10 Make Ahead Camping Meals

Camping is so fun, but let’s not kid ourselves – it can be a lot of work, especially if you have kids. If you have some make ahead camping meals to use that will free up time for you to enjoy the great outdoors even more while you are there.

In today’s post I’m going to share with you some really great make ahead camping food ideas. Of course, for the majority of them there will still be some work you need to do to get the meal on the picnic table once you arrive at the campsite, but these food ideas involve prep work at home that makes it a whole lot easier.

You may just be required to assemble or heat up a little portion of the food when you are ready to eat.

One of my favorite things about camping is the food. It’s a great time to be able to experiment a little with foods you may not eat or make at home. And cooking some food on an open fire is one of the best memories of camping.

I’m feeling hungry for camping food just talking about this. Are you feeling hungry? Time to book that camping trip if you haven’t already!

10 MAKE AHEAD CAMPING MEALS

1. Grilled Chicken Skewers

These grilled chicken skewers from The Daring Kitchen can be assembled beforehand so that all you need to do is put them on the open fire once you are at the campsite.

2. Easy Crab Salad

This easy crab salad from Let’s Camp S’more can be made at home, tossed into a plastic container, and enjoyed for a filling and already made lunch.

3. Super Easy Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs

Foil packets are a good choice for make ahead camping food options. Try this super easy garlic steak and potato foil packs from the site Kim and Kalee.

4. Instant Pot Campfire Stew

This Instant Pot Campfire Stew from Recipe This will only work if you have electricity, but lots of people camp with a serviced site so it’s a good choice if you can plug in the instant pot.

5. Apple Crisp Foil Packs

You can’t forget about dessert when camping, and these apple crisp foil packs from Recipes from a Pantry can be made before you leave home and tossed on the fire for a delicious treat after dinner.

6. Rustic Damper Recipe

Don’t think you can have homemade bread when camping? Try this damper recipe from The Aussie Home Cook. You can make the dough the night before and keep chilled until you are ready to cook it over the open fire in your dutch oven.

7. Tuna Egg Salad Recipe

Sandwiches are a super fast and easy meal to bring camping. Make this tuna egg salad recipe from Wholesome Yum beforehand and just spread it on your bread at your campsite for an instant, low-key lunch.

8. Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

Another foil pack for you! Try these easy chicken fajita foil packets from Budget Delicious.

9. Muffulettas

This muffuletta recipe from Sabrina Currie can be made ahead for camping. As Sabrina says, “the longer they sit, the better the flavors meld.” This is definitely a recipe you want to take on your next camp excursion.

10. Chocolate Strawberry High Protein Overnight Oats

Can’t forget about breakfast while camping. Check out these chocolate strawberry overnight oats from Amy Gorin Nutrition. You can still eat healthy while on your camping vacation.

MAKE AHEAD CAMPING SNACKS

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What is a camping trip without snacks? I’ve got three kids which means they want snacks every 2.5 minutes if they were able. Point is, I need to have a lot of snacks.

Also, you will want to make sure you have some marshmallow roasting sticks and a S’mores kit because, what is camping without s’mores?

Here are some snacks you can make at home before you head out on your excursion.

Homemade granola from Simple Life of a Country Wife
Classic trail mix from One Sweet Appetite
Oatmeal banana muffins from Beyond the Chicken Coop
Best ever no bake chewy granola bars from Money Saving Mom
Ranch party mix from Taste of Homemade

For more articles on camping tips and ideas, check out these posts: