Summer is just around the corner, and my friends Justin, Cristie, and I decided to go on a camping trip outside the city.
We all wanted to take a break from our busy daily lives for a few days.
We were looking for a place with peace, greenery, a lake, and cool weather to refresh our minds and bodies.
We packed all our camping gear and set off in search of a suitable place—luckily, we found one! It was about 100 km from my residence.
Once we reached there, we set up our entire camping setup and relaxed.
In all this excitement, we almost forgot to tell you—going on a camping trip is great, but what about food?
Well, we had already planned that in advance. We had checked online beforehand and made a list of breakfast, Pre-Made Camping Snack, lunch, and dinner options.
Our plan was to cook our own food over the campfire, so we brought all the necessary ingredients along with a small camping kitchen setup, making cooking much easier.
All of us knew a little bit about cooking, so we tried some new recipes—some turned out great, and some didn’t, but everything was edible!
There’s a special joy in cooking your own food, right?
Many people struggle with what to cook during camping—something that saves time but is also filling.
That’s why we shortlisted around 20-25 lunch recipes that we want to share with you so you don’t have to worry like we did. You can try these recipes too!
We’ve tried many of them on different camping trips, and they’ve been a great success.
Table of Contents
1. One-Pot Taco Skillet:
A taco skillet is perfect for outdoor cooking—just throw in some ground meat, spices, beans, veggies, and cheese, and you’ve got a hearty, flavorful dish in no time.
Plus, using a cast iron skillet makes it easy to cook over a campfire or portable stove.
One Pot Taco Skillet Recipe by Rei.com
2. Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps:
Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, herbs, lettuce, and a little cheddar cheese, all folded up in wraps, then pan-fried until warm and crispy.
Get the Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe from Brit.co
3. Campfire Lasagna:
That sounds like the perfect comfort food after a long day of outdoor adventures!
Lasagna might seem complicated for camping, but using pre-made sauce and no-boil noodles makes it so much easier.
Plus, cooking it over campfire coals gives it a delicious, smoky flavor.
Would you like a simple step-by-step guide for making campfire lasagna? Or maybe some variations, like a vegetarian or one-pot version?
Check out This Campfire Lasagna Recipe.
Read Our Camping Related Blog Post:
Best Camp Kitchen For Your Next Outdoor Trip
4. Foil-Pack Reuben Sandwiches:
That’s a genius way to make Reuben sandwiches for a crowd—no flipping, no hassle, just delicious, melty goodness!
Using a whole loaf of rye bread and stuffing it with all the classic fillings makes it super easy to prepare, and wrapping it in foil ensures everything gets perfectly toasted and gooey.
This is definitely a great idea for camping—minimal effort, no mess, and a big batch ready at once.
5. Grilled Branzino with Basil, Lime and Ginger:
Grilling a whole fish while camping sounds like a fantastic idea!
With a little prep at home, you can have a flavorful, juicy meal without much effort at the campsite.
Marinating and stuffing the fish beforehand makes cooking easier, and wrapping it in butcher paper helps keep it fresh.
If you’re fishing on the trip, this method works great for trout, bass, or any fresh catch of the day.
Plus, grilling over an open flame gives it that delicious smoky flavor.
6. Chorizo:
Chorizo is definitely a camping MVP! Since it’s cured, there’s no need for refrigeration, making it an easy and flavorful ingredient to bring along.
It’s so versatile—slice it up for a quick snack, add it to breakfast with eggs and beans, or toss it into a hearty potato hash for a filling meal.
7. Rice pouches:
Rice is truly a camping essential—light, easy to cook, and incredibly versatile!
Using ready-cooked or boil-in-the-bag rice saves time and effort, making it perfect for quick, satisfying meals.
You can toss it into a fresh bean salad, spice it up with a curried pilaf, use it as a hearty burrito filling, or turn it into a flavorful egg-fried rice.
No matter what, it’s a great way to keep meals simple yet delicious while camping.
8. Chicken BBQ Sandwiches:
That sounds like the ultimate camping meal—easy, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd!
Prepping the BBQ chicken at home saves time and effort at the campsite, so all you have to do is warm it up and serve.
Pairing it with coleslaw and potato chips adds the perfect crunch and balance to the smoky, tender chicken.
Potato rolls or kaiser rolls make great choices for serving, and since this recipe stretches, you won’t have to worry about anyone going hungry.
9. Grilled Gyro Kabobs:
Grilled Gyro Kebabs sound like an incredible camping meal—flavorful, aromatic, and easy to cook over an open flame!
The combination of marinated meat and fragrant spices creates an irresistible dish that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare outdoors.
Pair them with warm pita, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce for a complete meal that feels like a gourmet feast, even in the wilderness.
Get The Recipe From Freshoffthegrid.com
10. Blackened Fish Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce:
Blackened Fish Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce sound like the perfect balance of bold flavors and fresh, creamy goodness!
The smoky, spicy crust on the fish pairs beautifully with the smooth, rich avocado sauce, making every bite irresistible.
Plus, they’re super easy to cook at the campsite with a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven.
Just season the fish, sear it to perfection, and serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings like slaw, lime, and fresh cilantro.
Get The Recipe From Foodiecrush.