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Make the most of your camping trip with these make-ahead recipes!

36 Easy Make-Ahead Camping Meals For The Whole Family

Make-Ahead Camping meals
Image via Unsophisticook

If you want to rough it old-school while you explore the great outdoors, but don't exactly want to eat roasted beans out of a can, consider the convenience of make-ahead camping meals. Nothing's worse than sleeping outdoors without access to a shower than facing the wilderness on an empty stomach – it pays to be prepared.

You already have your camping essentials and your hydration must-haves ready – now, you just need to master these make-ahead camping meals and recipes that can easily be made ahead of time or prepped for easy cooking. Go, granola girl, go!


Tasty Pre-Made Camping Meals For Your Next Trip

Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Chili Make Ahead Camping Meal

Make a biiiig batch of this vegetarian chili, and freeze half of it for your next camping adventure. When your tent is set up and you're ready for dinner, simply reheat the chili over the campfire or grill, add your favorite toppings, and dig in. (via Brit + Co)

Cast Iron Pizza

Cast Iron Pizza Camping Meal

If you thought homemade pizza was incompatible with campground cooking, this gooey pie will change your mind. All you need for this pizza is pre-made dough, a skillet, and the will to live cheesily. (via Brit + Co)

Campfire Peach Cobbler

Campfire Peach Cobbler

Pack a can of peach filling and chilled biscuit dough in a cooler, and heat it to sweet bubbly excellence over the campfire. With this easy make-ahead recipe, fireside dessert is taken care of in a jiffy. (via Brit + Co)

Barbecue Black Bean Tacos

Premade Barbecue Black Bean Tacos for Camping

Vegetarians can still enjoy the meaty taste of barbecue with these well-seasoned black bean tacos, heated on a grill for *maximum* smokiness. (via Brit + Co)

Chicken Pepperoni Casserole

Chicken Pepperoni Casserole

Camp squad can't agree on chicken v. pizza? Settle that heated debate with this make-ahead casserole, filled with chicken breast, tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese – yes, three! 😋 (via Brit + Co)

Pineapple Pork Kebabs

Pineapple Pork Shish Kabobs

These skewers actually benefit from being made in advance; they'll have extra time to soak up the savory-sweet marinade while you're on your way to camp. (via Brit + Co)

Summer Fruit Crisp

Fruit Crisp for Camping

Satisfy those end-of-day dessert cravings with this resourceful crisp, made with an oatmeal-brown-sugar base. We're salivating over this make-ahead camping meal already. (via Brit + Co)

Lamb Burgers

Lamb Burgers

There's a fair amount of advance prep for these burgers, but when you bite into the flavorful patties after a full day, the make-ahead camp meal planning will have been *well* worth it. Just make sure to pack the toppings separately and keep 'em cool. (via Brit + Co)

One-Pot Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili:

Recap the day's adventures around the campfire with hearty bowls of chili. This meat-free version made with sweet potatoes and black beans is a *super* easy make-ahead camping meal – and it reheats in no time. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Portuguese Kale Soup

Vegan Portuguese Kale Soup

Don't forget to bring lots of crusty bread to accompany this slightly spicy soup, which is swimming with potato pieces, lima beans, and vegan sausage. Traveling with a leakproof container will preserve this meal's freshness and flavor. (via Brit + Co)

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

If you're somewhat challenged when it comes to starting a campfire, have no fear. This budget-friendly vegetarian meal comes together in minutes, no heat necessary. (via Brit + Co)

Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

Pack your burrito bowl components in separate containers to avoid sogginess, then reheat the rice, beans, and jackfruit at camp before serving this delicious *and* nutritious make-ahead meal. (via Brit + Co)

Make-Ahead Spinach Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole

Make Ahead Spinach-Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole

Thyme-flavored three-cheese pasta is so cozy, you'll be tempted to eat it while curled up in your sleeping bag. (via Brit + Co)

These Are The Tastiest Ideas For Camping Meal Prep

Fruit Skewers with Mason Jar Whipped Cream

Fruit Skewers With Mason-Jar Whipped Cream

Get your daily serving of fruit in the form of dessert with these cinnamon-sugary foil packets. While you fire up the skewers, put your friend on jar-shaking duty to make the whipped cream. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins

Whether you use it to sop up some chili, or slather it with honey butter for breakfast, slightly sweet cornbread is always a nice camping meal treat. Pre-portioned muffins mean you don't have to bother slicing cornbread at camp. (via Brit + Co)

Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata

Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata

Camping with a sophisticate? Show them you know about fine cheeses with this yummy frittata, which looks and tastes fancy, but really has just five ingredients and only requires that you don't burn it. (via Brit + Co)

S'mores Sweet Potato

S'mores Sweet Potato

Cook and stuff these sweet potatoes ahead of time, wrap them in foil, then let them become molten goodness over the campside stovetop. (via Brit + Co)

Campfire Cones

Campfire Cones

Omit the bananas, and these campfire cones become a decadent make-ahead dessert. Stuff small sugar cones with your favorite blend of chocolate candies and marshmallows, then wrap in foil. Place them over the campfire at the end of the night for a few minutes, until the candy inside is gooey and melted! (via Brit + Co)

Mason Jar Ramen

Mason Jar Ramen

Instant noodles are a backpacking staple, but it gets better. Prep some mason jars of noodles, veggies, and seasonings at home, then fill with boiling water from your campfire kettle when you're ready to eat. (via Brit + Co)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Cookies

Make-Ahead Breakfast Cookies

Spare yourself the trouble of stoking a fire in the morning by bringing a no-heat breakfast with you. A blend of oats, banana, pineapple, and mango breakfast cookies, dotted with white chocolate chips, will energize you for a busy day outdoors! (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Swirl Bread with Cheddar and Fig

Cheesy Swirl Bread makes for a great premade camping meal.

This particular homemade bread calls for weaving fig and cheddar into the dough, but you can go with whatever preserves and cheese you love together. Serve this with butter in the morning for breakfast, or as a side for supper. (via Brit + Co)

Campfire Veggie Sausage Packets

Campfire Veggie Sausage Packets

Marinate chopped peppers, onions, and potatoes in your favorite seasonings. Combine the mixture with sliced vegetarian sausages when you reach your campsite, then wrap in foil and cook until steamy and *a little* browned at the edges. (via Brit + Co)

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes in Foil

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes in Foil

Individual chicken breasts are cooked atop mounds of Dijon-mustardy, lemony, herby red potatoes. Each camper gets their own chicken packet with this make-ahead camping meal, and there are no plates to wash. Score! (via Damn Delicious)

Southern Skillet Pimento Mac and Cheese

Southern Skillet Pimento Mac and Cheese

Make your camping meal an ode to the South with this cheesy mac that's studded with peppers and crispy bacon. (via Pizzazzerie)

Make-Ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

Make-Ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

Eggs, cheese, and bacon (or sausage!) tucked into a warm English muffin is *just* the combination to fuel you for the day's adventures. Simply pre-assemble and reheat on site. (via The Cozy Cook)

Grilled Bratwurst Kebabs with Veggies

Grilled Sausage and Veggie Kabobs

There's nothing quite like the smoky aroma of sausages wafting off a hot grill. Fold yours into a hot dog bun, or eat it right off the skewer. (via A Fork's Tale)

Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets

Ham and Cheese Hash-Brown Foil Packets Make Ahead Camping Breakfast

Go the lazy-yet-tasty route with pre-made hash browns, salty ham, and a healthy handful of cheddar. Add a fried egg on top of each finished pouch for *extra* sustenance. (via Damn Delicious)

Carne Asada Skillet Nachos

Carne Asada Skillet Nachos

Gather around the campfire with a skillet full of crispy tortilla chips, piled high with tender steak, rich queso, and chopped veggies that you brilliantly prepped ahead of time. (via What's Gaby Cooking)

Keep Scrolling For Some Genius Make-Ahead Meals For Camping

Migas Breakfast Casserole

Migas Breakfast Casserole

Wake up your tent-mates in the tenderest way possible, with the aroma of gently reheating tortilla chips, jalapeños, and cheeeeese. (via Kitschen Cat)

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Leafy salads aren't... the best choice when camping. They just don't hold up well over time. Instead, make a salad full of crunchy veggies, herbs, and chickpeas that won't wilt in the cooler. (via My Food Story)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Whip up a batch of breakfast burritos to take on your next excursion. Move them from freezer to cooler, then heat up in the morning over your fire or grill. (via Unsophisticook)

Smoky Chorizo and Butter Bean Hot Pot

Smoky Chorizo and Butter Bean Hot Pot:

Few things are more comforting than a hot pot on a campfire. You can make this bite *completely* ahead of time, or prep the ingredients and cook it at camp. (via Lavender & Lovage)

Backpacker's Blueberry Crisp

Backpacker's Blueberry Crisp

Dinner's just *not* complete without a little something sweet, so what better way to satisfy a dessert craving than this easy blueberry crisp made with granola, sugar packets, and dried blueberries? (via Fresh Off The Grid)

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

If you make the filling of these crispy 'dillas ahead of time, you only need to assemble and griddle them at the campsite. Bonus points to this recipe for being vegetarian! (via Tabitha Talks Food)

Fried Pizzas

Fried Pizzas for Make Ahead Camping Meals

If you thought pizza was incompatible with camp cooking, color you wrong. Prepare your dough and toppings at home, pack your trusty skillet, and give it a try. After the initial fry over the campfire, add your toppings and continue cooking until the pizza's nice and melty. (via Pinch Of Yum)

Kung Pao White Beans Skillet

Kung Pao White Bean Skillet is just one of 36 make ahead camping meals.

This vegan-ized skillet packs plenty of pre-hike fuel with white beans in place of chicken, plus some crunchy peanuts. (via Full Of Plants)

Love these make ahead camping meals? There's more. Follow us on Pinterest for more easy recipes and hacks, join our newsletter, or sign up for our baking and cooking classes!

Additional reporting by Sally Jones and Justina Huddleston.

This post has been updated from a previous post from March 2019.

The Conversation (3)
Reviews: (0)
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Amanda Lahey
Amanda Lahey
14 Jul, 2020
Review:

I cannot wait to make these. Holy cow I've been cooking the same thing we camp practically everytime. I'm excited to level up my camp cook game. Can't believe you fit all that in one dish, absolutely loved fried pizzas and they kept really well for the second day!

Chelsea
Chelsea
16 May, 2022
Review:

The carne asada skillet nachos and campfire peach cobbler look amazing, so nice to think about eating something other than granola and jerky on our next trip

c.liz
c.liz
19 May, 2022
Review:

Making your food ahead of time makes camping so. Much. Easier. Thanks for the recipe ideas!

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