9 EASY Camping Dinner Ideas: My go-to Car Camping Meals

When it comes to easy camping meals, I've got you covered! In this video, I share all of my go-to camping dinner ideas! These are the quick and easy car camping dinners that I make all of the time. Check below for more camping food resources and printable recipes to take on your next outdoor adventure.
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Amanda Outside: Sharing camping and hiking tips so you can get outside more... and eat great food while you're at it!

[@amanda.outside]

Thanks for watching! What are some of your go-to camping dinners? Chat with me below ⬇️

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

I am afraid I don't cook much. When my husband was alive, we would set up camp and go to the nearest restaurant. Oh, what a bad girl I was. Lol

[@joeparham2889]

Coffee and bacon. Best ever breakfast!

[@amanda.outside]

Those are the essentials! 😁🥓

[@ursulaanne]

Love the chicken sausage suggestion, im always weary to travel too far with raw chicken

[@nataliejw8865]

My favorite and always for the first night, steak, dehydrated mash potatoes, and a veggie. Yum!!!

[@brettmorton6123]

"i dont always wanna be eating processed foods"....... "next up is ramen!" lol. I love those pre packaged Indian foods, there so quick and easy!

[@razzbazle1582]

Everything she chose was processed

[@skpy8249]

All yummy and healthy :)

[@karismadawn]

Ramen is Japanese

[@d3ath-by-bruj4h]

Pre packed *doesn't mean proccessed (*always)

[@Far7rom]

🤣 merika fk yeah

[@maryblakley3590]

One of our favourite camping meals is walking tacos. We use Yves Mexican Veggie Ground on top of Doritos, with bagged southwest coleslaw and maybe some red peppers if we're feeling fancy. We tend to eat this the first night of camping and it's something my daughter looks forward to! We're also big fans of ramen with eggs and bacon and whatever veggies we have to throw in as well.

[@chefbergsfoodadventures6531]

She won me over with the prep-package Indian food , that's an idea that slipped my mind. Well done !!!!

[@bluejasmin8424]

Dutch oven Puerto Rican arroz con pollo and a side salad... Or just a hearty soup...splash of lime and avocado...always a hit for my family!

[@CroakerOutdoors]

Very nice, I think you named all the classics. My camp meal practice is, since I love to cook, is to make the meal 90% at home and then finish at the site. Reduces cook time, fuel consumption, and allows you to have better meals. ex. Carne asada and carnitas tacos in home made corn tortillas. I'll double/triple what I made for dinner and then vac pack for camping. On site, then it's a simple heat and eat. Same with teriyaki chicken thighs and veggie fried rice or chicken curry and veg over rice which are some of my favorites.

[@cindyshields2800]

Exactly what I do. I cook as much at home as I can and package in the cooler, preferably packing last meal first and first meal last. Works good unless hubs doesn't want the meals as I have them packed. :( Saves on constant opening and closing and digging in the cooler. (I also have frozen what I could before we go if it especially hot.) Why carry extra cans when you only need the essentials? Make your taco meat for your tacos and for nachos. We are diabetic and home cooked meals are best for us. I usually have a premade salad that will last for about 4 days, and we just plate up what we want each dinner. Dressing is the extra we need if the salad is already made with veggies cut up. Again, I do as much prep in my home kitchen before we leave. I also only will have to heat and eat rather that do much cooking after a busy day. (I hate to say it, but aluminum foil is your best friend when camping because it makes clean up that much easier.)

[@lazybunnies]

I've been camping since I was a kid and I still find helpful tips in your videos. Thanks for the great videos.

[@aaronpat123]

Ms Amanda great vid! We just added to our camping staple Barilla 3 cheese tortiliini from walmart and bertolli alfredo sauce add green onions 1/4 cup parmesan cheese to the sauce and a little butter to the sauce you are doing a good thing .I almost forgot we sauted a carton of mushrooms before heating sauce.Also can add grilled chicken chopped.We grilled Teryaki grilled pork chops and a salad.For those who do not know you have to boil and drain pasta add to sauce in seperate skillet.

[@meganmiller8034]

We've made camping nachos in a large cast iron pan with foil on top too! So good!

[@siennadabunnymom6783]

I love theses, you need to make more of theses vids! It gives me so meany ideas for meals when I’m camping!

[@tinaballon3670]

So much variety! Thank you so much for sharing. We love to camp. I have three little boys and a very hungry husband and these are some fabulous ideas other than just the typical hotdogs and hamburgers! Thank you thank you thank you

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Hello Amanda, these are all great camp food ideas. I especially like the foil packets. Take Care and Keep Exploring The Outdoors.

[@amanda.outside]

Foil packets are so good! I love how easy they are to change up with different ingredients. They always turn out so delicious!

[@jeanetteroach9357]

LOVE your videos!! 💗 Thanks for sharing all of your experience and your passion for camping.

[@jessys9868]

How simple and yummy. I usually like to cook when camping, but sometimes a quick simple meal is so appreciated!

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Lots of great ideas! Prepping at home makes it SO much easier in camp.

[@carriehagstrom9777]

I love seeing your meal ideas!!

[@barbara-holley]

Those Indian packets are my new go-to as well!! Also Aldi's sells those stir-fry vegetables that includes the packets, another favorite go-to!!

[@stephfung2768]

Thank you so much for this! I'm going camping for the first time next weekend and your video is so helpful!

[@subscribee9792]

Last year, we started using a to go stove by Coleman on our camping trips and it is so awesome! Cooks everything perfectly and is very convenient 😋

[@515aleon]

Nice!! I added to my "wish" list.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Once again, you're making me hungry. Thanks. Blessings

[@jenc.7434]

Amanda, THANK YOU so much for your awesome videos n tips!!! We are new campers and watch your videos for all the real info we need to be successful!! We'll done and so clearly informative!

[@TheSassyGirl57]

We really like golden Japanese Curry. It's always so tasty and easy to make. I usually do tater tots nachoes

[@amanda.outside]

I've never tried tater tots nachos - sounds delicious!!

[@Zapporah85]

Japanese curry is my comfort food! I love Indian Curry too, but Japanese curry cures my homesickness.

[@chanthataing7042]

Yes to golden Japanese curry! Throw in some instant rice and veggies. Yummm

[@NinetyOneAdventures]

Trying to get ideas for our road trip coming up in August. Thank you for the recipes!

[@expeditionnovak]

These look amazing and simple. Going to need to try these out. Great video!

[@khoapham2764]

Awesome!! Definitely trying some of your recommendations!! Thanks for the video!! 👍👍👍

[@Nathaliespjalle]

Love your videos and recipes! I love cooking outdoors!

[@515aleon]

You have a terrific channel for this sort of thing. Also taking a look at your blog. I tend to do the camp stove (in NM can't really even usually have fire). BTW, made a lunch the other day to pass along---angel hair spaghetti and then a pan with some easy veggies (zuchinni is great), dry italian seasoning, a chopped chicken sausage, and a small can of tomato sauce.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Great tips, thanks for sharing Amanda! I especially like the Indian food ideas, big curry fan! My wife and I usually go all out when camp cooking... but as we have gotten older and kids moved out we are looking for simple quick ideas. Tired of spending our outdoor time washing dishes ha ha ha. mmmmm pickled onions, need to get some started!

[@gray.dog6]

Tinfoil meals are my favorite. No mess, everything you can throw out. Which means no dishes to clean! Plus they are super easy to assemble. You just throw some stuff in tinfoil, throw it in the fire, and wait! You get food and a fire in one :)

[@pietravktestemunhandodecristo]

Hello directly from Brazil!!! I really liked your video, uncomplicated and healthy foods at the same time, easy to prepare and tasty!!! Thank you for the tips!!

[@bradsimpson8724]

Walking tacos/taco in a bag is a campground favourite for us. We like chicken or pork, generally, and it lets us save our tortillas for breakfast wraps or peanut butter and banana-smeared snacks. I also have a smoker that fits into my hitch mount, and it's pretty standard for us to have ribs or pulled pork or chicken thighs on a day spent mostly around camp.

[@guberization]

Those are some great ideas! Love them!

[@clarencee.ellisjr.2926]

Very helpful meal ideas...thank you

[@sherrymuzykazekestravels6793]

Really love these meals!!!

[@lorenzojauregui1100]

Great vid! Keep up the good ol camping!

[@eatpropergood]

These look so yummy! Soups are also a great and easy option, happy camping:)

[@yolandas.6193]

Great video! Very informative. The meals look great!

[@gringo3009]

Good stuff! I love chorizo and egg burritos for breakfast at camp.

[@milliegonzalez4416]

I love those ready made indian food packages! they really hit the spot on a colder evening :)

[@amanda.outside]

I totally agree!

[@EvieVermont]

Awesome ideas

[@evmenke]

Loved the video! Great ideas!

[@dannyl2598]

Thanks, I like the idea of the egg in the Ramon. This is the first one of your videos that I have seen but I subscribed.

[@franny5295]

Have you tried 2 gallon sized freezer bags and salt water to make ice blocks to keep the cooler cold?

[@monicanelson1231]

This is probably the best camp meals videos I have seen. Everything looks delicious and super doable.

[@dawnmassey2797]

Some great ideas here for basically healthy meals on the go.

[@r8av]

Thank you very good tips for my next camping trip.

[@loveandlife4222]

Well done video! Quick, easy and informative!

[@mattgonzalez5888]

Your the best. Thanks for these ideas.

[@walterrussell7584]

Some awesome ideas thank you never made the nachos before in my Dutch oven

[@jackymaya4583]

These are all great ideas!

[@mannu8084]

Some easy and mouthwatering Recipes you got there. I love Indian food too. Happy Camping.

[@GOINGBONKERZZ]

Okayyyyuhhhh !

[@randommim3929]

Very great recipes, thanks!

[@CM-zu3wo]

New sub here! This was great! I'm taking off on my first adventure in several years! Thank you for this helpful info. I have to tweak it a little for gluten free but that's easy enough I'll be checking out more of your videos!

[@gam3rkid954]

Great list!! Thanks for sharing, cheers 🍻!!

[@jenniferlzr5651]

Would love to see how you pack all this up to bring.

[@reneap9049]

Sounds like U-Haul truck camping!! My meals are simpler, most prepared at home, fish we catch & clean, and I must have 200 foil pack meals I can prep and wrap prior to leaving. Just stack them in a tote bag and they are ready to go!

[@brunagobi7393]

that's what I wonder because these are the kinds of meals I just make at home, to be honest. Camping I like to make simple ones, with less ingredients and dishes to wash

[@reneap9049]

@@brunagobi7393 I’m an OG camper, let’s write a book!!!

[@sherrysvesnik7711]

Great easy ideas!!

[@kristinolan5737]

Love these fabulous ideas!

[@amanda.outside]

Glad you like them!

[@sarahvera239]

Yummo thank you for sharing your meals

[@alyssam6416]

Fajitas and Chili Mac are our two camping dinner staples! We also just recently bought a dehydrator to do more meals for backpacking and off road camping. Can you make a video on more of your favorite dehydrated meals??

[@melissal3512]

We also love doing couscous camping. I also love to bring hummus and cut up veggies like peppers, carrots, broccoli to go with. We make hot dogs and veggies dogs roasted over the fire. Baked beans with hot dogs and some crunchy cape cod chips make for a easy meal. We have discovered that Trader Joe’s has some awesome premade options. They have tapa like packages near the pasta aisle that have roasted eggplant, tomatoes. Also like the grape leaves in can from Trader Joe’s(dolmas)We also keep a good bin with Indian packets and precooked rice.

[@dawnmassey2797]

Do you like a specific veggie dog? I am interested in those.

[@CalVlogz]

Camping ramen is my FAV!

[@trevdevadventures]

Thanks for sharing.

[@suziesings]

Great meal ideas!

[@MrRamman04]

Some good ideas here, so far last camping season our go to food is go to the closest restaurant so I’ll try and convince the wife that cooking and camping can be good and fun, but she loves eating out so I better practice

[@billybadass411thefirst9]

Finally a camping food video for people who eat meat! Thanks for the ideas.

[@zazmau]

You could mix your taco spices at home and store in a zip bag thus making your own packets that taste better than store bought.Love the foil packet meals. I would prep them at home and have them ready to put on the fire.Why not precook chicken at home and heat it up at camp. How about making spaghetti and home made mac and cheese with real cheese and milk and heat up at camp, so hardy, satisfying and filling.

[@corinaalmaguer2454]

Cool ideas i usually do all the cooking. I love easy cooking tacos I do. It’s fast .

[@ronpreece3429]

Parchment paper in Dutch oven makes for an easier cheese cleanup

[@karentierney9258]

Excellent ideas, thanks

[@TJRohyans]

I'm always looking for super simple, yet flavorful meals I can make camping. I love to cook. But the difficulty for me is that I travel by motorcycle, so space is limited... as is the size of my cooler. Funny, I never thought about Ramen! LOL! Not really cooking, but super simple and delicious.

[@joleahkunkel2717]

Great ideas!

[@justinmarlin9905]

excellent job honest thanks for ideas

[@KCandtheOverlanders]

Love the foil pack meals! Your video has given me camp cooking inspiration!

[@missshellz9009]

Thank you!

[@davidcostantino1838]

Love all types of foil packet meals especially fresh caught fish. I'm wondering if the Indian food packets can be cooked over coals?

[@rickm126]

You are making me hungry!

[@markcummings6856]

Super yummy 😋 ideas. Thanks

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!

[@codypancamo9625]

Do you keep all this stuff frozen in a cooler? How do you keep it cold after the second day?

[@lst.mnd_fnd.Awareness]

Cool video thanks for sharing

[@ReneaDooserider]

Thank you. just needed some car cook camping ideas?💕

[@htc86752]

I enjoyed the video, please keep them coming. I was wondering what kind of grocery list you have and how you manage to keep it all cool. Ice only lasts so long and truck mounted refridgerators are so draining on the battery, not to mention the bank account. Thanks!

[@Nershy09]

We always freeze our water bottles and stick a few in the cooler when we go tent camping! Also put them at the bottom and food on top! Doesn't make the food soggy! And you'll have nice cold ice water! 😉

[@thomasmckay9878]

Very cool on meals

[@chrisallmand1805]

Already watched this video and came back to rewatch it. Good ideas! Tried to hit the like button a second time 😂 so I thought I would comment this time instead

[@YY-jv4uu]

How do you store the fridge stuff Amanda? That’s my biggest stressor. Most campsites in Australia do not have power so you need to rely on your ice box. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thanks

[@tikoy1955]

Good video and lots of dinners i would eat.

[@amanda.outside]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@getoffthecouch7896]

Great video! What are the ziplock reusable bags you store the veggies in?

[@justnicky17]

How many pots/pans, plates/cups would be ideal to carry if I were to prepare these meals? Just trying to mentally prep the items and wondering what mis en place I'll need

[@101Falak]

I neeed that ramen recipe love love love all the tips

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Informative video Amanda. Do you have any thru hike recipes? Such as Tahoe Rim Trail 2 week odyssey or PCT SoCal sector? I would expect numerous resupply locations. My base weight is 15 lbs and would add 7 lbs to include water, fuel and food for total weight of 22-23 lbs.

[@saetmusic]

Great Ideas! Included most of my favorite meals at home. Surprised to not see cheeseburgers!

[@justinomar9210]

Or the classic hot dog

[@JT-ic9mp]

@@justinomar9210 most people have those staples covered and don't need a video lol. This is about new ideas.

[@nataliejw8865]

I made the foil packet dinner a few weeks ago for the first time, hello delicious and easy! I did pack the foil with too much food so it took longer to cook but now I know for the next time! Thanks for the great idea! (And yes, 3 layers of tinfoil is needed.)

[@amanda.outside]

They're so delicious and easy, but I've definitely made the mistake of putting too much food in one packet too haha

[@shannafarley8413]

Can you direct me to the food pouches you use? For storage and backpacking cooking? Thanks!!!

[@EssentialOilStories]

A nice camping hack for handling raw meat is to have disposable food grade gloves. Great tips on your video, I may try the dutch oven nachos. Good thing we are not back pack camping. LOL.

[@gigilaroux762]

I made breakfast in advance with scrambled eggs black beans green onions cheese and salsa wrapped inside a tortilla and froze them and then we put them in a sandwich iron over the campfire to cook and they were bangin. Take out to thaw the night before.

[@clarencee.ellisjr.2926]

How long did u cook in site?

[@delemaxwell8768]

You are very knowledgeable in backpacking food, but where did you buy the mylar bags for food storage

[@nicolasdemers1296]

Do you have any tips on how to keep your food fresh ? Like do you buy it everyday on the road or you have some tricks to keep it cold Like eggs for example?

[@strangev0id]

Girl making whole ass delicious meals meanwhile I'm not even making quesadilla in my kitchen , you go !!!!

[@kellyjohnson3617]

I like bringing veggies that can tolerate no refrigeration if I run out of ice. I freeze my meat and cook it as it thaws. I cook the whole package of bacon or sausage. The cooked sausage and bacon keep well on ice. Zucchini, onions, garlic, spinach, peppers, cucumbers keep well. I’ve made zoodles with zucchini. Don’t cook the zucchini. Just heat up the jar/can of sauce. Add cooked Italian sausage from breakfast. Throw in some spinach. Toss in the zoodles. Top with Parm that needs little to no refrigeration. One person gets a plate and another person eats out of the pan the sauce was heated in to save washing more dishes. Super easy. I keep one large pan of water on the fire at all times while cooking to use to make tea or hot cocoa and to wash the dishes with. I never eat unsheathed flour tortillas. They are too gummy. I always lightly toast them over the fire or in a pan. Really makes them much more palatable. But I live in little Mexico. No Mexican I’ve ever met would eat them untoasted. Only takes a few secs to toast them and makes the food taste 100 times better.

[@perpetuallylove]

THIS is what I came for. I need tips on how to safely keep ingredients for camp meals. I'm hesitant to take chicken without reliable refrigeration, or the chicken would be the first thing I cook after making camp. I wanted more tips on meals that can be safe to eat even when ice melts. Day 1 meals seem like what this list is...but what about Day 3+?

[@kellyjohnson3617]

For meat I get the pouches of meat, tuna, chicken, but my fav are the pouches of pork that I get from Amazon. A tad pricey but it’s freeze dried so add water to expand the meat a little. I don’t eat a ton of meat anyway. Eggs don’t need to stay cold every single day if they are farm fresh so once the ice melts they keep a day or two in the cooler anyway. My dad would make a net cooler in the creek if we camped along a fresh water source. Tent stakes and tying it to a tree keeps it from floating away. My parents always brought gallon jugs of frozen water in the giant cooler. Pouch meals are awesome but some fresh is always lovely if possible. Most veggies do t need refrigeration

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Outstanding videos 👍

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you!