June 12, 2024
Camping means you don’t have the same luxuries as you do at home, but you can still make terrific meals for your friends and family. Modern gadgets let you cook steak and eggs at the campsite as tasty as chefs make it in the restaurant. What should you make at your next camping cookout? Here’s how you should prepare for the next excursion.
Planning your meals for each night before heading out is helpful. Here are a few tips for meal planning on your camping excursion.
Cooking on a campsite is a fun experience as you absorb the sights and sounds of nature. However, you don’t have to do all the work on the campground. Prep your meals at home to maximize your time having fun and minimize the time working on food.
Your first night’s dinner could include pork chops, carrots and potatoes. Your prep work at home entails slicing the vegetables and creating a marinade for the meat. Remember food safety guidelines, with experts saying pork chops last three to five days when stored at 40 F.
While campfire cookouts can be intricate, don’t make the cooking more complicated than it needs to be. Your family and friends won’t expect a meal as tasty as a fancy restaurant might serve. Campfire cooking is more about the experience, so make your menu simple. Simplicity means using as few resources as possible while making a terrific meal. For an easy campfire cookout, make a pot of soup. Stews and soups are easy because you add the meat and vegetables to a pot and let them simmer.
A complex part of campground cooking is getting the portions right. If you don’t bring enough ingredients, you might be unable to feed everyone what they want. However, cooking too much food means you risk waste. Before you head out, determine how many people you’ll feed each night. Knowing the number of guests helps you plan because you can measure the ingredients beforehand. Four people on the campsite each night includes four servings of meat, vegetables and potatoes. Leftovers can be tricky because you don’t want the smells to attract wildlife.
Your body needs fuel to last all day. Here are a few tips to stay energized with a good food selection.
Your first focus should be staying hydrated. Suppose you’re planning a backpacking trip through the Rocky Mountains. The constant sun exposure and exercise make your body sweat, so you need steady fluids throughout the day to remain hydrated. Bring plenty of water to your campsite.
How much water do you need daily? Health experts say men need about 15.5 cups, whereas women require about 11.5 cups. However, this number could change based on physical exertion and fluid loss. Drink water before, during and after your fun outdoor activities.
Keeping energy high entails getting adequate nutrients from your campsite food. Focus on macronutrients — protein, carbohydrates and fats — because they support your body’s primary functions. Carbs are your primary energy source, so fruit is an excellent camp food option. While macros are critical, don’t forget the micronutrients and their benefits. For instance, vitamins D and B provide healthy energy production, support metabolism and help concentration. You can get these nutrients from meat, seafood, dairy products and leafy greens.
Meals should be a significant part of your planning, but they’re not the only thing to prepare. Make a list of your favorite snacks to bring to the campground. Bring enough for your campsite and outdoor excursions like kayaking to ensure your body has the necessary fuel.
Stick to nonperishable foods as much as possible, as you don’t want spoiled goodies. Bring trail mix with nuts, dehydrated fruit and granola. Chocolate chips can be great for the kids, but be mindful of melting if the weather is too hot.
Your campground gear determines how easy it is to make outdoor meals. What should you
bring to the campsite? Here’s what you need to make cooking more manageable:
Campouts are fun because you can hang out with your friends and connect with nature. When camping, having delicious food and remaining energized are essential. Make your trip easier by mapping out meals before you leave. Consider what foods to bring, how many people will eat with you and what cooking methods you’ll use. Then, you’ll be ready to enjoy your meals to the fullest.
Jack Shaw is the senior writer for Modded, a men’s lifestyle publication. An avid outdoorsman, he’ll often find himself taking retreats out into nature to explore his environment and encourages others to do the same. His writings have been published by Duluth Pack, Trekaroo, Lehman’s and more.
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