As a busy mom who loves the great outdoors, I’ve found that cooking while camping doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming with the right camping recipes.
It can be relaxing, fun, and a perfect way to unwind while still keeping my family well-fed.
With a little bit of planning and preparation, I’m able to create delicious, hearty meals that my family enjoys without the fuss.
So, let me show you the meals I make so we spend less time cooking and more time making memories!
45 Simple Camping Recipes: 3-Weekend Menus For Camp Meals
Weekend 1
Friday
Breakfast: Pancakes cooked on a camp stove are the perfect way to kick off our long week camping trip. I premix the pancake batter at home, so all I have to do is pour and cook. They’re golden and fluffy, and we bring tons of toppings for them (plus other meals!).
Lunch: For a quick lunch, I make ham and cheese “hobo pies” over the fire. The bread gets crispy edges, and the cheese melts just right. Have you tried making sandwiches in a pie maker yet??
Dinner: For dinner, I whip up foil-packet chicken and vegetables. I season chicken breasts, wrap them in foil with potatoes, carrots, or other veggies, and let them cook directly over the fire. All I have to do is rotate the packets, and the flames do the rest!
Snack #1: My kids love it when I make campfire popcorn. I simply toss some kernels in a pot with oil and set them over the fire to pop. You can also bring Jiffy Pop if you want something ready to go; store-bought turns out just the same as homemade.
Snack #2: Trail Mix Energy Bites are perfect for camping, and I make enough for all 4 of us to snack on over the weekend. They’re no-cook and a great way to refuel between meals.
Saturday
Breakfast: How about an easy campfire breakfast scramble? I toss diced potatoes, onions, bacon, and scrambled eggs into a cast iron skillet, and everything cooks together beautifully over the flames.
Lunch: For lunch, we’ll make chicken Caesar wraps. They’re easy, light, and quick so that we can get back to our outdoor activities.
Dinner: Dutch oven pizza is a must when we go camping, and our kids really look forward to it. The kids help with toppings, which makes it a fun family activity where they can eat their little art, LOL.
Snack #1: I make campfire nachos as a quick afternoon snack. I layer tortilla chips, cheese, beans, and jalapeños in a cast iron skillet and let everything melt together. It’s cheesy, gooey, and perfect for sharing.
Snack #2: I bring along celery sticks, peanut butter (and jelly sometimes), and raisins to make Ants on a Log. At camp, I fill the celery with peanut butter and top it with raisins for a quick and fun snack the kids love.
Sunday
Breakfast: We finish our weekend with French toast cooked on the camp stove. I dip slices of bread into a cinnamon-egg mixture and fry them until golden brown. Served with syrup, it’s a sweet start to the day.
Lunch: For our last lunch, I kept it simple with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches- no paper recipe needed, LOL. They’re no-cook and easy to pack up for a hike or picnic.
Dinner: Before heading home, we enjoy one last meal of grilled sausages and corn on the cob foil packets. The sausages get nice and charred over the fire, and the corn is sweet and juicy, making it the perfect ending to our weekend.
Snack #1: I treat the family to s’mores around the campfire. We stick with the classic graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows for a gooey, delicious dessert.
Snack #2: Campfire Apple Crisp is a tasty treat that I can’t pass on! I slice up some apples, toss them in a bit of cinnamon and sugar, and then top them with a simple oat and butter mixture. I cook it in a foil packet over the fire until the apples are soft and the topping is crispy.
Weekend 2
Friday
Breakfast: I start our second weekend with an easy breakfast burrito. I scramble eggs, add some sautéed onions and peppers, and wrap it all in a tortilla with cheese. They’re easy to hold, even for the kids, and packed with protein to fuel the day.
Lunch: For lunch, we have tuna salad sandwiches. I make the tuna salad at home and pack it in the cooler. At camp, I just spread it on whole wheat bread for a light and tasty lunch.
Dinner: Campfire chili is perfect for a cool evening. I brown some beef at home and bring it to camp. I add beans, tomatoes, and seasoning to the pot and let it simmer on the fire while we relax. It’s hearty and filling.
Snack #1: Trail mix is a quick snack between meals. I pack bags of nuts, dried fruit, and a few chocolate chips. It’s easy to grab and snack on throughout the day.
Snack #2: You could make Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes as a fast snack, breakfast, or any meal while camping. I fry store-bought biscuit dough in a small cast iron skillet over the fire, then toss the cooked dough in cinnamon sugar.
Saturday
Breakfast: We wake up to oatmeal made on the camp stove. I boil water and let everyone customize their bowls with dried fruit, nuts, and brown sugar. It’s warm and comforting, especially when there’s a morning chill in the air.
Lunch: For lunch, I make quick campfire quesadillas using whatever we have. I heat tortillas in a pan and add cheese and any leftover veggies or meats from our other meals. They’re crispy, melty, and easy to make on the camp stove.
Dinner: Grilled BBQ chicken is a no-brainer for tasty grilling while we camp. I marinate the chicken in BBQ sauce before leaving home, then grill it over the fire until it’s smoky and still juicy.
Snack #1: In the afternoon, we snack on fruit kabobs. I skewer pieces of pineapple, strawberries, grapes, and whatever other fruits we picked out for the weekend. The girls get to make their own kabobs and often take their camp chairs down to the water to watch it while they snack.
Snack #2: Campfire Cheesy Breadsticks is a savory snack the kids love. I take store-bought pizza dough (or you can make homemade), roll it into strips, and wrap them around skewers. I brush them with butter, sprinkle them with garlic powder and cheese, then cook them over the fire until golden and crispy.
Sunday
Breakfast: For a lazy breakfast idea, I make bacon and eggs in my trusty cast iron skillet. It’s simple, but there’s something about cooking it over the fire that makes it taste better than we do it at home!
Lunch: A quick and easy pasta salad is perfect for lunch at camp. I cook the pasta at home, and when we’re at camp, we mix it with veggies, cheese, and a little Italian dressing at camp.
Dinner: For our last dinner to wrap up our camping weekend, we make foil packet salmon with lemon and herbs. You can also use this method to make shrimp scampi or cook other fish if you aren’t a fan of salmon.
Snack #1: Banana Boats are a fun, easy snack we make almost every time we camp. I like that it gives s’mores vibes but with a healthy, fruity base that girls love. It’s a gooey dessert that fills us up and gets us ready for bed.
Snack #2: Have you tried making Grilled Zucchini Chips? I know they aren’t the same as potato chips, but when we serve them up with ranch and blue cheese for a crunchy snack or side, the girls woof them down.
Weekend 3
Friday
Breakfast: I keep breakfast light with yogurt and granola when we camp. It doesn’t require any cooking and we can each make our yogurt however we want, making it a perfect start to the weekend as we settle into the campsite.
Lunch: For an easy lunch, I like to make walking tacos with our girls. I pack small bags of corn chips or Doritos and fill them with taco meat, shredded cheese, and whatever else our daughters pick for dinner. Everyone can make their own bag to their liking!
Dinner: Campfire stew is on the menu for an easy meal that fills us up. I toss beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions into a Dutch oven and let it simmer over the coals. It’s hearty and filling, and the smell alone is enough to make everyone excited for dinner.
Snack #1: For a fun and easy snack, I make peanut butter banana roll-ups. I spread peanut butter on a tortilla, add a whole banana, and roll it up tightly. You can even make these with other fruit, trail mix, and even savory leftovers for a quick snack!
Snack #2: For a sweet treat on cold nights, Cinnamon Campfire Apples are an easy snack. You can dig out the middle of the apple, fill it with cinnamon-sugary goodness, and bake it over the fire until the apples are tender. I love apple crisp, and this is a great twist for dessert!
Saturday
Breakfast: Our girls ask for breakfast tacos are home, so I’ve got no problem making them at camp. I scramble eggs with veggies, wrap them in tortillas, and lightly toast them on the grill. Top them with some salsa and sour cream, and you’ll have a hit!
Lunch: Hot dogs are an easy and fun lunch. The kids love roasting them on sticks over the fire, and I serve them with some simple potato chips.
Dinner: For dinner, I make chicken skewers. I marinate chicken chunks in olive oil and herbs, then skewer them with bell peppers and onions. They cook quickly over the fire, and the flavors are smoky and delicious.
Snack #1: I make homemade granola bars as a quick snack at home, and it’s an easy meal prep idea to get these ready for our camping weekends.
Snack #2: Roasted Marshmallow Cones are our new favorite. They’re similar to s’mores but with less effort! I fill sugar cones with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and any other treats we feel like trying- even raspberries and strawberries. I wrap them in foil and let them warm up over the fire.
Sunday
Breakfast: I actually bake muffins at home to have a quick breakfast or snack that the girls can grab and go as they please. If I bake mini-muffins, I can make a DIY variety pack with chocolate chips, bananas, sprinkles, blueberries, and more.
Lunch: For lunch, we have grilled cheese sandwiches with a side of tomato soup heated on the camp stove. Simple and sweet, with minimal cleanup- perfect for our camp weekend.
Dinner: I make foil packet shrimp and veggies for our last meal. The shrimp cooks quickly in foil with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and a little garlic butter. It’s light but flavorful and a perfect way to end our weekend.
Snack #1: We snack on fruit salad throughout the day. I cut up melons, berries, and grapes for a refreshing and healthy treat.
Snack #2: I love making Campfire Queso Dip as a quick snack during the day or a late-night treat between hubby and me! It’s perfect for dipping tortilla chips, and the smoky flavor from the fire gives it an extra kick.
FAQs
Can I prepare camp meals ahead of time?
Yes, many of these camping recipes can be prepped before you even go on your trip. For example, you can pre-cook meats, chop vegetables, make snacks, or make entire meals at home to save time at camp.
I make some things, like muffins or granola bars, before we go camping and for regular school/work meal prep.
How do I keep food cold while camping?
I recommend using a good-quality cooler with plenty of ice packs. Most campgrounds have stores nearby or on-site where you can also get ice for your cooker.
You can also freeze some of the meals in advance, which will help them stay cold longer.
What cooking equipment do I need for these recipes?
When we go camping, I bring a camp stove or grill with pots and pans, a cast iron skillet, foil, and cooking utensils like tongs.
I also bring a Dutch oven for certain dishes like pizza or stew, but it can be used for most meals while camping.
How do I clean up after cooking at camp?
If your campground doesn’t have faucets or camp sinks for washing dishes, I recommend bringing biodegradable soap and a small tub.
Foil packet meals are great because they minimize the number of pots and pans you need to clean, but they are also more trash to take care of.
Final Thoughts
With a little prep and the right camping recipes, you can serve up tasty dishes that keep everyone happy around the campfire.
From foil packets to easy snacks, I’ve found great meals that make camp cooking simple while maximizing flavor.
Plus, cooking outdoors adds a special touch to your meals, making the experience even more memorable!
With these recipes, you can focus on what matters most: enjoying time in nature with family and friends.
