If you’re looking for ideas on what to take camping for food, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favorite camping food ideas, from easy-to-prepare meals to snacks that will keep you going all day long.
What to take camping for food: the basics
No matter how long you’re camping for, or how remote your campsite is, you’re going to need to think about food. Even if you’re only planning on cooking hot dogs over an open fire, you need to make sure you have the right supplies.
The first step is to figure out what type of camping trip you’re going on. Are you backpacking? Car camping? Canoeing? Each type of trip will have different food considerations.
Once you know what type of trip you’re taking, you can start planning your menu. If you’re backpacking, you’ll need to pack lightweight, easy-to-prepare foods that don’t require refrigeration. If you’re car camping, on the other hand, you can bring cooler full of fresh meat and vegetables.
Some basic things to consider for any camping trip:
-Firewood and kindling
-Matches or a lighter
-A camp stove and fuel (If permitted where you’re camping)
-Pots and pans (For cooking over a campfire)
-Cooking utensils (Spatula, tongs, etc.)
-Dishes and silverware (For eating your meals)
-Coffee pot or tea kettle (Optional, but nice to have)
-Food storage containers (to keep your food safe from animals)
What to take camping for food: the essentials
Planning and packing your food for a camping trip can be daunting, but with a little organisation and planning, it doesn’t have to be. Here are the essential things you need to take camping for food, so you can make sure you’re never caught hungry in the great outdoors.
-A portable stove and fuel: You’ll need a way to cook your food, so a portable stove is an essential. Don’t forget to pack enough fuel!
-A good cooler: A cooler is essential for keeping your food fresh, especially if you’re planning on camping in hot weather.
-Cooking supplies: pots, pans, plates, utensils, etc.
-Food: of course! Make sure to pack enough non-perishable food for your entire trip, plus some snacks. Bring along some favourite spices to make meals more enjoyable.
-Water: Don’t forget to pack water bottles and a water filter if you’re not sure about the quality of the water where you’re camping.
What to take camping for food: the must-haves
There are a lot of things to consider when packing for a camping trip, but food is one of the most important. After all, you’ll need sustenance to hike, fish, and explore all that nature has to offer. But what should you bring? Here are some ideas to get you started.
-Canned goods: Canned foods are great for camping because they’re nonperishable and easy to transport. Beans, soup, and vegetables are all good options.
-Condiments: Don’t forget the ketchup and mustard! These will come in handy for burgers and hot dogs cooked over the campfire.
-Snacks: Chips, trail mix, granola bars, and fruit are all good snacks to pack.
-Cooking supplies: If you’re planning on cooking over the campfire, you’ll need some basic supplies like a skillet, tongs, and aluminum foil.
What to take camping for food: the nice-to-haves
You don’t need to rough it to enjoy camping. These items will make your time in the great outdoors a little more comfortable — and a lot more delicious.
Campfires are great for cooking hot dogs and s’mores, but if you want to enjoy a gourmet meal, you’ll need a little more than that. These nice-to-haves will help you cook up something special.
- Portable stove: A portable stove is essential for cooking anything beyond hot dogs and s’mores. There are many different types available, so do your research to find the one that’s best for you.
- Dutch oven: A Dutch oven is perfect for cooking stews, roasts and other one-pot meals. If you’re planning on doing any baking while camping, a Dutch oven is also a must-have.
- Cast iron skillet: A cast iron skillet is perfect for frying up pancakes, eggs and bacon. It can also be used for baking pies and cobblers.
- Cooler: A cooler is essential for keeping your food fresh — especially if you’re camping in warm weather. Be sure to pack plenty of ice or ice packs.
- Food storage containers: Pack your food in airtight containers to keep it fresh and to prevent critters from getting into it.
What to take camping for food: the extras
In addition to the basics, there are a few other things you might want to bring along to make your camping trip more enjoyable. Here are a few ideas:
-Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo, BBQ sauce, salsa, etc.
-Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, etc.
-Snacks: crackers, nuts, trail mix, jerky, candy bars, etc.
-Drinks: coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix, juices, sodas
What to take camping for food: the luxuries
In order to have a comfortable camping trip, you need to bring along certain luxuries. These include items that will make your trip more enjoyable and convenient, but are not strictly necessary. For example, although you can cook over a campfire, bringing a portable stove will make meal preparation much easier.
Some other examples of luxuries that you might want to take camping include:
- camp chairs or folding chairs
- a picnic table
- an air mattress or cot
- a portable stereo
- lanterns or string lights
- extra batteries
- non-perishable snacks
- first aid kit
What to take camping for food: the non-essentials
While there are some basics that every camper should bring along (think tent, sleeping bags and marshmallows), there are also a few less essential items that can make your camping trip even more enjoyable. Here are a few of our favorite things to bring along on a camping trip, even if they’re not absolutely essential.
- A portable grill or camp stove: While you can certainly cook over a fire, it’s not always the easiest thing to do. A portable grill or camp stove will make it much easier to cook your meals, especially if you want to avoid getting smoke in your eyes.
- A cooler: This one is pretty self-explanatory. A cooler will keep your food and drinks cold, which is especially important in hot weather.
- Portable speakers: Music can make any camping trip better, whether you’re relaxing by the fire or hiking through the woods. Portable speakers make it easy to bring your music with you, without having to lug around a bulky stereo system.
- Lawn chairs or folding chairs: If you’re planning on spending any time sitting around the campfire or just want somewhere comfortable to relax, bring along a few lawn chairs or folding chairs. You’ll be glad you have them when you’re trying to find a comfortable spot on the ground.
- Bug spray: No one likes dealing with bugs, but they’re unfortunately part of the camping experience. Bring along some bug spray to help keep them at bay so you can enjoy your trip uninterrupted
What to take camping for food: the things to avoid
When you go camping, you have to be careful about the kind of food that you bring. If you’re not careful, you can end up bringing things that will attract animals or that will go bad quickly. Here are some things to avoid when packing your camping food:
-Canned goods: Canned goods are heavy and take up a lot of space. They also attract animals. If you must bring canned goods, make sure to pack them in a bear-proof container.
-Chocolate: Chocolate attracts bears, so it’s best to avoid it entirely.
-Frozen meats: Frozen meats can thaw and spoil quickly, especially if they’re not packed in a cooler with ice. If you want to bring meat, cook it before you leave and pack it in an airtight container.
-Anything with a strong smell: When you’re camping, you want to avoid anything with a strong smell. This includes perfumes, colognes and scented lotions. These can attract animals or bugs.
