Fresh air, great food, and natural surroundings. Camping isn’t just enjoyable. It’s good for you.
Camping provides many benefits to your health. Reduced stress and increased physical fitness are just a couple of positive side effects of regular camping.
There is something about camping food. Food cooked over a fire has no equal. But as with any food, it’s best when done right.
Being away from home can add some challenges. Keep reading to discover how to best keep your camping food fresh and tasty.
Essentials
No matter what you plan to eat, there are essentials you must remember.
You won’t have a full kitchen at your disposal. So, make sure you pack all you’ll need to make things easier.
- Medium-sized pot
- Medium-sized pan
- Water
- Aluminum foil
- Portable grate (to set over flames)
- Utensils (for cooking and eating)
- Lighter fluid
- Matches
Preparation
Heading out to the wilderness requires forethought. A list will help make sure you don’t forget anything.
But seasoned campers have some tricks. These simplify outdoor living to allow you to enjoy your escape.
Prepare meals ahead of time at home. Measure all ingredients for each individual recipe and add to meal-specific freezer bags. Freeze the ingredients in the bags and label the contents.
For instance, there is no reason to bring an entire bag of rice if you only need a cup or two.
This practice has dual benefits. Of course, preparing at home will make cooking while camping far more convenient.
But if you freeze meat ahead of time, this not only keeps the meat fresh. But the frozen meat can keep other foods chilled while in a cooler. Fresh food is safe food.
Freeze everything you can. This cuts down on the ice and keeps everything fresh and tasty.
There are a few things to bring along that will help make campfire recipes memorable.
Details
You’ve covered the basics. But there is more to ensure a successful culinary holiday.
Remember some people aren’t human until they’ve had their morning cup of caffeine. Consider instant coffee and tea bags for simplicity.
Seasoning salt can be a lifesaver. Its versatility makes it a worthy camping companion.
Some campers opt for disposable water bottles. But if you love the great outdoors, you want to protect it.
A large, reusable drink dispenser filled with water does the trick. Campers can refill aluminum bottles at their leisure. And you can access water for meal prep.
To be on the safe side, take two gallons of water per person, per day. The average camper will drink about a gallon each day. But between cooking and washing, more water will be needed.
Best Camping Food
The key to successful camping food is planning. Have an idea of each meal before preparing.
An ideal camping breakfast is easy, filling, and requires little-to-no clean-up. You can’t go wrong with breakfast burritos.
Prepare them at home before heading out. Wrap each one in foil for easy transport and future cooking.
For lunch, consider roll-ups, again wrap in foil. Roll up deli meats and cheeses in lettuce. Or slather some peanut butter and jelly on tortillas.
These are great for eating while hiking.
Pocket stew is one of the most iconic camping recipes. Fold foil into a pocket and fill it with sliced potatoes, carrots, meat, onions…
Add a bit of water, seasoning salt, and toss onto the fire.
Let campers choose their own ingredients. And make sure they write their name on their pocket to keep track.
There are countless possibilities. The key is to plan and prepare.
Outdoor Oasis
Nothing tastes quite like food cooked over a campfire. Camping food brings a sense of comfort and simplicity essential to the overall experience.
Plan ahead, prepare beforehand, and enjoy the great outdoors.
