Easy Camping Foods: step outdoors and step up your food game

What Are Good Foods For Camping? | How Can I Make Them?

The fresh air. The birds chirping. Your stomach growling. You’re out camping in the wilderness and all you have is a beat-up can of chili that you’ve been hitting over a rock because you forgot to bring a can opener. Wish you had a gourmet chef to make you a 5-star meal, or at least planned your meals a little better instead? Well, toss that canned chili aside and prepare yourself to taste the great outdoors on another level.

What are good foods for camping?

Because camping is a tradition for many families, camping meals usually default to the same types of meals campers have eaten as kids: franks & beans, hot dogs, hamburgers, s’mores, etc. While there’s nothing wrong with those foods, there is an entire world of food out there that tastes amazing when cooked over an open flame. So, don’t limit yourself.

The best foods for camping are those that can either be eaten right away, or have a few ingredients and can be made easily. Here’s a list of various foods you can cook/grill/heat (in foil, a pot, or a cast iron skillet) over a campfire, then mix & match for an easy “gourmet” meal:

dutch oven cast iron pizza (see link to pizza recipe below)
corn on the cob (see link to elotes recipe below)
halved brussels sprouts
sliced zucchini
asparagus
diced butternut squash
sliced crimini mushrooms (cooked in butter)
sliced bratwursts or chicken sausages (as an upgrade to hot dogs)
corned beef (or any type of shredded meat)
salmon, swordfish, tuna, snapper, mahi mahi, or shrimp
eggs (however you like them; link to egg in a hole recipe below)
diced sweet potatoes
sliced onions, shallots, garlic, leeks, or other alliums
loaf of French or sourdough bread (link to garlic bread below)

How can I make them?

These foods all pretty much follow the same formula: brush your cooking surface with some butter and olive oil, place your food on the heated surface and keep a close eye on it (while moving it around, or flipping it over) to prevent burning. Once it’s cooked to your liking, salt & pepper (or add other seasonings) to taste.

You can also add a bit of sweetness to your meal by lightly brushing some sliced fresh fruit with olive oil (to prevent sticking) and grilling it briefly in indirect heat. This allows the fruits to caramelize for an added depth of flavor. The best fruits for grilling include:

peaches
nectarines
pears
pineapple
figs
apples
bananas (ripe, but firm)

Accompany your fire-cooked meals with some nuts (e.g. pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, etc.), semi-firm or firm cheeses (e.g. Cheddar, Midnight Moon, Manchego, Ewephoria, etc.), plus a glass (or thermos) of wine…and you’ll have yourself a truly gourmet meal. If you need more guidance, here are some easy recipes you can follow and enjoy in no time.

Egg in a Hole Recipe

Elotes Recipe

Garlic Bread Recipe

Dutch Oven Pizza

When you’re cooking a meal while camping, there are some pieces of equipment that will make life easier. Here are some of the most helpful cooking items you can bring on your next camping trip:

portable seasoning set (more travel-friendly than your entire spice rack)
cast iron skillet (very durable and retains heat well)
portable stove (if you’re averse to cooking on a campfire)
cooking utensils for camping
over-the-fire grill (if you don’t have a campsite with a grill)
inflatable serving bar/salad bar (great for big groups)
leak-proof containers (for storing food)
large cooler (to keep drinks cool and store foods prone to spoiling)
ice packs (for the cooler)

Remember: only bring what you know you’ll use, cook your food the same day or the day after (buy only enough fresh food for a couple days and replenish your food inventory regularly), and keep a close eye on your food when cooking over a flame (it can cook faster than you’d expect). Follow these tips and your camping meals will be sure to impress.