10+ Make Ahead Camping Recipes for Stress-Free Outdoor Meals

Planning a camping trip can be exciting, but figuring out what to eat can sometimes be a challenge. Make ahead camping recipes save you time and hassle, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor adventures without the stress of daily meal prep.

These recipes help you create delicious and satisfying meals that can be prepared in advance. With a little planning, you can have more time to relax and explore while still enjoying great food around the campfire.

Campfire Breakfast Burritos

Campfire breakfast burritos are a fun and easy meal to prepare. You can make them ahead of time, which saves you cooking time while camping.

Start with your favorite ingredients, like eggs, cheese, and sausage. You can also add veggies or salsa for extra flavor. Wrap each burrito in foil, making sure it’s tightly sealed.

When you’re ready to cook them, place the foil-wrapped burritos in the hot coals of your campfire. Be careful not to let them touch the flames. Heat them for about 10 to 15 minutes, flipping them every five minutes to ensure they warm evenly.

These burritos are not only tasty but also convenient for breakfast at the campsite. You can easily customize them to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup cooked sausage
• Salsa (optional)
• Tortillas
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Cooking Instructions

1. Scramble the eggs in a bowl.
2. Mix in cheese, sausage, and salsa.
3. Spread the mixture onto tortillas.
4. Roll up each tortilla and wrap in foil.
5. Heat in campfire coals for 10-15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes.

Foil Pack French Toast

Making Foil Pack French Toast is a fun and easy way to enjoy breakfast while camping. It’s perfect for cooking over a campfire or a grill. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare this tasty meal.

To start, gather your ingredients and mix everything in a bowl. You can customize it with fruits or nuts to suit your taste. Once mixed, scoop the mixture into a sheet of foil.

Wrap it tightly to keep the heat inside while cooking. Then, cook your foil pack over hot coals or a grill for about 10-15 minutes. You’ll end up with fluffy and delicious French toast.

This recipe is great because you can prepare it ahead of time. Just pack it up, and it’s ready to go when you are!

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bread
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Optional: fruit or nuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl.
2. Place the bread in the mixture to soak.
3. Spoon the bread into a foil sheet and wrap tightly.
4. Cook over hot coals or a grill at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

3) Make-Ahead Mason Jar Parfaits

Make-ahead mason jar parfaits are perfect for camping trips. They are easy to prepare and fun to customize. You can layer your favorite ingredients, making breakfast simple and delicious.

Start with yogurt at the bottom. Greek yogurt works well, but you can use any type you like. Then add a layer of granola for crunch. You can use any granola you prefer or even make your own.

Next, add a layer of fresh fruits like berries, bananas, or apples. This adds sweetness and flavor. You can repeat the layers until your jar is full.

These parfaits store well in the fridge. Just grab one in the morning for a healthy start to your day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (or your favorite yogurt)
• ½ cup granola
• 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
• ½ banana (sliced)
• Honey or maple syrup (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a mason jar, add a layer of yogurt.
2. Add a layer of granola on top.
3. Layer fresh fruits.
4. Repeat the layers until the jar is full.
5. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to eat.

Prepped Pancake Batter in a Bottle

Making pancake batter ahead of time is a great idea for camping. You can store the batter in a clean squeeze bottle. This way, it’s easy to pour right onto the skillet when you’re ready to make breakfast.

To prepare the batter, mix together your dry and wet ingredients at home. You can store the dry mix in one bottle and the wet ingredients in another. Ensure all containers are sealed tightly to prevent spills.

When you’re at the campsite, simply combine the two and shake the bottle well. This simple method saves you time and hassle in the morning.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup dried milk powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
2. In another container, mix the wet ingredients.
3. Store them in separate bottles.
4. At the campsite, combine wet and dry ingredients in the squeeze bottle.
5. Shake well and pour onto a hot skillet.
6. Cook until the edges are bubbly, then flip.

5) Overnight Oats with Berries

Overnight oats with berries are a great choice for a quick breakfast while camping. They are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. You can customize them with your favorite fruits.

To make this dish, you’ll start with rolled oats and your choice of milk. You can use cow’s milk, almond milk, or oat milk. Mix in yogurt for added creaminess and protein.

Add fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. These not only add sweetness but also great nutrition. You can sweeten it with honey or maple syrup if you like.

Let the mixture sit overnight in the fridge. In the morning, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious meal ready to go!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup milk (or milk alternative)
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
• Honey or maple syrup (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a jar or container, combine oats and milk.
2. Stir in Greek yogurt.
3. Add mixed berries.
4. Sweeten with honey or syrup if desired.
5. Seal the container and refrigerate overnight.
6. Enjoy chilled the next morning!

6) No-Bake Energy Bites

No-bake energy bites are perfect for your camping trips. They are easy to make ahead of time and provide a healthy snack while you enjoy the outdoors.

You can customize these bites with your favorite ingredients. Use oats, nut butter, honey, and any nuts or dried fruits you like.

Simply mix everything in a bowl, roll them into bite-sized balls, and refrigerate. They hold up well and are great for energy on the go.

These snacks are a tasty way to stay fueled during hikes or adventure. They can also serve as a quick breakfast when you need something fast.

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup nut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts or seeds
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the oats, nut butter, honey, nuts, and dried fruit.
2. Use your hands to form the mixture into small balls.
3. Place the bites on a baking sheet and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

7) Chili Lime Chicken Marinade

Chili lime chicken marinade is a great way to add flavor to your camping meals. It combines fresh lime juice, olive oil, and spices for a zesty kick.

Start by mixing lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl. This simple mixture brings a bright taste to your chicken.

Place the chicken in a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure it’s well coated. Seal the bag and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

When you’re ready to cook, grill the marinated chicken on medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C) until fully cooked. Enjoy the juicy, flavorful chicken while camping!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 pounds chicken (breasts or thighs)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Place chicken in a zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it.
3. Seal bag and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
4. Preheat the grill to medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
5. Grill chicken until fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side.

8) BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

BBQ pulled pork sandwiches are a crowd-pleaser for your camping trip. They are easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

Start with a pork shoulder, which becomes tender when cooked low and slow. Season it with your favorite spices and BBQ sauce. You can use a slow cooker or a smoker for the best results.

After cooking for several hours, shred the pork with two forks. Mix it with more BBQ sauce for extra flavor. Serve the juicy pulled pork on soft buns. Add coleslaw for a crunchy topping if you like.

These sandwiches reheat well, making them perfect for your next camping meal.

Ingredients

• 3-5 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• Sandwich buns
• Coleslaw (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub spices onto the pork shoulder.
2. Place the pork in the slow cooker or smoker.
3. Cook the pork on low for 8-10 hours (200°F/93°C) or until tender.
4. Shred the meat with forks.
5. Mix the shredded pork with BBQ sauce and serve it on buns.

9) Veggie and Hummus Wrap Kits

Veggie and hummus wrap kits are perfect for camping. They are simple to prepare and easy to customize. You can pack different veggies and hummus flavors to suit everyone’s taste.

Start with your choice of tortillas or wraps. Whole wheat, gluten-free, or regular tortillas work well.

Spread a generous layer of hummus on each tortilla. Use classic flavors or try roasted red pepper or avocado hummus for something different.

Choose fresh veggies such as cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots. Slice them up into sticks for easy wrapping. You can also add some greens like spinach or lettuce.

Once you have your wraps ready, roll them tightly. Wrap each one in foil to keep them fresh. You can make them ahead of time and store them in a cooler.

Ingredients

• Tortillas or wraps
• Hummus
• Cucumbers
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Spinach or lettuce

Cooking Instructions

1. Spread hummus on each tortilla.
2. Slice veggies into sticks.
3. Place veggies on the hummus-covered tortilla.
4. Roll the tortilla tightly.
5. Wrap each roll in foil.

10) Smoky Campfire Chili

Smoky Campfire Chili is a perfect recipe to prepare ahead of your camping trip. It is hearty, full of flavor, and easy to reheat over a campfire.

For this recipe, you will need a mix of fresh veggies and protein. You can use ground beef, turkey, or go vegetarian with beans and lentils. Smoky flavors come from adding fire-roasted peppers and spices like cumin and chili powder.

Before your trip, chop your onions and peppers, and drain any canned beans. This will save you time at the campsite. You can store the chili in a sealed container in the cooler.

When you’re ready to cook, simply heat it over low heat on your campfire or cook it in a Dutch oven. Stir it occasionally until it’s warmed through.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups fire-roasted peppers
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare your vegetables and meat ahead of time.
2. In a large pot, brown the meat over medium-high heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. Add chopped onions and peppers. Cook until they soften.
4. Stir in the beans, fire-roasted peppers, chili powder, and cumin.
5. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring often.
6. Enjoy!