Let’s be honest: camping can get a little boring. There’s nothing better than the smell of campfire and fresh air, but there is also nothing worse than being stuck in the wilderness with only a few options for food.
You don’t want to waste your precious remaining daylight cooking up boring, bland campfire meals that will leave you hungry within 30 minutes of eating them (or worse yet, make you sick).
Luckily, though, there are plenty of healthy recipes that combine modern cooking methods with traditional ingredients to create dishes that would even make mom proud!
| Takeaway |
|---|
| There are many great resources online for finding new and delicious camping recipes. |
| With a little preparation beforehand, you can easily prepare a variety of meals while camping that won’t sacrifice flavor or nutrition. |
| Snacks are an important part of any camping trip and can provide you with the energy you need to tackle outdoor activities. |
| When packing for a camping trip, it’s important to bring essential items such as a tent, sleeping bag, and cooking supplies, as well as clothing appropriate for the weather. |
| By following food safety guidelines and proper cooking techniques, you can ensure that your meals are safe and healthy while camping. |
Campfire-friendly garlic broccoli and loaf.
Campfire-friendly garlic broccoli and loaf
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups chopped onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the bacon and cook until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels.
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan, then add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes until soft but not browned.
Stir in the garlic and pepper flakes (if using), tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and water; sauté until slightly thickened about 5 minutes more.. Stir in cooked bacon bits just before baking mixture is ready so they don’t get crispy again while baking
Looking for delicious camping recipes that the whole family will love? Check out our list of 15 kid-friendly camping recipes that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters and keep them fueled for all of their outdoor adventures.
Classic campfire banana boats
If you’re looking for a classic, easy camping recipe that the whole family will love, this is it. All you need are bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate chips!
The best part about banana boats is that they’re so easy to make—and even easier to eat. Just cut open a banana lengthwise and stuff with your desired fillings (peanut butter and chocolate chips works well).
Once you’ve got it all stuffed in there nicely, wrap your foil around the banana so that everything stays put while you eat. The fork comes in handy here: use it to hold onto your newly created treat as you enjoy every bite!
Campfire meatloaf
You can probably guess what’s in this campfire recipe. It’s meatloaf! The best part is that it’s super easy to make and great for kids, so it’s a healthy option too.
All you need is ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, onion powder and salt and pepper (and your favorite veggies if you want to add them). Mix everything together in a bowl then form into patties and cook on the grill.
Campfire nachos
Campfire nachos are a perfect camping food. They’re super easy to make, and you can add whatever ingredients you have on hand. Another bonus is that they’re delicious: no one will be able to resist these cheesy snacks!
If you don’t have access to a grill or campfire, no problem—you can also make them in the oven. Just layer tortillas with cheese, salsa, beans or meat (or whatever else your heart desires), and broil until golden brown. Easy peasy!
You can even use this recipe as an excuse to get creative with your favorite toppings—the options are endless!
Elevate your next camping trip with mouth-watering campfire recipes the whole group will love. Visit our guide on campfire cooking to find some delicious recipes to try on your next outdoor adventure.
Creamy vegan pesto pasta
You’ve got the pasta out, which means you can make this creamy vegan pesto pasta. It’s super easy to make and will use up all of your leftover veggies, so it’s a great recipe if you’re in charge of dinner while camping. To start, cook your pasta in boiling water until al dente (about 10 minutes).
While the pasta cooks, put some olive oil into a pan on medium heat with garlic cloves and fresh basil leaves.
Cook for about five minutes until garlic is fragrant and basil has wilted slightly. Add salt and pepper to taste then let cool for about five minutes before adding it to your food processor along with pine nuts or walnuts that have been blended with extra virgin olive oil until smooth:
You’ll want enough pesto sauce for each person eating at least two servings worth of pasta so keep that in mind when making yours!
Once everything is combined well add some parmesan cheese if desired then divide evenly between servings plates before topping them off with hot (or cold if you prefer) pesto sauce infused noodles!
This recipe makes four servings total so make sure everyone gets their fair share without leaving anyone hungry!
Grilled eggplant pizza
Ingredients:
- 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce (or your favorite pizza sauce)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into small pieces or torn into tiny bits. You can also use Parmesan if you prefer! This is entirely optional, but it adds a nice flavor to the dish. Plus I’m always down for more cheese! If you like tomatoes on your pizza then feel free to add them here too!
- Fresh basil leaves (about 20 leaves), torn into smaller pieces
Don’t sacrifice taste when camping! Explore our best camping recipes that will make your camping trip unforgettable, from breakfast to dessert.
Grilled sweet potato fries
If you’re looking for a healthier option to normal french fries, these grilled sweet potato fries are the way to go. With just a few simple ingredients, these fries are an easy side dish that can be made right on your grill.
Grilling the sweet potatoes gives them a nice caramelized taste and crispy texture that will satisfy any craving for something salty with minimal guilt. Your kids will love them too!
Instructions: Cut each sweet potato into thin strips using a mandolin or sharp knife. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Cook on preheated grill until tender but not mushy (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat and serve immediately with ketchup or barbecue sauce if desired.
Summer vegetable foil packets with chimichurri sauce.
Chimichurri sauce is a pungent green sauce from Argentina. It’s made with parsley, garlic, olive oil and vinegar.
It can be used as a marinade for meat or fish and also as an accompaniment to grilled or roasted vegetables. Chimichurri is delicious!
To make summer vegetable foil packets with chimichurri sauce:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Cut 4 large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil into squares about 12 inches long on each side — you’ll need enough foil to wrap around the vegetable packet once, leaving room for it to expand slightly when cooking in the oven; save any leftover pieces for another use later on!
Chop tomatoes into bite-sized pieces; thinly slice bell peppers (red or green) — whatever colors you prefer may be used here; finely chop parsley leaves; peel garlic cloves; finely dice red onion rings or scallions (green onions).
If using fresh herbs like thyme sprigs or rosemary sprigs instead of dried ones then add them now too.
Place all chopped ingredients onto separate plates before folding up each packet individually so they don’t get mixed up while assembling them later on…
Easy campfire chicken fajitas
If you’re looking for an easy, satisfying campfire recipe that the whole family will love, chicken fajitas are a great option.
The best part is that they can be made on your camp stove or in a dutch oven right over the fire. You’ll only need seven ingredients (and most of them are spices) to make these tasty treats!
Chicken fajitas make for an excellent source of protein and also have a lot of flavor. They go well with tortillas or without them (as shown in the photo above).
If you want to try something different from beef fajitas and still get all the same flavors, then give these chicken fajita recipes a shot!
One-pot coconut curry quinoa and vegetables
This one-pot coconut curry quinoa and vegetables is a healthy, delicious meal that’s easy to make. With only five ingredients, it can be made in a single pot and it uses quinoa, which is a good source of protein.
The veggies also provide protein plus vitamins A and C (which are important for immune system health). You can eat this dish hot or cold, which makes it perfect for camping trips (or even just normal weeknight dinners).
Protein-packed vegan lentil burrito bowl
This is one of my favorite camping recipes. It’s easy to make and it’s loaded with protein, fiber, iron and folate all nutrients that are important for camping.
Lentils are part of the legume family, which means they’re high in protein and fiber. They are also good sources of iron one cup contains almost 20 percent of your daily recommended intake!
In addition to lentils being an excellent source of protein, they contain micronutrients like folate (a B vitamin) and magnesium (a mineral). They even have antioxidants that help keep your body healthy!
Lightened-up classic beef chili
Let’s face it: chili can be a bit heavy on the fat and salt. But these days, we know that eating healthy is important. So how do you make chili healthier? Here are some tips to help you lighten up a classic beef chili recipe.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef or even pork. If you’re not into turkey, consider using beans in place of meat for added protein and fiber—black beans are especially high in protein!
- Use less oil overall; for example, decrease the amount used when sautéing onions or garlic (you might also consider using water instead).
- Use less salt overall; try to find unsalted canned tomatoes instead of adding salt yourself in order to season your dish appropriately without overdoing it with sodium (which may cause bloating and stomach pain later on!).
- Replace sugar with honey—this will still sweeten things up without all those extra calories from sugar!
Gluten-free vegan barbecue meatballs
These gluten-free vegan barbecue meatballs are a simple and delicious way to add some protein to your camping menu.
They’re easy to make, so you won’t have to spend time cooking or cleaning up at the campsite. Just throw everything in a blender and then put it on skewers for grilling or frying.
Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees F. Put all of the ingredients except for the breadcrumbs into a large bowl, then add 1/2 cup of water as well as any spices you want (we used garlic powder).
Blend until smooth, then mix in 1 cup of gluten-free breadcrumbs until it’s completely combined.
Shape into golf ball sized balls with wet hands (you can also use a cookie scoop if this is easier), then place on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Bake them for 15 minutes; they should be dark brown on top when done.
Fire-roasted vegan Mediterranean bowls with sun-dried tomato dressing
Roasted Mediterranean bowls with sun-dried tomato dressing
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
- ½ red onion, sliced thinly (about ½ cup)
- ½ cucumber, sliced into half moons (about 1 cup)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice from 1 lemon (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1/3 cup jarred sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped into small pieces. You could also use full-fat canned tomatoes instead of dried ones. Just dump them into your food processor or blender along with the other ingredients below instead of using dried tomatoes.
- A handful of fresh parsley leaves or oregano leaves (or both!)
Grilled teriyaki tofu and pineapple skewers with coconut rice.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
- 1 block firm tofu, sliced into cubes
- 2 cups pineapple chunks (about 1 large pineapple)
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (or try quinoa)
Instructions: Heat grill to medium-high heat. Cut tofu into cubes, then cut the pineapple into cubes.
Thread onto skewers with a cube of tofu and a chunk of pineapple on each skewer. Brush with teriyaki sauce, then cook on the grill for 10 minutes or until lightly charred on one side (don’t flip them just cook them one side at a time). Serve immediately over rice with additional sauce if desired.
Korean bulgogi beef taco bowls with grilled scallions and kimchi salsa verde
Make the kimchi salsa verde: combine a cup of Mexican crema (or Greek yogurt), half an avocado smashed with a fork, and two tablespoons of chopped cilantro with salt and pepper to taste.
Grill the peaches: Heat up your grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat, and cut the peaches in half lengthwise. Brush them all over with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then place face down on the hot surface.
Grill for about three minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize; flip them over for another two minutes or so until you have nice char marks on both sides—you don’t want them fully cooked at this point because they’re going into tacos! Set aside until cool enough to handle before slicing off their tops and removing their pits (this makes slicing them easier).
Make avocado ranch drizzle: Combine one tablespoon each sour cream and mayonnaise along with one teaspoon lemon juice, minced chives or scallions from leftovers from cooking your bulgogi beef (if using fresh herbs these will take longer), salt/pepper to taste — whisk together well until combined; set aside
Crispy buffalo chickpea burgers with avocado ranch drizzle and grilled peaches
While you’re out camping, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget about what you’re putting into your body.
However, if you’re looking for a healthy way to satisfy hunger while camping that won’t leave you feeling like a sloth, this recipe is just for you.
The chickpea burgers are made with wholesome ingredients like oats and chickpeas that will keep you feeling full throughout your trip (and maybe even boost your energy levels). The ranch drizzle adds an extra burst of flavor, which pairs perfectly with the grilled peaches that make up the burger’s bun!
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and nut-free!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found some new campfire recipes to try out this summer. It doesn’t matter if you’re camping in the backyard, on a road trip across the country, or on an island getaway. These easy recipes are perfect for any occasion and can be made just about anywhere!
Further Reading
Here are some other resources for camping recipes and meal ideas:
The Best Camping Recipes: Check out Gypsy Plate’s list of tasty camping recipes that cover all meals, from breakfast to dinner, and even dessert!
52 Best Camping Food Ideas: Fresh off the Grid offers a comprehensive list of easy-to-prepare camping meals that are sure to fuel you up for your outdoor adventures.
15 Delicious Camping Lunch Ideas: Go Wander Wild’s guide to lunch ideas that are perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up on your camping trip.
FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about camping recipes and meals:
What are some easy camping meals?
There are plenty of easy meals to prepare while camping, such as hot dogs, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, and instant noodles. You can also try prepping ingredients beforehand, such as chopped vegetables, to make cooking easier on the campsite.
What snacks should I bring when camping?
Bring snacks that are high in protein and carbs to keep you fuelled throughout the day, such as trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, and energy bars. Fresh fruits or dried fruit can also be a good way to get some extra vitamins while camping.
What are some good vegetarian camping meals?
Some vegetarian camping meals include pasta and vegetable stir fry, quinoa salad, veggie burgers, and roasted vegetables. You can also try prepping grilled vegetables and tofu or tempeh for a quick and easy camping meal.
How can I keep my food safe while camping?
To keep your food safe while camping, pack it in airtight containers and store them in a cooler with ice to keep things cool. Cook food to the proper temperature before consuming and wash your hands frequently to avoid cross-contamination.
What should I bring when camping?
When camping, consider bringing a tent, sleeping bag, warm clothing, food and water, cooking supplies, a first aid kit, and a flashlight or headlamp. It’s also important to research the area beforehand and pack according to the terrain and weather conditions.
I’m Hellen James, and I am a camping enthusiast. I’ve been camping since I was a kid and have always loved it the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the great outdoors. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer!
