48 Unique Make-Ahead Camping Meal Recipe Ideas
Being in the great outdoors, doesn’t mean you can’t have a delicious, gourmet meal. Planning a few make-ahead meals is going to help you enjoy your camping trip to the fullest. These unique make-ahead camping meal recipes are a great way to prepare for your next adventure.
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Eating While Camping
Usually we just think about roasting hot dogs or eating peanut butter sandwiches while we’re camping. With the proper preparation & some simple ingredients, you can enjoy yourself a nice meal while you’re out in nature.
Whether you’re camping with large groups or by yourself, these make-ahead meals are a great choice. When you prep them at home, they will take a lot less time to make at the campsite.
Below I go through unique camping meals that you can make ahead for breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
What Is A Make-Ahead Camping Meal?
Make-ahead meals are any meals that you prep before your trip so you don’t have to cook a full meal while you’re there.
Sometimes a make-ahead meal is cooked before your trip and ready to be eaten when you get there. Other make-ahead camping meals might be prepped before your trip, but will need to be cooked at the campsite for a hot, fresh meal.
Both ways will save you time on the preparation and the clean-up. They can be packed up in containers or a plastic bag and ready to be cooked and enjoyed at your campsite.
If you need ideas on how to cook or heat up your make-ahead meals, here is a post with the different ways to cook while camping.
Breakfast
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I think this is especially true while you’re out camping.
It helps you get a boost of energy and prepare yourself for a day of enjoying nature.
You could bring some pancake mix & water to cook on the spot, or you could plan some of these unique make-ahead breakfast meals to bring with you.
1. Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats
These cinnamon roll overnight oats are a great breakfast option while camping. You can make several jars of them to serve each morning while you’re camping.
You won’t have to prepare or cook breakfast while you’re camping. Just a simple clean up.
2. Camping Breakfast Burrito
This Camping Breakfast Burrito recipe is perfect to cook on your camp stove or over the fire in a cast-iron skillet.
If you want to make it extra easy, cook the filling at home and just heat it up in the morning while you’re camping.
3. Strawberry Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are always a great option while camping. These Strawberry Overnight Oats made with maple syrup are a healthy option to start your day.
You’ll love the addition of fresh fruit to your morning.
4. Banana Chia Pudding
Another great make-ahead camping meal recipe for your trip is this Banana Chia Pudding. It makes for a great breakfast or dessert.
Make a batch at home and it will be ready to enjoy in the morning of your camping trip.
5. No-Bake Granola Bars
These No-Bake Granola Bars are the perfect way to start your day. Make a batch at home and bring them on your camping trip.
It is a nutritious and easy make-ahead meal to have for breakfast or a snack.
6. Mango Chia Pudding
Another delicious, sweet breakfast is this Mango Chia Pudding. It can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a dessert.
Make as many servings as you need at home and enjoy it during the duration of your camping trip.
7. Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
This sweet & delicious recipe for Cookie Dough Overnight Oats is bound to be a favorite with the whole family. It is a delicious way to start off your day while camping without having to cook anything.
8. Toasted Oats Cereal
Make this Toasted Oats Cereal at home before your trip or while you’re at the campsite. You’ll love the toasted flavor of the ingredients all mixed together.
Serve with milk and enjoy a nice, flavorful bowl of muesli cereal while you’re out on your adventure.
9. Blackberry Muffins
Muffins are a great make-ahead breakfast! You’ll love this Blackberry Muffin Recipe because it can all be whipped up in one bowl and baked at home.
You’ll wake up to a delicious muffin to enjoy with your coffee in the morning while you’re camping.
10. Overnight Oats With Water
This delicious Overnight Oats With Water recipe is a great choice while you’re camping. It doesn’t require any dairy, therefore you don’t have to worry about keeping it refrigerated.
You’ll also love the addition of all-natural peanut butter in this recipe. It will be a hearty way to start your day while camping.
11. 4-Ingredient Banana Bread
Banana bread is a simple and delicious breakfast food. You can whip up this super simple 4-Ingredient Banana Bread before your trip and enjoy it every morning while you’re out.
You can even use it for snacks or dessert if you have a sweet tooth later in the day!
12. Foil Packet Breakfast Bake
This hearty & delicious Foil Packet Breakfast Bake can be prepared ahead of time and cooked at your campsite.
Prep all of the ingredients in a plastic bag. Then, you’ll just have to dump it and cook it while you’re camping.
13. Banana Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Another great overnight oat recipe is this Banana Cinnamon Overnight Oats. The sweet bananas and spicy cinnamon make the perfect combination for your morning breakfast.
Whip up a few jars of overnight oats at home and enjoy them each morning while you’re camping.
14. Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches
A hearty breakfast sandwich is always a great way to start your day in the great outdoors. This Apple & Maple Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches recipe is packed full of flavor.
Mix your ingredients and spices at home as prep, or even cook the sausage and eggs at home before your trip.
Then, you can heat them up when you’re ready for breakfast.
15. Dutch Oven Breakfast Bake
Baking in a dutch oven at the campsite always makes for a delicious meal. This Dutch Oven Breakfast Bake is super easy to make because you do all the prep at home!
You can even use parchment paper to line your dutch oven at the campsite so there is no cleanup afterwards.
16. French Toast Foil Packet
Making french toast just got easier. This French Toast Foil Packet recipe is ideal for your camping trip.
Cook your french toast in foil on a grill or campfire with no cleanup afterwards!
Bonus points if you prepare your milk & egg mixture in a plastic baggie beforehand too.
17. Egg Bites
These Bacon & Cheese Egg Bites are simple to make before your trip. Whip up a dozen and eat them cold or warmed at your campsite.
They’re a great way to get some protein before you start your day of adventures.
18. Sesame Energy Balls
If you’re looking for a simple no-bake energy ball, then this Sesame Energy Balls recipe is perfect for your camping trip.
Make a batch to bring with you for an easy breakfast or snack!
Lunch
While camping, choosing easy meals for lunch is a must. In the middle of the day, the last thing you want to do is get out all of your cooking equipment to make a meal.
These make-ahead camping meal recipes for lunch are a great option to help save you time & clean-up.
19. Buffalo Tahini Quinoa Wraps
This recipe for Buffalo Tahini Quinoa & Rice Wraps is the perfect make-ahead meal for your camping trip. It will be a flavorful & filling lunch.
Make the filling ahead of time at home and simply wrap it up in a tortilla or wrap of choice when you are ready for lunch at your campsite.
20. Tuna Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a great make-ahead meal for camping. Plus, you don’t have to heat it up later. This Tuna Pasta Salad is a great option for a quick camping lunch while you’re out in nature.
21. Rotisserie Chicken Salad
This Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe is the perfect meal prep for your lunch while camping. You can buy a rotisserie chicken and whip up a batch of this delicious chicken salad to keep in your cooler for your trip.
Eat it on crackers, a sandwich, or just by itself!
22. Broccoli Crunch Salad
If you’re looking for a burst of fruits and veggies for lunch, then look no further than this Broccoli Crunch Salad.
This is the perfect salad to make at home before your camping trip and bring with you in a container. It will last in your cooler for up to four days!
23. Bavarian Potato Salad
Potato salad is a filling lunch or side dish. This Bavarian Potato Salad recipe can be made at home before your trip and enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
The best part is that you don’t have to heat it up. It’ll be ready to eat when you are!
24. Veggie Wraps
Is there anything more simple than slicing up some veggies and adding them to a tortilla when you get to your campsite?
This delicious Veggie Wrap recipe uses a variety of sliced veggies, cream cheese, and rolls it all up in a wrap.
It is a quick and delicious lunch to have while you’re out camping.
25. California Chicken Salad
You can’t go wrong with chicken salad for lunch. This California Chicken Salad recipe is a great make-ahead camping meal.
It can be whipped up at home and eaten throughout your whole camping trip.
26. Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
This super simple Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a great meal prep for your camping trip.
Make your pasta salad at home and enjoy it cold or at room temperature when it’s time for lunch.
27. Easy Chicken Wrap
These Easy Chicken Wraps would be a great option to eat for lunch on your camping trip. Cook the chicken at home before you go.
Then, at your campsite, you can add your chicken and other prepped toppings to your wrap.
28. Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad
This Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad is a good option for a nutritious lunch while camping.
You can prep your salad before your trip and then top it with the dressing at the campsite.
29. Garlic Roasted Potato Salad
Another delicious make-ahead potato salad recipe is this Garlic Roasted Potato Salad. Make a batch of this potato salad to enjoy on your next camping trip.
The best part is that you don’t have to heat it up once you get there. Just let it come to room temp and enjoy!
30. 15-Minute Broccoli Salad With Bacon
This quick 15-Minute Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a delicious meal prep to have for your next camping trip.
Prepare the broccoli salad and store in an airtight container in your cooler. Then, enjoy it cold whenever you’re hungry!
Dinner
Is it just me, or does dinner feel like the main event while camping? It can definitely be a delicious main event with these unique make-ahead camping meal recipes!
After a long day in the sun, using a make-ahead meal is the best option for dinner. It helps you have the best camping experience when you don’t have to prep all of your food on the spot.
31. Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets
Foil packs are one of the best make-ahead meals you can have for dinner. This Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets recipe can be made ahead of time and cooked right on your campfire.
You’ll love the delicious flavors mixed with the smokey campfire taste.
32. Shredded Italian Beef Sandwiches
This Chicago-Style Shredded Italian Beef Sandwiches recipe can be made at home and heated up for a delicious dinner at your campsite.
Make the sandwich filling before your trip and bring a bag of hoagie rolls. This will be a quick and easy dinner to whip up!
33. Bacon Cheeseburger & Potato Hobo Dinner
Hobo dinner is another way to say “foil packets.” This delicious Bacon Cheeseburger & Potato Hobo Dinner Foil Packets recipe is bound to be a crowd pleaser.
Pat your ground beef into patties and fill up your foil packets. When you get to your campsite, toss the foil packets on the campfire for a yummy dinner!
34. Chicken Kebabs
There’s nothing like grilled chicken and veggies. This recipe for Chicken Kebabs can be prepped at home before your trip.
Then, just pop the kebabs on the campfire and let them cook through. Easy and delicious!
35. Chicken Burrito Recipe
This Chicken Burrito Recipe can be turned into a make-ahead camping meal. Either cook all the filling at home before your trip, or combine it in a plastic baggie ready to be cooked on the campfire.
Simply cut up an avocado and top your burrito at the campsite. Super delicious!
36. Dutch Oven Chicken
Cooking a whole chicken while camping just got easier. This Dutch Oven Chicken recipe includes instructions on how to cook it over the campfire.
You can prep your chicken before your trip and then placed in your dutch oven on the campfire.
You’ll love having this hearty protein with potatoes as your meal any night of your camping trip!
36. Honey Garlic Chicken Potato Foil Packets
Another delicious twist on foil packets is this Honey Garlic Chicken Potato Foil Packets recipe.
Prep your meal in foil packets and then pop it on the campfire when you get to your campsite.
37. Campfire Stew
This Campfire Stew recipe is the perfect make-ahead meal for your camp dinner.
Simply prep all the ingredients before you go and then cook them over your fire.
You could also cook the stew before your trip and just heat it up when it’s time for dinner.
38. Easy Hobo Foil Packet
Another variation of the foil packet is this Easy Hobo Foil Packet recipe. With veggies, meat, & seasonings, you’re bound to have a hearty dinner.
Prep your foil packets before you go camping for an extra easy dinner.
39. Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe
Homemade Sloppy Joes is a great meal prep for your next camping trip. You can cook the meat filling before you go and simply heat it up at your campsite.
All you need to do is pack the buns!
40. White Bean Chili
This White Bean Chili recipe would be a great make-ahead meal for your camp dinner. Throw all the ingredients together in a large freezer bag.
When you get to your campsite, cook it on your camp stove or in your dutch over.
41. Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
If you’re looking for a seafood option, then try out these Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets on your next camping trip.
Foil packets make for an easy dinner because you can prep it all before hand and just cook it once you’re at your campsite.
42. Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
This super simple Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs recipe is perfect for your next camping trip.
You can prep the chicken at home and cook it at your campsite or pre-cook the chicken and heat it back up when you get there.
43. Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos
While you’ve got your campfire going, you might as well grill up these delicious Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos.
If you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go, it will just be a matter of grilling everything once you get to your campsite.
44. Dutch Oven Nachos
Having a nacho night while camping sounds like a great idea! This Dutch Oven Nachos recipe is sure to please your camping crew.
Prep your toppings into a freezer baggie to help save time.
To make for an even easier clean-up, line your dutch oven with parchment paper!
45. Honey Dijon Chicken Foil Packets
Make this yummy Dijon Chicken Foil Packets recipe for your next camping dinner.
This foil pack will be full of flavor and make for an extra hearty dinner!
46. Mexican Chicken
This Mexican Chicken With Marinade recipe is a delicious way to prep your meat for your next camping trip.
Let your chicken marinate in a freezer bag in your cooler and then just pop it on the campfire when you’re ready to cook!
47. Taco Soup In A Jar
This Taco Soup In A Jar recipe is one of the most genius make-ahead camping meal recipe ideas. With just a few dried ingredients mixed together, you’ll have yourself a delicious soup on your next camping trip.
If you don’t have freeze-dried meat to add to it, then pop open a can of chicken from your non-perishable camping food stash when you get to your campsite.
48. Sweet Potato Red Lentil & Coconut Curry
Have an extra flavorful dinner with this Sweet Potato Red Lentil & Coconut Curry recipe.
Prep the curry before hand and heat it up once you’re at your campsite. Or you can prep all of the ingredients at home and cook this delicious dish in your dutch oven.
Conclusion
Planing make-ahead camping meal recipes is a great way to enjoy some delicious meals while you’re out camping. These make-ahead meal ideas can be prepped before you go, which will make for super easy camping recipes when you’re out in nature.
Make sure to plan some of these unique make-ahead camping meal ideas for your next camping trip!
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Full Basic Camping Packing List
If this is your first time camping, or you need a refresh, then here is a free download for our Basic Camping Packing List. It is a full list of the basic items you need to bring for a successful camping trip.
