Camping trips are fantastic, especially when shared with family and friends. While some campers are culinary masters in the great outdoors, whipping up gourmet feasts, my approach is all about simplicity. I prioritize easy camping meals to maximize time for exploration and relaxation.
Making breakfast sandwiches for easy camping meals
Some camping companions go all-out with elaborate dishes, which I certainly appreciate (especially when I get to taste them!). However, for our family, easy camping meals are the way to go. They minimize prep and cleanup, leaving more time for fun.
Crab cakes are a fancy camping treat–not one of my go-to easy camping meals.
Unless we’re planning a potluck-style dinner with other families, I generally stick to a repertoire of simple camping dinners. These aren’t Michelin-star meals, but they are quick to prepare and won’t leave you with a mountain of dishes.
Especially when camping in hot weather, spending hours cooking over a camp stove is the last thing you want. The ingredients for these easy camping meals are straightforward and won’t hog precious cooler space. Plus, you can prepare them using basic camping kitchen gear, no fancy equipment needed.
If you’re tent camping, be sure to check out my tips on making ice last longer in your cooler. Keeping food cold is crucial, and these tips will help you avoid daily ice runs. I also have a handy list of essential camping kitchen items to ensure you’re well-equipped.
To simplify things even further, consider using Amazon Fresh to order your groceries and have them delivered. Camping prep is stressful enough, so saving time and money by shopping on Amazon is a lifesaver.
Given the popularity of this topic, I’ve expanded with even more easy camping dishes and easy one-pot camping recipes.
Fun Group Potluck Camping Meal Ideas
Easy camping meals ideas — potluck night!
For a memorable camping tradition with multiple families, consider a potluck dinner. There are many fun ways to organize this.
Bring Your Own Meat Potluck
One great approach is for each family to prepare their own main protein (hot dogs, hamburgers, steak, etc.) and contribute a shareable side dish. Gather at a central campsite, and you’ll have a fantastic variety of sides to complement everyone’s main course.
We had the best salsa spread when we did potluck tacos for an easy camping meal
Traditional Camping Potluck
Another option is a classic potluck. Choose a meal like nachos or tacos with numerous toppings, where each family brings a different topping. Alternatively, for hamburgers and hotdogs, assign roles: some families bring burger patties, others hotdogs, one brings buns, and everyone else provides a side dish.
Themed Camping Meal Night
We’ve also enjoyed themed nights, such as soup night or Italian night. Each family prepares a main dish fitting the theme, creating a diverse and delicious group potluck.
Potlucks are a fantastic way to share the cooking load and introduce variety to your camping meals. Kids especially love sampling everyone else’s food, so making it an official potluck just adds to the fun!
Easy Camping Dinner Recipes
Campfire Tacos
Campfire tacos offer a fun twist on nachos and are incredibly versatile. This simple recipe is perfect for your first night (no need to thaw frozen meat) or last night (minimizing meat storage concerns).
Ingredients:
- Tortilla chips
- Canned chili
- Shredded cheese
- Diced green onions and/or jalapenos (optional)
- Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or other desired toppings
Instructions:
- Heat chili in a pot over the campfire or camp stove.
- Layer chips on plates or in bowls.
- Spoon hot chili over chips.
- Sprinkle with cheese and toppings.
Chicken Skewers
Grilled chicken skewers served with baked beans and corn, a simple and delicious camping meal idea
Pre-cooked chicken skewers from stores like Costco or your local grocery are a camping dinner win. Just reheat them on the BBQ or over the campfire.
Ingredients:
- Pre-cooked chicken skewers
- Canned baked beans
- Corn on the cob, canned creamed corn, or a fresh salad
Instructions:
- Reheat chicken skewers over a grill or campfire until warmed through.
- Heat baked beans in a pot.
- Cook corn on the cob (if using).
- Serve skewers with beans and corn or salad.
Chili Dogs
For me, chili dogs are the quintessential camping food. They’re budget-friendly, quick, and require minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- Canned chili
- Hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
- Diced raw onion (optional)
- Mustard
- Shredded cheese
- Side dish ideas: pasta salad, macaroni salad, green salad, pasta roni
Instructions:
- Heat chili in a pot.
- Grill or heat hot dogs over the campfire or stove.
- Place hot dogs in buns and top with chili, onion, mustard, and cheese as desired.
- Serve with your choice of side dishes.
Spaghetti
Basic but brilliant, spaghetti is an ideal camping meal for several reasons. It’s inexpensive, easy to make, filling, and uses shelf-stable ingredients like jarred sauce, making it perfect for the last night when cooler space might be limited.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti noodles
- Jarred pasta sauce
- Hawaiian rolls
- Green salad
- Butter (for rolls and noodles)
- Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
- Heat pasta sauce in a pot.
- Warm Hawaiian rolls with butter.
- Serve spaghetti topped with sauce, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, alongside rolls and salad.
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
BBQ chicken sandwiches on buns served with side salads, a family-friendly camping dinner
Pre-cooked BBQ chicken from tubs is another fantastic easy camping dinner option. Simply reheat it and spoon it onto hamburger buns. The only downside is that for larger families, you might need multiple tubs, which can affect the cost-effectiveness.
Ingredients:
- Pre-cooked and shredded BBQ chicken
- Hamburger buns
- Side dish ideas: corn on the cob, pasta salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, green salad
Instructions:
- Reheat BBQ chicken in a pot until warmed through.
- Serve BBQ chicken on hamburger buns with your choice of side dishes.
Other Simple Camping Dinner Ideas
- Hamburgers
- Steak & Potatoes (use instant potatoes for ease)
- Sloppy Joes
- Tacos
Easy Camping Lunch Recipes
Sandwiches are my go-to for easy camping lunches
Camping lunches often feel like they interrupt the fun. Whether you’re at the beach or hiking, stopping for lunch can feel inconvenient. That’s why these easy camping lunch ideas are as simple as possible.
For a slightly “fancier” lunch option, try these pesto chicken sandwiches:
Pesto Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Canned chicken
- Jar of pesto
- Provolone cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper
- Bread
- Butter (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix canned chicken with a bit of mayonnaise and pesto. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread chicken mixture on bread. Add provolone cheese.
- Optional grilled version: Butter the outside of the bread and grill in a skillet or over the campfire until golden brown and cheese is melted.
More Quick Camping Lunch Ideas
- Uncrustables (pre-made sealed sandwiches, perfect for hikes or small coolers)
- Lunchables (convenient but can be pricey for larger appetites)
- Deli meat sandwiches (classic and customizable)
- Canned pasta (Spaghetti-Os, ravioli, etc.)
- Ramen noodles
- Hot dogs
Easy Camping Breakfast Recipes
Scrambled eggs and hash brown potatoes make for easy camping meals
We usually have a big breakfast on one or two camping mornings and opt for easier breakfasts on other days.
A delicious breakfast sandwich is actually a very easy camping meal
Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage & Potatoes
A classic, hearty camping breakfast that’s easily customizable.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Frozen hash brown patties
- Rolls, bagels, or toast (for breakfast sandwiches)
Instructions:
- Cook bacon and sausage in a skillet or over a campfire grill.
- Cook hash brown patties according to package directions.
- Scramble or cook eggs to your liking.
- Assemble breakfast sandwiches or serve all items separately.
Breakfast Burritos
Make-ahead breakfast burritos are a convenient and satisfying camping breakfast.
Ingredients:
- Tortillas
- Scrambled eggs
- Chorizo (or sausage, bacon, or no meat)
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa, sour cream, avocado, or other toppings
Instructions:
- Cook chorizo and scramble eggs together.
- Warm tortillas.
- Fill tortillas with egg and chorizo mixture, cheese, and desired toppings.
- Wrap burritos and enjoy.
Other Simple Camping Breakfast Ideas
- Bagels & cream cheese
- Donuts
- Muffins
- Cereal & milk
- Oatmeal
Bonus: Fun Camping Dessert & Drink
Waffle Cookies With Ice Cream
Waffle cookies are a fun and easy camping meal
A fun and easy dessert that’s a twist on s’mores.
Ingredients:
- Tub of cookie dough
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions:
- Heat a small waffle maker over your camp stove or fire.
- Place a scoop of cookie dough onto the hot waffle maker.
- Cook for about 90 seconds to 2 minutes, until golden brown.
- Top with ice cream and enjoy.
Patriotic Champagne Drinks
Festive patriotic champagne drinks with rocket popsicles for easy camping fun
A refreshing and festive adult beverage for camping celebrations.
Ingredients:
- Champagne
- Rocket popsicles
- Optional: blueberries, strawberries
Instructions:
- Pour champagne into plastic champagne flutes.
- Add a rocket pop popsicle to each flute.
- Garnish with blueberries or strawberries if desired.
Great Places to Camp
Bass Lake camping area surrounded by pine trees, a scenic family campground destination
If you’re seeking camping location inspiration, explore my favorite family campgrounds in California.
For more camping tips, check out my posts on Camping for Newbies: Camping Basics, Camping Supplies List: What to Bring Tent Camping and How to Have an Outdoor Movie Night While Camping.
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