Going camping and need some quick, tasty recipes to make your trip easier? Well, you’ve pitched your tent in the right place!
We know how tricky it can be deciding what to eat when you’re at home… never mind when you’re living out of a backpack! Planning your meals, remembering all the ingredients, and juggling a camp stove can feel like a lot. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favourite camping-friendly recipes and clever hacks to keep your cooking stress-free – and your belly full.
So, whether you’re a seasoned outdoor pro or a first-timer who’s just bought their first sleeping bag, get ready to channel your inner camping chef. Let’s dig in!
Keep It Simple
When you’re hungry after a day of exploring, you don’t want to spend hours watching your tiny stove trying to make something complicated. The key? Keep it simple, hearty, and quick.
One-Pot Pesto Pasta
Ingredients: Pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, spinach, grated cheese.
Method: Boil your pasta, drain (keep a splash of the cooking water), stir in the pesto, tomatoes, and spinach until the greens wilt. Sprinkle with as much cheese as you like!
Hack: Use a collapsible colander to save precious packing space – it’s a game-changer.
Camping Pizza Wraps
Ingredients: Tortillas, tomato puree or pizza sauce, cheese, toppings of your choice.
Method: Spread sauce on a tortilla, add cheese and toppings, fold in half, and toast in a pan until deliciously crispy.
Hack: Great for using up leftover cooked veg or meat.
Porridge – The Morning Hero
Ingredients: Oats, water or milk, plus your favourite toppings.
Method: Pop your oats into a pan, add water or milk, and gently simmer until creamy.
Hack: Take it from “good” to “can-I-have-seconds?” by stirring in honey, a handful of fresh berries, or even a cheeky spoonful of peanut butter for a protein boost that’ll keep you going until lunch.
Foil Pack Magic
We could technically pop this under ‘hacks’… but honestly, foil cooking is so good it deserves its own shout-out. You can throw almost anything in some foil – veg, meat, seasoning, a splash of oil – wrap it up, pop it on your stove or BBQ, wait a bit… and BOOM! A delicious, hot meal with barely any washing up.
Foil Veg & Sausage Packets
Ingredients: Chopped sausages, diced potatoes, onions, peppers, seasoning, drizzle of oil.
Method: Toss everything together in foil, seal, and cook on the BBQ or stove for 20 – 30 mins, turning occasionally.
Hack: Use pre-cooked sausages to cut cooking time in half.
Garlic Butter Chicken & Veg
Ingredients: Diced chicken breast, chopped courgettes, peppers, onions, baby potatoes, and garlic butter.
Method: Mix chicken and veg with garlic butter, seal in foil, and cook for 25 – 30 mins until chicken is cooked through.
Hack: Use pre-marinated chicken to skip seasoning at camp.
Banana Boats
Ingredients: Bananas, chocolate, mini marshmallows.
Method: Slice a banana lengthways, stuff with chocolate and marshmallows, wrap in foil, and heat gently on the stove or BBQ until gloriously melty.
Hack: No BBQ? Just use a frying pan with a lid – works a treat!
Make a Feast
Sometimes you want to go all out – especially after a big day of hiking or before a long day of exploring. These slightly bigger meals are worth every extra minute of cooking.
Best Big Breakfast (One Pan Wonder!)
Ingredients: Sausages, bacon, tinned tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, and baked beans.
Method: Fry sausages and bacon first, push them to the side, add mushrooms, then crack in your eggs. Warm beans in a separate pan – or squeeze them into the same one if you’re feeling adventurous!
Hack: Use tinned potatoes or hash browns for a proper hearty start to your day.
Pan-Fried Fish Wraps
Ingredients: White fish fillets, taco seasoning, wraps, lettuce, lime, and sour cream.
Method: Season fish, pan-fry until cooked, flake into wraps, and top with salad and sauce.
Hack: Been fishing or crabbing? Swap in your fresh catch for the ultimate ‘sea-to-stove’ dinner.
Campfire Chilli
Ingredients: Minced beef (or veggie mince), onion, garlic, tinned chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, chilli powder, and paprika.
Method: Brown the mince and onion, add spices, then tomatoes and beans. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Hack: Pre-chop onions and garlic at home, store in a sealed tub, and thank yourself later.
Camping Cooking Hacks
Cooking at a campsite can feel a bit like doing a dance in a tiny kitchen – you’ve got to be clever with your space, your gear, and your ingredients. But with a few smart tricks up your sleeve, you can whip up tasty meals without the stress (or the washing-up mountain). Here are some tried-and-tested hacks to make your campsite cooking smooth, efficient, and actually fun!
Spice It Up (Without the Bulk)
No one wants to pack full jars of herbs and spices. Instead, pre-measure your favourites into little tubs or, for the super-savvy, clean straws sealed at both ends. Just snip and sprinkle when needed – instant flavour without rattling spice jars taking up space.
Marinate on the Move
Zip-lock freezer bags are a camper’s best friend. Pop your meat, fish, or veggies in with your marinade before you leave, seal it up, and let the magic happen in your cool box while you travel.
Bonus: No extra bowls to wash up later!
The Mighty Mini Chopping Board
A small chopping board is worth its weight in gold, especially the foldable kind. They take up barely any room in your camping box and make prep work so much easier than chasing a tomato around a paper plate.
Milk That Lasts
Long-life milk or milk powder means you can still enjoy your morning brew or a bowl of cereal without worrying about refrigeration. It’s a small comfort that can make your camp breakfast feel just like home.
Tinned Veg to the Rescue
Forget peeling and chopping! Tinned vegetables are ready to go, don’t need a fridge, and are brilliant for stews, curries, or pasta sauces. Plus, you won’t have to worry about anything going off mid-trip.
Stack It, Don’t Pack It
Stackable cookware is a game-changer. It saves space, keeps your kit tidy, and means you can find exactly what you need without rummaging around in the dark.
The Cool Box Double-Act
Ditch the ice packs – freeze water bottles instead! They’ll keep your food cold, and once they thaw, you’ve got extra drinking water ready to go. Smart, right?
With these hacks, you’ll spend less time faffing about and more time enjoying sunsets, beach walks, or that extra cup of tea by the fire.
The Final Bite
And there you have it, a toolkit of easy, delicious camping recipes and clever hacks to make outdoor cooking a breeze. Whether you’re whipping up a quick bowl of porridge before hitting the trail, unwrapping a sizzling foil packet after a day’s adventure, or going all-in with a hearty chilli, you’ve now got plenty of ideas to keep everyone fed and happy.
The beauty of camping cooking is that it doesn’t have to be complicated – just tasty, practical, and fun. With a bit of planning, some smart gear, and a dash of creativity, you can turn even the simplest campsite meal into a memory worth savouring.
So pack your pans, grab those marshmallows, and get ready to serve up something amazing under the open sky. After all, food always tastes better with a side of fresh air and adventure.
Why not whip up these tasty ideas at Lady’s Mile? Check out our touring and camping pitches, and start planning those mouth-watering camp meals today!
Check out our Holiday Park BBQ Safety blog for full details on our BBQ rules and tips.
If you enjoyed our Camping Recipes blog, you might like our other blogs. Find them here.
If you’re planning your next getaway, book your stay with us at Lady’s Mile today. Click here to secure your spot and create unforgettable memories!
