Make-Ahead Camping Meals For a Crowd: (Some Interesting Ideas)

If you were thinking of going camping, you probably already know how important it is to plan ahead and make sure you have all of the right equipment to ensure a fun-filled camping experience.

Luckily, if you’re looking to turn your camping trip into an extended stay by bringing along some invited guests, planning becomes just as crucial as surviving in the wild!

Fortunately for those who don’t want to worry about cooking up meals, there’s no need to look any further than these make-ahead camping meals for a crowd.

These meals will work for all sorts of camping like rv camping, tent packing, backpacking, glamping, and survival camping.

Simple Make Ahead Camping Meals For a Crowd

If you are looking for a simple, yet filling meals to feed a crowd of people, these camping foods will be sure to please!

Healthy camping meals

If you are cooking for a large crowd, it’s always a good idea to go for the healthy options, as they will appeal to the masses!

Johnnycakes

Corn muffin mix is a pantry staple in many campsite kitchens. Make a big batch of cornbread muffin mix before your trip, and you’ll have no need to worry about finding mixes or running out of food while out in the woods!

Panzanella with Tomatoes & Grilled Corn

Grilled corn adds a touch of sweetness to this vegan-friendly Panzanella, making it the perfect camping meal for a crowd.

Grilled Salmon with Sweet Peppers

Any meal that has sweet peppers is sure to be a hit with the crowd, making this salmon dish an easy choice for your next camping trip.

Grilled Vegetables In Foil

Mediterranean roasted vegetables in foil are an easy camping dish that can be heated over a campfire or on the grill.

Vegetarian camping meals

The great thing about vegetarian camping meals

Banana Bread Pancakes

You can combine all of the dry ingredients you have at home with eggs, bananas, and any other add-ins you like (like nuts or chocolate chips) to make this recipe. 

Grilled Halloumi Breakfast Sandwich

You can use Hawaiian buns for this delicious breakfast sandwich, or any other type of soft roll that you have around.

Campfire Nachos

Both fun and easy to make, this recipe is sure to quickly become a camping tradition for your group.

Trail Mix Bliss Balls

These are awesome if the group is on the move and wants to snack on something without weighing down their packs.

Vegan camping meals

Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Burrito

Perfect before that early morning hike. Make it ahead of time, wrap it up tightly in foil, and toss it on the grill or on the fire.

Banana Bread Granola

Made with rolled oats, coconut oil, bananas, maple syrup, and nuts (optional), this granola will fill you up without weighing you down.

Lemon Quinoa Veggie Burgers With Mint-Yogurt Sauce

You can sub for your favorite veggie burger buns if you don’t have pitas hanging around. The tanginess of the yogurt sauce really complements the quinoa burgers’ Italian flavors!

Grilled Sweet Potato Fajitas

Using hearty sweet potatoes and fresh vegetables, this fun take on fajitas can feed a crowd.

No-cook camping meals Ideas

Most of these no-cook camping meals will likely involve some sort of sandwich or wrap since bread is a great travel food and wraps are the ultimate no-cook camping meal.

Breakfast Tacos

Who doesn’t love tacos? These can be made ahead of time, wrapped up tight in foil, and warmed over the fire before serving.

Granola Wraps

Using tortillas or flatbread as your “wrap”, fill them with yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, and honey for an easy breakfast on the go.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

Make this tasty chicken salad ahead of time so that you have a protein-packed lunch waiting out in the wild. If you’re feeling fancy, use ciabatta buns or substitute your favorite gourmet bread!

Peanut Butter and Honey or Jelly Sandwiches

You have the choice of using jam or honey to make it. Make sure you pack the bread separately from the peanut butter, jelly or honey so it doesn’t get soggy!

Taco Bowls

This meal is so versatile that you can make it for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack.

Make-ahead foil packets for camping Ideas

Grilled Italian Sausage & Veggies Foil Packets

Firing up the grill and throwing a foil packet of veggies and Italian sausage on top makes a hearty meal that is easy to make wherever you are.

Grilled Tofu & Vegetable Foil Packets

Tofu doesn’t have to be boring – by cooking it with some delicious veggies in the woods, you won’t even miss the meat!

Grilled Honey Lime Salmon With Veggies

Try this healthy recipe for grilled salmon and vegetables on your next camping trip. It’s perfect for those who don’t eat meat or just want an alternative protein source.

Campfire Chicken With Potatoes And Squash

This favorite camping meal uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs so there isn’t any need to clean bones after dinner! Plus, it includes potatoes and squash which are both great camping foods.

Grilled Tofu & Veggie Foil Packets

The best thing about foil packets is that they’re super easy to make (just fold up the edges of a piece of foil) and there’s minimal clean-up after dinner!

Easy Hobo Tin Foil Dinner 

One of the most delicious foil packet meals on the list, this hearty dinner is packed with smoked sausage, red potatoes, and veggies.

Tinfoil Packet Philly Cheesesteak

This is the perfect campfire meal for any cheesesteak lover. When you are biting into this, you’ll forget that it was wrapped up in tinfoil and cooked over the campfire.

Make-Ahead Camping Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast casserole

This has all of the yummy goodness of a breakfast casserole without having to dirty up your dish.

Pack this one in some Tupperware at home and bring it out on the next camping trip! It’s also super easy to make so you won’t spend too much time cooking first thing in the morning.

Eggs on a bed of cheddar corn chowder

Corn chowder is perfect for chilly mornings since it’ll warm you right up! This simple recipe makes just enough for 2 people but if you’re more than that, simply double the ingredients!

Camping pre-made breakfast burritos

Make these burritos ahead of time, wrap them up tightly in foil, and toss them on the grill or fire when you are ready for breakfast!

Make-Ahead Mason Jar Parfaits

Stir together with a few ingredients into a mason jar the night before and you’ll have a delicious parfait waiting for you in your tent first thing in the morning.

Make-Ahead Camping Lunch Ideas

Noodle Cups

Pack all your favorite noodle soup components into a jar and you’ll be able to enjoy an easy noodle cup on the next camping trip.

Grilled Tuna Salad

Pack your favorite tuna salad into a jar and then just grab some crackers or bread for dipping on the side!

Taco Dip

Add all of your favorite taco ingredients into a mason jar, give it a good shake, and serve with tortilla chips for dunking!

Make-Ahead Puff Pastry Pockets

Kids absolutely love making their own food and these homemade puff pastry pockets are a great camping meal idea for kids of all ages.

Make-Ahead Camping Dinner Ideas

Make-Ahead Camping Skewers

What we love about these is they can be easily customized to fit everyone’s personal preferences.

Sausage & Veggies Camping Kabobs

We love this recipe for camping because it is so easy to prepare and the entire family will enjoy them!

Chicken Fajitas For A Crowd

Our favorite part about fajitas is that they can be customized easily by adding or taking away ingredients. The tortillas cool off quickly so plan on making these right before dinner time comes around.

Chili

The easiest meal to make in bulk, chili is perfect for camping trips. You can have them for lunch and also dinner!

Typically, ice is used to keep food cold while camping. However, some people just bring coolers with frozen blocks of ice for this purpose.

Alternatively, you can use dry ice if your cooler is very well insulated. Cooling off on a hot day isn’t always easy It’s even harder when you’re trapped in buggy clothes.

Store-bought camping meals include boiling water meals like instant noodles, instant rice, and some soups.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

So there you have it, a nice list of make-ahead camping meals for a crowd.

What is your favorite camping meal?

Do you think you’ll try the make-ahead breakfast burritos or one of the other dishes on this list?

Which is your favorite dish and why?

Let us know in the comments below.