Easy Camp Recipes and Camp Cooking Hacks
Chicken, Sausage, Pierogies, and Broccoli
1. Use pre-grilled chicken tenders
This specific brand of pre-cooked chicken doesn't have that curious chemical taste common to lesser brands. You'l feel like a master chef took the time to marinate the meat and grill it just for you. There's no extra salty aftertaste--just a perfectly seasoned blend of lemon and herbs. I like to pack bags of frozen chicken along with frozen bottles of ice water. This helps my chicken stay cold for up to five days, depending on the season and the temperature outdoors.
Alternative: If you're not into pre-packaged products, you can drop raw chicken breasts into zip locking freezer bags and cover the breasts with your favorite marinade. Freeze the bags and pop them into the cooler when you're ready to make your trip. |
2. Pierogies can go straight from the cooler to the grill!
Hot Tip: If your pierogies and chicken are still frozen when it's time to prepare dinner, simply drop them on the griddle and pour a little water over them. Let them cook in the water for a minute, and flip each piece to thaw the other side. When the water boils away, add a little butter to ensure that your food will begin to fry and develop a nice crust.
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3. Clarified butter (ghee) doesn't need refrigeration
4. Use a carbon steel griddle to cook multiple items at once
I don't feel like I'm on "vacation" if I can't make eggs, pancakes and bacon for everyone! This 10 by 16 inch carbon steel griddle fits perfectly over my Weber "Go Anywhere" grill, filling it out from corner to corner. I can fry six pieces of french toast at once or cook up a whole package of bacon. It cleans easily with plain water and a nylon scrub sponge. It won't rust as easily as cast iron, but you should keep it dry nonetheless. I don't bother to season this pan in the oven like I would season cast iron, but I do add oil or butter before cooking eggs and pancakes. Treat it well and it should last a lifetime!
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5. The Weber "Go Anywhere" grill is a perfect fit for this griddle
I can't say enough about the Weber "Go Anywhere" grill. This light, compact design is much easier to pack than kettle style charcoal grills. I originally ordered a popup propane grill that stands at a comfortable cooking height, but the 50 pound monster was more complicated than it looked in videos and very difficult to shove into my loaded vehicle. When you find yourself wrestling with heavy metal contraptions in the heat, that's not a vacation. It's the opposite of glamping!
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Two Easy Camp Salmon Recipes
Montreal Seasoned Salmon
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An Easy Way to Make Side Dishes
A bucket grill provides extra cooking space for pots
When your main grill is already in use, and you need a convenient way to make pasta or scalloped potatoes, the Coleman Party Pail can save the day. I use this grill with stainless steel saucepans to make spaghetti, mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes and more! Since it uses a very minimal amount of charcoal, I find that it's much more cost effective than my propane stove. The party pail is also an outstanding choice for two-person trips and short weekend trips. You can use this grill to cook items with a ten inch frying pan or place items directly on the included grill.
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My favorite camp cookware set!
This Stansport stainless steel nesting set is simply thicker and more durable than nesting sets I've bought in the past, including the Stanley Base Camp Adventure set. In fact, this $50 set is even better than the expensive stainless steel pots I use in my home kitchen. If open fire cooking is your thing, rest assured that these pans will stand up to any cooking scenario in the home or woods.
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Quick, low effort meals
Alfredo mac and cheese goes great with chicken pouches
Scalloped potatoes with fried Vienna sausage
Bring pet milk in cans so that you don't have to waste premium cooler space on milk cartons. Prepare potatoes according to the stove top method described on the box. Grill your own sausage on the side or add chunks of grilled Vienna sausage. Drop the grilled sausage into your pot of potatoes, and you'll have a wonderful meal that didn't take much time or effort.
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Dehydrated beef chunks are great for stew making!
Freeze Dried Veggies
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I know what you're thinking. How can a dehydrated beef product taste good? Isn't it loaded with chemicals? Believe it or not, this product contains only beef and salt. It has a 25-year shelf life because the water has been removed, thus eliminating the potential for bacteria to grow. I value this product when the driving rain makes it impossible to start a rolling fire for cooking. It's also a great product to keep on hand for extended trips. You'll always have meat, even when the ice in your cooler runs out.
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A folding stove is great for midnight snacks
I never leave home without this ultra compact folding stove. It's a great place to make a cup of hot tea, heat a can of soup, prepare a quick breakfast or cook up a midnight snack. It covers those everyday moments when it's just not practical to waste a bunch of charcoal or start a rolling fire. Minimalists should know that this stove is absolutely all you need. You can grill burgers directly on the grill plate or use it with an eight inch pot or sauce pan.
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My Favorite Cookware Storage Systems
This cookware storage table has telescoping legs!
I'm so crazy about this cooking storage table that I devoted an entire blog to it. (See Photos.) I used to stuff all of my cookware into a gym bag that was awkward to pack and carry. I was constantly bending to the ground to look for specific items, which put a lot of stress on my back. Now, I keep all of my camping cookware in my storage table year round. Sturdy handles on either side of the unit help me transport my entire camp kitchen easily. I keep the roll top locked into place so that I can use the roll top storage compartment for longer cooking utensils. To build an instant kitchen, I simply lift the unit from my car and pull out the telescoping legs! This organizer would also make a great dresser and vanity table within a tent.
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This waterproof storage unit doubles as a seat!
This is where I store my charcoal bag, bucket grill and larger pots. It gives me a nice place to sit while I'm cooking, and it's a great place to stash items when unexpected storms blow through camp. When I'm not camping, this storage seat sits in my yard all year long. It's a great place to store my outdoor cookware items for easy outdoor access.
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I've used this folding table ten different ways!
When my husband is busy using the camp chef table to prepare main entrees, I can use this folding stand to wash dishes, chop onions or prepare side dishes. I've been known to use the lower shelves to dry wet shoes, store paper towels or dry dish towels. This stand also makes a great shelf for vanity items inside tents! When I'm not camping, it works great as an extra prep table for backyard cookouts.
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Why I always carry a compact stove
I never leave home without this ultra compact folding stove. It's a great place to make a cup of hot tea, heat a can of soup, prepare a quick breakfast or cook up a midnight snack. It covers those everyday moments when it's just not practical to waste a bunch of charcoal or start a rolling fire. Minimalists should know that this stove is absolutely all you need. You can cook food directly on the grill plate or use it with an eight inch pot or sauce pan.
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