70 Best Canned Food For Camping & Easy No-Chill Meal Ideas
If you’re looking for the best canned food for camping, there are thankfully a lot of great options these days! When it comes to camping, packing the right food can make or break your trip. While fresh food is always a great option, it’s not always practical, especially if you’re going on a longer trip or don’t have access to a cooler.
That’s where canned food comes in. Canned food is a great option for camping because it’s non-perishable, easy to pack, and requires no refrigeration.
This is the ultimate list of the best canned food for camping, so you can pack smarter and eat better on your next camping trip.
A Guide To Canned Food for Camping
Canned food is a great option for camping because it’s non-perishable, shelf-stable, easy to pack, and requires no refrigeration. But when it comes to choosing canned food for camping, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you want to choose foods that are easy to prepare and don’t require a lot of additional ingredients or equipment for your camping food list.
Second, you want to choose foods that are versatile and can be used in a variety of different recipes.
And finally, you want to choose foods that are high in nutrients and will give you the energy you need to enjoy your camping trip to the fullest.
We share our top picks for the canned food to take camping, including meal ideas or canned meals you can eat right away, snacks, and even canned drinks.
Best Canned Foods for Camping
When it comes to camping, canned food is a great option for a quick and easy meal. Not only is it non-perishable, but it’s also lightweight and easy to pack.
Here are some of the best-canned foods to take camping that can be combined into a meal (or eaten alone if you want to keep it really simple):
Canned Meat
Canned meat is a great option for camping because it’s high in protein and can be used in a variety of dishes. You can use canned meat, such as canned chicken, to make sandwiches, salads, or even stir-fry. Pretty much every kind of meat can likely be found in a can!
Some popular canned meats for camping include:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Ham
- Spam
- Turkey
- Sausage
- Pate or meat spreads
Canned Fish & Seafood
Canned fish and seafood are also great options for camping. They’re high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients. They are great on sandwiches, wraps, bread rolls, salads, mixed into pasta dishes or eaten alone.
Some popular canned fish and seafood for camping include:
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Crab
Canned Fruit
Canned fruit is a great option for a quick and easy breakfast or an easy snack while camping. You can eat canned fruit on its own, or add it to oatmeal or yogurt for a more filling meal.
It also makes the perfect filling for your camping pie iron. Add some drained canned fruit between two slices of bread and cook over your campfire for a delish dessert!
Some popular canned fruits for camping include:
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Cherries
- Apricots
- Mango
- Mixed fruit salad or two fruit varieties
- Blueberries
- Lychees
- Tomatoes
- Mandarin
- Jackfruit
- Grapefruit
- Pumpkin (yes… pumpkin is a fruit)
- Olives
- Tomato sauce or tomato paste (great for creating your own spaghetti sauce)
Just watch out for the added sugars some of these canned fruits have because it may not be such a healthy snack after all!
Canned Vegetables
Canned vegetables are a great option for adding some healthy nutrients to your camping meals. Surprisingly, studies show that canned foods do keep their nutrient content and in some cases, these nutrients actually increase.
You can use canned vegetables in soups, stews, or even stir-fry. They are the perfect addition to some one-pot camping meals since you can just drain and pour them into your pot. No need to peel, slice and dice!
Some popular canned vegetables for camping include:
- Green beans
- Corn
- Carrot
- Asparagus
- Beetroot
- Champignon mushrooms (technically a fungus)
- Whole potatoes
- Capsicum
- Peas
- Artichoke hearts
- Pickles
Canned Beans & Legumes
Canned beans and legumes are a great option for adding some plant-based protein to your camping meals. You can use canned beans and legumes in chilli, soups, or even salads. They are also great for Mexican dishes such as tacos or burritos and help make any meal into a more hearty meal.
Some popular canned beans and legumes for camping include:
- Black beans
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Broad beans
- Butter beans
- Kidney beans
- Cannellini beans
- Bean mixes
- Refried beans
Canned Liquids & Dairy Products
You can also get canned liquids to use in cooking as well. This can also be a great alternative to fresh milk for long trips when you aren’t close to a store:
- Coconut milk
- Evaporated Milk
- Sweetened condensed milk (for desserts)
- Coconut Cream
- Canned cream (a thickened cream that is shelf-stable and used in desserts)
Best Canned Meals for Camping
When it comes to camping, canned food is a convenient and practical option. Canned meals are easy to prepare, require minimal clean-up, and can be stored for long periods without refrigeration.
This makes them great for fuss-free camping meals and for those longer trips when you want to stay off the grid longer but don’t have a cooler big enough to keep the extra chilled foods.
Here are some of the best-canned meals for camping that are ready to eat (or heat and eat) straight away:
Canned Soup
Canned soup is a classic camping staple. It’s easy to heat up and can be enjoyed as a meal or a snack. Make sure to choose low sodium options to avoid dehydration since you’re likely spending a lot of extra time in the great outdoors being active.
Some of the best canned soup options for camping include:
- Chicken soup
- Minestrone soup
- Tomato soup
- Vegetable soup
- Chicken and corn
- Pumpkin
- Beef and vegetable
- Potato and leek
- Split pea soup
- Pea and ham
- Chicken noodle
- Mushroom
Canned Stew
Canned stew is a hearty and filling option for camping dinners, especially if you’re camping in winter and need lots of hot comfort meals. It’s perfect for colder nights and can be easily heated up over a campfire, by boiling in hot water or a portable camp stove.
- Beef stew
- Chicken stew
- Vegetable stew
- Irish stew
Canned Pasta
Canned pasta is a quick and easy meal option for camping. It’s perfect for those busy days when you don’t have much time to prepare a meal.
Some of the best canned pasta options for camping include:
- Spaghetti and meatballs
- Ravioli
- Macaroni and cheese
- Spaghetti (the kind kids love but watch out for those with super high sodium levels)
- Creamed rice
Benefits Of Canned Food For Camping
When it comes to camping, canned food is an excellent option for a variety of reasons, especially if you’re worried about not having enough space in your cooler or having all your ice melt and spoiling your fresh foods.
Here are some of the benefits of canned food for camping:
- Convenience – One of the main benefits of canned food for camping is its convenience. Canned food is easy to store, and it doesn’t require refrigeration, making it perfect for camping trips. Additionally, canned food is readily available at most grocery stores, making it easy to stock up on before your trip.
- Long Shelf Life – Canned food has a long shelf life, which means you can buy it in advance and not have to worry about it going bad before your camping trip. This is especially helpful if you’re planning a longer trip and need to bring a lot of food with you.
- Variety – Canned food comes in a wide variety of options, from fruits and vegetables to meats and soups. This means you can easily find something that suits your taste preferences and dietary restrictions. Plus, canned food can be used to create a variety of meals, from simple snacks to full dinners.
- Easy To Transport – Tins protect food from getting crushed or damaged making it easy to pack and transport.
- Affordable – Canned food is also affordable, making them a great option for budget-conscious campers. You can often find canned food on sale or in bulk, which can help you save even more money.
As for the negatives, the main things to consider are:
- Weight – A lot of tins can add a lot of extra weight to your camping gear compared to light plastic containers or bags. You also can’t take a lot with you if you’re going backpacking or multi-day hiking trips.
- Preservatives & additives – They aren’t always the healthiest option since food that is preserved for such a long time often needs some sort of preservative to do exactly that. This means you often get higher salt and additives compared to eating the fresh equivalents of the same foods. Always read the label and choose the healthier options!
Tips For cooking With Canned Foods
When camping, canned foods prove to be a convenient and practical choice. However, to make the most of these canned cuisines, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
Firstly, always pack a can opener; it’s an indispensable tool. In fact, pack 2 just in case one breaks and you’re left unable to open your dinner! That would be a downright disaster!
Eat your fresh meat, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit towards the start of your trip, and leave your canned meat products and other canned foods for later in the trip so you don’t risk your food spoiling.
You also want to make sure you’ve got a way of heating your tinned foods too, whether you plan to cook it on a pot over a fire or using a saucepan on your camping stove. Knowing some basic outdoor cooking processes is essential!
Remember that canned foods can also serve as an extra ingredient or flavouring to your meals.
A can of beans, for instance, can be added to a stew or soup for a great source of protein. Bring along some pre-made sauces or diced tomatoes mixed with a combination of vegetables, canned pasta, beans and meat to create your own simple one-pot camp dinners!
Lastly, and most crucially, ensure you dispose of the cans responsibly. Remember, we are guests of the environment we are camping in. Leave it as you found it so future generations can enjoy it the way you did!
Other Non-Perishable Foods For Camping
If you’re looking for other non-perishable options for easy camping food ideas, there are plenty of great ingredients and meal ideas that don’t need refrigeration… not just the canned variety.
Bring dry foods like rice, pasta, couscous and oats to incorporate into meals. Consider freeze-dried meals or jerky.
Bring healthy snacks such as nuts, seeds, granola bars and crackers, paired with fresh fruit that doesn’t require chilling for between meals.
You can find more non-refrigerated camping food ideas here.
Conclusion: Non-Refrigerated Camping Food
When it comes to camping, it’s important to have non-perishable food options that don’t require refrigeration. By now, you should have a good idea of the best canned foods for camping, as well as some other non-refrigerated food options.
In addition to canned foods, there are plenty of other non-refrigerated food options for camping. Some popular choices include trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, and dried fruit. These snacks are easy to pack and provide a quick and convenient source of energy while you’re out exploring the great outdoors.
Overall, having a good selection of non-refrigerated camping food is essential for any camping trip. By packing the right foods, you can ensure that you have plenty of energy to explore the great outdoors and make the most of your time in nature.
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- Healthy camping snack ideas
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- Camping food packing list
- Camping skillet meal ideas
