Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and create lasting memories with friends and family. But one of the challenges of camping is preparing meals that are not only tasty, but also easy to prepare and clean up afterwards. This article covers a variety of simple camping meals that require minimal cleanup, tips and recommendations, so you can spend more time enjoying the great outdoors and less time scrubbing pots and pans.
Why minimal cleanup matters
When you’re in the desert, the last thing you want to do is clean up hours after a meal. Also, reducing the amount of cooking equipment and utensils used can reduce the load, making it easier to transport the equipment. Here are some of the main benefits of light camping meals and minimal cleanup:
1. Time saving: spend less time on cooking and cleaning, more time on fun activities like hiking or fishing.
2. Less camping gear: fewer pots, pans, and dishes means a lighter backpack and less hassle setting up and tearing down your campsite.
3. Stress reduction: cooking can be stressful, especially if you are trying to eat multiple meals. Simple meals can help keep you in the mode of relaxing and enjoying nature.
4. Sustainability: By using fewer resources and producing less waste, the environment is better preserved, which is especially important when camping in natural areas.
Tips for easy camping meals
Before we dive into specific meal ideas, here are some general tips to make your camp cooking experience easier:
1. Plan ahead: choose meals that you can partially prepare at home, such as chopping vegetables, marinating protein-rich foods, and planning the ingredients you need ahead of time.
2. Use foil packets: foil packets are a great way to cook with minimal cleanup. Simply wrap the ingredients in aluminum foil and cook over the fire or on the grill.
3. One-Pot Meals: Choose recipes that can be made in one pot or pan. This reduces the number of dishes that need to be washed.
4. Pre-packaged ingredients: To save time and effort, consider using pre-packaged or pre-made ingredients such as canned beans.
5. Bring disposable or biodegradable dishes: If you’re really pressed for time, consider using disposable dishes or plates. Just be sure to choose biodegradable materials to minimize your environmental impact. You may also be interested in our article on this topic: Eco-friendly camping: How to minimize your impact on nature
The most important tip is to always be careful when using sharp and hot objects.
Also, having the right gear can make a world of difference when it comes to cooking and cleaning up while camping.
Easy camping meal ideas
1. Breakfast Burritos
Ingredients: Tortillas, scrambled eggs (pre-cooked or cooked on site), shredded cheese, salsa, pre-cooked sausage or bacon (optional), peppers and onions (optional)
Instructions:
a) If cooking on site, beat the eggs in one pan. Add diced bell peppers and onions for extra flavor.
b) Arrange tortillas and fill with scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa and any additional ingredients.
c) Roll up the burritos and wrap them in foil. You can heat it over the fire or on the grill for a few minutes until warm.
Cleaning: Just throw away the foil and any remaining packaging.
2. Cooking vegetables and sausages in a foil packet
Ingredients: pre-cooked sausage (sliced), assorted vegetables (like zucchini, peppers, onions, corn), olive oil, salt and pepper, Italian spices.
Instructions:
a) Cut a large piece of aluminum foil and place the sliced sausage and chopped vegetables in the center.
b) Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
c) Fold the foil into a packet, close tightly.
d) Cook over a fire or grill for about 20-30 minutes, turning occasionally.
Cleaning: Just throw the foil packet in the trash.
3. Campfire Quesadillas
Ingredients: tortillas, shredded cheese, pre-cooked chicken or beans, salsa, peppers, onions, jalapenos (optional).
Instructions:
a) Place a tortilla on a piece of aluminum foil. Place the cheese, chicken or beans and any additional toppings on one side of the tortilla.
b) Fold the tortilla and wrap it in foil.
c) Cook on the fire or on the grill for about 5-10 minutes, turning halfway through.
Cleaning: Discard foil and any packaging.
4. Pasta Salad
Ingredients: pre-cooked pasta (or cook on-site), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, Italian dressing, feta cheese (optional).
Instructions:
a) If you are preparing the pasta on site, bring the water to a boil and cook according to package instructions.
b) In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the chopped vegetables, olives and sauce.
c) Mix well and top with feta cheese if desired.
Cleaning: Simply wash the bowl and used utensils.
5. Campfire Chili
Ingredients: a pound of ground beef or turkey, a can of beans (drained and rinsed), a can of diced tomatoes, an onion (chopped), 2 cloves of garlic (chopped), 2 tablespoons of chili powder, salt and pepper (to taste).
Instructions:
a) Fry the minced meat with chopped onion and chopped garlic in a large pot over the fire.
b) When the meat is cooked, add the beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper.
c) Mix well and leave to simmer for about 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
d) Serve hot and enjoy with crusty bread or tortilla chips.
Cleaning: Simply wash the pot and used utensils.
6. Campfire Frittata
Ingredients: 6 eggs, 1 cup spinach (chopped), 1 bell pepper (diced), 1/2 cup cheese (cheddar or feta), salt and pepper (to taste), olive oil for greasing the pan.
Instructions:
a) Beat the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
b) Fry the pepper in a greased cast iron pan over the fire until soft.
c) Add spinach and cook until wilted.
d) Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and sprinkle cheese on top.
e) Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil and bake until the eggs are set (about 10-15 minutes).
Cleaning: Simply wash the pan, bowl and used utensils.
We believe that this article describes various easy camping meals, tips and recommendations that will help you enjoy the outdoors even more.
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As always, we only recommend gear we’ve tested or truly believe in.