The great outdoors can be a stressful place for many people. Staying organized, finding water and food and keeping your campground sanitary are all important parts of a successful hiking/camping trip.
However, while most people think of camping as an activity that involves hours upon hours of hiking and sleeping on the ground, not all campers want to go without some creature comforts.
Luckily, camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it! With this collection of easy camping recipes for the whole family, you’ll be able to keep your sanity while taking in the beauty of nature at its finest.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Easy camping recipes can make your camping trip more enjoyable. |
| Preparing meals ahead of time is a great way to simplify your camping cooking. |
| Family-friendly and healthy camping meals can be simple and easy to make. |
| There are plenty of online resources available that offer delicious camping recipes for all occasions. |
| Choosing the right foods for camping, such as non-perishable, easy to cook, and healthy options, can help you stay energized and satisfied on your trip. |
Easy Camping Recipes For The Whole Family
Camping is a great way to get the family together and enjoy the outdoors. If you’re going camping with young kids, it can be hard to find recipes that are simple enough for them to help with but still taste great for everyone else.
After searching high and low for easy camping recipe ideas, I’ve come up with some of my favorite family-friendly meals that can be made in foil packets or cast iron skillets!
Here are 10 Easy Camping Recipes For The Whole Family:
Want to keep your kids excited and engaged during camping? Check out these 15 Delicious Camping Recipes for Kids to make your camping trip even more special with some fun and tasty treats.
Taco Stuffed Peppers
This recipe is great if you’re trying to sneak a few extra veggies into your kids’ bellies (or your own). You can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, and the peppers can be stuffed with just about anything.
The key is using taco seasoning, which gives it that “authentic” flavor we all crave when we think about tacos.
Add cheese, sour cream and guacamole to each pepper before wrapping them up in foil and grilling them until they’re nice and warm. This recipe makes enough for two adults and three kids—perfect for an easy family dinner!
Best Taco Stuffed Peppers Recipes
| Recipe | Details |
|---|---|
| Taco Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef | This recipe from Delish features a delicious mix of ground beef, salsa, and cheese, stuffed into colorful bell peppers and baked to perfection. |
| Keto Taco Stuffed Peppers | These stuffed peppers from Kasey Trenum are keto-friendly and feature a filling made with ground beef, cauliflower rice, and a blend of spices. |
| Slow Cooker Taco Stuffed Peppers | Set it and forget it with this slow cooker recipe from Well Plated, featuring a mix of ground turkey, black beans, and seasonings inside a colorful pepper shell. |
| Vegetarian Taco Stuffed Peppers | This recipe from Eating Bird Food features a vegetarian filling made with quinoa, black beans, corn, salsa, and cheese, making it a healthy and flavorful meal option for everyone. |
| Vegan Taco Stuffed Peppers | These vegan stuffed peppers from Minimalist Baker are loaded with flavor and protein-rich ingredients, like tempeh, quinoa, and black beans, perfect for plant-based eaters. |
Breakfast Bowls with Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a leafy green that’s high in nutrients, easy to grow and can be found at most grocery stores. It’s also easy to prepare!
You can eat Swiss chard raw or cooked. If you’re using it as a salad base, simply slice the stems off and slice the leaves into thin strips.
For a more traditional breakfast bowl option (or if you want to use it as a side), sautee the stems first before adding your other ingredients like eggs.
Take your campfire cooking skills to the next level with these Campfire Cooking: Delicious Recipes for Your Next Camping Trip that will make your outdoor dining experience unforgettable.
Easy Cheesy Skillet Cornbread
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or bacon drippings (optional)
In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the egg and drizzle in 3 tablespoons of melted butter or bacon drippings. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square pan; bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cut into wedges when cool enough to handle; serve hot with warm maple syrup if desired!
Best Easy Cheesy Skillet Cornbread Recipes
| Recipe | Details |
|---|---|
| Easy Cheesy Skillet Cornbread | This classic recipe from Lodge Cast Iron features crispy edges, a fluffy inside, and gooey, melted cheese throughout, ready in just 30 minutes. |
| Jalapeño and Cheddar Skillet Cornbread | Add some spice to your cornbread with this recipe from Bon Appétit, featuring fresh jalapeños, sharp cheddar cheese, and a crunchy golden crust. |
| Buttermilk Cornbread with Cheddar and Scallions | This savory cornbread recipe from Food & Wine combines tangy buttermilk with grated cheddar cheese and sliced scallions, creating a delicious southern-style side dish. |
| Sweet Potato Cheddar Skillet Cornbread | This hearty cornbread recipe from MyRecipes features chunks of sweet potato, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and a crispy crust, perfect for a warm and comforting winter meal. |
| Easy Creamed Corn Skillet Cornbread | Turn your cornbread into a sweet and savory sensation with this recipe from Tasty, featuring fresh creamed corn and melted butter, baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet. |
Sloppy Joe Potato Skins
You may be wondering, “What are potato skins?” Potato skins are the crispy, crunchy outer layer of a baked potato.
It’s also called a rind or skin. If you’ve ever had an order of potatoes at a restaurant, chances are they were served with skin on!
To make sloppy joe sauce:
2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
6 tbsp mustard (your favorite kind)
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Looking for ideas for food prep while camping? Our Best Camping Recipes for a Perfect Outdoor Getaway will provide you with amazing campsite meals that are both easy and delicious.
Grilled Sausage and Veggies with Creamy Dipping Sauce
Grilled Sausage and Veggies with Creamy Dipping Sauce
- 6 red potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 large zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 4 large tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
- 2 poblano peppers, halved lengthwise (optional)
- Preheat grill over medium heat. Mix together olive oil and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Brush vegetables with oil mixture and place on grill rack; cook 5 minutes per side or until tender. Remove from heat; slice sausage into 1/4 inch pieces then mix with vegetables in a large bowl. Toss gently to coat evenly with sauce. Serve immediately with dipping sauce (recipe below).
Best Grilled Sausage and Veggies with Creamy Dipping Sauce Recipes
| Recipe | Details |
|---|---|
| Grilled Summer Veggies with Sausage | This recipe from Johnsonville features a blend of summer veggies, like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions, grilled alongside savory sausage links and served with a creamy avocado dipping sauce. |
| Grilled Sausage and Veggie Skewers | These fun and easy-to-make skewers from Hidden Valley feature a colorful mix of veggies, like cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers, paired with juicy sausages and an irresistible creamy dipping sauce. |
| One-Pan Sausage and Veggie Bake | This recipe from Betty Crocker is perfect for busy weeknights, featuring a delicious blend of roasted veggies, like potatoes and carrots, and sausage links, all baked together in a single sheet pan. |
| Grilled Sausage and Vegetable Foil Packets | These foil packets from The Pioneer Woman are quick and easy to assemble, featuring a blend of summer veggies, like zucchini and squash, and smoked sausage links, all cooked together on a hot grill. |
| Grilled Sausage and Vegetable Kabobs with Mustard Dipping Sauce | These kabobs from Lemons for Lulu are marinated in a flavorful blend of mustard and honey and grilled to perfection alongside a colorful medley of veggies, like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and served with a tangy dipping sauce on the side. |
Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Skewers with Avocado Cilantro Sauce
These skewers are a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies without fuss. You can use chicken breasts, thighs or tenders—whatever you have on hand—and serve the skewers over rice for an easy meal that’s sure to please a crowd.
If using pineapple chunks rather than rings, thread them onto each skewer by placing two chunks side-by-side on the wooden stick and then topping them with one chunk of whatever vegetable you have chosen (for example: carrot slices and red pepper pieces).
If you prefer to use just one type of vegetable, try out this recipe with peppers, mushrooms and onions all on one skewer!
To make sure they don’t fall off while grilling, wrap some foil around each end of each skewer before placing it over direct heat.
This will keep everything in place until they are ready to be flipped over halfway through grilling time which should take no longer than 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness of meat used when making these delicious grilled kebabs!
Not sure how to prepare your meals while camping? Read our Ultimate Guide to Camping Meals: Tips and Tricks for some helpful information and practical advice to plan and enjoy your camping meals with ease.
Loaded Zucchini Boats
One of the great things about zucchini is that it’s a vegetable, so you can toss it on the grill for a few minutes to cook. If you’re looking for an easy camp food recipe, try making these loaded zucchini boats!
- You can use any kind of bread and sandwich meat that you want. Use your imagination!
- You can also use this basic idea with many different fillings: cheese, meat (as shown), veggies (like bell peppers or onions), even fruit such as apples or bananas would work well in this case too. Some people like using ranch dressing instead of ketchup on their sandwiches but if you prefer another condiment then go right ahead!
Nutella S’mores Dessert Pizza
It’s time to get creative! There are so many different types of pizzas, but most people know that pizza is more than just a dinner; it can also be dessert. Start with your favorite crust and add the ingredients you love to make this delicious treat.
Once you’ve got your dough ready, place it on either a pizza stone or baking sheet (or two separated by parchment paper) that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
Place whatever toppings you desire on top of the dough and bake as directed for about 8 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, then let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into eight pieces using a pizza cutter or spatula and cutting each slice again with a pizza wheel (or knife).
Eating healthy while enjoying a camping trip can be challenging without the right ideas. Browse through our collection of 30 Healthy Camping Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Hunger to enjoy amazing and wholesome meals with your family and friends while camping.
One Pot Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Pasta Foil Packets Recipe
This recipe is one of the easiest camping recipes you can make, and it’s perfect for those nights when you don’t want to spend the time cooking. The packet comes together quickly and makes a big batch that will feed about six hungry people. You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (chopped or shredded)
- 2 cups frozen veggies (green beans or broccoli work well)
To assemble: In a large foil container (or two small ones), mix together all ingredients except for the eggs. F
Hold up the ends of foil so they make little packets around each other and place on grill rack above campfire coals about 4-5 inches away from fire below. Cook until heated through, 10-15 minutes depending on how hot your coals are.
Open up one side of the packet with tongs; carefully pour beaten egg mixture into center of mixture in foil container; fold over top part of foil container again to help seal in heat while cooking egg mixture for another 5 minutes more before serving in individual bowls!
This recipe uses four servings as a side dish meal with grilled meat but can easily be doubled up as an entree if desired!
Loaded Baked Potatoes On The Grill (Foil Packets)
- 8 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
- 2 cups sour cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (1-2 ounces)
- 12 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and chopped into pieces (reserve the grease for cooking)
Preheat your bbq to 400 degrees or medium high heat. Wipe down the grill grates with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil.
Cut each potato in half lengthwise then cut each half into 3 wedges (you should end up with 6 wedges per potato). Place all of the potato wedges on an aluminum foil sheet big enough to fit them all comfortably, leaving space around each wedge so they don’t touch one another while baking.
Spread sour cream over each wedge followed by chopping up some bacon and sprinkling it over each wedge as well as sprinkling cheddar cheese. If you like broccoli or green peppers add this now too!
Fold up foil packets tightly making sure all edges are sealed shut before putting directly onto grill grates that have been greased with reserved bacon grease from cooking it earlier!
Close lid on bbq; cook for 15 minutes then flip packets over carefully so nothing falls out when opening packet again! Cook additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted throughout stuffed potatoes
Cooking While Camping Can Be Fun, Easy And Delicious!
Cooking while camping can be fun, easy and delicious!
Camping food has to be easy to prepare, but it also has to taste good. You don’t have a lot of time or resources in the middle of nowhere, so you want something that will make everyone happy and satisfy their hunger.
Fortunately for everyone involved, there are plenty of recipes out there that fit these criteria perfectly: hearty meals with minimal ingredients and preparation time.
If you want tacos on your campout this weekend then read this article about how to make taco seasoning mix from scratch. It will save you money and keep things simple when preparing meals outdoors – plus it might even get kids excited about cooking!
Conclusion
We hope these recipes have inspired you to get out there and try something new while camping! We know that cooking while camping can be a challenge, but the results are so worth it.
Plus, if you’re looking for more delicious ideas on what to eat when camping, check out our other posts: Easy Camping Recipes For The Whole Family
Further Reading
Looking for more ideas for make-ahead camping meals? Check out 25 Make-Ahead Camping Meals to Feed a Whole Family from Beyond the Tent, offering delicious pre-prepared meals that you can easily heat up on your next camping trip.
Wondering how to simplify your camping meals? Check out Easy Camping Meals from What Moms Love, featuring quick and easy, yet tasty camping meals that will be ready in no time.
Need some dinner ideas for your next camping trip? Check out 12 Easy Camping Dinners from Family Food on the Table, featuring recipes for easy-to-make and family-friendly dinners that are healthy and delicious.
FAQs
What are some easy camping dinner recipes?
Family-friendly and simple recipes like foil packet meals, one-pot recipes, and grilled kabobs are popular choices for easy camping dinner recipes.
How do I choose the best foods to bring camping?
When choosing foods to bring camping, consider foods that are non-perishable, easy to cook, and healthy. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and canned foods are all good choices.
What are some quick breakfasts that I can make while camping?
Camping breakfasts like breakfast burritos, oatmeal, yogurt with granola, and breakfast sandwiches are quick and easy to make on a camping stove or over a campfire.
What are some healthy snacks for camping?
Healthy snacks for camping could include trail mix, fruit and nut bars, veggies and hummus, or beef jerky.
Can I make meals ahead of time for camping?
Absolutely! Make-ahead camping meals like chili, chicken or vegetable skewers, pasta salads, and overnight oats are all great options for preparing meals in advance for convenience while camping.
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!
