Level Up Your Lunch in the Great Outdoors
A good camping trip requires the right gear, the right location, and, crucially, the right food. A satisfying lunch is the key to keeping your energy levels high and your spirits even higher when you’re out in nature. Nobody wants a sluggish afternoon when there are trails to hike and views to admire!
And camping lunches definitely don’t have to be boring or complicated. We’ve compiled a list of options that range from meals you can prep ahead of time at home to no-cook solutions to dishes you can whip up right over the campfire.
Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy or something a little more gourmet, we’ve got you covered. This guide offers a range of delicious and easy lunch recipes for camping, designed to suit different preferences, dietary needs, and camping styles.
Prep-at-Home Camping Lunch Ideas: Maximize Flavor, Minimize Effort
One way to keep meal prep at the campsite quick and easy is to do most of the work at home. When you get to your campsite, you’ll be able to spend more time relaxing and less time chopping vegetables.
Pasta Salads: A Versatile and Refreshing Choice
Pasta salads are a great choice for a camping lunch. They’re hearty, flavorful, and can be made ahead of time. Plus, you can customize them with all sorts of different flavors and ingredients. For example, try an herby Italian orzo salad or a Greek olive pasta salad. Bell peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, and olives all taste great in pasta salad.
When storing and transporting pasta salad, be sure to use airtight containers to prevent spills and keep the salad cool. You might even consider packing the dressing separately to avoid soggy pasta.
Chicken Salad: Classic Comfort Food
Chicken salad is another camping lunch classic! It’s easy to customize with your favorite herbs, spices, and add-ins. For example, you could add grapes, celery, cranberries, or nuts. For extra convenience, use canned chicken.
Chicken salad tastes great on croissants, lettuce wraps, or crackers. For extra creaminess and healthy fats, add some avocado.
Other Prep-Ahead Options
Here are some other simple lunch options you can prepare ahead of time:
- Vegetarian Chickpea Salad: This is a great alternative to tuna or chicken salad. Mash chickpeas and combine with celery, onion, vegan mayo, and seasonings. Serve on bread, crackers, or lettuce cups.
- Egg Salad: This is a simple and satisfying classic. Hard-boil eggs, mash, and mix with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings. This can be made a day in advance.
- BLT Sandwiches: Cook bacon ahead of time and store in a container. Pack lettuce, tomato, and bread separately to prevent sogginess.
No-Cook Camping Lunches: Quick, Easy, and Delicious
When you’re camping, sometimes the easiest way to get lunch on the table is to make sure there’s no cooking involved at all. Here are some super-simple, super-delicious no-cook lunch ideas.
Sandwiches and Wraps: The Ultimate Camping Staple
You can’t go wrong with a sandwich when you’re camping. They’re easy to make, easy to pack, and easy to eat, whether you’re sitting around the campsite or hiking on a trail.
- Deli Meat Sandwiches: You can’t go wrong with turkey, ham, or roast beef. Add cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments.
- Vegetarian Hummus Wraps: Spread hummus on a tortilla and add veggies like cucumber, carrots, and bell peppers. For extra nutrients, throw in some sprouts or avocado.
- Tuna Salad Sandwich: Canned tuna is your friend! Mix it with mayonnaise, celery, and onion and serve it on bread, crackers, or even lettuce cups if you’re trying to cut carbs.
- Caprese Sandwich: For a fresh and flavorful option, combine fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves on bread and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Creative No-Cook Lunch Ideas: Beyond the Basics
If you want to get a little fancier with your no-cook camping lunch, here are some fun ideas.
- Charcuterie Board: A customizable and crowd-pleasing option, a charcuterie board lets everyone choose their favorites from a variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and nuts.
- Yogurt and Granola: A quick and easy breakfast-for-lunch option. Pack individual yogurt cups or containers and add granola, fruit, and nuts.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly (PB&J) Variations: Experiment with different types of nut butters, jellies, and breads. Add sliced bananas, honey, or granola for extra flavor and texture.
- Bagel and Lox: Pack bagels, smoked salmon (lox), cream cheese, and toppings like capers and red onion.
Pre-made Salad Kits: A Convenient Option
Salad kits are quick, easy, and healthy. Choose your favorite flavor and dressing and add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for a more filling meal.
Campfire Cooking Lunches: Embrace the Outdoors
There’s nothing like cooking over a campfire. Here are some easy and satisfying lunches you can prepare while enjoying the great outdoors.
Grilled Cheese: A Classic Comfort Food
Grilled cheese sandwiches are simple, satisfying, and easy to make over a campfire. Just butter some bread, add your favorite cheese (or cheeses!), and cook in a skillet or pie iron until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Want to get a little fancy? Try different cheese combinations or add-ins like tomato, bacon, or avocado. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as sourdough or rye.
Quesadillas: A Versatile Campfire Meal
Quesadillas are another customizable and easy campfire lunch. Use tortillas, your favorite cheese, and whatever other fillings you like. Bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms are great veggie additions. You can also add cooked chicken, beans, or rice for a more filling meal.
There are a couple of ways to cook quesadillas over a campfire. You can use a skillet or pie iron, or wrap the quesadilla in foil and cook it directly on the coals.
Pie Iron Sandwiches: A Fun and Unique Option
Pie iron sandwiches are a fun and unique way to cook over a campfire. The possibilities are endless! Use bread and your favorite fillings, and cook in a pie iron over the campfire until the bread is golden brown.
Here are a few filling ideas to get you started:
- Pizza fillings: sauce, cheese, pepperoni
- Fruit fillings: apples, cinnamon, sugar
- Breakfast fillings: eggs, bacon, cheese
Other Campfire Cooking Ideas
- Ramen: Quick and easy to cook in a pot over the fire.
- Mac and Cheese: Upgrade from the box with some fresh ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Whether you opt for the convenience of a meal you prepared at home, the simplicity of a no-cook lunch, or the fun of cooking over the campfire, there are plenty of tasty lunch options for your camping trip.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and try out new recipes! You can customize your camping lunches to your own tastes and preferences. The main thing is to remember that camping food can be easy and delicious.
Good food is essential for a successful camping trip. A well-planned lunch can make your outdoor experience more enjoyable and memorable, so take the time to plan ahead and pack accordingly.