When you go camping, the biggest challenge is the lack of space. Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, clothes, and travel trailer covers for winter take up an enormous amount of storage space. It does not matter whether you are traveling by car or on foot.
But you have to think about enough food and means of preparation. After all, you are not at home when camping. You can’t just open the fridge and take out a finished dish.
So which foods are best for camping?
Basically, you have to make sure that the food is versatile and has a long shelf life. Potatoes and pasta are best suited for this. You should refrain from fresh meat during this time, because it spoils quickly, especially on warm days. Apples and carrots have a long shelf life and provide you with important vitamins.
Here’s everything you need to know about food and camping. I have the best tips for you on how to conjure up great dishes from just a few ingredients and accessories!
THE BASIC EQUIPMENT
In order to be able to conjure up delicious dishes while camping, you need certain basic equipment. Above all, I mean dishes and spices. It is clear that you should not carry half the kitchen with you.
Nevertheless, a pot, a frying pan, a cutting board, plates, a bowl, cups, cutlery, oil, and spices such as salt and pepper should not be missing. Meanwhile, there are many products that can be used in a variety of ways. Plates and cutlery are usually available in one and even with pots there are now camping sets that are light and can be stacked into each other.
Make sure that your dishes are not necessarily made of porcelain. You should also avoid plastic.
Stainless steel tableware is best suited. This is light and robust. Especially with plates and cups, the weight is noticeable.
The cutting board is also often forgotten by many campers. But it is an enormously important tool. Especially if you want to conjure up dishes with vegetables, it is indispensable.
For the most part, a single pot is enough to conjure up delicious dishes. This can be used in many ways. Whether cooking with water or pasta or preparing the morning porridge in it.
As always, the motto is: Less is more. It is best if you think about which dishes you want to cook in advance. This saves you a lot of stuff that you have to carry with you unnecessarily.
Want to make packing for your next camping trip easier? Then download the free, printable checklist for your camping equipment!
THE BEST DISHES FOR CAMPING
PASTA
Noodles are the camping classic par excellence. Due to their diverse use, new dishes can be conjured up every day. It doesn’t always have to be just canned ravioli.
For example, you can simply cook and fry the noodles and then eat them with a fried egg. A vegetable pan with noodles is also great. Thus, you also get enough vitamins when camping.
However, noodles can also be prepared sweetly. To do this, simply fry them with a little sugar and cinnamon. Applesauce is best suited for dipping. This dish is particularly well received by children!
You can also keep your pasta dishes very simple. Take ready-made sauces in the glass (whether homemade or bought). You can then quickly tip them over the noodles and you have a delicious dish!
POTATOES
Similar to pasta, potatoes can be used in a variety of ways. The advantage of potatoes is that you can also take them with you for hiking.
I always cook myself a few unpeeled potatoes for each tour and just dip them in a little salt on the way. The boiled potatoes not only last several days but also taste really good pure.
You can also easily prepare fried potatoes while camping and make yourself a fried egg. It’s best to cook several potatoes. So you can continue to use them the next day.
PORRIDGE
Porridge is the camping dish par excellence! After all, all you need for this dish is oatmeal and water. But if you want it to be a bit more unusual, I’ll show you a few options here.
Take cocoa powder with you! With it, you can not only make yourself delicious warm cocoa at the campfire but also pimp your porridge!
In the morning, simply stir a spoonful or two of cocoa powder into the porridge. You will see that the dish will knock you out of your socks.
Especially in the morning, it can get quite cold when camping. A warm porridge is really good!
If you have nuts with you, you can just put them over them and you have energy for the whole day. However, nuts are not only suitable for porridge. You should not miss any hiking and camping adventures with me!
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THESE FOODS MUST NOT BE MISSING
Non-perishable foods are the be-all and end-all when camping. Of course, you also have to think about a few vitamins. Apples and carrots are best because they do not spoil quickly.
Toast bread or packaged wholemeal bread is ideal to take with you on your camping holiday. They have a long shelf life and can serve as a snack.
Make sure you have enough spreads with you. Honey and jam are a must in any camping kitchen.
In addition to staples such as potatoes, pasta, and oatmeal, you should also think about snacks.
These snacks are always suitable:
- Trail mix
- Granola bars
- Cracker
- Biscuits
- Dried fruits
- Popcorn and marshmallows (for the campfire)
- Salt sticks
If you are a coffee drinker, then this should not be missing in the morning. But you don’t have to carry the coffee machine with you. There are now many ways to prepare coffee quickly and easily.
The easiest way is a coffee cup (link to the shop), on which you put a coffee filter. Let boiling water run over it and in no time you will have your beloved coffee. I certainly don’t have to tell you that it doesn’t taste as it does from a fully automatic machine.
But there are also other wonderful methods to make coffee outside. Depending on how you drink your coffee, you also need to think about sugar and milk.