Do you love cooking and experimenting with new flavors — and are you definitely not the type to make do with MREs or protein bars? Are you also pretty new to camping and unfamiliar with what it takes to cook on a camping stove? This guide is for you.
We’ll give you some easy, delicious, and well-balanced camping recipes that won’t make you run for the nearest restaurant. There’s something for everyone, too.
Must-Have Supplies for Outdoor Cooking
This guide assumes that you’ll have access to grocery stores on the go, and a means to store your fresh ingredients. You will, however, still need essential supplies. Most campers should aim to strike a balance between practicality and convenience, and some trade-offs will definitely need to be made along the way. That cast-iron Le Creuset pan should probably stay at home, for example, but a can opener will come in handy.
Don’t forget to read our article on: What Is The Best Gas For Your Camping Stove
Here’s what to bring to make the recipes on our list doable:
- A camping stove, camping grill, or both (and the fuel to run these appliances).
- Cooking pots and pans — at least one, but preferably two or more.
- Grilling supplies like tongs, a spatula, and a grill brush.
- A basic cutting board.
- Mixing bowls — freezer containers can be a good substitute if you’re looking for something extra lightweight.
- A knife, a can opener, a corkscrew, and other handy little tools — or a reliable multi-tool like a Leatherman or Gerber multi-tool. (You’ll still want a good chef’s knife even if you have a multi-tool! If you’re planning to eat fish, you’ll need a filleting knife, too.)
- Aluminum foil.
- A portable cooler to keep fresh ingredients good for longer.
You won’t want to bring your entire spice rack, but if you hate bland food with a vengeance, you can still add flavor to your food. It’s easy. Simply place a small amount of your favorite spices in Ziploc bags and tie them together with an elastic band.
You can bring non-perishables with you from home, but you should get fresh supplies while camping. Who knows? You might even be able to reel in a fish or two to enjoy!
(A final note: We’re going to assume that you’re an experienced cook, and we won’t provide precise measurements in these recipes. We promised you easy meals, after all.)
1. One-Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta recipes have become very popular over the last few years, and you’ve got tons of different options. However, we’ll look at the classic that started the trend here — a light, tomato-based pasta that’s perfect for sunny days. Everything cooks together in the same pan from the start, making preparation and cleanup wonderfully easy.
Here are the ingredients. Remember to adjust them to the size of your party!
- Tomatoes — the juicier, the better. We like aromatic cherry tomatoes.
- A generous amount of garlic.
- Lots of diced onions.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Sliced black olives to add once the dish is cooked.
- Spaghetti.
- (Olive) oil.
If available, garnish with fresh basil! (If not, dried basil works, too.) Beyond that, you don’t really need any instructions. Cook until the pasta is done, and enjoy.
2. Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern dish that’s delightfully tasty as well as easy to make. With lots of eggs, it will give you a royal dose of protein to fuel your camping adventures!
Countless different variations exist, but the basic version requires:
- Oil — ideally olive oil.
- Canned tomatoes.
- Chicken eggs.
- Garlic.
- Diced onions.
- Fresh herbs — parsley works best, but oregano, mint, dill, or thyme are good, too.
- A pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Salt.
Here’s how to prepare shakshuka:
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a frying pan.
- Add diced onions and fry until they soften.
- Add garlic and cayenne pepper and fry for a few more minutes.
- Add canned tomatoes until the base of your frying pan is covered.
- Crack chicken eggs over the tomato base — you’ll usually be able to fit around five of them in.
- When the eggs are done, to the consistency of fried eggs, remove your pan from the heat and add salt and fresh herbs.
To spice things up, you can add peppers, feta cheese, spinach, or pretty much anything else you think of.
3. Chicken Kebabs

This tasty recipe requires:
- Boneless and skinless chicken breast or thighs, cubed.
- Olive oil.
- Garlic.
- Lemon juice (fresh or store-bought).
- Cumin.
- Salt and pepper.
Let the chicken marinade for at least half an hour before putting it on skewers and grill them until done. You can even make chicken kebabs in the campfire!
4. Grilled Fish

Grilled fish is a wonderful addition to your outdoor cooking plan. You’ll need:
- Fresh fish fillets — salmon, tilapia, and trout all work well.
- Olive oil.
- Lemon slices.
- Salt and pepper.
- You can also add fresh dill or other herbs, if you can get your hands on them.
Clean the fish and cut it into smaller pieces if necessary. Preheat the grill and oil it. Cook between four and six minutes on each side, ideally closing the grill lid.
5. (Spanish) Omelet
We all know how to make basic omelets. Spanish omelets, with garlic, onions, and potatoes, are more substantial. They require you to precook potatoes, which you then fry with onions and garlic before adding the omelet over the top. Delicious!
6. Grilled Corn
This one doesn’t require any explanation. You can use your grill or wrap your corn in aluminum foil to cook it in your campfire. Either way, you’ll have a tasty snack that everyone is sure to enjoy.
7. Baked Potatoes
Jacket potatoes are another camping classic! To make them, let your campfire die down until you’re left with a bed of hot embers. Wrap decently-sized (and well-cleaned) russet potatoes in aluminum foil and let them bake for around 45 minutes, after which you can unwrap one to check if they’re ready.
Toppings like coleslaw, cheese, sour cream, chives, and even baked beans complete the experience.
8. Stir-fry with Noodles
Instant noodles are easy to prepare while camping. Stir-fried vegetables turn this student favorite into a full and delicious meal. While you can pick any ingredients you like, consider:
- Some protein — boiled eggs, tofu, chicken, or shrimp, for example.
- Garlic and ginger are non-optional.
- Mushrooms, carrots, peas, zucchini, spinach, and broccoli are all great vegetable options.
- The magic lies in the sauce. Bring teriyaki, soy sauce, oyster sauce, or mushroom sauce.
- Sunflower or canola oil are OK, but sesame oil is best for stir-fries.
9. Pancakes
Pancakes are great for when you’ve got a sweet tooth. Good, camping-friendly toppings include:
- Nutella and sliced bananas.
- Lemon and sugar.
- Jam.
- Maple syrup.
10. The Obligatory Burger
You know you’re going to want one eventually. Simply use store-bought burger patties, which can also be vegetarian, and add toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers. Make a sauce out of mayonnaise, finely diced pickles, lemon, and finely diced onions.
A Final Word
All these easy recipes are wonderfully easy for camping novices — and you’ll soon get a taste for more. Remember to use biodegradable, eco-friendly dish soap while you’re camping, and aim to leave no trace!