15 Delicious Camping Meals to Enjoy Outdoors

As someone who loves being out in nature, I know how important it is to have delicious and satisfying camping meals. There’s nothing quite like sitting around the campfire, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the great outdoors, and enjoying a hearty meal that you’ve cooked yourself.

But let’s be real – planning and preparing camping meals can be a bit of a challenge. You want something that’s easy to pack, simple to cook over a campfire or camp stove, and packed with flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. That’s where this guide comes in!

From one-pot wonders to gourmet foil packs, we’ll explore a variety of recipes that’ll take your camping culinary game to the next level.

1. Campfire Quesadillas

These cheesy delights are a crowd-pleasing campfire meal that’s quick and customizable. Simply spread cheese and your favorite fillings (think veggies, beans, cooked meats) on a tortilla, fold it in half, and toast it over the fire until golden brown and melty.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 large tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Lay out each tortilla on a piece of foil.
2. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on one half of each tortilla.
3. Top with black beans, bell peppers, onions, and corn.
4. Fold the tortilla in half and wrap it in the foil.
5. Place the foil-wrapped quesadillas on the campfire grill.
6. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
7. Carefully remove from the grill, unwrap, and enjoy!

Serve with: Salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Drink with: Cold beer or a refreshing lemonade.

2. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

This vegetarian option is perfect for a light and flavorful meal. Toss your favorite pasta with chopped vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. Add a can of diced tomatoes or your preferred pasta sauce, and cook everything together in a single pot over your camp stove.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add cherry tomatoes, asparagus, bell peppers, and peas. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Pour in 4 cups of water, and bring to a boil.
5. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the spinach until wilted.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve with: Garlic bread or a simple green salad.

Drink with: A crisp white wine or sparkling water.

3. Foil Packet Hobo Dinners

Hobo dinners are a fun and mess-free way to cook on the campsite. Prepare individual portions by wrapping diced vegetables, protein (chicken, sausage, tofu), and seasonings in aluminum foil packets. Throw them on the hot coals and let them cook until everything is tender and flavorful.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 large potatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add Worcestershire sauce if using.
3. Divide the mixture among 4 large pieces of foil.
4. Fold the foil around the mixture, sealing it well.
5. Place the packets on the campfire and cook for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
6. Carefully open the packets and check that the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serve with: A side of baked beans or coleslaw.

Drink with: Iced tea or a cold beer.

4. Breakfast Burrito Bowls

A hearty and satisfying way to start your camping day. Scramble some eggs with chopped vegetables like onions and peppers. Serve them over pre-cooked rice or quinoa, with your favorite toppings like cheese, salsa, avocado, and sour cream.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup cooked sausage, crumbled
• 2 potatoes, diced and cooked
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Salsa (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over the campfire and scramble the eggs.
2. In a large bowl, combine the scrambled eggs, sausage, cooked potatoes, and bell pepper.
3. Top with shredded cheese and avocado slices.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve with salsa if desired and enjoy!

Serve with: Fresh fruit or tortillas.

Drink with: Coffee or orange juice.

5. Campfire Nachos

A classic camping meal with a twist! Layer tortilla chips on a fire-safe dish, top them with shredded cheese, black beans, and your favorite toppings like salsa, jalapenos, and cooked ground beef. Heat it all up over the campfire until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 jalapeno, sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• Sour cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a cast iron skillet, layer tortilla chips, cheese, and black beans.
2. Place the skillet over the campfire and cook until the cheese is melted.
3. Remove from heat and top with diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, and avocado.
4. Add a dollop of sour cream if desired.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serve with: Guacamole or salsa.

Drink with: A cold soda or beer.

6. Grilled Veggie Burgers

These vegetarian burgers are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. Choose pre-made veggie burger patties or make your own with black beans, lentils, or chickpeas. Grill them over the campfire until slightly charred and heated through.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, drained and mashed
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 burger buns

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine mashed black beans, breadcrumbs, bell pepper, onion, shredded carrots, garlic, and egg.
2. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
4. Grill the patties over the campfire for about 5 minutes on each side, until heated through.
5. Serve on burger buns with your favorite toppings.

Serve with: Sweet potato fries or a side salad.

Drink with: Iced tea or a light beer.

7. One-Pot Chili with Cornbread

This hearty chili is a perfect one-pot wonder for chilly nights. Sauté ground beef with onions and spices, then add canned beans, diced tomatoes, and your favorite chili seasonings. Let it simmer until everything is flavorful, then serve with a side of pre-made cornbread.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup flour

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
3. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. In a separate bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, and a pinch of salt.
5. Pour the cornmeal mixture over the chili.
6. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until the cornbread is cooked through.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serve with: A green salad or tortilla chips.

Drink with: A cold beer or lemonade.

8. Skewers with Endless Possibilities

Kebabs are a fun and easy way to cook a variety of ingredients on the campfire. Thread bite-sized pieces of chicken, vegetables, shrimp, or tofu onto skewers. Marinate them in your favorite sauce before grilling them over the fire until cooked through.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• Your choice of meats (chicken, beef, shrimp)
• A variety of vegetables (bell peppers, onions, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
• Fruits (pineapple, peaches)
• Marinade (olive oil, garlic, herbs, lemon juice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut the meats, vegetables, and fruits into bite-sized pieces.
2. Marinate the ingredients in olive oil, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice for at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread the ingredients onto skewers, alternating between meats, veggies, and fruits.
4. Grill the skewers over the campfire for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until everything is cooked through.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serve with: Rice or a pasta salad.

Drink with: A fruity iced tea or a chilled white wine.

9. Dutch Oven Pizza

Pizza night is still possible while camping! Prepare your pizza dough ahead of time or use pre-made flatbreads. Spread on your favorite pizza sauce and toppings, then bake it in a preheated Dutch oven over the campfire coals.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
• Olive oil
• Dried oregano

Instructions:

1. Grease the Dutch oven with olive oil.
2. Roll out the pizza dough and place it in the Dutch oven.
3. Spread pizza sauce over the dough.
4. Top with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
5. Sprinkle with dried oregano.
6. Cover the Dutch oven and place it over the campfire.
7. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serve with: A side salad or garlic knots.

Drink with: A cold soda or beer.

10. Campfire Baked Potatoes

A simple but satisfying side dish. Wrap potatoes in aluminum foil and toss them directly into the hot coals of your campfire. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender. Top them with butter, cheese, sour cream, or your favorite toppings.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Chives

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the potatoes.
2. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Wrap each potato in foil.
4. Place the foil-wrapped potatoes directly in the campfire coals.
5. Cook for about 45 minutes, turning occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
6. Carefully remove from the coals and unwrap.
7. Serve with butter, sour cream, and chives.

Serve with: Grilled meats or a fresh salad.

Drink with: Iced tea or a cold beer.

11. Tin Foil Fish Packets

This easy method ensures perfectly cooked and flavorful fish. Place fish fillets on a sheet of aluminum foil. Top them with lemon slices, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Fold the foil into a packet and cook it over the campfire coals until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 fish fillets (salmon, tilapia, or trout)
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or thyme)

Instructions:

1. Place each fish fillet on a piece of foil.
2. Top with lemon slices, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red onion.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
4. Wrap the foil around the fish and seal tightly.
5. Place the packets on the campfire and cook for about 20 minutes, until the fish is cooked through.
6. Carefully open the packets and serve hot.

Serve with: Rice or quinoa.

Drink with: A crisp white wine or sparkling water.

12. French Toast Roll-Ups

A fun and delicious twist on classic French toast. Spread a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon on slices of bread. Roll them up tightly and secure them with toothpicks. Fry them in a pan over your camp stove until golden brown and cooked through. Drizzle with maple syrup for serving.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bread
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cream cheese or Nutella
• Butter for cooking

Instructions:

1. Trim the crusts off the bread and flatten each slice with a rolling pin.
2. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese or Nutella on each slice.
3. Roll up the bread tightly.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and cinnamon.
5. Dip each roll-up in the egg mixture, coating well.
6. In a skillet over the campfire, melt butter and cook the roll-ups until golden brown on all sides.
7. Roll the cooked roll-ups in sugar.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serve with: Fresh fruit or yogurt.

Drink with: Coffee or hot chocolate.

13. Campfire Banana Boats

A gooey and delightful campfire dessert. Cut a banana boat in half lengthwise. Fill it with chocolate chips, marshmallows, peanut butter, or your favorite toppings. Wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it over the campfire coals until everything is melted and warm.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 bananas
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Make a slit in each banana lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Stuff the slit with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
3. Wrap each banana in foil.
4. Place the foil-wrapped bananas on the campfire and cook for about 10 minutes, until the chocolate and marshmallows are melted.
5. Carefully unwrap and enjoy!

Serve with: A scoop of ice cream (if available).

Drink with: A glass of milk or hot chocolate.

14. S’mores Bars

Enjoy the classic campfire treat in a new way! Prepare these bars ahead of time by layering graham crackers, chocolate chips, and marshmallows in a baking dish. Bake them over the campfire coals until the marshmallows are golden brown and melted.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat a camp oven to 350°F (or use a campfire with a Dutch oven).
2. In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased baking pan.
4. Sprinkle with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
5. Drizzle with condensed milk and vanilla extract.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
7. Let cool, then cut into bars and serve.

Serve with: Fresh fruit or a glass of milk.

Drink with: Hot cocoa or coffee.

15. Spicy Trail Mix with Dark Chocolate

A delicious and energy-boosting snack for your camping adventures. Combine nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a touch of dark chocolate for a sweet and salty mix that will keep you going on the trails.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries.
2. Add dark chocolate chunks.
3. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper and sea salt.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
5. Store in an airtight container and enjoy as a snack.

Serve with: Fresh fruit or yogurt.

Drink with: Water or a refreshing juice.

Related posts:

15 Easy Healthy Meals for a Nutritious and Tasty Diet 15 Easy Casserole Recipes for Comforting Meals 15 Easy 4th of July Food Ideas to Wow Your Guests 15 Tater Tot Casserole Recipes for Comfort Food Lovers 15 High Protein Breakfast Ideas to Fuel Your Day 15 Broccoli Recipes to Boost Your Nutrition and Taste 15 Gluten-Free Recipes That Don’t Compromise on Flavor 15 Roasted Potatoes Recipes to Elevate Your Meals