camping meals made easy, healthy, and fun!
Camping is all about enjoying the great outdoors, spending time with family, and eating good food!
But when planning camping meals for the family, things can get a little tricky. Between limited cooking resources, lack of refrigeration, pleasing all taste buds, and the desire to maximize adventure time, preparing food can feel overwhelming.
Thankfully, with some planning, you can create various delicious and easy camp meals without sacrificing nutrition and taste. 'Cause where's the fun in that??
Continue reading for our essential tips for planning easy camping meals with 12 meal ideas perfect for the whole family and a fun, no-fuss trip!
Tips for Planning Camping Meals For The Family
Consider the Logistics
Before diving into meal ideas, it's important to think about a few logistics:
Location: How remote will your campsite be? Will you be near a grocery store, or will you need to bring everything with you?
Refrigeration: Do you have a cooler or portable fridge, or are you relying on shelf-stable ingredients?
Cooking amenities: What kind of equipment do you have— a portable gas cooker, a kettle, or just a campfire?
Less Cookware, More Fun
When camping, the goal is to spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying nature and adventures! That's why one-pot meals are ideal. They require minimal cookware and cleanup, allowing you to whip up hearty meals with little effort.
Scroll down to get some ideas!
Easy, Healthy Ingredients
When choosing your ingredients, think quick-cooking, low-prep, and non-perishable.
- Make meals that cook fast (you don't want to waste fuel or time meant for fun!)
- Take ingredients that can stay fresh without refrigeration
- If you need to carry your ingredients and meals a long way, make sure they are lightweight and easy to pack.
- Choose versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple ways and meals.
- Pre-prep what you can at home to save time at the campsite. Chopping vegetables, pre-cooking grains, or pre-baking baked goods at home can be a lifesaver.
- Opt for healthy ingredients that will make you feel good and provide the energy needed for hiking or other strenuous activities.
A List of Ingredients For Easy Camp Meals
Here's a list of plant-based, family-friendly ingredients that are perfect for no-fuss camping meals:
Cereal: Cereal like oats and granoloa are lightweight and shelf-stable; serve with plant-based milk alternatives or just water. Buy all your cereal here.
Granola bars: Ideal for grab-and-go energy when you're heading out early. Try these homemade granola bars.
Frozen waffles or pancakes: Heat them up over the campfire or leave them out overnight to thaw.
Dried fruits, nuts, and trail mix: Add them to cereal or enjoy as a quick snack. We've got some delicious trail mix options for you!
Pitas and wraps: Easy to store and incredibly versatile. Fill them with pre-cooked ingredients, veggies, or spreads.
Canned chickpeas and beans: Use them as a protein base for salads or add them to wraps, pitas, rice, or pasta. Get your legumes here!
Instant soup sachets: Quick and filling, great if you're low on cooking time.
Pasta and rice: Cook quickly and make a great base for one-pot meals. Combine with tinned vegetables, beans, or tofu for a hearty dinner. Buy a variety of rice and pasta here.
Canned vegetables: Canned or dehydrated vegetables are perfect for adding bulk and much-needed nutrients to any meal without the worry of them spoiling.
Tofu and other meat alternatives: Tofu can be marinated ahead of time and packed into a cooler. Soycurls are another great option. Make tofu scramble, stir-fry it with veggies, or use it in wraps. Get your meat alternatives here!
Candy: Sometimes a little sugar boost is just what you need after a long hike, and who doesn't like smores at the campfire ;-) Get delicious candy and marshmallow options here.
Seasonings: Simple spices like salt, pepper, and dried herbs can elevate your meals without taking up much space. Buy a variety of seasonings here.
Powdered milk: Our organic plant milk powder is a great option for camping as it needs no refrigeration. Simpy add water to make delicious milk, ideal for your morning brew, to add to porridge, for a quick protein shake, or for yummy hot coco around the campfire after a long day!
12 camping meal ideas for the family
Here are some easy camp meal ideas that require minimal preparation and are perfect for camping trips:
BREAKFAST
1. Hearty Cereal
This may be an obvious choice but it is a winner! A hearty bowl of granola or quick-cooking oats can start your day just right. Just add hot water or milk of choice, and you’re set for a nutritious breakfast that will keep you energized for hiking or exploring!
BUY YOUR OATS AND GRANOLA HERE
2. Kamut Pancakes
For a fiber- and protein-packed breakfast, make these Kamut pancakes. To save time and effort, make a batch of ready-to-go pancake batter at home and use it the first morning. (You'll need a fridge for this one.).
3. Easy Tofu Scramble
Make vegan scrambled "eggs" with tofu! The secret to great tasting tofu is to season it right! And for that, we've got our classic scramble seasoning ;-) Simply crumble your tofu into a pan with oil, add the seasoning, and stir until well combined and the tofu is cooked to your liking. Serve and enjoy with your favorite sides like beans and tortillas.
4. Sweet Waffles or Wraps
Use pre-made waffles or wraps and stuff or top them with peanut butter, bananas, and a sprinkle of granola. These wraps are high in energy and perfect for a quick breakfast before a busy day.
LUNCH & DINNER
5. Instant Red Lentil Curry
Our instant red lentil curry will be your quickest healthy camp meal yet! You simply have to add water, bring to a boil, and cook until soft. Made with 100% organic, wholesome ingredients, this aromatic Red Lentil Curry mix served with rice, Naan bread, or veggies makes the perfect meal.
BUY THE RED LENTIL CURRY MIX HERE
6. The Easiest Mac and Cheez
All you need is your favorite pasta and our instant vegan cheez sauce! Or any other cheese sauce, but we highly recommend ours ;-) as it is shelf-stable, requires only added water, contains only natural ingredients, and is super tasty! You can add some chickpeas or white beans for added protein.
GET OUR INSTANT CHEEZ SAUCE HERE
7. Tofu Hot Dog
This one the kids will love! Cut extra firm tofu into thick slices. Mix 1/2 cup of our BBQ tofu seasoning with 2 Tbs oil. Add a bit of water to make a marinade. Cover the tofu in the marinade and let it rest for a while. Grill the tofu until crispy and lightly charred on the outside. Serve on a bun with some yummy salsa!
8. Easy Stir-Fry
Bring along some pre-cooked rice (or cook it at the campsite if you prefer), canned veggies, and Ensemble vegan meat. Cook everything together in one pot for a quick and filling stir-fry.
9. Chickpea Salad Wraps
Mash canned chickpeas with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoning to make a chickpea salad. Serve in wraps with canned or fresh veggies for a protein-packed meal.
HAVE A LOOK AT THIS CHICKPEA SALAD RECIPE
10. Instant Noodle Soup
Use instant soup sachets and throw in some vegetable stew mix, or dried mushrooms to add substance. A quick meal perfect for chilly nights by the campfire.
11. Cuban Black Bean Soup
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Cuba under the stars with our Cuban Black Bean Soup, a hearty and wholesome treat. Our easy-to-make soup requires just a few simple steps: bring water to a boil, add the contents of the bag, stir, and simmer for a quick and satisfying meal. Let it stand for a few minutes, and you’ll have a delicious, comforting soup ready to enjoy.
BUY OUR CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP HERE
12. One-Pot Chickpea Pasta
All you need is pasta, canned chickpeas, a tin of crushed tomatoes, and some seasoning. Throw it all in a pot and let it simmer. Top with dried herbs like oregano or basil for a little extra flavor. You could also add some curry powder and coconut milk to make a hearty chickpea curry pasta.
Easy camping meals for the family don't have to be complicated. With a little planning and the right ingredients, you can create delicious, easy meals that the whole family will enjoy without too much fuss! Focus on using versatile, lightweight, and non-perishable ingredients to minimize stress and maximize fun.
So pack up your gear, hit the road, and let your camping meals fuel your next adventure! Remember that we have a variety of easy meals and options that can make camp cooking so much easier! SHOP HERE!
Happy camping! 🌲🏕️
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