Heading out into the great outdoors? Whether you’re car camping, RVing, or pitching a tent under the stars, the last thing you want is to stress over meals.

That’s where camping meal prep comes in! With a little planning, you can enjoy hearty, delicious, and easy-to-make meals around the campfire without spending hours cooking.

These 15 camping meal prep ideas are make-ahead friendly, travel well, and will keep your energy up for hikes, swims, and all your outdoor adventures.

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1. Loaded Campfire Potatoes

A customizable foil-pack meal featuring diced potatoes, cheese, onions, and bell peppers. Add leftover meat or keep it vegetarian.

Toss all ingredients in a bowl, seal in foil packs, and cook over fire or coals for 25–30 minutes.

Cost per pack: ~$1.30[1].

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2. Peanut Butter Banana Tortillas

quick no-cook snack or breakfast featuring peanut butter, sliced bananas, and optional cinnamon or honey drizzle.

Spread peanut butter on tortillas, add toppings, roll up, and eat cold or warm over the fire in foil for a gooey version.

Cost per wrap: ~$0.85[1].

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3. Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Transform instant ramen into a hearty stir-fry with veggies and an optional egg.

Boil noodles and veggies, drain most water, add seasoning or soy sauce, and stir in an egg for extra protein.

Cost per serving: ~$0.90[1].

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4. Chicken Tortilla Stew

A one-pot meal that can be prepped ahead by assembling ingredients in a ziplock bag and cooking over a campfire.

Dump the contents into a Dutch oven or slow cooker and simmer for about an hour. Top with taco-style garnishes like sour cream or salsa.

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5. Make-Ahead Camping Mac n Cheese

Prepare macaroni and cheese ahead of time in aluminum pans for easy campfire cooking.

Cook on a grate over the fire until hot and melty with crispy edges—the ultimate comfort food.

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6. Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets

A healthy Greek-inspired meal featuring chicken, veggies, and herbs cooked in foil packs.

Assemble at home with olive oil and seasonings, then grill over the fire at camp.

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7. Hot Dog & Potato Skillet

A nostalgic one-pan meal combining hot dogs, potatoes, and onions for maximum satisfaction.

Sauté diced potatoes in oil until browned, add onions and sliced hot dogs, cook until crispy, season, and serve hot.

Cost per serving: ~$1.20

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8. Camp Stove Chilaquiles

Tortilla chips tossed in spicy tomato sauce with poached eggs and toppings like avocado and cheese.

Cook everything in a skillet over the camp stove for a quick yet flavorful breakfast or dinner.

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9. Pineapple Chicken Skewers

Tropical chicken kabobs with pineapple chunks and red onions marinated in citrus flavors.

Chop ingredients at home to save time at camp; marinate for 30 minutes before grilling.

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10. Dutch Oven Potato Soup

A creamy soup perfect for chilly nights featuring potatoes, bacon, onions, and broth.

Pre-cook ingredients at home; combine them at camp in a Dutch oven for easy cooking.

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11. Taco Salad

A no-cook option featuring seasoned ground beef (pre-cooked), lettuce, tortilla chips, beans, cheese, and salsa.

Assemble all ingredients at camp for a quick lunch or dinner.

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12. Campfire Quesadillas

Layer tortillas with cheese, beans, and your choice of filling. Wrap in foil and grill or cook in a pan over the fire.

Assemble at home and store with parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking.

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13. Campfire Banana Boats

Bananas stuffed with chocolate chips and marshmallows wrapped in foil for an easy dessert.

Assemble bananas at camp; cook over fire until melted inside[6].

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These camping meal prep ideas are designed to minimize effort while maximizing flavor during your outdoor adventures!

From make-ahead dishes to easy foil-pack meals cooked over the fire, these recipes ensure you’ll stay fueled without sacrificing taste or convenience.