Looking for Camping Dinner Suggestions?
If you love camping but are tired of the same old camp food, here are some camping dinner ideas for new and delicious meals. What is on your favorite camping menu? I like to make my pasta with a yummy tomato sauce. It takes a bit more time to prepare, but it’s so worth it. There are so many excellent car-camping dinner ideas in this blog post, too- enjoy!
27 Dinner Ideas for Camping
Avocado Toast Breakfast Sandwich
This camping breakfast sandwich has it all: Avocado, bacon, toast, and fried egg. Plus, the best part? You can make this delicious meal on just one skillet using a camp stove or fire!
Who doesn’t love the idea of enjoying a sandwich while camping? This one has double creaminess, crispy bacon bits, and an egg cooked right. It’s perfect for those long days sitting around by your campfire sipping coffee or tea.
For a tasty and satisfying breakfast sandwich, you can’t go wrong with the bacon, avocado, and egg sandwich. This recipe is excellent for building up flavors quickly while still delivering that fancy brunch in no time.
Banana Bread Pancakes
Whether you’re at home or on the road, these pancakes are an exceptional option for breakfast. All that’s needed from start to finish is some meal prep and cooking in advance with an easy recipe!
You can combine your dry ingredients into one container before camping if possible. This will ensure no mix-ups when combining them all later (especially since it may get kicked around!). It also helps if they go over their respective cups during preparation because those extra bits add flavor. For toppings like syrup/fruit etc., just use what sounds appealing.
Campfire Apple Crisp
This is one of the vegetarian camping dinner ideas. It is a no-bake apple crisp designed to be an afterthought of a dessert. Something so simple, it’s hard not to make when you’re out on the trail!
What’s good about this recipe is that it uses many common camping ingredients: apples, granola, brown cinnamon sugar, and bourbon— these things you might already have on hand or can easily pick up at your local grocery store.
So, treat yourself to this easy camping food next time you are camping. You’ll feel warm and cozy after this vegan campfire apple crisp.
Campfire Banana Boats
All you need to make a banana boat is a peeled but not cut-through banana. Notch your knife and insert it into the notch running down its side. Gently pull apart with an upwards motion until that peel is removed from each half for it to be able to stand on its own without falling over. You can then fill your banana with some ingredients.
Campfire Grilled Fish Tacos
You can make Fish tacos on the grill or in a pan, but they’re even better when they’re grilled over a campfire and topped with fresh cilantro and sour cream.
Campfire Nachos
Campfire Nachos are a good example of easy dinner ideas for camping. They are made from fresh or canned ingredients. As a result, they don’t require any special culinary skills to pull off. Instead, you eat them straight out of the pan with your hands.
You can make nachos with a cast-iron Dutch oven no matter where you are. It’s possible to place coals on top of the lid and underneath for cooking both sides! It is even possible to do the whole thing over an open campfire to get that delicious burnt flavor everyone loves about these delicious chips. But be careful not to cook them too long, since they will start falling apart quickly if cooked past their crunchiness point.
Camp Stove Chilaquiles
This easy chilaquiles recipe can be made in under 30 minutes with store-bought tortilla chips, jarred spicy tomato sauce, and eggs. Chilaquiles is a perfect dish for any outdoor adventure. You mix fried tortillas with cheese and eggs cooked in spicy salsa to make this tasty breakfast. It’s one of the simple camping dinner ideas that is sure to engage all your senses.
The best part about chilaquiles is that they can be made quickly on the fly if life gets busy during work hours. However, we don’t always have time anymore these days, so it fits right into an itinerary that allows us some relaxing moments outdoors too.
Cast Iron Brats with Onions and Peppers
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to feed a crowd, this is it. You’ll need brats (or anything that would work well as the centerpiece of your meal), grilled onions/peppers on both sides, with some mustard if desired. Once those are done cooking, turn down over medium heat until they’ve charred slightly but aren’t burned. Then pile everything into pretzel buns and enjoy.
Cheesy Asparagus One Pot Orzo
One-pot pasta is one of the essential camping meals. It’s easy to prepare and clean up, with the option of limitless variations that you can make just by adding or subtracting ingredients! Whether it has one sauce or ten flavors goes without saying: One Pot Pasta will be on your menu every time you are out there in the woods.
Chickpea Breakfast Hash
This protein-packed vegetarian breakfast can be made in just one skillet for easy cleanup. It has the perfect blend of healthy ingredients like chopped veggies and eggs, all cooked together with canned chickpeas to make it taste great.
Chicken Pad Thai
The number one piece of advice we have for cooking this dish is that you need a large pot to cook all your ingredients in. You also want something non-stick, which would be better on the stovetop and in the oven! We found that iron skillets worked alright.
Chicken Tzatziki Skewers
Greek-inspired grilled chicken skewers with tzatziki sauce are the perfect quick and easy camping dinner. Just take out your chopping board, make (or buy) a fresh batch of homemade Greek dressings that can be assembled in seconds to go on top.
You can also toss into anything from salads as an added touch, then grate some extra virgin olive oil over everything before closing up tightly and heading off into nature!
Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese
This Mac & Cheese is the perfect dinner for those busy days. It only takes seven ingredients and 10 minutes to cook, so all you have to do is dump everything in before setting over coals.
Easy Chickpea Curry
Are you tired of the same old taste? Spice up your life with this easy and flavorful coconut milk chickpea curry! With a mix of spices, vegetables, beans, grains- you’ll never want to go back.
Easy Trail Mix Recipes
This is a camping recipe must-have. Trail mix is a perfect snack for any outdoor occasion, but it can be tough to find something that fits your requirements. Making trail mix at home guarantees that you have all the ingredients and preferences in one place- saving you time when hunger strikes!
Trail Mix recipes are easy enough to follow, so anyone with some basic cooking skills could make their own. Here are some you can try to make:
- Cajun trail mix
- Fall trail mix
- Nut-free trail mix
- Maple glazed trail mix
- Sweet and spicy trail mix
- Festive trail mix
- Chocolate and banana trail mix
- Crunchy Thai-inspired trail mix
- Keto trail mix
- Chunky monkey trail mix
French Toast Sticks
This is simple camp food, especially for kids. Active kids are always on the go, and they need to fuel up before starting their day. That’s why breakfast finger food is an ideal option for campers who know that not everyone has time or patience during those busy morning hours. It may be quite a task to get the kids to sit around a table to eat.
So, French toast sticks come in handy since they can eat them while playing.
Foil Wrapped Sweet Potatoes and Chili
Another food to take camping is foil-wrapped sweet potatoes and chili. The campfire aroma and the taste of this vegetarian chili will make you feel like your mouth is burning after every single bite. But it’s so worth it! The sweet potato topping adds an extra touch that feeds both body and soul, especially when paired with hot bread.
Grilled Mexican Style Street Corn
Elote is a perfect camping appetizer. It’s quick, easy, and portable, making it great for busy campers on the move! Elotes are grilled Mexican street corn that has been slathered in mayo, then topped with other delicious ingredients like chili powder or cotija cheese.
This comes before getting skewered through flames to create an unforgettable taste experience you can enjoy at home too.
Lime and Cilantro Grilled Chicken Tacos
These Grilled Chicken Tacos with a Citrus Marinade are the perfect summertime treat. They offer just enough citrus flavor to keep you coming back for more, and they’re easy as pie. For best results, make sure that your limes sit in water overnight before using them.
One-Pot Pasta Primavera
This is an Italian classic with a ton of fresh veggies, pasta, and an amazingly creamy, cheesy sauce that cooks in ONE skillet. This recipe will have you running to the kitchen for more every time because there’s just something about it that makes your mouth water.
One-Pot Pesto Pasta
Pesto is a great, quick, and easy way to upgrade your pasta dish. Make the pesto ahead of time or pick up some at the store for an even faster meal! The best part? It’ll be ready in no time so that you can enjoy this tasty dinner.
Pie Iron Pizzas
Campers, get your firewood ready because there are plenty of delicious pies to be made over an open flame. Make the dough yourself with store-bought crusts and top them however you want.
Pineapple Chicken Skewers
These kebabs are the perfect summer meal! They have bright, fresh flavors, and they’re simple to make. Chop up your chicken before you go camping so that it marinates faster with all those great ingredients like pineapple rings or red onions too. Just throw everything on a stick, then grill away until done.
Red Lentil Sloppy Joes
The best vegetarian Sloppy Joes are cooked in one pot. The lentils can be put into sandwiches or stuffed into campfire-baked potatoes and do not require long cooking times!
Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches
When camping, the first thing you should do is make sure that your food supply includes plenty of fresh and delicious ingredients. A good breakfast sandwich is no exception!
With just a few simple ingredients, such as eggs, sausages, all the necessary spices for flavor enhancement or spice replacement, plus some hot-honey sauce on top. What more could we ask for from one little dish?
Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
Made with buttery corn, spicy sausage, and zesty lemon, this Shrimp Boil Foil Packet is one of our all-time summertime favorites. And since the whole meal cooks in foil, there are NO DISHES to clean at the end!
4 Campground Breakfast Recipes
Below are campground breakfast recipes you can try:
Chickpea Breakfast Hash
Serving: 2
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Equipment needed: Sharp knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, Spatula, can opener, 10-inch (25.4 cm) cast-iron skillet, plates.
Nutrition per serving: Calories-379 kcal (1586 kilojoules)
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz (0.57 kg) can chickpeas, drained
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp coriander
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 summer squash or zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) half-moons
- 1 small red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch (0.64 cm) half-moons
- 3 mini sweet peppers, cut into 1/4-inch (0.64 cm) slices
Instructions
- Add enough oil to coat in a skillet over the campfire or stovetop. Once shimmering hot, add your onions and peppers with zucchini for 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Then, stir in drained chickpeas and spices for another 10 to 15 minutes before removing from the heat source once cooked through but still vibrant green-colored.
- In a well-greased skillet, place all ingredients except for the eggs. Add oil if necessary and crack two raw eggs into the center of the pan so that they can be cooked to your liking.
- Remove the skillet from heat and serve.
Banana Bread Pancakes
Serving: 16 pancakes
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Equipment needed: Cast iron skillet, bowl, spatula
Nutrition per serving: 152 kcal (636 kilojoules)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (55g) brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (124g) chopped walnuts, ghee, butter, or coconut oil for the pan
- 3 ripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- 1½ cup (355 ml) whole milk
- 2 cups (240g) flour
Instructions
- Place two bananas in a medium bowl and mash thoroughly with the back of your fork until relatively smooth. Crack an egg into the mixture, add milk- beat together to create something like whipped cream.
- Add all dry ingredients together with your favorite milk until well mixed in a bowl. Don’t over mix, or it will turn out too thick! You can also add if needed for desired consistency.
- Heat your favorite pan with ghee, butter, or coconut oil! Coat the bottom of it well and then pour in ⅓ cup (45g) pancake batter. Scatter on top some chopped walnuts before cooking for 2-3 minutes until bubbles appear on its surface. Use a spatula to flip them over onto their other sides and cook until golden brown.
- Repeat this process with the remaining batter until all of your ingredients are used.
- Stack the pancakes, top with maple syrup or butter, then pile on some sliced bananas and toasted walnuts. You can’t go wrong!
Avocado Toast Breakfast Sandwich
Serving: 1 sandwich
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Equipment needed: Cast iron skillet, spatula, knife
Nutrition per serving: Calories-532 kcal (2226 kilojoules), Protein-21g, Fat-35g, Carbohydrates-40g
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 avocado
- Salt + pepper to taste (optional)
- 2 slices bacon, cut in half
- 2 slices of bread
Instructions
- Put a cast-iron skillet over your campfire or stovetop. Place the bacon in it and cook on medium-low heat, occasionally flipping until crispy! Remove from the pan and place on a plate lined with a paper towel to get rid of excess oil.
- On medium heat, toast or fry the bread in a heavy bottom pan until both sides are golden brown. Flip over and repeat for another minute, with enough time to cook before removing from the heat source.
- Crack an egg into the skillet and cook to your liking if you wish.
- You can’t have a breakfast sandwich without the perfect avocado! Slice the avocado in half, scoop out its soft center, and mash on both slices of bread. Next, layer bacon or some fried eggs, then season with salt & pepper.
Sausage Breakfast Sandwich
Serving: 6 sandwiches
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Equipment needed: Spatula, small bowl, plates, cast iron griddle, or skillet.
Nutrition per serving: Calories-600 kcal (2510 kilojoules)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of dried herbs: thyme, rosemary, sage, etc.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) ground pork
- Sausages
Sriracha Honey Sauce
- ½ cup (118 ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha
Sandwich Assembly
- 6 slices cheese
- 6 English muffins
- 6 eggs
Instructions
- Sausage: Mix the ground pork, herbs, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Form into six equal-sized patties to ensure they shrink less while cooking.
- Sauce: Mix the honey and Sriracha in a small bowl, then set aside.
- In a skillet or griddle over your campfire, cook the sausages until browned. Flip them and cook on both sides until golden. Meanwhile, cook the eggs to perfection and toss the English muffins.
- Spread the Sriracha honey sauce on your English muffin, then layer with a sausage patty and eggs. Top it off by slicing some cheese for extra deliciousness!
A Basic Camping Dinner Ingredient and Equipment List
Now that you know the basics of camping dinners, it’s time to put together your requirement list. The good news is that most of the items on this list are everyday kitchen staples, so you may already have them at home.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Camp stove or a grill (if cooking over an open fire).
- Fuel.
- Water container (for boiling water or cooking rice).
- Metal or heat-resistant pot holder (for handling hot cookware on the stove).
- Seasonings, herbs, and spices (salt and pepper, chili powder for meats, or curry powder for curried stews).
- Cooking oil (olive oil is a good all-rounder).
- Canned goods: Tomatoes, beans, soup, etc.
- Dry goods: pasta, rice, cereal, quinoa, etc.
- Fresh produce: Vegetables, fruits, meat, or fish.
- Aluminum foil.
- If your campfire needs a jump-start, you may also want to have a fire-starter stick on hand. For cooking utensils, you can use just about anything safe for high heat: Metal skewers and tongs work great for kebabs and stews- wooden spoons and spatulas help you stir and flip without scratching your cookware.
With a bit of preparation, you’ll be able to whip up some delicious campfire cuisine that will make your outdoor dining experience complete!
Summary
Camping is one of the best ways to get back in touch with nature and escape from our busy lives. You might be surprised by how easy it can be to throw a camping dinner together on your next adventure. Follow the above dinner ideas, and you will have an unforgettable time outdoors. Happy camping!