Finding cheap camping meals that actually taste good can be tricky. Nobody wants to spend a fortune on food for their camping trip, but nobody wants to eat bland food either. The good news is that you can create delicious, filling meals without spending too much money.
These budget-friendly camping recipes use simple ingredients and smart cooking methods to keep costs low while making everyone happy around the campfire.
1. Hot Mess Skillet
This cast iron skillet recipe combines kielbasa sausage, yellow squash, peppers, onions, and tomatoes for a hearty meal. It’s budget-friendly using affordable seasonal vegetables and pre-cooked sausage. The name might sound messy, but the flavors come together perfectly in one pan. You can easily swap out vegetables based on what’s cheap at the store or what you have on hand. This recipe cooks everything in one skillet, making cleanup super easy after a long day outdoors.
2. Simple Camping Pancakes
This homestyle pancake recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and can be made from scratch with simple flour, milk, and eggs. The recipe includes a clever hack for camping that involves mixing everything in a half-gallon milk jug for easy transport and minimal cleanup. No need for fancy pancake mixes when you can make fluffy pancakes from scratch. The milk jug trick means less dishes to wash at your campsite. Check out the full recipe for the complete ingredient list and instructions.
3. Campfire Quesadillas
These quesadillas can be made with just cheese and tortillas, or enhanced with vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and corn. They’re cooked in foil packets over the campfire, making them very affordable and easy to customize. Everyone can make their own version with their favorite fillings. The foil packet method means you can cook several at once without needing multiple pans. This camping recipe shows you exactly how to wrap and cook them perfectly over the fire.
4. Walking Tacos
This family favorite uses individual bags of Doritos as “shells” filled with seasoned ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and other taco toppings. It’s extremely budget-friendly and requires minimal cleanup since you eat directly from the chip bag. Kids especially love this fun twist on regular tacos. You can prep the meat at home to save time at camp. Get all the details for this easy recipe that makes taco night even more fun.
5. Five Can Chili
This hearty chili uses only store-bought cans: kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and a can of beer, plus common spices. It’s perfect for camping since it doesn’t require fresh meat or refrigeration concerns. The canned ingredients keep well in your camping supplies and create a rich, smoky flavor. You can make this chili as spicy or mild as your group prefers. This cheap camping meal proves that canned ingredients can create amazing flavors.
6. Camping Breakfast Burritos
This make-ahead breakfast burrito recipe uses eggs with taco seasoning, hash browns, ham, green chiles, cheese, and cilantro wrapped in tortillas. They can be prepared at home and heated over the campfire, making them extremely budget-friendly and convenient. The make-ahead aspect means you can enjoy a hot breakfast without morning prep work. These burritos freeze well and heat up perfectly over the fire. This recipe walks you through the prep and reheating process.
7. Classic One Pot Pasta
This recipe uses medium-sized pasta, onions, tomatoes, stock, and Italian seasoning all cooked in one pot. It’s extremely budget-friendly and requires minimal ingredients while providing a filling meal. The one-pot method means the pasta absorbs all the flavors as it cooks. You can easily add any leftover vegetables or meat you have in your cooler. This pasta recipe is perfect when you want something comforting and familiar at camp.
8. Campfire Grilled Cheese
This recipe uses just bread, butter, and cheese, and can be made two different ways over the campfire. You can use either a cast-iron pie-iron sandwich maker or grill directly over the campfire on foil. It’s extremely budget-friendly using basic ingredients and provides great comfort food value. Sometimes the simplest cheap camping meals are the most satisfying. This grilled cheese guide shows you both cooking methods so you can pick what works best for your setup.
9. Hobo Packets
These foil-wrapped dinners include ground beef, vegetables, and seasonings cooked in individual aluminum foil packets. They’re great for camping because they cook directly on campfire coals and require no cleanup. Each person can customize their packet with their favorite vegetables. The foil keeps everything moist and flavorful while cooking. This hobo packet recipe is a classic camping meal that never goes out of style.
10. Camper’s Breakfast Hash
This hearty one-skillet breakfast combines frozen hash browns, breakfast sausage, eggs, and cheese. It’s designed to be made in a cast-iron skillet and serves up to 8 people, making it very budget-friendly. The recipe uses affordable ingredients like frozen hash browns and breakfast sausage links. One skillet feeds the whole group, making it perfect for larger camping parties. This breakfast hash creates a filling meal that will fuel your outdoor adventures all day long.