Planning a camping trip with kids can take a lot of brain power. The last thing you want is to worry about what you will be feeding everyone. You want to have simple, easy meals that the whole family will love (and the kids will actually eat) and with at least a little bit of nutritional value. You also want to be able to make them quickly. No one wants to spend hours making a meal after a full day of road tripping or an action-packed day of outdoor adventures. A hungry family doesn't equal a happy family. Sometimes, getting that combination can feel a bit like searching for a unicorn. As a mom and avid adventurer, I completely understand the need for easy camping meals for your family.
Our selection of easy camping meals has something for everyone and hits on every meal of the day. From quick, filling breakfasts that will keep you going on family hikes to lunches you can enjoy lakeside, we have you covered. We even added some tasty desserts that go beyond s'mores but don't add too much to your to-do list. Better yet, some of the prep can be done ahead of time for many of these. Here's a look at some easy camping recipes to help you get the show on the road as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Campfire Apple Bourbon Cobbler Recipe
Getty Images, rudisill
While the traditional apple cobbler may be too cumbersome for a camping trip, the Campfire Apple Bourbon Cobbler is quick and easy, and it doesn't take a bunch of ingredients. All you need are some apples, granola, a little brown sugar, butter and a splash of bourbon, and you are ready to go!
Cheesy Venison Taco Rice Skillet
Jennifer Danella for Wide Open Spaces
While tacos are easy enough to make on a camping trip, this hearty skillet version is a great spin on a favorite meal. The ground venison and rice make for a filling meal, and the melted cheese just makes it even more delectable. It's incredibly versatile and can be put in a tortilla, placed over chips, or scooped into a bowl. Add your family's favorite toppings and enjoy!
Hawaiian Wild Turkey Kabobs
Jennifer Danella
Almost every family has skewers in their camping packs (here's looking at you, marshmallows), so grab a few and use them for some tasty Hawaiian Wild Turkey Kabobs. The turkey can be sliced and marinated ahead of time, so all you have to do at the campsite is build your skewer and watch it crisp up over the fire.
Venison Meat Lovers Pizza Dip
Jennifer Danella for Wide Open Spaces
Campfire pizza is always a hit, but it isn't the easiest to make while camping. However, this venison meat lovers pizza dip is a one-pot version that will make your life a lot easier. It has plenty of protein from the ground venison and can be scooped up with bread and enjoyed by the campfire.
Venison Backstrap Burrito
Jennifer Danella
Burritos are always a great option for quick, easy meals. Grill your meat on a camping grill or griddle, or you can use a blackstone like in the recipe. The burrito's interior can be fully customized with cilantro rice, pinto or black beans, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and whatever fixings you want! Crisp up your built tortilla over the fire and enjoy.
Surf-and-Turf Foil Packets
Jennifer Danella
There's nothing easier than wrapping up a delicious meal in aluminum foil and cooking it over the fire. These surf-and-turf packets are super simple. Take venison or steak, cube it, and add in potatoes, veggies, onions, and shrimp plus seasoning. Wrap it up and cook the foil packs over a fire with low-to-medium heat.
Easy Campfire Venison Goulash Recipe
Jennifer Danella
All-in-one hearty camping meals make dinner so much easier after a long day. This American-style goulash is one meal idea that may take a little prep, but cooking and cleanup are a cinch. Everything goes into your Dutch oven, which is placed over an open fire to cook. Dish it up into a bowl and dig in.
Cast Iron Skillet Chorizo Venison Dip
Jennifer Danella
Camping food doesn't have to be complicated to be tasty. Take an iron skillet and cook your ground venison with onion and peppers, add seasonings including garlic, and let it cook for a few minutes. Add your cheeses and serve with chips or eat like nachos with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, jalapenos, or cilantro.
Venison Fajitas Recipe
Jennifer Danella
Another camping dinner recipe that's easy to make and can be served with tortillas or chips is Venison Fajitas. Slice venison, bell peppers and onions into strips and let them sit in a marinade for a couple of hours. Cook in a skillet over the campfire, wrap in a tortilla, and enjoy!
Campfire Ham and Cheese Bread
Mommy Kat and Kids
Camp cooking can even be simple for lunch. This campfire ham and cheese bread is a genius take on the classic ham and cheese sandwich. Take your bread, ham, and cheese, wrap in tin foil, and place over the fire or on the barbecue. One camping hack would be to make it ahead of time and just reheat it over the fire at lunchtime.
Campfire S'mores Nachos
Let's Camp S'more
Camping desserts are generally kept pretty simple, and no one wants to miss out on s'mores. These s'more nachos are a fun take on a classic treat and are sure to make your next camping trip a hit.
BBQ Chicken and Veggie Packets
Thrifty Jinxy
These BBQ chicken and veggie packets are a go-to camping dinner idea and only take about 15-20 minutes to make. Slice the chicken breast and veggies, divide them among four or so foil packs with BBQ sauce in each, wrap, and cook. If you are looking to add some more carbs to your meal, wrap up potatoes for campfire-baked potatoes or dice some sweet potatoes and add them to your veggie mix.
Hot Dog on a Stick
The Joys of Boys
Hot dogs are great for quick meals no matter where you are, but especially for campfire cooking. This version is a unique take on the classic and is almost a cross between a hot dog and a corndog. Stick a skewer into a hot dog, wrap with crescent dough, and cook over the fire. The best part is that these can be made over the fire as is or wrapped in foil.
Grilled Ham and Pineapple Kabobs
Bush Cooking
These grilled ham and pineapple kabobs can be used as a camping breakfast, lunch, or as a part of dinner. Take skewers and assemble the two items alternating between ham and pineapple. Stick on the grill, removing when they start to get scorch marks.
Campfire Banana Boats
Campfire banana boats are super flexible and can use just about anything you have in your camping kitchen for toppings. The general idea is to add something that melts, something that is sweet, and something that is crunchy. Take half a banana with the peel still on and wrap it in tin foil. Add your toppings and place over the fire. Some tasty toppings are crunchy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and strawberries. But, really, you can use anything that seems tasty to you!
Dutch Oven Enchilada
Fresh Off the Grid
Dutch ovens really are the saviors of camp cooking. They make everything so easy! Grab up all your ingredients before you get started on these enchiladas. Use corn or flour tortillas (depending on your dietary needs), your favorite enchilada sauce, and the ingredients. Tip: Make the stuffing ahead of time and store in a cooler until you're ready. Fill your tortilla, cover in sauce and cheese, and bake away!
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Love and Lemons
Who doesn't love a solid grilled cheese sandwich? Take your bread and slather the outside with mayonnaise for a crispy exterior. This recipe also calls for Dijon mustard, which may be an unexpected ingredient but adds a ton of flavor. Add your favorite cheese and grill in a buttered pan. Pair with tomato soup if you're so inclined!
READ MORE: How to Properly Season and Clean Your Cast Iron Skillet
