Hamburgers and hot dogs are ok, but that gets old fast.
Here are my favorite prep ahead healthy camping meals that you can fill your freezer with, and then just grab and pack up a cooler on those summer camping trips!
Camping season is officially in full swing… and so are all of the camping foods!!
The problem is, I struggle to stick to my healthy eating goals if I am not prepared.
The smell of melted cheese on giant burgers and loaded hot dogs gets me every.single.time.
I have to admit that so far, during this camping season, it feels as if I prep twice in the week (boo!).Once for the work week, and once for the weekend.
I had to find a way to try to not derail all of my healthy eating success each weekend ... and not spend 2 times a week meal prepping.
So, I started my search for freezer friendly meals that would be great to cook while camping.
Here are some of the things on my camping meal prep plans this summer, that you might want to
prep ahead before you head out on your camping trips:
FOIL PACKETS
My friend Kaidy over at Social Supper always seems to have foil packs on her rotating menu - so I finally gave them a try and I was honestly shocked at how good the meals come out when it is merely cooked over the fire in tin foil.
These are so simple to put together – wrap (usually) raw ingredients in foil.. and done.
I like to prep a few different recipes, freeze them, and just grab a few and load up the cooler.
I always put them in a zip bag or container before they go in the cooler. These are known to leak.
I have also been known to prep them in foil pans (see photo above) to prevent all the leaking issues.
I am all about LESS dishes when camping!
These are also great options even if you don't camp. They are great to throw on the backyard grill right after work - especially on those hot days you don't want to cook!
This summer, I am sampling my way through ALL of these bad boys:
Summer mojito turns campfire dinner. Hello Mango Mojito Chicken! Also known as "walking tacos" this leaner version is a perfect alternative! Chili lime combo. You can't ever go wrong with this one! Look a the melty cheese. Do I need to say more? Fajitas hit the campfire with these Easy Steak Fajita Foil packs! Salmon while camping. Yes please! Don't forget to load up on veggies with this one! Bring the South to your campsite with these Shrimp Boil Foil packs this summer! HELLO! I use frozen veggies when I prep something like this! So easy, so much yum!
Foil Pack Mango Mojito Chicken
Freezer Friendly Turkey Tacos "In a Bag" (Foil Pack)
Chili Lime Chicken Foil Packs
Campfire Tex Mex White Bean Chicken Foil Packets
Easy Steak Fajita Foil Packets Recipe
Salmon Foil Packets
Shrimp Boil Foil Packs
Foil Pack Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken, Rice, and Veggies
You can also prep all of the ingredients in a container and then just put them on the skewer when you are at the campsite! Easy Peasy!
FOOD ON STICKS
Look at these colors! Time to eat the rainbow this summer! The family freezer mastered freezer meals, and I lover their shish kabobs! This recipe has my at pineapple. Grilled pineapple. All summer long!
Freezer to Grill Fajita Chicken Skewers
Freezer-to-grill shish kabobs
Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
There is nothing better than simply putting one of these recipes on the grill to reheat while you sip your coffee.
Double points, almost no dishes used with these ideas!
BREAKFASTS
From freezer, right to the grill while you sip your coffee. Doesn't get any easier! Veggies while camping! I know, sounds impossible. Fear not friend, veggie loaded breakfast pockets heat up right on the grill AND have you getting those veggies in! Breakfast taquitos. YAS! Another recipe where you can prep a whole bunch and have some for a couple of camping trips! When I make this for camping, I cook it fully in foil pans, then just reheat on the grill at the campsite! These reheat super quick on a grill and make a breakfast you can eat in one hand, and coffee in the other. My kind of breakfast multi tasking! Classic breakfast, perfect for camping, too!
Dill Feta Egg Wraps {Freezer Friendly}
Veggie Loaded Breakfast Pockets {Freezer Friendly}
Breakfast Turkey Taquitos
Hearty Taco Breakfast Casserole
Make Ahead Ham and Egg Breakfast Cups
Make-Ahead Bacon Breakfast Sandwiches
As I make my way through these recipes this summer, I am posting my reviews on my Instagram, so come follow along and see how these all turn out!
Looking for more tips on how to meal plan and prep for camping this summer?! I have you covered with tips, ticks, how to's and a FREE printable planner!
Marie says
I have this same dilemma so I love this post!!! Thank you for sharing!
Rachael says
Hi! I love this collection and can’t wait to try some of the recipes. Question- did you cook the meals right in the foil pans?
I’m thinking that would be so awesome to stock my rv freezer and just pull a full meal out each day and throw the entire thing right on the grill.
Shauna says
When I've done this using the tin foil wrap packs - we just place them right on the grill over the fire pit, or even on the hot coals!
Works great!
Ali says
Great list! I appreciate this post so much. Question: How do you keep the meals frozen until you're ready to cook? Big cooler like a Yeti? We camp for longer than a weekend so I'm trying to figure out how to keep things frozen. We have a freezer but it won't fit more than a few meals. Thanks!
Steph says
A cooler... but we camp in a trailer so we have a fridge.
Shabir says
There are some great tricks in packing your cooler to keep things cold for 7-10 days
1. Start with a good cooler -preferably a rotomould cooler, if able. They boast 8-10 days refrigeration.
2. Use saltwater ice blocks (empty juice bottle, table salt 1/4c/1.8L) to line the bottom of your cooler. Takes longer to melt and keeps things colder than just water ice block.
3. Put a foam pad or mat on top to further lock in cold.
4. Put a silver reflector (the ones for car windshields) to cover your cooler (keep it out of direct sunlight).
5.Google and Pinterest have great suggestions!
AG says
Freeze them in foil instead of a pan that way they do not take as much room on the freezer
Steph says
True, but I find they leak so bad that way.
Elly says
Are you freezing the step before the grill/oven process. Then cook when pulled from freezer?
Steph says
I will freeze them if I make them more than a day in advance. I try and thaw them completely before cooking. Cooking from frozen takes a really long time, and things don't cook evenly.
diana says
cooking novice, going camping solo.. question.. do you cook these meals then freeze them to take with and just heat over fire... or prep and freeze raw and actually cook over fire?
Steph says
I prep raw and cook while camping!
Cathie says
I do both
Ronnie says
I love love love this idea using the foil pans and grilling them after work. Two questions:
Which recipes were the most successful from your post above? Any keepers?
Did you freeze any of them before cooking?
Steph says
Honestly, I have tried them all. They are all keepers. What I have learned is to opt for the wider, more shallow pans so allow a more even cook. I freeze all of them!
Melinda says
Thank you for this!! I barely knew you could freeze foil packs, but doing them in the pans is a game changer. I used the link to the salmon one already and love it! Plus come summer when it’s too hot to cook inside we could always just BBQ these.
DJ says
Do the frozen veggies get soggy after frozen?