Tired of the same old boring camping meals? Girl, I’ve got you covered!
From quick one-pot wonders to make-ahead camping meals that’ll have everyone asking for seconds, this guide is your BFF for outdoor cooking.
No more settling for just hot dogs and s’mores (though they’re classics for a reason!).
These camping meals are game-changers—simple enough for camping but tasty enough to make at home too!
Fun Camping Meal Ideas
1
Easy Campfire French Dip Sandwiches
Photo Credit: xoxobella.com
Campfire Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches are grill or campfire-friendly and made using foil packs.
Served nice and hot from the campfire with the rich and savory au jus, this is truly one of the highlights of camping!
2
Campfire Nachos
Photo Credit: cowboyslifeblog.com
Campfire Nachos are so easy to make, quite tasty, and totally customizable for your tastes!
Top them with your favorite nacho toppings, or even leftover grilled meat.
3
Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets
Photo Credit: thecookinchicks.com
Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets come together in no time and make clean-up a breeze.
Seasoned chicken, veggies, beans, and more, itt’s so flavorful and the perfect easy camping dinner recipe!
4
Campfire Pizza
Photo Credit: champagne-tastes.com
Totally customizable, this easy Campfire Pizza is cooked in a cast iron pan over a fire, creating an easy and delicious pizza that smells and tastes amazing.
Storebought dough and your favorite toppings are all that’s needed!
5
Philly Cheesesteak Foil Packets
Photo Credit: xoxobella.com
Cheesesteak fans, you’re going to want to try these easy campfire Philly Cheesesteak Foil Packs for yourself.
Boasting steak, provolone cheese, green bell pepper, onion, and tasty seasonings, they really are delicious. Just put the ingredients in foil packs and cook them on the campfire!
Pro Tip – Prep at Home, Relax at Camp
Chop veggies, pre-mix pancake batter in squeeze bottles, or assemble foil packets before you leave home. This simple step saves tons of hassle at the campsite when you’re tired from hiking or setting up. You’ll have more time to enjoy nature and less time cooking when ingredients are ready to go.
6
Walking Tacos
Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com
Easy to prep and totally portable, walking tacos are a creative take on traditional tacos using seasoned ground beef mixed into bags of corn chips or tortilla chips, with all the taco fixings!
7
Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs
Photo Credit: kimandkalee.com
Scrumptious Garlic Steak and Potato foil packs make for a fun and easy camping dinner because it can be made on the campfire or grill.
Clean-up is super easy and you can even prep them in advance.
8
Shredded Pork Camping Tacos
Photo Credit: alittleandalot.com
Tender, citrus-marinated-and-chili-rubbed shredded pork is tucked into warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh orange slices, pico de gallo, and crumbled queso fresco.
These Camping Tacos are a basically party in your mouth and easy to scale up for a crowd.
9
Grilled Brat Kabobs
Photo Credit: www.aforkstale.com
Consider making grilled brat kabobs instead of traditional steak or chicken.
These savory skewers are loaded with juicy bratwurst and colorful marinated vegetables.
10
Chicken Fajita Packets
Photo Credit: realhousemoms.com
Chicken Fajita Foil Packets are the absolute easiest meal to make!
They require only a few minutes of chopping chicken and a couple of veggies, seasoning, and wrapping them up!
Pro Tip – Foil
Create mini ovens by wrapping meat, fish, veggies, or potatoes in thick foil and burying the parcels in hot coals. Rub the inside of the foil with oil first, then add your food with sauces, herbs, or butter for flavor. This zero-prep cooking method works perfectly for campfire cooking and makes cleanup a breeze.
11
Hawaiian Quesadillas
Photo Credit: realhousemoms.com
Cheesy and savory with just the right amount of sweet, Hawaiian Quesadillas are fun for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
These crispy quesadillas are filled to the brim with melted cheese, ham chunks, and sweet pineapple tidbits.
12
Chicken Campfire Stew
Photo Credit: www.threeolivesbranch.com
Chicken Campfire Stew is easy to make with chicken, lots of veggies, and a herbed tomato broth. It makes for a hearty, comforting dinner.
13
Hamburger Hobo Packets
Photo Credit: neighborfoodblog.com
Delicious Hamburger Hobo Packets are made with hamburger patties, chopped potatoes, mushrooms, and onions.
The whole meal in one easy-to-make packet, they’re such a fun twist on regular old hamburgers!
14
Easy Taco Salad
Photo Credit: fluxingwell.com
This is the best Easy Taco Salad recipe with fun ingredients like Thousand Island dressing and Nacho Cheese Doritos.
It works well when you need to feed a crowd, and can be made in advance by omitting the dressing until ready to serve.
15
Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes
Photo Credit: www.devourdinner.com
Cast iron Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes is truly a winning recipe!
Delicious and seasoned to perfection, the combination of potatoes and melty cheese is irresistible, and works for any meal of the day.
16
Surf ‘n Turf Foil Packs
Photo Credit: xoxobella.com
When you can’t decide between meat or seafood, you’re gonna want to make these Surf and Turf Foil Packs.
They’re a tasty blend of grilled tender sirloin steak, juicy shrimp and a selection of carefully chosen spices and seasonings, along with corn cobs and red onion.
17
Campfire Sloppy Joes
Photo Credit: thisnoshtalgiclife.com
If you are looking for the most delicious from-scratch campfire sloppy joes recipe this is it!
No seasoning packets or cans of sauce here – just good ol’ homemade yumminess.
Pro Tip – One-Pot Wonders
Plan simple one-pot meals like chili, pasta, or risotto that require minimal equipment and ingredients. Limit recipes to those with 10 ingredients or less and cooking times under 30 minutes. When dinnertime comes after a long day outdoors, you’ll want to relax—not slave over a camp stove.
18
Grilled Chicken Fajita Skewers
Photo Credit: realhousemoms.com
All the amazing flavor of chicken fajitas, on a stick!
Enjoy your favorite restaurant dish on an easy-to-eat skewer, while enjoying the great outdoors.
19
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups
Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com
Yummy Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups are a fun twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich.
Cheese is rolled up into plain bread and then pan-fried in a little bit of butter.
The cheese inside gets all melty and the bread on the outside gets all crispy – what’s not to love?
20
BBQ Chicken Burrito
Photo Credit: www.everydaysouthwest.com
This BBQ Chicken Burrito is barbecued twice, and tastes so amazing.
It’s filled with grilled chicken, zesty BBQ sauce and grilled a few minutes more for a toasted tortilla flavor.
21
Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots
Photo Credit: ericasrecipes.com
Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots are cooked in a cast iron pan over an open campfire, giving you deliciously crispy taters with smoky flavor.
They’re the perfect side dish to complement your camping dinner.
22
Cajun Chicken Foil Packets
Photo Credit: campgrilleat.com
Cajun Chicken Foil Packets are an easy camping or grilling meal made with boneless chicken thighs and sliced peppers and onions that are gently infused with Cajun seasoning.
They’re mess-free, healthy, and ready in 30 minutes!
23
Camping Stick Bread
Photo Credit: thisnoshtalgiclife.com
Campfire stick bread makes for excellent camping snacks or to compliment any fireside meal.
Simply mix up a simple dough, wrap it around a wooden stick, and roast it over a crackling campfire!
24
Campfire Sausage and Peppers
Photo Credit: xoxobella.com
Campfire Sausage and Pepper are so cheap and easy to make.
Each foil packet encloses juicy sausage, tender onions and bell peppers, along with tasty seasonings.
Offering so much incredible flavor, these might be the highlight of your camping trip!
Pro Tip – Smart Food Storage
Organize your camping food by meal or type in separate storage tubs or totes. Keep breakfast essentials in one container, dinner ingredients in another, or group spices, oils, and sauces together. This organization prevents you from digging through bags trying to find ingredients when you’re hungry and ready to cook.
25
Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas
Photo Credit: realhousemoms.com
Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas have ALL the flavors of jalapeño poppers in a fun, portable package.
These little bites make a delicious summer appetizer and can also double as a meal!
26
Mediterranean Beef Kebabs
Photo Credit: mediterraneanlatinloveaffair.com
These juicy Mediterranean Beef Kebabs are packed with flavor and one of our favorite dinners during grilling season.
Serve them with your favorite side, or inside Naan bread for a satisfying sandwich wrap.
27
Corndog Bites
Photo Credit: jamjarkitchen.com
Kids of all ages will love snacking on these tasty Corn Dog Bites! Make them in advance and bring them for lunches, appetizers, and snacks.
28
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Photo Credit: www.freshoffthegrid.com
Smoky, spicy, and ready to party, these Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos are a great way to capture those summertime camping vibes.
They’re super tasty cooked right over the campfire, because the smokey flavor of the chipotle is really enhanced, and we just love all the crispy slightly burnt bites.
29
Dutch Oven Pot Pie
Photo Credit: alittleandalot.com
Easy Dutch Oven Pot Pie is topped with cheddar thyme biscuits and can be made with chicken or turkey and cooked right over a campfire.
The creamy filling includes buttery potatoes, mushrooms, chicken or turkey, and whatever kind of frozen vegetables you like.
30
Caribbean Pork Kabobs
Photo Credit: mommyevolution.com
Caribbean Pork Kabobs will bring some tropical flavors to your camping trip.
The juicy pork is marinated in a delicious blend of spices and grilled to perfection, making you feel like you’re sitting on a beach somewhere.
31
Campfire Macaroni and Cheese
Photo Credit: www.nelliebellie.com
Make this macaroni and cheese up ahead of time and finish it on the campfire. Easy, creamy, and oh so cheesy!
32
Walking Gyros
Photo Credit: www.taketwotapas.com
Take your walking tacos to a new level and serve Greek Walking Gyros instead!
Same fun way to eat them but with Greek spiced lamb, feta, tzatziki sauce, and crushed pita chips.
Pro Tip – Frozen Food Hack
Take frozen food on your camping trip to serve as both tomorrow’s meal and today’s ice pack. Freeze whole meals, meat, or prepared ingredients before leaving, and they’ll keep your cooler cold while gradually thawing. By the time you’re ready to cook them, they’ll be perfectly defrosted.
33
Campfire Chicken Nachos
Photo Credit: diyandfun.com
Chicken Nacho Foil Packets are a super easy recipe that everyone can agree on. They can be prepared in advance, and are totally customizable for your favorite ingredients.
34
One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet
Photo Credit: homemadehooplah.com
One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet is like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Totally kid-friendly, you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want. It’s truly pure comfort food!
35
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Photo Credit: www.chewoutloud.com
These Grilled Chicken Kabobs are marinated in a delightful honey lime sauce that combines tanginess of fresh limes with the sweetness of honey.
Sizzling with mouthwatering flavor, they’re abundantly savory, somewhat sweet, with just the right bit of kick.
36
Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas
Photo Credit: realhousemoms.com
Got leftover steak? Switch up your dinner routine with these Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas.
It puts a new spin on everything you love in the classic sandwich!
37
Campfire Potatoes
Photo Credit: princesspinkygirl.com
Campfire potatoes are so delicious and easy to make, making them an absolute must-try this summer either on your next camping trip or even right on your grill.
So comforting, tasty, and inexpensive to make!
38
Easy “Baked” Salmon
Photo Credit: thesoccermomblog.com
Foil Packet Salmon is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, not to mention fork tender and perfectly cooked every time.
Plus, you can cook veggies in the foil too – no need to clean up extra dishes!
39
Grilled Chicken Legs
Photo Credit: richanddelish.com
This delicious Grilled Chicken Legs recipe has just 3 ingredients, so they’re easy to prep, and cook fast.
With crispy skin on the outside, and tender and juicy meat on the inside, you can’t beat the delicious smoky flavor!
40
Hearty Chili
Photo Credit: https://www.chewoutloud.com
Hearty Chili is chock full of healthy, chunky ingredients and bursting with great depth of flavor that’ll keep you warm on chilly evenings at the campground.
The seasonings meld together perfectly!
Final Thoughts on Camping Meals
After trying all these camping meals, you’ll never look at outdoor cooking the same way again. Seriously, who says you need a fancy kitchen to make amazing food?
Some of my best meals have happened around a campfire with friends, the stars overhead, and that incredible smoky flavor you just can’t get at home.
What I love most about these camping meals is how they bring everyone together. There’s something so special about chopping veggies side by side or waiting for that dutch oven lid to come off and reveal a perfectly cooked meal.
Food just tastes better outdoors—that’s not just me being dramatic, it’s science (or maybe just the fresh air talking).
If you’re new to camp cooking, don’t stress! Start with the foil packet meals or one-pot recipes, then work your way up to dutch oven cooking. The learning curve is totally worth it, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you go from camping food newbie to the person everyone wants at their campsite.
Remember that prep is your best friend when it comes to camping meals. The more you can chop, marinate, and organize at home, the more time you’ll have for hiking, swimming, or just chilling by the fire.
Those zip-top bags with pre-measured ingredients? Total lifesavers when you’re cooking by headlamp.
And don’t forget to pack smart! A good cooler strategy keeps your food fresh longer—put frozen items at the bottom, they act like ice packs for everything else.
Keep a separate cooler for drinks so you’re not letting cold air escape every time someone wants a beverage.
Here are some quick tips from years of campsite cooking:
- Pre-crack eggs into a water bottle for mess-free breakfast prep
- Freeze meat in its marinade before packing—it’ll thaw slowly and soak up flavors
- Pack herbs in olive oil ice cubes to add instant flavor to any camping meal
- Line your dutch oven with foil or parchment for super easy cleanup
- Bring a spray bottle with soapy water for quick hand washing before meal prep
- Make spice kits in small containers or use pill organizers for pre-measured spices
- Pack a cutting board that can double as a serving platter to save space
- Bring silicone oven mitts—they’re heat resistant and washable when they get dirty
- Keep a dedicated camp kitchen box packed and ready between trips
The best camping meals aren’t just about the food—they’re about the experience. That slightly charred edge on your campfire pizza, the way everyone goes quiet when they take the first bite of dutch oven peach cobbler, the stories shared while waiting for water to boil—these are the moments that make camping special.
So pack your cooler, grab your cast iron, and get ready for some amazing outdoor eating. With these camping meals in your outdoor cooking arsenal, you’ll be the campsite MVP without even trying. Your camping buddies will be begging for your recipes and inviting you on every trip.
And when you get home? You might find yourself making these camping meals in your regular kitchen because they’re just that good. Or maybe you’ll be like me—already planning your next outdoor adventure before you’ve even unpacked from this one, dreaming about what camping meals to cook next time under the open sky.