33 Delicious Easy Camping Meals That Come Together Quickly for 2025
Warmer weather means it’s time to get out and explore the great outdoors, and these delicious camping meals will keep you fueled for days or weeks of exploring your favorite natural area.
For amateur outdoor enthusiasts, planning and creating meals for even a weekend out in the wilderness can feel overwhelming. From questions about refrigeration and safe food preparation to racking your brain for fueling meals that don’t need to be refrigerated, it’s a lot to figure out.
To be fair, some of the store-bought MREs (meals ready to eat) aren’t half bad, but there’s a tastier and more gourmet way to go about things. If you can feel confident in your camping meals, you’re more likely to plan camping adventures. And we all know the list of benefits that come with time outdoors is lengthy.
But if you need a reminder, the American Psychological Association says things like improved mood and cognition can result from time outdoors, not to mention the boost to your circadian rhythm and much-needed respite for your screen-tired eyes.
If you’re not already a nature-lover, consider this your sign to get outdoors this weekend. There are tons of fun camping games if you’re worried about getting bored, and plenty of camping checklists so you can feel more confident packing for your first night in a tent.
Jump to Section
- Easy Camping Meals for Families
- Easy Camping Meals For Two
- Lazy Camping Food Ideas
- Easy Camping Meals On A Budget
- Easy Camping Meals For Large Groups
- Simple Make-Ahead Camping Meals
- No Fridge Camping Meals
- Camping Meal FAQs
Easy Camping Meals for Families
1. Campfire Nachos
Nachos are a definite crowd-pleaser, and they can be a surprisingly easy camping meal for families. A few simple ingredients like chips, cheese, beans and salsa come together for a surprisingly protein-packed and tasty dinner. You can add more toppings based on how fancy you want to get, like avocado, cilantro or sour cream.
2. Shrimp Foil Packets
You might think it’s tough to enjoy seafood while camping but it can be done. This easy camping meal for families is the equivalent of a one-pot dinner. It involves mixing up shrimp, zucchini and chunks of corn cob in a foil packet along with some butter and Cajun seasoning. Bury the foil beneath hot coals and kick back while the campfire does all the work.
3. Breakfast Skillet
Whether you’re using a propane cooktop or your campfire and cast-iron, a breakfast skillet is a great and easy camping meal for families. You can toss just about anything in there, from potatoes to Brussels sprouts, bell peppers and of course eggs. It has everything you need for a balanced meal.
4. Sloppy Joes
Almost everyone likes Sloppy Joes and they’re a tasty and easy camping meal for the family. Use a whole baking tray filled with buns to make several sandwiches at once. This simple and nostalgic meal hits the spot after a busy day of adventuring.
5. Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast for dinner is such a treat, but you can certainly enjoy these breakfast sandwiches in the morning, too. Pre-cook or pack some pre-cooked sausage patties and so on. English muffins or bagels, eggs and cheese make for a crowd-pleasing and easy camping meal for families.
Easy Camping Meals For Two
6. One Pot Pasta Primavera
No need to dirty a bunch of dishes when it’s just the two of you, and this easy camping meal is loaded with flavor. Seasonal veggies like zucchini and tomatoes, along with melted goat cheese, make you feel like you’re eating at a restaurant.
7. Walking Tacos
Also known as tacos in a bag, this easy camping meal is a family favorite for all ages. Snack-size bags of your favorite chips mean no dishes are required. Crush up the chips on the bottom and add in warm ground beef (or meat of choice), cheese, salsa and other taco toppings. Give it a stir and enjoy right out of the bag.
8. Mason Jar Salads
Some simple meal prep ideas are all you need for this tasty and healthy camping meal for two. Pre-cut your veggies and store them in mason jars or Tupperware to sit in the cooler. When you’re ready for dinner, toss them in your dressing of choice and maybe add some grilled protein.
9. Chicken Pad Thai
You might not think delicious chicken pad Thai is a feasible camping meal for two, but this recipe is! Using quick-cooking rice noodles, cubed chicken and some spices, you’ll be whipping up a flavorful dinner over your camping cooktop in no time.
10. Chili Mac and Cheese
Two simple meals combine for a burst of flavor with this easy camping meal for two. Canned chili and some boxed mac and cheese can easily be heated and prepared using a campfire or propane cooktop. Combine along with some fresh jalapenos, diced red onion and maybe a garnish of green onions for a hearty meal.
Lazy Camping Food Ideas
11. Instant Oatmeal
As long as you have the means to boil water, you have everything you need for an easy and lazy camping food idea. Instant oatmeal packets are ideal for stashing in your backpack because they hardly take up any room and can be pretty filling. Mix with warm water and enjoy.
12. Cans of Soup
Especially if you’re going to enjoy some chilly Fall camping, bringing a couple of cans of soup can make for easy and lazy camping food ideas. Some soups, like Campbell’s Bean With Bacon can actually be eaten at room temp, no need for water. Others are easy to enjoy with a little bit of hot water.
13. One Pot Cheesy Pasta
It’s not quite as lazy as instant oatmeal, but a one-pot dinner definitely qualifies as a lazy camping meal. And this one is hearty and filling, ideal for a cool night. You can use a campfire or camping cooktop to cook up some noodles using water or canned bone broth.
Don’t use as much liquid as you usually would, so when it evaporates, you can stir in cheese, canned tomatoes and maybe even reheat some pre-cooked ground beef for extra protein.
14. PB&J
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are one of the easiest and laziest camping food ideas. Popular amongst young children and adults, it’s a nostalgic meal for many.
Plus, it’s ideal fuel for a day of hiking thanks to the quick carbs and fat to keep you full. You can make your own, bring the supplies or go the ultra-fast route by stashing a few Uncrustables in your camping sack.
15. Bags of Trail Mix
The line between a snack and a meal can be a fine one, but this hearty camping snack can certainly tide you over between breakfast and dinner. Mix up a big bag of homemade trail mix using all your favorites. Dried coconut, M&Ms, dried fruit and nuts combine for a good dose of carbs and fat with a bit of protein to keep you full and give you a quick burst of energy.
Easy Camping Meals On A Budget
16. Campfire Baked Potatoes
It’s easy to make a baked potato a meal with a few toppings, and they’re a super-easy camping meal on a budget. Wrap ‘em up in foil and set them down in the coals of your campfire.
Let them cook while you get the rest of your campsite set up or mix up a cocktail after a long day of hiking. Top with sour cream, bacon and cheese and you’ve got a satisfying and cheap meal.
17. Shore Lunch
If you’re going camping near a water source and you have a fishing license, you can create a wonderfully fresh and easy camping meal on a budget. Whatever you catch and filet will be delicious dipped in some batter and cooked in a cast-iron skillet over the fire. Make sure you have the proper equipment to filet the fish!
19. Mountain Breakfast Skilllet
All you need is your trusty cast-iron skillet to whip up a tasty camping meal. Potatoes, eggs and a heaping handful of cheese (along with any veggies of your liking) are a great way to fuel up for a day of hiking. Adding a few packets of hot sauce is an easy way to add a kick of flavor to any camping meal.
19. Wraps and Sandwiches
If you can stock your cooler with deli meat and cheese, you can enjoy a quick sandwich or wrap, an easy camping meal on a budget. You might want to bring some shelf-stable packets of mayonnaise or mustard to help with the dryness and add some extra flavor.
20. Foil Packet Tacos
Tacos are always a good idea, and you will love how easily seasoned taco meat comes together in a foil packet over your campfire. Pre-cook the ground meat to save yourself some time, then mix it up with beans, cheese and some seasonings to enjoy over fire-warmed tortillas.
Easy Camping Meals For Large Groups
21. Chicken Tzatziki Skewers
Preparing and grilling up a whole bunch of kebabs is a tasty and easy camping meal for a large group. You can cut the work down by buying pre-sliced veggies or preparing them at home, and the same goes for the chicken. Slide everything onto skewers and grill it up, then serve it with some store-bought tzatziki sauce.
22. Kielbasa Foil Packets
This easy camping meal can feed a crowd or or just the two of you and is totally delicious. Sliced kielbasa, onions and potatoes are a hearty and filling summer meal. Toss everything together and wrap it in a foil packet with some butter and spicy mustard, then bury it beneath the hot coals and enjoy warm, straight out of the packet or on a plate.
23. Snack Platter
For large groups with different preferences or even just a family with a lot of kids, a snack platter is among the easiest and best camping meals. Random bits and bites ensure there’s something for everyone, and kids love it. Chunks of cheese, crackers, fruits, beef jerky and maybe some sliced veggies come together for a rustic charcuterie spread.
24. Pancakes
Pancakes are always a crowd-pleaser, so naturally, they’re a great and easy camping meal for large groups. All you need is batter and water, typically, and your trusty cast-iron skillet to whip up a breakfast that will fuel everyone for a day of adventuring.
25. Classic Hot Dog Cookout
A throwback to your younger years, hot dogs are one of the easiest camping meals for a large group. Everyone can cook up their own hot dog or brat to enjoy on a bun with some basic condiments. The bonus here is that everything is pretty affordable and takes up very limited space in that precious cooler.
Simple Make-Ahead Camping Meals
26. Burritos
If you know you’re going to be prepared with adequate refrigeration, burritos are a simple make-ahead camping meal that everyone will love. Breakfast burritos or dinner burritos are easy to prep ahead of time and freeze so they last longer. Heat them up in a cast iron skillet over the campfire or enjoy them cold.
27. Marinated and Grilled Veggie Kebabs
If you choose hearty vegetables, they can soak in your marinade of choice for a day or two before they truly need to be cooked. Prep your marinade and cut and create your veggie kebabs so they’re ready to go on the grill or over the fire for a simple make-ahead camping meal.
28. Basic Bruschetta
Fresh bruschetta is a refreshing appetizer or snack in the warm months, and it can also be a simple make-ahead camping meal. Prepare your bruschetta and let it marinate overnight for extra flavor. You can even pre-toast your bread if you prefer not to toast it on a cast-iron skillet over the fire.
29. One-Pot Pulled Pork
Prep a family-favorite as a make-ahead camping meal. Utilize your favorite pulled pork recipe and pack it up into Tupperware or your favorite storage solution to pack in your cooler. It heats up easily over the fire for pulled pork sandwiches or campfire nachos.
30. Dense Bean Salad
Dense bean salads are all the rage on social media and for good reason. They stay fresh in your fridge for several days and they’re loaded with protein and fiber, making them an ideal make-ahead camping meal. Use whatever kinds of beans you like, whether garbanzo or navy, and add in other cut veggies, dressing and some crumbled cheese.
No Fridge Camping Meals
31. Tuna Sandwich
You might be surprised to see tuna on the list of no-fridge camping meals, but Starkist makes some truly delicious pre-packaged (and seasoned) tuna fish salad mixtures.
You can add some extra mayo or maybe some hot sauce or sliced banana peppers. Add it to bread for a sandwich or enjoy with crackers for a simple meal that hits the spot.
32. Pasta In A Jar
You’d be surprised how many delicious and gourmet things you can whip up outside the kitchen with just a little preparation. Mason jars are your best friend for something like pasta in a light sauce.
Fill your jar with spices, dehydrated tomatoes and of course your dry noodles and they will stay fresh until you add your boiling water. The best part is that this is a no-fridge camping meal!
33. Tortellini Soup
Similar to the pasta in a jar, you can combine dried tortellini, dried herbs and spices and a can of crushed tomatoes with some boiling water to create a hearty and filling soup. This no-fridge camping meal will warm you up on a chilly night.
Camping Meal FAQs
What Food Should You Bring To Camp?
Before making a grocery run and packing up your cooler, backpack or RV, you need to consider your options for heating or re-heating foods. If you’re just bringing a backpack and looking for camping meals for a night or two, you can stick to basics and items that don’t require a fridge. Even meals that cook up with just the addition of boiling water can be really helpful and surprisingly tasty.
What Is The Best Camping Meal?
There’s really no best camping meal, it all depends on your cooking abilities, budget and preferences. Some camping meals are classics, like hot dogs, foil packet meals or skillet nachos.
What Is The Most Popular Campfire Food?
In terms of popularity, there isn’t one campfire food that reigns supreme. Again, foil-packet options are pretty popular and super easy. Fresh-caught fish, shore lunch-style, is a really popular option, depending on where you are camping. Whatever you feel confident in making and will enjoy is the best option for you.
Making the switch from a day hiking trip to an overnight adventure is a big leap, but if you’re equipped with easy and delicious camping meals to fuel you, you can do it. Certain meals are easier to prepare with a more fully-stocked camping kitchen, like a propane stove and a few pots and pans.
Others can be done totally rustic using just foil and your fire. You can choose your own adventure! There’s no shortage of creative camping food ideas to inspire you. For even more delicious ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
