Ultimate Camping Food Hacks to Save You Time, and Keep You Healthy
Updated: Mar 6
Summer is here! I’ve been waiting for it all year. Camping is one of my all-time favourite summer activities. Whether you’re a glamper, a rustic camper, or even a cottager, these food hacks will save you time, or simply open your world to new and delicious culinary delights!
There are so many delicious foods we enjoy mostly in the warmer months. Who doesn’t love a smore by the campfire, a smokie at a barbecue, or ice cream on a hot beach day? Is it possible to maintain a healthy balance AND make the most of this time of year?
Yes, of course! There’s no reason you can’t maintain a healthy balance, and still have plenty of time to soak up the sun, go hiking, boating, and swimming with the kids. You don’t even have to give up those summer favourites! It’s all about moderation. The key is to keep it simple, plan ahead, and enjoy the beautiful fresh summer produce.
These camping food hacks will help you save time, keep you sane, and feel your best!
1. Start by planning your meals.
Try to include at least one vegetable or fruit at each meal. Remember veggies and fruit also make a quick, and easy snack, plus they taste so fresh in the summer!
Keep most meals simple. Our breakfasts usually consists of a combination of cereal, toast, peanut butter, nuts, fruit, and yogurt. Then we save the more elaborate 'brunch-type' meals like ham or bacon and eggs, pancakes, French toast, etc. for lunchtime.
If you're a regular camper or cottager, consider keeping a 'camping notebook' where you can jot down your meal plans, and any other camping related notes you may need. It's nice to have it all in one place, and you can look back at your menus to get ideas for future trips.
Once you have your meals planned out, make a grocery list. By planning ahead, you will be sure to have everything you need…unless you’re like me, and forget at least one critical thing every time!
Are you planning for a camping trip this coming long weekend?
Give this long-weekend menu a try:
Friday
DINNER: pre-make wraps or sandwiches and serve with veggies and hummus so when you arrive, you don’t have to cook
Saturday
BREAKFAST: keep it simple - cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, etc.
LUNCH: quesadillas (with cheese, veggies and black beans), serve with salsa and fruit on the side
DINNER: tin foil pack fish, shrimp or sausage, and veggies, served over rice with a salad kit in a bag
Sunday
BREAKFAST: keep it simple
LUNCH: cheese, sausage, crackers, veggies, dip, and fresh fruit (great for a beach day!)
DINNER: tortellini with tomato sauce, sprinkled with shredded cheese, bread or buns, and some raw veggies or a salad
Monday
Breakfast: keep it simple
Lunch/Brunch: breakfast sandwiches - eggs, bacon or ham, fresh tomato and avocado slices, on English muffins, with fruit and yogurt
2. Don't be afraid to use some healthy 'shortcuts' to keep things simple. My favourites are:
pre-washed and chopped lettuce
salad kits in a bag
mini carrots, and snap peas
jars of tomato sauce
canned beans
fresh tortellini or ravioli
pancake mix (see below for tips to add extra nutrition)
pre-shredded cheese
leftovers from my freezer, like pizza, spaghetti sauce, or chilli
3. Think about the things you can prepare ahead of time. It’s always easier to prepare food with the conveniences of home.
Here’s a list of the things I prepare before my camping trips:
Wash, and chop veggies, and fruit – consider the length of your trip, some will spoil faster if washed and chopped. I always cut carrot sticks, enough peppers for the first couple days, fresh pineapple, and I wash apples, avocado, peaches and celery. Do not pre-wash your herbs, or they will spoil very quickly.
Cook bacon and crack eggs – everyone loves to have bacon and eggs when camping, but it’s so much mess to clean up. I’ve learned that if I pre-cook my bacon at home, then just warm up when we’re ready to eat, it saves me a ton of time and hassle. To save even more hassle, you can pre-crack, and mix your eggs in a ja