When it comes to camping, the only thing that tops sleeping under the stars is making your own meal over the campfire. And yes, we know that s’mores and canned beans taste great! But, sometimes, you need to think bigger than that, especially when your body screams for energy after a long day in the woods. So, with National Camping Day (August 5th) knocking on our door, we’d like to share our go-to camping recipes that’ll keep you full on the trail or wilderness.
1. Chicken & Potato Chowder
Sometimes it’s the simplest of combos that yield the most flavorful results. And that’s the case with this comforting camping recipe. Fusing chicken with potato and cheese, this chowder is the perfect way to refuel after a long day in the woods.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups water
- 2 bouillon cubes (chicken)
- 1 cup freeze dried potatoes
- 1/3 cup dried carrots (shoestring)
- ⅓ cup dried onions
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Add the water, bouillon cubes, potatoes, carrots, and onion to a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over the campfire. Cook until the veggies are cooked through.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in another saucepan and whisk in the flour until smooth. Slowly add the milk and bring to a boil. Stir in the cheese and cook until it is melted.
- Tip the cheesy mixture into the chowder saucepan and stir until combined. Serve immediately.
2. Beef Nachos
Nacho dip may be the ultimate game-day grub. But, with the right ingredients, this side dish can readily turn into a filling main dish for hungry campers. This take combines all the usual palate-pleasers (cheese, beans, and tortilla chips) with some unique add-ins for a mouth-watering combo. And yes, the recipe does require some prep work in advance but trust us, it’s well worth it.
Ingredients:
- ½ lb tortilla chips
- 1/3 cup dried tomato powder (air dried)
- ½ cup dehydrated instant black beans
- ¼ cup dried onions
- 1 avocado, cubed
- 1/3 soy protein beef bits
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup grated cheese blend (Monterey Jack, cheddar, Asadero)
- 1 tsp taco seasoning (or salt & pepper, to taste)
Directions:
- (For the day before) Add the tomato flakes to a small saucepan along 3 tablespoons of water. Bring to a low simmer and cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and set aside. Once cool, transfer to a mason jar and store until use.
- (For the day before) Add the beans and one cup of water to a bowl and soak overnight. The following day, transfer the beans to a pot and cook for about an hour until they’re fork-tender. Let cool and transfer to a bowl with a lid and store until use.
- (At the camping site) Add the olive oil to a Dutch oven and heat over the campfire. Sauté the onion and beef for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In the same Dutch oven, evenly spread 1/3 of the chips. Top with ¼ of the tomato sauce, ¼ of the cheese, ¼ of the beans, ¼ of the onion-beef mixture, a handful of avocado, and a dash of taco seasoning.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients and cover the Dutch oven with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. For a flavor kick, sprinkle with lime juice.
3. Pita Pizzas
Just because your local pizzeria is out of your delivery range, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy your favorite flatbread while out in the woods. This creative camping recipe swaps pizza dough for pita bread, and the results are surprisingly tasty. You can even serve them with a fresh salad for a complete meal and a whole lot of energy.
Ingredients:
- 4 pita breads
- ¼ cup dried tomato powder (air dried)
- ¼ cup freeze dried mushrooms
- 1 tsp dried garlic (sliced)
- ½ cup grated hard cheese of your choice (parmesan, pecorino, Gorgonzola)
- ¼ cup soy protein sausage bits (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions:
- In a small cup, add the tomato flakes and 1-2 tablespoons of lukewarm water. Stir with a spoon until you form a thick-ish tomato paste—season to taste and set aside.
- In a bowl, add the mushrooms, garlic, and sausage along with one cup of lukewarm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
- Spread the pita breads with the tomato paste, top with the mushroom-garlic-sausage blend and sprinkle with cheese.
- Fold a tin foil three times and slide each “pizza” on top of it.
- Cook on a campfire grill until the cheese is melted.
4. Blueberry Cobbler
If you’re looking for a campfire recipe that’s impossible to mess up, this cobbler is just the thing. At just 5 ingredients, the dessert requires zero cooking skills and just a campfire-proof fry pan.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cup freeze dried blueberries
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
Directions:
- Add the blackberries and 2 cups of lukewarm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Once homogenized, stir in the milk.
- Melt the butter over the campfire and add it to the batter. Stir to combine.
- Grease a campfire-proof fry pan and tip the mixture. Top with the blackberries and cover with a lid.
- Cook over coals for half an hour. To make sure the cobbler is done, stick a fork in it. If the batter doesn’t stick, it’s done.
5. Apple Cinnamon Roll-Ups
While decadent, these roll-ups are the ideal low-effort dessert. Requiring less than 5 minutes to put together, they’ll add some sweetness to your camping menu and -why not?- serve as a well-earned treat at the end of the day.
Ingredients:
- 1 package crescent rolls
- 3 tbsp freeze dried apples
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Add the apples and one cup of lukewarm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid, transfer to a bowl, and puree using a fork. Set aside.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in another small bowl.
- Separate crescent rolls, spread the apple puree across each strip, and wrap around skewers.
- Roll the roll-ups in the sugar-cinnamon mixture and cook over the campfire until golden brown (about 5 minutes), rotating frequently.
Which are your go-to camping recipes? Let us know in the comments down below!
