RV camping can be a fantastic experience for people who want to get away from it all and spend some time in nature. But making healthy, satisfying meals can be challenging when you’re on the road. That’s why preparing make-ahead meals for RV camping is such a great idea.
You can cook up a storm before hitting the road and then have quick and easy meals in your fridge or freezer. Not only will this save you time and hassle while camping, but it will also help keep your diet on track.
Look no further if you’re looking for some ideas for make-ahead meals for RV camping! We’ve got a few delicious recipes to give you some inspiration.
Prepare meals in advance to save time while camping.
Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy some time in nature.
However, one of the challenges of camping is having to cook meals from scratch.
To save time, preparing some make-ahead meals for RV camping in advance can be helpful. For example, chili or soup can be made ahead of time and then reheated over the campfire. Sandwiches or wraps can be assembled before leaving home and packed in a cooler.
It is possible to get all the advantages of camping without spending hours cooking over a fire with a bit of preparation.
Meals ideas.
Here are some of our favorite make-ahead meals for camping. We tried to mix it up a bit and stay away from the typical freeze-dried camping food.
Chili
Camping is a great way to return to nature and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One of the best parts of camping is the food. There’s nothing quite like cooking over an open fire and enjoying a delicious meal under the stars.
Chili is an excellent option if you’re looking for a hearty, satisfying meal to make while camping. Plus, it’s easy to make and reheat over the fire ahead of time. Here’s a simple recipe for campfire chili that will leave you feeling full and happy.
Ingredients:
- One pound of ground beef
- One onion, diced
- One green pepper, diced
- Two cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- One can of diced tomatoes
- One can of tomato sauce
- One tablespoon of chili powder
- One teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Fajitas
Nothing says summer like a camping trip, and what’s a camping trip without some delicious food?
Try fajitas for a tasty, easy-to-make dish that will please the whole family. You can make them ahead of time and take them with you in a container, so all you have to do is heat them when you’re ready to eat. Here’s how to make them.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of chicken or beef, thinly sliced
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- One onion, sliced
- One green pepper, sliced.
- One tablespoon of fajita seasoning
- Eight flour tortillas
Potato Salad
The next time you go camping, don’t forget to pack a potato salad. This dish is perfect for a picnic or potluck and is a camping staple. It is the side of choice when it comes to make-ahead meals for RV camping.
The best part, it’s easy to make ahead of time. Just follow these simple instructions.
- Start by boiling some potatoes. You’ll need about one potato per person.
- Once the potatoes are fully cooked, chop them into small pieces. Mix the potatoes, some chopped onions, celery, and pickles in a large bowl.
- For the dressing, mix mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Feel free to add in some other ingredients like hard-boiled eggs or bacon.
- Pour the dressing over the potato mixture and stir everything together. Package up the potato salad in a container.
- Chill the potato salad in a cooler for a few hours before serving.
Veggie Stir Fry
There’s nothing like a good stir fry to liven up a camping trip. It’s pretty different than the usual hot dogs and burgers. This make-ahead meal is perfect for those who want something a little healthier but still tasty. And when it’s packed with fresh veggies, it’s sure to be a hit with even the pickiest of eaters. Luckily, it’s easy to make a veggie stir fry at home and take it with you on your next camping trip.
To make a veggie stir fry, start by chopping up your vegetables. You can use any type of vegetable you like, but we recommend using broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers.
In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add in the chopped veggies and cook until they’re tender. Once they’re cooked, add in some garlic and ginger. Stir everything together and cook for an additional minute.
Next, add in the sauce of your choice. We prefer to use teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes so it can thicken up.
If you’re using rice, cook it ahead of time. When everything is ready, package it in a container and store it in a cooler. When ready to eat, just reheat the stir fry over the fire.
Here’s what you’ll need to put this fantastic meal together.
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon of vegetable oil
- One onion, diced
- Three cloves of garlic, minced
- One red pepper, diced
- One green pepper, diced
- One head of broccoli, chopped into florets
- 1 cup of mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 a cup of snow peas
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- Two tablespoons of rice vinegar
- One teaspoon of sugar
- Cooked rice (optional)
Pulled Pork
There’s nothing quite like pulled pork straight off the grill. The succulent, juicy meat pairs perfectly with a cold beer, and it’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients.
If you’re planning a camping trip, why not try something new and smoke the pork yourself? It’s easier than you might think, and it’ll make your campsite envy all your friends. Here’s what you’ll need.
Ingredients:
- One pork shoulder (5-7 pounds)
- Your favorite BBQ rub
- One bottle of apple cider vinegar
- One can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- One tablespoon of brown sugar
- Two teaspoons of cumin
- One teaspoon of smoked paprika
- One teaspoon of garlic powder
- One teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Place the pork shoulder in a large resealable bag. Mix the BBQ rub, apple cider vinegar, chipotle peppers, brown sugar, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the pork, seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
When you’re ready to cook the pork, remove it from the bag and pat it dry with a paper towel. Place it in your smoker and cook at 225 degrees for 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 195 degrees.
You can cook the pork in your oven if you don’t have a smoker. Just place it on a rack in a roasting pan and cook at 225 degrees for 8-10 hours.
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the smoker/oven and let it rest for 30 minutes. Use two forks to shred the meat and serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Store the prepared meals in airtight containers or Ziploc bags.
If you’re like me, you love RV camping but hate the hassle of cooking every meal from scratch.
Fortunately, with a bit of planning, it’s easy to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals even when you’re roughing it in the great outdoors. The key is to prepare your meals in advance and store them in airtight containers or Ziploc bags.
Then, all you need to do is throw them in your cooler full of ice and take them camping with you. Not only will this save you time and effort, but it will also allow you to enjoy more of what you came for: relaxing in nature and soaking up the wilderness experience.
So next time you’re packing for a camping trip, don’t forget to include some ready-made meals. It’ll make all the difference in the world.
Reheat the food when you’re ready to eat it.
There’s nothing like the smell of food cooking over an open fire when camping. But if you’re not careful, those delicious aromas can quickly turn into a disaster.
Reheating food while sitting out for a while can create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. And if you’re not careful, you could end up getting sick.
So how can you safely reheat your meals while RV camping?
The best way is to use your fire pit or grill. You could use a microwave, but that’s not as fun as a fire pit. The high heat of a grill or fire pit will kill any bacteria that may be present, and it will also help to lock in moisture and flavor. Just keep an eye on your food so it doesn’t get burnt.
With a little effort, you can enjoy delicious, safe, and healthy meals while camping.
