The Ultimate List of Camping Food

If you’re wondering what camping food you should take with you on your next camping adventure, we’ve compiled a list of all the staple foods you’ll need to whisk up an easy camping meal.

Many of these suggestions are cupboard staples and quick-to-prepare foods, so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Camping Food Tip: If you are tent camping and do not have access to a fridge, a cool box or an insulated cool bag is a great alternative. Many of our Club Sites have ice pack freezing facilities on site, so you don’t have to worry about your food going off quickly.

Fresh Foods | Dry Foods | Tinned Foods | Miscellaneous

Bread



If you’re constantly on the go, sandwiches are an easy lunch to prep and take with you on your adventure. You can pack wholemeal bread, flatbread or fluffy bagels and fill them with whatever you fancy for a quick and easy lunch or snack.

Eggs



If you’re not camping during a heatwave and the temperature is under 20°C, eggs are a great staple to have in stock. Boiled, fried, poached, scrambled, or incorporated into other recipes, eggs are a must. One large egg has 6 grams of protein, so they’re great fuel for breakfast on action-packed days.

Fruit and vegetables



Any fruits you’d keep in a fruit bowl at home are great for taking camping. Apples, pears, kiwis, and bananas are a few options. Similarly, with vegetables. Hardy vegetables like carrots, onions, and peppers are great to have on hand for adding to dishes or simply cutting up for a healthy snack.

Depending on the time of year you’re camping, you can visit a Pick Your Own farm near our campsites and pick fresh fruits and vegetables or try foraging and see what you can find in the beautiful outdoors.

Cheese



Cheese is perfect as a sandwich filler, sprinkled on top of pasta or for making a tasty cheese omelette. It can transform any dish.

Potatoes



Potatoes are incredibly versatile and provide much needed energy on your camping adventure.

Cereal



If you want to keep cooking to a minimum, cereal is an easy, lightweight option for breakfast. You can take several different cereals with you to change it up and never get bored by the same one.

Oats



Oats aren’t just a breakfast staple but a great addition to lots of recipes. Oats are a healthy, non-perishable fuel food that keeps you full for longer.

Pasta



Quick to cook, filling and versatile, pasta is an excellent camping food. You can make tasty dishes like mac and cheese or a pasta salad, and it'll only take you minutes.

Pot noodles

A quick meal that only requires hot water. Pot noodles are easy to make and great value for money.

Rice



Another hunger buster, rice is ideal for one-pot dishes and adding alongside meat and veggies for a healthy but easy camping meal.

Packet rice and grains

Pre-cooked packets are brilliant if you’re not planning on cooking at all but still want healthy grains to add to dishes.

Nuts and seeds



Full of healthy oils and satiating fats, nuts are a camping must. A healthy snacker won’t leave the campsite without a packet of nuts or seeds to satisfy a hungry stomach.

Crackers



Perfect for snacking and light lunches, crackers are great for those on the go.

Rice cakes



Rice cakes are lightweight, filling, and great for spreading both sweet and savoury condiments on.

Tinned fish



If you haven’t got a fridge or cool box, tinned fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel are good sources of protein and can be added to endless dishes.

Beans



Whether it’s the baked, kidney or pinto variety, tinned beans are a staple. Add them to a cooked dish or use them cold in a pasta salad for an easy meal.

Tinned fruit



Fresh fruit won’t last long in warm weather, so tinned fruit can be a good substitute for camping trips.

Tinned vegetables



Again, tinned veggies are an alternative if you’re worried about fresh vegetables not lasting the length of your camping trip. You can get most vegetables tinned, such as carrots, peas, sweetcorn, and mushrooms, which are all great to have on hand.

Soup



Tinned soup, along with baked beans, are one of those camping foods that’ll never go out of style.

Sauces



Sauce up your meals with a selection of condiments. You’ll have your favourites, but mustard, ketchup, brown sauce, soy sauce and barbecue sauce are great options. Pasta sauces and pesto are a tasty staple too.

Spreads



As well as sauces, spreads are a great way to add some flavour to bland meals. Accompany porridge or toast with your favourite variety of jam for a sweet treat. Peanut butter can be used in many recipes or spread on toast for a filling snack.

Oil



Unlike butter, oils will keep in all temperatures and come in handy for things like salads and to stop meals from sticking to pans.

Sugar



If you can’t enjoy a cup of tea without a spoon of sugar, make sure you don’t forget this one.

Spices



Camping doesn’t mean you have to eat bland food. Remember to bring your favourite spices along with you to transform your meals.

Pancake mixes



Ideal for both breakfast and dessert, pancakes are filling, satisfying and fast to cook.

Drinks



If tea, coffee, or hot chocolate are a big part of your day, you won’t want to forget to pack some in with your food. Cordial and juice are other options, but make sure you use reusable cups and bottles.

Long-life milk



If you’re not taking a cool box and won’t be able to buy fresh milk, some long-life or powdered milk can get you through your trip.

Marshmallows



Is any camping trip complete without a sticky marshmallow toasted on the barbecue? Bring your own alongside some skewers for a delicious sweet treat.

Biscuits



For sandwiching your toasted marshmallows or dipping in your cuppa, biscuits

Cake



For those with a sweet tooth, something like a fruitcake or individually packaged cakes will keep well.

Ready-made camping meals

 

There are plenty of stores where you can purchase ready-made camping meals that require minutes to heat up, so you can tuck in and satisfy your cravings. Check out these ready-to-eat camping meals from Go Outdoors. Members of the Camping and Caravanning Club get additional discounts here. Not a member? Join the Club today and start saving.

What other camping food essentials do you pack? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook.