Camping Food List with Recipes + Free PDF Printables

Creating the perfect camping meal plan can feel daunting, especially when juggling other trip preparations. But guess what?

It doesn’t have to be. As a seasoned camper of thirty years and a glorified foodie, I am here to help you with my trusty camping food list to help you plan meals for your next trip!

Meal planning and packing food are my favorite parts of prepping for a camping trip.

I have compiled a comprehensive list of camping food ideas for you from my outdoor adventures over the years that are easy to use and make, and are also delicious and nutritious.

Whether you’re a camping veteran or a first-timer setting up your tent, you’ll find everything you need to plan your meals like a pro.

This post includes my family’s favorite camping meal ideas and printable grocery lists for both omnivores and vegetarians.

1. Pancake Mix

Pancakes are the quintessential camping breakfast. Make your own pancake mix to bring along with you or use a straightforward purchased mix that ONLY requires adding water.

Our family’s favorite pancake mix is Birch Bender’s! Each bag makes about 25 average-size pancakes. In addition, they have offerings for different dietary needs such as keto, paleo, or gluten-free. We have tried all of these and recommend them highly.

Alternatively, King Arthur also has a Buttermilk Pancake Mix to which you only need to add water. There are also plenty of others that only require water.

Don’t forget to pack the maple syrup!

LEVEL UP: Dip slices of banana into your pancake batter and proceed to cook like you would a pancake. Pancake batter-dipped banana slices are super delicious, too!

2. Oatmeal, Granola, or Instant Hot Cereal

A classic such as oatmeal should not be overlooked. It’s easy, warm, and fast. I recommend using a quick oatmeal mix rather than one that takes ten minutes. This saves you fuel and time.

Our family uses instant oatmeal packets when camping. Everyone can pick their desired flavor from the variety offered.

If you need a gluten-free option, instant grits can be a welcome warm breakfast, especially with a fried egg and butter.

I like to whisk in an egg into grits and add a pat of butter or a bit of shredded cheese. Even if you would not typically choose instant grits to eat at home, camping allows for such simple replacements.

LEVEL UP: Top your oatmeal or granola with a handful of your trail mix, chia seeds, flax seeds, sliced almonds or cashews sliced banana/apple/strawberries/blueberries/raspberries, and a pat of butter for a gourmet breakfast.

3. Eggs or Scrambled Tofu

Packing eggs for camping is tricky unless you have plenty of space in your cooler to rest the egg carton on top or you have one of these egg containers.

Hard-boiled eggs are also a great make-ahead option and far easier to pack! Otherwise, you can try this effortless and delicious omelette recipe too. 

If I am car camping for a short period I also like to whisk the raw eggs prior to arrival, storing them in a mason jar, for less mess at the campsite.

Scrambled tofu is delightful and a great source of protein. Bring your favorite add-ins such as garlic or onion, spices, mushrooms, spinach, etc.

Serve with breakfast potatoes (try my camping breakfast recipe for the Best Homefries Ever) for a well-balanced breakfast alongside a cup of morning coffee!

4. Breakfast Sausage (Meat or Plant-Based)

Added protein in the morning is super helpful when hiking, swimming, and such activities. With the luxury of a cooler, any breakfast sausage is easy to include in your breakfast.

✔️ Try my Healthy Breakfast Hash recipe with breakfast sausage, apple, and kale! It’s a family favorite!

5. Potatoes

Potatoes can be scrubbed, chopped, or even cooked prior to your camping trip. A comfort food for many, potatoes are especially warming when they arrive on a plate in the form of delicious, simultaneously crusty and soft, well-seasoned home fries.

If you want to serve a delicious camping breakfast recipe try the Best Diner Style Home Fries Ever! Make them beforehand and simply warm them up in a cast-iron pan with a tablespoon of olive oil.

6. Fresh Fruit

If bananas are brought along they must be eaten on day one and kept outside of the cooler, resting on top of anything else. Apples and oranges (mandarins, tangerines) are the easiest and least likely to get damaged while camping.

Grapes tend to get mushy pretty quickly but can survive one day if kept dry. Melons are great to slice at camp and eat fresh. Dried fruit in a trail mix is good to have on hand as well.

7. Cheese

If you eat dairy products, cheese is a must. Right? Don’t leave home without it! Cheese is satisfying, delicious, and happens to keep really well. If you go on a hike from your campsite, packing cheese for backpacking is a great snack option.

Moreover, it also adds a lot of flavor to many dishes: eggs, burritos, sandwiches, soups, chili, etc. Parmesan cheese keeps well and is a nice alternative to cheddar cheese.

In addition, cheese is an easy and filling snack when served with fruit, cured meats and/or crackers. Buy a bag of shredded cheese to make your life easier if you intend to sprinkle it on or mix it with foods.

8. Bread or Tortillas

This is a staple for many. Use bread with breakfast, to dip into soups or make sandwiches. Tortillas are a personal favorite because they can be used for breakfast burritos, quesadillas, bean burritos, wraps, and flatbread.

In addition, if your bread becomes stale you can tear it into pieces and toss a handful onto your soup!

💡 When you think of classic camping recipes, don’t forget this stick bread recipe for camping!

9. Boxed, homemade or canned soups

When the temperature drops and you need an easy meal you really can’t beat a bowl of soup for camping. Bring your favorite pre-made soups or if you have space in your cooler, fill a mason jar with your favorite homemade soup to indulge in.

Soups are an excellent vehicle for added vegetables while camping. Bring packets of ramen and add egg, spinach, or beef jerky for added bulk.

10. Butter

You can use dairy or vegan butter. Butter is superior to oil because it’s simply not as messy to pack, especially if you keep it in a container with a lid. On the other hand, oil tends to spill or leak. Keep butter in a cooler in hot weather so it doesn’t melt.

If you are camping in colder weather, butter is an excellent additive to all meals because the extra calories will keep your energy and warmth up when the temperature drops. Most importantly, butter is delicious!

11. Beans

Refried pinto beans or whole black beans are great for bean burritos or on the side with eggs and are definitely an ideal food for camping. Refried beans can also be heated in a pan with butter, cheese, and salsa to create an appetizing dip to be eaten with tortilla chips. Make a pot of baked beans in advance and warm them over the campfire!

12. Pasta

Even if you don’t plan a meal using pasta, bring some along anyway. It’s always a good idea to have extra food on hand in case your trip home gets delayed due to any unforeseen issues.

Regardless, pasta rules! As long as you have access to good water, make any favorite pasta meal just as easily over a campfire as you would at home.

Gluten-free or grain-free pasta is also easy to cook.

The best options are chickpea pasta, rice, quinoa, and lentil pasta. My personal favorite is red lentil pasta.

LEVEL UP: Red sauce is a given but think outside the box and maybe use bacon, eggs, peas, lemon, butter, and parmesan cheese for a simple camp-style pasta carbonara! Simply bring a container of already thawed frozen peas and the other ingredients along with you.

My tip is to toss your cooked pasta with a couple of tablespoons of butter after draining. Follow the recipe I linked to but also squeeze fresh lemon onto your pasta upon serving.

13. Vegetables

Carrots are the perfect peel-slice-and-eat vegetable for camping. They store well and can be eaten plain or dipped in anything like hummus, pesto, or a creamy dip for added flavor.

I like to bring a cucumber for the first day of camping for a fresh addition to meals. They don’t last otherwise in a cooler with ice. They get too cold and mushy.

Grilled vegetables with dinner are always delicious. Corn, summer squash, eggplant, and sweet potatoes all cook beautifully over a campfire!

14. Hot Sauce and/or Salsa

There is no condiment loved more in my family than good ‘ol hot sauce to add flavor to something simple, camping food included. Hot sauce can honestly be added to anything savory (think back to your breakfast grits or eggs).

In addition, salsa can be used for burritos and stirred into bean soup or chili for extra oomph.

15. Peanut Butter or other Nut Butter

It can be spread on bread, crackers, pancakes, mixed into Asian noodles, or made into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Peanut butter has remained a staple on our camping trips for years.

If allergies are an issue, choose sunflower butter or any other alternative that works for you and your family. Peanut butter can also be eaten straight out of the jar with a spoon! I am not the only one who does this right?

16. Beef, Chicken, Kielbasa or Veggie Patties

Steaks are incredibly satisfying cooked over a campfire as are marinated chicken parts. Remember, you can also cook these in advance and toss them over the flames for a quick warm-up or to add a char-broiled flavor. Kielbasa is absolutely delicious.

Alternative: Don’t eat meat or want something lighter?

Try making these amazing veggie burgers in advance and searing them right over the campfire!

17. Shelf-Stable Milk

Boxed shelf-stable milk (dairy or nut) is definitely an ideal camping grocery item that works as an alternative to fresh milk. They have screw-tops and can be sealed and stored in your cooler as long as you have ice.

Using them right away, however, is easy because they are typically 8oz each or one serving. Add milk to any soups or stews for extra creaminess, use for cereals, breakfast bread pudding, french toast, pancake batter, or simply enjoy as a beverage.

18. Onions

Yellow onions, red onions, and white onions are all great to have on hand when camping. The number of times you might wish you had an onion to add flavor to a dish is endless unless you start packing some for your trip! They also last a long time. Just store them away from moisture.

Red onions are delicious raw, thinly sliced, atop most savory dishes. All types of sauté beautifully and caramelize well for addition to any stews, sautés or for a flavorful garnish.

19. Rice

If you are comfortable cooking rice from scratch over a campfire or a camp stove there are endless uses for it. If you don’t have good results cooking your own rice don’t be afraid to buy pre-made rice packets!

You can also bring along pre-cooked rice from home for amazing fried rice or to use it however, you wish. Fried rice is easy to whip up while camping and with the addition of fresh vegetables, chicken, egg, or tofu, it is a complete meal.

Rice is great served underneath chili, in stir fry dishes, or to add to soup.

FAQS: Camping Food Essentials

Let’s review some of the common questions and helpful answers related to camping food ideas.

Efficiency and simplicity are key when three days of the outdoors are to be enjoyed without worrying about what the next camping meal is. Include some healthier options but also a sweet treat to keep everyone happy.

I am a big fan of preparing some foods in advance for delicious meals that can be used cold or warmed up over a camp stove or campfire for a hearty meal.

Camping Food for 3 Days

Are you planning a camping getaway? This comprehensive camping meal plan has got you covered! While it’s crucial to have your dinner recipes in place, this list offers much more.

This list can easily be adjusted using some of the other ideas in my post to create your list of camping food for 5 days. Have fun adjusting your camping meal plan to suit your own tastes!

Enjoy our family’s go-to camping food ideas and who knows, they might just become your new outdoor favorites!

Breakfast

DAY ONE:

Breakfast Burritos and Home Fries: scrambled eggs (or tofu), tortillas, cheese, and salsa.

DAY TWO:

Pancakes and Breakfast Sausage: bring a container of pre-cooked sliced apples sauteed in butter with cinnamon to add on top of your pancakes!

DAY THREE:

Oatmeal with toppings such as dried fruit or seeds, nuts, and butter for added protein and fat.

Lunch

DAY ONE:

Sandwiches or wraps using bread, tortillas, or lettuce. Fillings can be lunchmeat, cheese and/or hummus with added extras (lettuce, avocado) as you would make at home. We always bring a bag of chips and a jar of pickles to have on the side. Carrots are great for a crunchy side too.

DAY TWO:

Chicken salad or Bean Salad with Avocado and Corn served on top of salad greens or in a wrap. Fruit, such as sliced apple or citrus, can be served on the side.

DAY THREE:

Tuna Pasta Salad OR Veggie Pesto Pasta Salad served with sliced avocado and melon wedges. The tuna pasta salad I linked to is grain-free and fantastic! We make it often in my family and enjoy the satisfying chew of the lentil pasta, plus it doesn’t get too soggy.

Dinner

DAY ONE:

Chili: This can be premade at home and brought with you to camp or easily cooked on the spot over a campfire in a Dutch oven. Keep in mind you can freeze your pre-made chili and add the frozen container to your cooler to use as an ice pack. Let it thaw naturally as needed.

Below is a one-pot chili recipe for you that is easy and so tasty. It’s a great hearty meal! Use plant-based ground beef for a vegetarian version.

If you really want to keep things simple, Amy’s brand makes all kinds of canned meat-free chilis that are actually delicious. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread (brought from home) on the side.

DAY TWO:

Pad Thai or Ramen: If it’s going to be cool outside bring some packets of your favorite ramen, some additions (meat, hard or soft-boiled eggs, veggies, seaweed), and use your own homemade broth or boxed broth for added flavor instead of water. Additionally, it’s really fun to customize ramen and everyone can choose their own flavor.

Pad Thai Instructions

Pad Thai for camping is easy to make with a bit of planning. I recommend cooking the rice noodles al dente beforehand at home, cooling them with water, and mixing them with sesame oil after draining. Otherwise, they can honestly be a tad tricky to get right and you may end up with over-cooked noodles.

Typically Pad Thai noodles have a basic recipe to follow right on the box or bag. Thai Kitchen Pad Thai Sauce makes this dish a breeze to whip up.

You can use any or all of the following for add-ins: eggs, tofu, sliced chicken, pre-cooked shrimp, and vegetables (spinach is great).

Bring chile garlic sauce (for spice), soy sauce, peanuts, lemon/lime wedges, scallions and cilantro for added toppings. We often have sliced cucumber tossed with dulse or kelp flakes for a fresh side as well as pea greens, microgreen,s or sprouts to top our noodles with.

DAY THREE:

Sloppy Joes (Meat or Vegetarian): My kids love sloppy joes! Grab your favorite buns (we love brioche) and pack them up for your camping trip.

Use a good sloppy joes recipe a couple of times and you can cook the mix more intuitively, trying various add-ins or spices. Small chopped carrots and celery are great to add in for extra veggies.

Try this delicious recipe for lentil sloppy joes if you want to avoid meat! Served with either Coleslaw, Potato Salad, or Green Salad.

Make-Ahead Camping Meal Ideas

Tackling meal prep before your camping trip is extremely rewarding yet time-consuming. It’s a trade-off for more time spent relaxing while camping. If you find you have a few hours to prepare any food in advance, consider making a few things to enjoy on the fly at your campsite.

• Make your pancakes ahead of time and warm them up over the fire at breakfast.
• Prepare a shredded meat filling (BBQ or Mexican) for burritos, sandwiches, or to top a salad.
• Make some sandwiches or wraps beforehand for lunch on day one, wrap well, and enjoy upon arrival.
• Homemade soup is heavenly on a cool day at the campground and can be made at home.
• Consider dehydrating food and making your own custom meals that you only need to add water to!
• Salads are easy to make in advance and transport well. This broccoli salad is a favorite and this potato salad goes well with grilled items beautifully.

🍪 Make Ahead Desserts for Camping and Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes for Camping cannot be overlooked! They will make your crew very happy!

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Fried Chicken

Make your favorite fried chicken recipe, chill it, pack it up, and devour it with glee when camping. Fried chicken is a huge undertaking but it is SO worth the work. Without a doubt, this might be the highlight of the camping spread.

The fried chicken pictured below uses the recipe from Samin Nosrat’s fantastic cookbook, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. It’s my personal favorite dinner recipe I tried! I highly recommend her book.

Summer Potato Salad

This potato salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes. In addition, it stores really well in a container for transporting. It goes well with anything. Simply halve the recipe if you don’t need as many servings.

Marinated Salmon

Pick up some salmon for grilling and serve it with a delicious cilantro lime sauce and veggie kabobs! It is a really special meal and everyone will be quite pleased with such a treat while camping.

Guacamole

Freeze your guacamole and pack it in a cooler to defrost when needed. You can buy pre-made guacamole and freeze it or if you make your own, be sure to add lemon or lime juice, and pack to the top of the container to avoid oxidation.

Quiche

A quiche made in advance can be a welcome addition to any meal. Furthermore, it’s easy to cut into for snacking for those extra-hungry campers.

Fruit Salad

Escape the fuss of chopping your fruit on site. Pack up a big fruit salad beforehand and dress with some citrus to keep the fruit fresh. Add in chopped mint for flare.

Muffins

Muffins can go along with breakfast, be used as a snack, or be considered dessert after dinner. I love Smitten Kitchen’s Perfect Blueberry Muffins recipe!

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Printable Camping Food List For Vegetarians

The Ultimate Camping Food List Printable

This is a copy of my own list that I refer to each time we go camping! I have added items to it over the year so I can pick and choose what I would like to use on every trip. I don’t bring everything each time but rather, this is a customizable list.

By using these these ideas you are sure to have happy, full bellies while relaxing in the outdoors.

Most importantly, less stress within the planning and while cooking at camp allows for a better experience all around.

Organizing everything beforehand will bring peace of mind so you can truly be on vacation on your next camping trip. “Wow” your friends and family by sharing some new ideas and tasty meals with them! Have fun!

Also, If you adventure out and hit the trails while camping be sure to check out our day hike food post for some great ideas: The Ultimate Day Hike Food List for 2022: Best Hiking Snacks and Lunch Ideas
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For planning and packing for an extended backpacking trip check out our 5 Day Backpacking Gear List!