Our Favorite Camping Recipes

When Ryan and I first started camping together, a weekend of camping consisted of cold bagels for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, brats for dinner and s’mores for dessert.  Camping also consisted of a lot of trash since we used an excessive amount of paper plates and plastic silverware.  Over the years, we have accumulated better quality cooking gear and realized that you don’t have to eat junk while camping, especially not when you are car camping.  Here are some of our favorite camping recipes that prove you can eat like a king in the middle of the woods!

1. Blueberry Nut Oatmeal – This breakfast might take a few minutes longer than instant oatmeal, but it is definitely worth it.  Nothing beats a warm bowl of oatmeal on a chilly morning.

2. Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad – I make a large batch of this pasta salad anytime we go on a long road trip or multi day camping trip.  It keeps nicely in the cooler and is an easy way to get in fresh greens.  Since I make it in advance we don’t have to waste time preparing lunches while we are on the road or out sight seeing.

3. Three Bean Turkey Chili – Chili has replaced brats as our go to camping dinner these days.  Before leaving I combine all the ingredients in a large tupperware.  That way when we are at the campsite I just have to dump everything into a dutch oven and let it sit on the fire while we unwind after a long day of hiking.

4. Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Red Beans and Rice – Ever since Ryan and I went on a mission trip to Jamaica in college I have been making jerk chicken with red beans and rice.  For some reason this also has become a car camping staple.  I cook the chicken before we leave so I just have to reheat it on our trip.  For the rice I measure out all the ingredients ahead of time to minimize prep time at the campsite.  Another great thing about this recipe, is that it makes a lot! We like to make wraps with the leftovers, making a nice portable lunch for the next day’s adventure.

5. Couscous and Vegetables – This recipe was inspired by a dish Ryan had on our honeymoon in Belize.  I like to make it towards the beginning of a camping trip so that the vegetables are still fresh.  Couscous is easy to pack and cooks quickly making this an easy side dish for grilled fish or meat.

6. Campfire Peach Cobbler – Ryan gets all the credit for this amazing dessert.  If we are bringing our Dutch Ovens – yes we have two – we like to put them to good use.  This dessert is sure to impress your friends around the campfire!