47 Camping Food Ideas That Don’t Require Refrigeration

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Camping is a great family adventure, a wonderful way for you to take a break away from your busy lives and enjoy some quality time together. All you need to do is pack up camping gear and find a place to put up the tent, as well as food for the duration of your camping trip. 

A cooler packed with ice is ideal for some foods but bringing along more than one cooler can take up a lot of room. And the weight! Those bulky coolers quickly add pounds to your camping load—not something you want when you’re trying to keep your gear as light as possible.

Next time you go camping, why not leave the cooler at home? Don’t worry about not eating, there are plenty of delicious, tasty, and healthy foods you can bring along that don’t require any refrigeration at all.

Here’s a list of 47 camping food ideas that don’t require refrigeration.

Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And starting your day on the right foot is easy even if you don’t bring along refrigerated foods.

1. Coffee or tea

No refrigeration is required for coffee. Just grind the beans and put them into a coffee percolator on a grill placed over open flames. 

For an even easier coffee option, buy packets of instant coffee (link to Amazon) and make individual cups by pouring in boiling water.

Not a coffee drinker? Bring along a selection of teas for everyone to choose from.

2. Sugar and Cream for Coffee or Tea

Pack sugar in a tight sealable container to use for coffee, tea, or any other foods you need sweetened. 

If you need a little cream in your coffee, powdered creamer packets will do just fine.

3. Powdered Milk

So easy to make, use it for coffee, tea, and over your breakfast cereal or granola. Just add cold water and stir.

4. Instant Hot Chocolate

Great for kids and adults for breakfast, or at night around the fire when you’re sitting under the stars. Add mini marshmallows for more of a treat.

5. Juice Packs

The kids will appreciate these—bring both apple and orange juice for variety!

6. Breakfast Cereals

Every kid has their favorite. Bring along one or two larger boxes or buy small, individual boxes for smaller servings and more variety (see on Amazon). 

Just add some of the powdered milk you made for your coffee and breakfast is served.

7. Quick Cooking Oatmeal

Another fast and easy breakfast idea…just add boiling water to quick-cooking oatmeal packages! They come pre-sweetened in a variety of flavors, or use plain oatmeal and sweeten with honey or maple syrup. Top with a handful of granola for some crunch.

8. Granola or Muesli

Make homemade granola or muesli or buy it packaged. Both are good for breakfast. Just add some powdered milk and water.

9. Energy or granola bars

Both energy and granola bars make a decent breakfast or snack. They’re also easy to pack along in your backpack when you’re out walking or paddling in the canoe.

10. Pancakes And Syrup

A box of pancake mix fits easily into your camping gear. Pancakes aren’t just easy to make, they also smell great on a cool camping morning. Use a little oil in the frying pan to grill them up. Then top with maple syrup or spread with jam.

11. Fried Potatoes

You won’t need to refrigerate potatoes. They make a great breakfast when diced and then fried up with onions in a little bit of oil.

12. Bread

Bread is versatile for a variety of meals. Toast it over the fire and spread with peanut butter. 

Keep the bag tightly closed and out of the sun. It should last for a few days with no problem.

13. Butter

So long as you’re not camping in hot weather, bring along a stick or two of butter. Keep it out of the sun in a sealed container and it will last for two to three days. Toast and jam are the perfect way to start your day!

14. Peanut Butter

Adults and kids alike can’t resist peanut butter so be sure to bring along a jar. Use it for peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Or bring other kinds of nut butter instead, such as almond butter.

15. Jams And Honey

Buy individual packets of jam and honey. These are ideal for spreading on bread and buns. You can also use the honey to sweeten your coffee or tea.

16. Bananas

Bananas are good any time of day, and easy to pack in your knapsack when you’re on the go, and they’re budget-friendly. Kids love dipping bananas in peanut butter—a great breakfast or snack idea!

Keep in mind that if the weather is really hot, bananas won’t keep for more than a day or two

17. Fruit

Perfect at any time of the year, easy to pack, and nutritious all at the same time. 

Bring along a variety of fruits that your family enjoys eating such as apples, oranges, and grapes. If they’re in season, strawberries and raspberries will keep well in the shade for up to two days.

18. Canned Fruit

Fruit canned in water is a quick way to get your kids to eat fruit when you don’t have the room for fresh. Bring a few different choices such as peaches, pears, apple sauce, or fruit cocktail.

Lunch Ideas

Lunch is great in the outdoors, under the sun on a warm summer day. There are lots of non-refrigerated foods you can use to put together a great lunch for the family.

19. Beef and Turkey Jerky

For a good source of protein, dried meat jerky can be eaten with crackers and cut-up veggies. To keep you satisfied, grab a variety pack like this one from Jack Link’s.

20. Bagels And Buns

A pack of bagels or buns goes a long way and will be fresh for two or three days. Use for sandwiches or grill up with a bit of oil and sprinkle with garlic salt as a side dish.

21. Tuna Bagels or Sandwiches

An easy camping lunch is tuna salad on bagels or bread. 

Open a can of tuna and mix it with two or three individual mayo packets. 

You can also buy small individual servings of tuna with different flavorings in tin packs.

22. Canned Flaked Chicken

Mix with mayo just like you do for tuna. Serve with crackers and fruit and have a picnic outside.

23. Cut Up Veggies

Carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes are okay for a couple of days without refrigeration. Just keep them in a cool spot out of the sun. 

Cut up and serve raw vegetables alongside sandwiches.

24. Homemade cookies

Whip up a batch or two of your family’s favorite cookies—chocolate chip, peanut butter, or oatmeal raisin. Easy to make and just as easy to consume! These won’t last more than a day in your pack.

25. Homemade Brownies

Another home-baked treat to take camping, and just as easy to bake and wrap as cookies!

26. Packaged Cookies and Muffins

No time to bake before your trip? No problem—just pick up a package of cookies or muffins at the grocery store or bakery before leaving on your trip.

Dinner Ideas

At the end of a busy day, after hiking and swimming in the creek, it’s nice to get back to your campsite for a delicious and tasty meal. 

You can put together a fantastic meal that everyone will enjoy using non-refrigerated foods.

27. Hearty Canned Soups

Canned soups are a great option for dinner. Choose thick and hearty soups that are filling at the end of day spent outside.

28. Homemade Campfire Soup

Make your own soup over the campfire with just a few ingredients thrown into a pot and left to simmer for an hour: canned soup stock, carrots, onion, potatoes, and dried lentils. Optional is pre-packaged dried meat.

29. Grilled Vegetables

Wrap individual portions of non-refrigerated veggies in foil and grill them over the campfire. Just sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Good vegetable choices include carrots, potatoes, corn, onions, and butternut squash.

30. Instant Potatoes

A quick accompaniment to other foods, instant potatoes are easy to make. Just add water and bring to a boil.

31. Pasta, Tomato Sauce, and Cheese

For a quick dinner, put this together. Boil pasta in water, strain, and add canned tomato sauce. Grate cheese over top. Yes, cheese. Trust me!

32. Pesto Sauce

A little pesto sauce on boiled pasta is a nice change from tomato sauce. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t elevate your food a notch. Add grated parmesan cheese on top.

33. Hard Cheeses

If the weather isn’t too hot, a block of hard cheese such as cheddar, will last for a couple of days. Just store wrapped in plastic and then in a tea towel.

A container of grated parmesan cheese will also be just fine for up to three or four days.

34. Macaroni And Cheese

Though not exactly a gourmet meal when camping, a box or two of macaroni and cheese can save the day when you have hungry kids.

Boil water for the pasta, then use the powdered cheese, powdered milk, and water to complete the dish. Use a bit of butter if you brought some along.

35. Classic Baked Beans

We’ve all had a can of baked beans heated over the flames. Continue the camping tradition and heat up beans for a quick meal. Add some nachos on the side for even more flavor and to make it a more filling meal.

36. Packaged Rice and a Mexican Meal

Available in plain and flavored variants, packaged rice is another easy dish to cook up—just add the rice mix to boiling water.

You can eat the rice on its own or add a few ingredients to make a full meal, like canned corn, salsa, and taco seasoning. Serve up in tortilla shells for a Mexican night around the fire.

37. Canned Chili and Garlic Bread

Open a couple of cans of chili and heat over the fire or over the grill. While the chili is heating, make toasted garlic bread using a bit of garlic salt mixed with olive oil. Spread over bread and toast. Grated cheddar on top of the chili is filling and satisfying on cooler nights.

38. Canned Beef Stew

Don’t write off canned beef stew! These convenient meals can be surprisingly delicious. Packed with tender beef, hearty potatoes, and colorful vegetables, dozens of brands offer high-quality canned stews that are perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

39. Herbs and Spices

Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you want to eat bland food! 

Keep an assortment of herbs and spices in a sealed container. Then just pull them out when you want to add a bit of flavor and spice to your campfire meals.

Camping Snacks

Everyone builds up an appetite when they’re camping. Have lots of snacks available to soothe those grumbly tummies.

40. Popcorn

Buy packaged popcorn or make your own and store it in bags. Telling stories around the campfire and eating popcorn—a great way to end the day!

41. S’mores

S’mores are a camping essential! These campfire classics require just three ingredients: chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers. None of these ingredients need refrigeration. 

42. Nuts

Nuts, nuts, and more nuts. Always a healthy snack whether you’re at home or camping. They’re packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, making them a convenient treat for when you want that extra boost of energy while camping.

43. Dried Fruit

Dried apricots and apples, dried cranberries, and raisins—a sweet snack that you can still consider healthy for the kids!

44. Fruit Leather

Easy to buy and easy to make, fruit leather is a delicious snack that both adults and children love.

45. Trail Mix

Make your own version of trail mix and store in small sealed containers or sealed bags. Use a combination of nuts, dried fruit, shaved coconut, and small pieces of dark or milk chocolate. Trail mix is easy to take with you when you’re hiking, boating, or biking. 

46. Pudding Cups

Not quite as healthy as trail mix, but excellent now and then when your kids need something quick to keep hunger from taking over. These little individual pudding cups can keep kids from asking when it’s dinner time.

Bring a few different flavors—chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch are my personal favorites.

47. Crackers and Oatcakes

Spread peanut or almond butter on crackers and oatcakes. For a special snack, bring along a jar of Nutella and spread it on the crackers along with peanut butter.

Tips To Keep Non-Refrigerated Food Fresh While Camping

If you’re planning to camp out for more than a few days, keep these food storage tips in mind: 

• Pack only what you’ll need for the duration of the trip to minimize waste and spoilage. Focus on lightweight, non-perishable items like canned goods, nuts, dried fruits, and granola bars. 
• Pack both perishable and non-perishable foods in Ziplock bags or airtight containers. This protects them from insects, moisture, and other curious critters. 
• Store your food in a cool, dark place at your campsite. Look for shady spots away from your cooking area to minimize heat exposure. 
• If you’re backpacking in a bear country, store your food in a bear canister or bear bag. Place them at least 100 feet away from your campsite and 20 feet above the ground, ideally suspended from a sturdy tree branch.
• Eat perishable foods first, such as fruits, vegetables, and bread. Eating them early ensures they’re enjoyed at their freshest while minimizing waste.
• Bring one or two reusable airtight containers to store your leftovers. Instead of being thrown them away, leftovers can be reheated and enjoyed later in the day. Just make sure you eat them within 24 hours.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, eating well on your camping trip when you don’t have refrigeration is entirely possible. 

By bringing just the right foods and being a little creative, you and your family will be able to enjoy satisfying and yummy meals with very little effort.

Now that you’ve got a bunch of meal and camping food ideas that don’t require refrigeration, you’re all set to pack up and hit the road. Have fun!

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