10 Cheap Camping Meals That Are Easy to Make and Budget Friendly

Here are 10 Easy and Cheap Camping Meals.

Camping meals can get pricey fast. I know because I have tried to feed my crew on the road without draining the bank account, and it is not always easy. So I made a list of my family’s go to cheap recipes that keep things simple and delicious. Each idea uses inexpensive ingredients like canned beans, tortillas, rice, hot dogs, and eggs. Most of them are prepped at home so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the great outdoors. I also love that many of these are one pot or foil packet meals, which means less mess and less dishwashing at the campsite. A camp stove or portable propane burner is handy when campfires are not allowed, but many of these meals work over coals too. Here are the 10 budget friendly camping meals we lean on trip after trip.

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1. Homemade Pancake Batter in a Bag. I love hot pancakes in the morning, but they taste even better when the work is done for me. Before I leave, I whip up a batch of my homemade buttermilk pancake batter and pour it into a gallon size Ziploc bag. I freeze it flat overnight so it packs easily in the cooler. By breakfast time, the batter is thawed and ready to use. Bunch the batter into one corner, snip off the tip, and you have a dispenser for perfectly formed pancakes. Drizzle on some syrup and breakfast is done.
2. Make Ahead Egg Sandwiches. These egg sandwiches are not just for busy weekday mornings. They are amazing when warmed over the fire. Make them as you normally would, but wrap each one in foil instead of plastic wrap. Tuck them into your cooler, and in the morning just place them on a grill or over the coals for a few minutes. Do not walk away because they heat up fast. I love the individual portions because everyone gets a hot breakfast even if they wake up at different times.
3. Omelets in a Bag. This one sounds a little wild, but trust me it works. Crack two eggs per person into a gallon size Ziploc bag, then add what I call “cleaning out the fridge” toppings: diced peppers, onions, cheese, ham, sausage, spinach, or whatever you have on hand. Store the bags in the cooler. In the morning, boil a large pot of water, drop the bags in, and cook for about 12 to 13 minutes. Carefully pull out the bags, slide each omelet onto a plate, and enjoy a hot, customized breakfast with zero pan scrubbing.
4. Easy Bean Burritos. Canned refried beans, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, and a stack of soft tortillas are all you need. Warm the tortillas on a griddle or over a low flame, spread on the beans, add cheese, and roll them up. You can even wrap them in foil and heat them over coals for a warm, satisfying lunch or dinner. Bring a jar of salsa for extra flavor.
5. Hot Dogs with Tortillas. Buns can get squished in the cooler, so I grab a pack of corn or flour tortillas instead. Cook the hot dogs on a stick over the fire or on a grate, then wrap them in a tortilla with a drizzle of ketchup or mustard. It is a fun, handheld meal that costs very little and makes kids happy.
6. Foil Packet Chicken and Veggies. A foil packet meal is simply ingredients wrapped in heavy duty foil and cooked over campfire coals or on a grate. I like to combine chicken breasts, sliced potatoes, carrots, a little oil, and seasoning. Fold the foil tightly and cook for about 20 minutes over hot coals, turning halfway. Everything steams together into a tender, flavorful dinner with almost no cleanup.
7. Instant Ramen with Added Vegetables. A pack of ramen noodles is one of the cheapest camping staples you can buy. Boil water on your camp stove, cook the noodles, and stir in pre chopped veggies like bell peppers or broccoli that you prepped at home. You can even crack an egg into the pot for extra protein. It turns a basic packet into a satisfying bowl.
8. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches. This no cook classic is a lifesaver for quick lunches. Keep a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and a squeeze bottle of jelly in your camping bin, and you have an instant meal that requires zero heat. Pair it with an apple or a banana and you are all set.
9. Canned Chili or Stew Heated in the Can. In a pinch, you can heat a can of chili or beef stew directly on a camp stove. Remove the lid, set the can on the burner, and stir occasionally until hot. Eat it straight from the can with a spoon, or pour it over instant rice for a heartier meal. Just be careful with the hot metal.
10. Oatmeal Packets or Pancake Mix in a Bag. On chilly mornings, nothing beats a warm bowl of oatmeal. Bring individual packets or make your own by mixing quick oats, a pinch of salt, and a little brown sugar in a resealable bag. Add hot water, stir, and breakfast is ready. You can also prep a dry pancake mix at home, store it in a sealed container, and just add water at camp for fluffy pancakes without the mess.

These are the exact meals I pack when I want to keep our camping food budget low and our bellies full. For even more ideas, check out my full collection of camping meals that are perfect for the whole family. Also, if you are looking for expert tips on stretching your camping dollar, this budget friendly camping meal guide from Budget Bytes is worth a read.

About Karrie

Food is my love language, but saving money runs a close second. I like to combine the two by making thrifty, make ahead meals that I can freeze and pull out when life gets busy. Because let us be honest, freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us, and yes, they actually can taste good. Whether I am meal prepping for a week of camping or just a chaotic school night, I reach for simple ingredients that do not break the bank. My goal is to show you that eating well on a budget is totally doable, and I hope my recipes bring a little extra joy to your table. Feel free to browse more thrifty camping recipes and save this page for your next trip.

Psssst…

If you love saving money and eating well, come hang out with me on social media. I share daily budget tips, behind the scenes camp cooking, and plenty of thrifty kitchen hacks over on Instagram at @HappyMoneySaver. You can also connect with me on Facebook for even more conversation, and do not forget to pin your favorite recipes on Pinterest so you can find them later. I absolutely love seeing your campsite meals, so tag me in your photos when you try these ideas. It makes my day to see you win at feeding your family without overspending.

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I would genuinely love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, your own cheap camping meal hacks, and how these recipes turned out for you in the comment section below. Your email address will never be published, and the required fields are marked with a little star. If you feel like rating a recipe, go right ahead. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam, so your comment might be checked before it appears. Now, tell me what you think!

Comments & Reviews

Mma says: July 3, 2024
These look horrendous. Especially cooking eggs in a plastic bag, that will be a no for me.

Carrie says: September 27, 2023
Take your favorite pizza dough and roll it into a rectangle. Put ham into a food processor and grind it up. Add chopped onions, pickle relish, chopped boiled eggs, and your favorite sauce (Texas sauce is great). Spread the mixture over the dough leaving a half inch border, then roll it up, wrap in foil, and freeze. When you are ready, thaw it and place it near the fire, not directly over it, and cook until the dough is done. Sometimes I bake it at home and just reheat at the campground. Extra dipping sauce on the side is so good.

Cj says: September 16, 2023
Love these ideas! We are going camping in a few weeks and fall camping is my absolute favorite. Thank you for sharing these budget friendly meals.

Christa says: September 3, 2023
The pizza log turned out great! I was honestly surprised. Thanks for the clever camping meal idea.

Donna says: August 13, 2023
Thank you for sharing such simple and cheap camping recipes.

Kerry says: April 2, 2023
These are some awesome ideas that I definitely plan on using. For the pizza log, do you cook it at home before freezing? And if you have a grate over your campfire, do you put the pizza log on there while still wrapped in tin foil? Sorry for the newbie questions, I am still learning campfire cooking.

Karrie replies: April 6, 2023
No need to apologize at all! I usually do not cook the pizza log before the trip, but you can precook and just warm it up over the fire if that is easier. The directions I follow are for uncooked dough wrapped in foil and cooked over the fire. Yes, keep it in the foil and place it on the grate. It comes out wonderfully.

Natalie says: February 2, 2023
We finally have a camper with a larger refrigerator, so I am looking forward to prepping several of these meals on our next trip and actually relaxing at the campground instead of spending all my time cooking. Thanks for the suggestions!

Tiki says: October 18, 2022
Thank you so much! Lots of easy and cheap ideas that my whole family will enjoy.

Brian says: October 12, 2022
Some awesome ideas here. Thank you for putting this together.

Jerri says: July 7, 2022
These were all incredible ideas. Thank you.

Karrie replies: July 13, 2022
You are so welcome, Jerri! I am glad they helped.

Rhonda J says: April 15, 2023
Hi and thanks! We camp a lot more now with our motorhome, and my husband has become the RV repair guy. One of our all time favorite recipes is what I call Camp Chicken (or Beef). We put each person’s meal in a foil wrap sprayed with nonstick spray. Slices of beef or chicken breast (or a leg quarter), potatoes, carrots, onion, tomato, peppers, whatever each person likes, plus seasonings, a pat of butter, and a drizzle of olive oil. Wrap it tight and put it into the fire or coals. Cook thoroughly until the meat juices run clear and the veggies are tender. If you can, bake a skillet of cornbread in a cast iron skillet over the fire and butter it well. Hands down, the best camping meal ever.

Karrie replies: April 28, 2023
That sounds absolutely amazing, Rhonda! I am going to try your foil packet variation on our next trip. The cornbread skillet is a brilliant touch.

Candy says: February 15, 2021
Use nonstick foil. It makes cleanup so much easier, especially with cheesy dishes.

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