No More Hot Dogs! How to Plan a Camp Feast

Hamburgers and hot dogs are ok for the first night on a camping trip but then what do you do to shake things up? You can’t live on hot dogs and marshmallows for the whole week long summer vacation camping trip.

We’ve gotten creative over the last few years and have created a bunch of fun theme meals that can be prepared while camping with your family. Camp with a group of families and you can make the meals even bigger as you collaborate to create a giant outdoor feast!

Fajitas for Mexican Fiesta Night at Camp

Mexican Fiesta Night

This is our go to group camping meal because options are endless with this theme. We also love this fun camp feast because it pairs well with a plastic tub of cold Coronas or camp margaritas if you have the ability to use a blender at your campsite. Without a blender, be prepared to bring a large knife for crushing ice or buy crushed ice ahead of time.

To take the feast one step further, buy a piñata and fill it with candy for the kids. Hang it from a tree at the campsite and you’ll have the best camping feast ever!

Making fresh margaritas at camp 

Menu suggestions:  

• Do it yourself Taco Bar (hard taco shells, soft tortillas, ground beef, chicken, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and onions, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole)
  
  
• Chicken or steak fajitas (barbecue the meat on skewers with vegetables and then serve with tortillas, salsa, and sour cream)
  
  
• Corn on the cob
  
  
• Taco salad
  
  
• Cheese quesadillas (these are easy to grill on a barbecue with a lid)
  
  
• Pulled Pork or Chicken tacos (Prepare the meat at home ahead of time and heat in a skillet at camp. Serve with tortillas and taco chips, grated cheese and fresh cilantro)

Pinata night at camp 

Other Fun Theme Nights for Gourmet Camp Feasts

Indian – Butter chicken is easy to prepare at camp in a large skillet over a stove or campfire. Serve with grilled naan bread and rice.

Greek – Chicken, pork or beef souvlaki is easy to make at camp by grilling the meat on skewers and serving with grilled pita bread and Tzatziki sauce. And don’t forget the Greek salad.

Italian – Spaghetti is just as easy to cook at camp as it is a home, the kids love it, and you can save a lot of money by preparing this simple meal rather than going out for dinner after a big day hiking or exploring. We also love making barbecue pizza at camp. Buy flat bread, top with pizza sauce, your favourite toppings and cheese, and then cook over a barbecue with a lid. Tinfoil helps to keep the crust from burning.

Italian Night at Camp with Fresh BBQ Pizza!

Ukrainian – One of our favourite camping meals is perogies with grilled apples, onions and peppers. And here’s a fun idea for you – you can put everything (including the perogies) on skewers and barbecue it together. Serve with sour cream and you have a fun camp meal that’s original and sure to please the kids.

European – This is a very broad category but I love making couscous salad while camping and serving it with simple grilled pork or chicken. It’s great for a hot day when you want a light meal.

Asian – Marinade chicken, pork or beef at home before you leave and stir fry it at camp in a large skillet with fresh veggies. Serve with rice or noodles for a fast meal that requires little prep. (Hint:  you can buy mixed bags of frozen or fresh Asian veggies so that you don’t have to do a lot of work chopping vegetables at camp, and you can add the noodles right to the same skillet in the last few minutes of cooking to save extra pots.)

SW Barbecue – This is another great feast idea for large groups. Hamburgers or steak, corn on the cob, salads of all varieties, and a mixture of Tex-Mex style dishes all combine together for a SW Barbecue themed meal.

Skewers for a SW barbecue night 

For more fun ideas, check out my Camp Cooking board on Pinterest. You’ll never have to eat a hot dog at camp again.