. It can be used in tacos, enchiladas, hashes, sandwiches and breakfast omelets.
Shredded beef is an easy recipe that requires minimal ingredients and can be quickly made in either your instant pot or slow cooker. The key to successful shredded beef cooking lies in cooking it low and slow, allowing the meat to absorb all those delicious flavors.
For optimal results, cook your shredded beef over low heat for several hours or more. When the roast is fork tender, it’s ready to be shredged.
Chuck roast and pork shoulder are typically the best cuts for shredding meat. These cuts contain lots of marbling, connective tissue that softens when cooked. Furthermore, these inexpensive cuts can be found at most grocery stores.
For a fast way to shred meat, try using your food processor. Place the meat into a bowl and turn on its lowest setting to break up the pieces into large chunks.
Test Kitchen Tip: Don’t fret over overdone shreds when shredding meat – thick shreds that you can easily bite into are what you want!
Another quick and effortless meal to prepare while camping is a big salad. Simply divide the salad up into individual bags to go along with your lunch or dinner; this comes in especially handy if you’re traveling as part of a group and need multiple meals packed at once.
3. Avocado Salad
Cooking over an open fire is an excellent way to create meals that the entire family will love. Not only that, but it’s also a great way to save time and money!
Thankfully, there are plenty of quick and simple meals you can prepare while camping that require only minimal ingredients. These make ideal options for campers with limited cooking equipment.
Before you embark on your culinary adventure, ensure you have all necessary cooking equipment. Essentials include a stovetop and accessories, pots and pans, utensils such as grates and peelers, plus a chopping board.
Another essential ingredient when camping food is a seasoning blend that adds flavor. No matter if you’re making something quick and straightforward or something more complex, having salt, pepper, soy sauce and other seasonings on hand is always beneficial.
Additionally, fresh herbs like basil, mint, dill or parsley can be used to flavor your meal. You could even experiment with different dressing flavors if you want your salad to stand out!
This avocado salad is the perfect camping food, as it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own or paired with other dishes such as grilled chicken thighs, turkey burgers or meatloaf. Simply toss with a lime dressing for an irresistible dressing that you can serve alongside marinated artichoke hearts, roasted pine nuts or arugula leaves for extra texture and flavor!
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the world’s most versatile vegetables. From fresh salad to hearty tomato sauce on pizza, tomatoes can be found in a variety of dishes. Plus, they provide essential nutrition like fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants.
When planning to go camping, there are a few items you’ll need in order to cook your food. A knife with sheath, bottle opener/stopper, can opener/grater/vegetable peeler combo, chopping board with tongs/spatula and serving spoons are essentials.
Another essential item you’ll need is a pot, which can be handy for boiling water or prepping food on the stovetop. Additionally, bring along your campfire grill for cooking over an open fire.
Roasting tomatoes over a medium flame is the ideal method for grilling them. Place halved tomatoes (cut side facing down) over the grill and allow to char for several minutes before flipping them over. This method produces delicious smoky flavors that you simply cannot get from an oven alone.
Fire roasted tomatoes are an incredibly simple dish to prepare that will have you hooked in no time. You can choose whether to grill or bake them at high temperatures – either way, the results will be just as delicious!
5. Frozen Veggies
If you’re in search of a quick, healthy meal to prepare while camping, frozen vegetables can be the ideal option. They tend to be less expensive, more nutritious and last longer than fresh options.
Preparing a delicious and nutritious frozen vegetable dish requires knowing how to cook them correctly without mushing or watering them down. This can be achieved through dry heat cooking methods like sauteeing or roasting.
For those feeling adventurous, try stir-frying. This method works great with various vegetables like frozen peas, broccoli and green beans.
Frozen veggies make delicious additions to chilis, casseroles, stews and other hearty meals. Not only are they just as flavorful, but they can be cooked much faster than fresh vegetables.
When purchasing frozen vegetables, try to steer clear of those that have been combined with sauces or seasonings as these can add sodium and calories to the final product. This is especially crucial for those trying to reduce calorie intake or shed some pounds.
Another great tip is to bring along a campfire pan that is lightweight, easy to clean and large enough for all the foods you plan on cooking. This tool can double as both for cooking and storing other essential items during a camping trip, keeping everything warm at the same time.
6. Wild Rice
Wild rice has been a cherished food of Indigenous peoples for millennia. Its nutty, earthy taste pairs well with various dishes such as soups, stews and salads.
This nutrient-rich wild rice is slightly lower in calories than brown and white varieties of the same grain, making it an ideal choice for those looking to reduce their caloric intake while still enjoying a delicious and nutritious meal! Furthermore, it provides fiber, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and protein.
Cooking basmati rice is easy – in a pressure cooker,
on the stovetop or with a rice cooker. Just remember that this variety absorbs water slowly so it may take more time than other grains to cook. The key to successful cooking is keeping it covered while simmering so as not to end up with soggy, dry meals.
If you don’t own a pressure cooker, cooking wild rice over an open fire is still possible. Simply boil enough water to cover the grain and then let simmer until fully cooked through.
When cooking over an open flame, it is essential to keep your cooking equipment clean and sanitized. Doing so helps prevent germs that could spread to cause food poisoning. Furthermore, ensure all utensils are cleaned thoroughly both before and after each use.
6. SMORES…obv
Really we all know the drill here – at least we hope so! We won’t insult our lovely readers by offering the how-to on Smores. But…we will give you a fun Smores video! Enjoy!