Say Goodbye to Boring Sandwiches: Exciting Camping Lunch Ideas

Whether you are traveling along a busy highway, or off-gridding it in the bush, when lunchtime hits and the belly starts rumbling, you are going to need some lunch ideas to keep you going. With ideas for every camper, whether you have a van with a proper kitchen set up allowing you to whip up a hot meal, or you are roughing it in a tent with a simple fire, we have camping lunch ideas for everyone.

Easy Camping Lunch Ideas

When it comes to heading out on a camping or caravanning adventure, meal planning can be a challenge, especially when it comes to lunchtime.

Having a repertoire of easy and delicious recipes that are portable, simple to make, and filling can make all the difference in your camping experience.

Whether you're looking for quick and easy sandwich and wrap ideas, or hearty one-pot meals, we've got you covered with these camping lunch ideas that will keep you full of fuel for all your outdoor adventures.

Prep and Plan Ahead

You don't want to waste your time popping out to the grocery store while you are off enjoying the great outdoors, so be sure to spend some time planning and prepping meals before heading off.

Here are some easy and tasty camping lunch ideas to help keep you energized on your adventures:

(1). Sandwiches: Yes I know the title said to forget about boring sandwiches, but sometimes a sandwich can be the easiest thing to organize when you are running out the door, so we are going to include it here anyway.

• Pack some bread, deli meat, cheese, and condiments for a quick and simple lunch option;
• You can also add veggies like lettuce, tomato, and avocado for extra flavor and nutrition;
• why not turn it into a grilled cheese or grilled sandwich by cooking it over a camp fire;
• TIP: you may need to pack a small cooler to keep your ingredients cool.

(2). Wraps: Wrap up your favorite ingredients in a flour tortilla or some pita bread for a portable meal that's perfect for on-the-go eating.

• Fillings can include grilled chicken, hummus, roasted vegetables, or even tuna salad;
• Try these Easy Sandwich Pinwheels With Spinach and Pastrami;
• or this Easy Cheesy Chicken Salad Wrap (Air Fryer and Stove Top)

(3). Ploughman's lunch: Create your own ploughman's lunch with some cured meats like salami or prosciutto, cheeses such as cheddar or brie, crackers, breadsticks, pita chips, crisps, sliced baguette, olives, nuts, dried fruit, pickles, relishes, jams, and spreads.

• Try your hand at some easy campfire damper and pack it with your ploughman's lunch.

(4). DIY trail mix: Throw together a combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, pretzels, popcorn, cheerios, granola, and anything else you think would go for a customized trail mix that provides quick energy during hikes or other outdoor activities.

• We make this one loaded with goji berries for a nice little antioxidant boost: DIY fruit and nut mix.

(5). Snack packs: this is my favorite way to pack. Much like a cross between a ploughman's lunch and a DIY trail mix, a snack pack can include cheese, crackers, nuts, seeds, and some fresh or dried fruit for an easy grab-and-go option. If you are traveling with kids, it can be helpful to pack them a bento-style lunchbox with a few of their favorite portable foods. Try packing some of the following:

• hard-boiled eggs;
• beef jerky;
• peanut butter;
• fresh fruit;
• chopped fresh vegetables and dip;
• tortilla chips and dip;
• energy balls like these Strawberry Bliss Balls are great to prep and bring.

(6). Pasta salad: Make a pasta salad ahead of time with cooked pasta, veggies (like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers), protein (such as chickpeas or diced ham), and dressing. You can even pack a hot pasta in a thermos if you will be camping in colder weather. How comforting to stop for a pot of hot pasta!

• Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad Recipe
• Deli Style Macaroni Pasta Salad With Egg

(7). Instant soups or noodle bowls: this is a super simple way to enjoy a packed lunch. All you need is some hot water, which you can keep in a thermos, boil over a fire, or if you have power, simply fire up the kettle. This is the perfect option if you want something hot, but don't feel like cooking a proper meal.

• Have your soup or noodles ready to go in a thermos for an easy option if you are heading out for the day.

(8). Foil packet meals: these can be cooked over the campfire or on a grill/stove for an easy cleanup meal with minimal dishes.

• In foil packets wrap up some protein (chicken/fish/tofu) with chopped veggies, some herbs, a knob of butter, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Pop it over a camfire until cooked through and you have a deliciously nutritious meal to keep you going;
• This salsa verde salmon recipe works wonderfully and is a firm favourite of ours., or if you happen to catch some fish, this is an easy way to cook it.
• A baked potato is also a great option. Top with some cheddar cheese, sour cream, butter, cheese, or some baked beans for a filling meal.

(9). One pot meals: if you have a little more time up your sleeve, then a simple one pot meal can be a great option. Try:

• frittata, soup, or a simple pasta;
• some baked beans or some smoky beans;
• hot dogs and sausages;
• or something a little more elaborate like a pot of chili made with ground beef, black beans, bell peppers, and a can of tomatoes, or a hash with potatoes, eggs, peppers, sausages, and onions would be a great option.

(10). Grilled kabobs: Again, this is a great option if you have access to a fire or a camp kitchen. Simply skewer chunks of marinated meat, chicken, or tofu along with some veggies like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini and grill them over an open flame.

• This is a great option if you are feeding a crowd, as people can make up their own skewers with their preferred ingredients.

Don't Forget The Desserts

I for one always end up with a hankering for something sweet when out hiking, or after a long morning of fishing, so I am always sure to pack something sweet for a bit of an energy burst.

Try one of these delicious options:

(1). S'mores variations make a great quick and easy dessert if you have access to a source of fire. Go with the traditional graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate option, or go off the beaten track with some different cookies and spreads like Biscoff spread or nutella.

(2). Baked goods: bring along some baked goodies like cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies, or homemade granola bars. These are especially handy as they will keep for a couple of days. Make up a batch before leaving home, and keep them stored in the fridge or freezer for the duration of your travels.

(3). Peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter spread: this can be eaten by the spoonful, or spread on some bread or crackers. It makes a great hit of protein and pairs excellently with fresh fruit and chocolate chips for something sweet.

Hot and Cold Drinks

One of my favorite things to have access to when camping is a nice hot cup of tea, especially seeing as I always end up taking my son fishing in the early hours of the morning.

So one of the first things I pack is always a big thermos.

You can also use your thermos to pack:

• a cup of coffee - hot or cold depending on the time of year you are traveling
• hot soup or broth
• hot chocolate
• iced chocolate
• a nice cold lemonade
• iced tea

Think outside the box and pack a nice refreshing, or comforting drink for your next trip.

Tips For Packing Camp Lunches

If you are traveling with other people it can be hard to cater to everyone, so it is usually best to stick to simple ingredients, or just let everyone pack for themselves.

The same applies if you are traveling with the whole family, bring something that everyone will eat so you don't end up with unnecessary whinging that will make you want to turn around and go home.

Remember to pack any necessary cooking equipment or utensils you might need.

• a pot for boiling water or making a one-pot meal
• a good knife for cutting up meats, veggies, and bread
• a thermos if you want to keep things warm
• sandwich bags or other containers for packing the food
• a cool pack if you need to keep deli meats etc cold
• olive oil or butter for cooking

This will change depending on whether you have access to a camp kitchen, or a portable stove for boiling water etc, so plan accordingly. There's no point in bringing along a nice foil packet dinner if you have nothing to cook it on!

Also, decide before leaving whether your food can be kept at room temperature or if you need to bring a small cooler or thermos to keep it in.

We don't want any food poisoning going around!

Are You Ready For A Camp Lunch Adventure?

You are only limited by your imagination (and resources), so be sure to get creative when planning what to bring for your next camping trip.

Whether you opt for simple sandwiches (who can say no to a peanut butter sandwich?), or more elaborate one-pot dishes, there are plenty of options to suit every camper's taste preferences.

Next time you're packing for a camping trip, consider trying out some of these lunch ideas to make your outdoor dining experience even more enjoyable.

What are your favorite easy camping food ideas? If I have missed any, be sure to leave a comment so I can update the list.

Happy Camping!