These Are Hands Down the Easiest (and Tastiest) Camping Meals

Recently, we’ve been obsessing over the majorly hunger-inducing mukbangs from HelloItSoap over on TikTok. (I mean Korean fried chicken and oysters over the campfire? Yes please.) And since it’s camping season and all, we might as well bookmark some of the easiest camping meals that you can make in a breeze during your travels this season. If Adam Glick can make his entire Thanksgiving meal over a campfire, then we can make a dinner or two that’s more robust that hot dogs. Here are some of our favorites.

Erin Kunkel

Loaded Sweet Potatoes

Wrap whole sweet potatoes in foil and nestle them directly in the coals for about 45 minutes until they’re tender and caramelized. You can test doneness with a fork or your Leatherman. Split them open and load with camping classics like canned black beans, shredded cheese, and hot sauce, or get fancy with pre-cooked bacon bits, sour cream, or chili crisp. The foil-wrapped potatoes can even be prepped at home and reheated at camp.

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Dense Bean Salad

This protein-packed salad has become a staple for quick lunch al desko because it requires zero cooking and gets better as it marinates over time. Plus it’s packed with nutrients. Just mix canned beans, diced vegetables, heaps of herbs, and a simple vinaigrette in a large bowl before you leave home. Store in a giant tupperware and pair it with grilled meats or as a stand-alone vegetarian main, or enjoy it as a hearty dip by scooping up the salad with good tortilla chips.

Thomas J. Story

Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls

There’s nothing better than the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns. Unless, that is, you make them in the great outdoors over a campfire. By freezing and rolling the buns into logs ahead of time, you eliminate any of the dirty work at the site. Check out our recipe here.

Thomas J. Story

Dutch Oven Braised Beef

This set-it-and-forget-it meal transforms tough cuts of meat into fork-tender perfection using the gentle, even heat of a Dutch oven buried in coals. Add root vegetables, broth, and herbs, then let the campfire do all the work while you relax with a cold drink—it’s nearly impossible to overcook, making it perfect for camping novices.

Thomas J. Story

Huli Huli Chicken Wings

These Hawaiian-style wings get their sweet and savory glaze from a simple mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, and pineapple juice that caramelizes beautifully over the open flame. The key is to cook them low and slow, turning frequently (the term huli huli means “to turn” in Hawaiian) to achieve that perfect crispy skin without burning the sugary coating—marinate them at home in a zip-top bag for maximum flavor and minimal camp cleanup.

Thomas J. Story

Campfire Chili

Brown your ground meat in a Dutch oven, then add canned tomatoes, beans, and spices for a hearty meal that feeds a crowd. The longer it simmers over the coals, the better the flavors meld together, making it perfect for those leisurely camping evenings—plus, you can prep all the ingredients at home and just dump everything into the pot at camp. You can get a turkey-based recipe here.

Thomas J. Story

Cast Iron Pizza

Pre-made pizza dough stretches easily in a well seasoned cast iron skillet, creating a crispy crust that rivals any wood-fired oven. Top with sauce, cheese, and whatever camping-friendly toppings you have on hand, then cover and cook over coals for restaurant-quality results—the cast iron distributes heat evenly, so you don’t need to worry about hot spots burning your crust.

Iain Bagwell

Dutch Oven Cobbler

Combine fresh or canned fruit with a simple biscuit topping in your Dutch oven, then pile coals on the lid to create an oven effect that bakes the dessert to golden perfection. It’s the ideal way to end a day of outdoor adventures, especially when served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream from your cooler—you can even use a boxed cake mix instead of making biscuit topping from scratch for ultimate ease.

Greg Dupree

Campfire Nachos

Layer tortilla chips, cheese, and your favorite toppings in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, then cover and let the campfire heat melt everything into gooey perfection. The beauty of this crowd-pleaser is that everyone can customize their portion with whatever proteins, beans, or vegetables you’ve packed for the trip—plus, it’s impossible to mess up since you’re basically just melting cheese over chips.

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