32 Easy Camping Lunch Ideas For Your Next Adventure
If you’re looking for easy camping lunch ideas for your next outdoor adventure, this guide is loaded with options. Camping is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature and while you want great-tasting food, you don’t want meal prep to take up all your time.
Whether you’re camping in the woods, by the lake, or in the mountains, having a good meal is an essential part of the experience. One of the most important meals of the day is lunch, and it’s important to have a variety of options that are easy to make and delicious to eat.
Lunch Ideas For Camping
While it’s relatively easy to come up with camping dinner ideas, with dinner often being the main meal we focus on during a camping trip, having a nourishing lunch is equally important… if not more so!
You need to make sure you’ve got enough fuel to last you through the day of outdoor activities, hiking trails and water sports. Or something to warm you up in the middle of the day if you’re camping during winter.
But you also don’t want to spend your entire camping trip prepping and cooking meals.
Key Takeaways
- Planning and preparation are key to successful outdoor cooking.
- Sandwiches, wraps, and salads are easy and delicious lunch options for camping.
- Make-ahead meals and no-prep options can save time and effort while camping.
Easy Camping Lunch Ideas
When it comes to camping, lunchtime can be a tricky meal to plan. You want something that’s quick and easy to make, but also filling and satisfying. Here are some easy camping lunch ideas that are sure to hit the spot.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Sandwiches and wraps are a classic camping lunch option. They’re easy to make, customisable, and portable.
Plus, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time to make assembly a breeze. This is a better option than making your sandwiches ahead of time since cold cuts of meat, condiments and salad will leave your bread soggy.
Some sandwich and wrap ideas include:
- Turkey and cheese on whole wheat bread
- Veggie wrap with hummus, avocado, and veggies of your choice
- Peanut butter and jelly on wholegrain bread
- Grilled chicken wrap with veggies and ranch dressing
- Tuna and salad
Grilled Items
If you have access to a grill, why not take advantage of it for lunch? Grilling your lunch can add some extra flavour and make you feel like you’re really roughing it in the great outdoors.
You can also use a pie iron for some easy grilled sandwiches.
You can also bring them in pre-made foil packets to save a bit of time on the prepping for a simple camping lunch.
Some grilled lunch ideas for camping include:
- Grilled veggie skewers with a side of quinoa salad
- Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup
- Grilled chicken breast with a side of grilled veggies
- Grilled hot dogs with all the fixings
Salads
If you’re looking for a lighter lunch option, salads can be a great choice. They’re refreshing and can be packed with protein and other nutrients to keep you fueled for your afternoon activities.
Some salad ideas to take camping include:
- Greek salad with feta cheese, olives, and cucumber
- Cobb salad with hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and avocado
- Chicken Caesar salad with grilled chicken breast and homemade dressing
- Quinoa salad with veggies and a lemon vinaigrette
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Hot Camping Lunch Ideas
When it comes to camping lunch ideas, hot meals are always a great option. Here are some delicious and easy hot camping lunch ideas:
One Pot Meals
One pot meals are perfect for camping because they are easy to make and require minimal cleanup. You can put your dutch oven on in the morning and have a delicious meal ready to eat when it’s time for lunch.
Here are some great one pot meal ideas for camping include:
- Chilli: Simply brown some ground beef or turkey in a pot, add in some canned beans, diced tomatoes, and chilli seasoning, and let it simmer for a while. Serve with some shredded cheese and crackers.
- Jambalaya: Brown some sausage and chicken in a pot, add some diced vegetables like onions, peppers, and celery, and then add in some rice, broth, and seasonings. Let it simmer until the rice is cooked through.
- Mac and Cheese: Cook some macaroni in a pot, drain it, and then add in some milk, butter, and cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and serve. Or use an instant mac & cheese pack and just add water.
Campfire Pizza
Making pizza over a campfire is easier than you might think. Simply bring along some pre-made pizza bases, sauce, cheese, and your favourite toppings.
Add the sauce and toppings, and then place it on a cast iron skillet or pizza stone. Cook it over the campfire until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
BBQ Options
If you’re camping with a grill, there are plenty of BBQ options for lunch.
Some BBQ ideas include:
- Burgers: Bring along some ground beef or turkey, form it into patties, and grill them up. Serve with some buns, cheese, and toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion.
- Hot Dogs: No camping trip is complete without hot dogs. Grill them up and serve with some buns and condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish.
- Grilled Chicken: Marinate some chicken breasts in your favourite sauce and grill them up for a delicious and healthy lunch option on your camp stove.
Just Add Water
For near-instant hot lunch ideas, there are quite a few meal options that you can make by just adding hot water. These are great when you want to save time cooking on the pan
Here are some just-add-water instant meal ideas for cold days:
- Ramen
- Other types of instant noodles
- Mug soup mixes
- Mac & cheese
Overall, there are plenty of hot camping lunch ideas that are easy to make and delicious to eat. Whether you prefer one pot meals, campfire pizza, or BBQ options, there’s something for everyone.
Make Ahead & No-Prep Lunches For Camping
When you’re out camping, it’s important to have a good lunch to keep your energy levels up. However, you don’t want to spend too much time preparing it, especially if you’re out exploring.
Make-Ahead Lunches
Make-ahead lunches are great for those who want to spend less time cooking and more time exploring. These make-ahead camping lunches also work great as hiking lunches too for the whole family too.
Here are some ideas for camping lunches to make ahead:
- Pasta Salad: Cook some pasta ahead of time and mix it with your favourite veggies, cheese, and dressing. Store it in an airtight container and keep it in a cooler until you’re ready to eat.
- Tortilla Pinwheels: Make some wrap pinwheels with your favourite fillings such as turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a cooler until you’re ready to eat.
- Mason Jar Salads: Layer your favourite salad ingredients in a mason jar, starting with the dressing at the bottom and ending with the greens on top. Store it in a cooler until you’re ready to eat.
No-Prep Lunches
No-prep lunches are perfect for those who want to spend zero time cooking. Not every meal needs to be a cooked meal on your next camping trip.
Here are some ideas for no prep lunches:
- Trail Mix: Make your own trail mix by combining your favourite nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Store it in a resealable bag or container and snack on it throughout the day.
- Hummus and Veggies: Pack some pre-cut veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers along with some hummus for dipping.
- Cheese and Crackers: Pack some cheese and crackers for a quick and easy lunch.
- Savoury Rolls: Pre-made savoury rolls such as cheese and bacon rolls (one of my camping and travel staples for lunch on the go), herb pull-apart bread or savoury scrolls.
- Corn Chips & Salsa: A quick and easy snack lunch with chips and salsa to dip in.
- Fresh Fruit: While more of a snack, if you’re not overly hungry, a few pieces of fresh fruit can be adequate for lazy campsite days if you’ve had a big breakfast.
- Canned meals: Things such as baked beans or canned spaghetti are quick and easy if you don’t mind eating them at room temperature! Get more canned food ideas here.
By preparing your lunch ahead of time or choosing no-prep options, you can spend more time enjoying the great outdoors during your camping trip.
Tips for Packing and Storing
When it comes to camping lunch, it’s important to pack and store your food properly to ensure it stays fresh and safe to eat. Here are some tips for packing and storing your camping lunch:
- Keep it simple: Your goal isn’t to spend your entire camping trip cooking up gourmet meals… unless that is why you’re camping, but probably not, so choose simple meals with minimal prep and easy cooking processes.
- Pack it right: Pack your cooler so that you don’t need to unpack every single item every time you need to make a meal. Put the stuff you will use first at the top if you’re able to.
- Bring some non-perishable meals: Meals that don’t require chilling are great for lunches and breakfasts so you can save space in your cooler and likely save time too.
Conclusion: Lunches For Camping
In conclusion, camping lunches do not have to be boring or repetitive. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals while enjoying the great outdoors.
It is important to choose ingredients that are easy to transport and store, such as canned goods, dried fruits, and nuts. It is also important to pack enough food to last the entire camping trip and to keep perishable items cool in a cooler or insulated bag.
Overall, camping lunches can be a fun part of any camping trip. By planning ahead and being creative, you can choose lunches that are easy to make, taste good and don’t slow down your plans for all the adventures you plan to have in the great outdoors. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
More camp food tips & ideas:
- Camp cooking tips
- Healthy camping snacks
- Best canned foods for camping
- Camping food checklist
- Hiking snack ideas
