One-Pot Camping Meals for Outdoor Cooking

by Emily Wychwood

Camping tips Family camping Outdoor cooking

Hi there fellow campers! Are you ready to take your camping cooking game to the next level? As an avid camper and outdoor enthusiast, I know that delicious and satisfying meals are a must when spending time in the great outdoors. But who wants to spend hours prepping and cooking complicated meals while camping? That’s why I’m here to share with you my favorite one-pot camping meals that are quick, easy, and require minimal cleanup. Whether you’re camping with your family, friends, or going solo, these recipes are sure to keep you well-fed and energized for all your outdoor adventures. So, let’s dive in and discover some mouthwatering one-pot camping meal ideas!

Campfire Chili:

One of my all-time favorite camping meals is a hearty and flavorful campfire chili. It’s easy to make in a Dutch oven or a cast iron skillet over an open fire, and the result is a comforting and satisfying meal that will warm you up on chilly camping nights. Here’s how you can make it:

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Heat your Dutch oven or cast iron skillet over the campfire or on a portable camp stove.
Add the ground beef or turkey, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot and cook until the meat is browned and the onion is softened.
Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
Let the chili simmer over the campfire or on the camp stove for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together and the chili thickens to your liking.
Serve hot and enjoy this delicious campfire chili with some crusty bread or cornbread for a complete camping meal!

Foil Packet Meals:

Another easy and versatile option for one-pot camping meals is foil packet meals. They’re fun to make and customize to your liking, and they can be cooked over hot coals or on a portable grill. Plus, they require very minimal cleanup, which is always a win when camping! Here’s how you can make foil packet meals:

Ingredients:

Protein of your choice (such as chicken, beef, fish, or tofu)
Assorted vegetables (such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, etc.)
Olive oil or melted butter
Seasonings of your choice (such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, herbs, etc.)

Instructions:

Cut a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil for each foil packet. Place the protein of your choice in the center of the foil.
Wash and chop your assorted vegetables into bite-sized pieces, and place them on top of the protein.
Drizzle some olive oil or melted butter over the protein and vegetables, and sprinkle with your desired seasonings.
Fold the foil into a tight packet, sealing the edges securely to prevent any juices from leaking out.
Place the foil packets on hot coals or on a portable grill, and cook for about 10-15 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the protein and the desired level of doneness.
Carefully open the foil packets, being mindful of the hot steam, and check if the protein is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious and customizable foil packet meals!

Skillet Breakfast Hash:

Who says camping meals are only for lunch and dinner? You can also make a scrumptious breakfast using just one skillet! This skillet breakfast hash is a hearty and filling meal that will keep you energized for all your outdoor activities. Here’s how you can make it:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cooking oil (such as olive oil, canola oil, or bacon grease)
1 pound breakfast sausage, diced
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups diced potatoes (frozen hash browns or fresh potatoes)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, chopped bell peppers, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, hot sauce, etc.

Instructions:

Heat a cast iron skillet over the campfire or on a portable camp stove, and add the cooking oil.
Add the diced breakfast sausage, diced onion, and minced garlic to the skillet, and cook until the sausage is browned and the onion is softened.
Add the diced potatoes to the skillet, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil, and let the breakfast hash cook over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are cooked through and crispy on the outside.
Remove the lid or foil, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to further crisp up the potatoes.
Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped bell peppers, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, or hot sauce, to customize your breakfast hash to your liking!

Conclusion:

And there you have it, fellow campers! Three delicious and easy one-pot camping meals that are perfect for your outdoor adventures. From a comforting campfire chili to customizable foil packet meals and a hearty skillet breakfast hash, these recipes will not only keep you well-fed but also minimize the cleanup, so you can spend more time enjoying the beauty of nature. Remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles and properly dispose of any food waste to protect our precious wilderness. Happy camping and happy cooking!

Author

Emily Wychwood

Emily is an avid camper and outdoors enthusiast, with a passion for exploring new places and trying out new gear. She grew up camping with her family and has continued the tradition with her own children, who love nothing more than roasting marshmallows around the campfire.