CAMP COOKING GUIDE FOR OVERLAND TRAVELERS
What’s your earliest memory of camp cooking?
Maybe it was a hot dog on a stick over an open fire, a hamburger sizzling on a propane stove, or a gooey s’more with marshmallows charred to perfection.
Whatever your first experience, now that you’re exploring overlanding and the great outdoors, you have a new opportunity: to rethink how food fits into your adventures. After all, we don’t overland to experience less of life—we do it to experience more. And nothing makes a long day of trails, repairs, and exploration more satisfying than sitting down to a meal worthy of the journey.
The Minimalist: Quick & Simple Camp Cooking
Sometimes, your goal isn’t gourmet food—it’s fuel for the adventure. Maybe you’re racing daylight to capture that perfect photo, fishing late into twilight, or navigating tough terrain that gets you to camp after dark. In those moments, a minimalist camp kitchen setup is the way to go.
Recommended gear & food for minimalist camp cooking:
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Single-burner rapid deployment stove – Biolite Energy Stoves are our favorite. It boils water in just 100 seconds for coffee, instant oatmeal, or freeze-dried meals.
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Lightweight snacks – dehydrated fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate keep energy high without extra cooking time.
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Classic s’mores kit – Graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows aren’t just dessert—they’re an event the whole crew will enjoy.
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Portable grill or fire pit – A propane grill or a clean-burning pop-up fire pit makes it easy to cook brats, burgers, or anything you can throw on a skillet.
Discover our range of Quick Pitch and iKamper Grills and Fire pits.
Pair these with a cooler full of potato salad, chips, and your favorite drinks, and you’re set for an easy but satisfying night of campfire cooking.
Essential Gear for Minimalist Meals
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Biolite Energy Stove: perfect for freeze-dried meals, coffee, or oatmeal.
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Freeze-Dried Food: Today’s options are flavorful and diverse, including entrees and desserts.
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Trail Snacks: Premium jerky, dried fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate keep you energized.
Americana Camp Cuisine: Classic Comforts in the Wild
When you’re ready to go beyond the basics, embrace Americana camp cooking—a nostalgic and satisfying way to feed your crew.
Campfire Favourites
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Hot Dogs & Sausages: Choose premium meats and pair with artisan buns and gourmet condiments.
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Burgers: Classic staples that never disappoint.
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Eggs & Beans: Easy, hearty, and perfect for breakfast or dinner.
Dessert: The Iconic S’more
All you need are marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, and roasting sticks. It’s more than dessert—it’s a campfire ritual that brings everyone together.
Recommended Gear
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Portable Propane Grill: A Weber-style grill with a grate and skillet is versatile and easy to use.
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Campfire Cooking Setup: Try the Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit for clean burning and Leave-No-Trace cooking.
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Cooler Essentials: Stock up on potato salad, chips, drinks, and a relish.
The Camp Chef: Elevating Overland Cooking
If someone calls you the Camp Chef, consider it a badge of honor. You’ve earned a reputation for making camp meals that people look forward to—and you’ll probably get invited on more overlanding trips because of it!
Reaching “Camp Chef” status takes practice, but just like overlanding, the journey is part of the reward. By moving beyond hot dogs and hamburgers, you unlock a world of flavor, health, and creativity.
Ideas for gourmet camp meals:
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Dinner: Fire-roasted ribeye with garlic smashed potatoes, Dutch oven elk lasagna, caramelized pork chops with apples, or fresh trout stuffed with bacon and herbs.
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Breakfast: Bagels and lox, chipotle pork sausage burritos, cinnamon rolls baked in a Dutch oven, or mimosas with campfire pancakes.
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Lunch/snacks: Cheese and charcuterie boards, pesto pasta salad, quesadillas with fresh veggies, or grilled Margherita pizza.
A powered fridge (like National Luna) extends your cooking capabilities on longer trips, keeping ingredients fresh and safe. To reach this level of cooking, you’ll also want to invest in quality camp kitchen gear: a sturdy cutting board, sharp knives, and cookware that allows for heat control beyond just “on” or “off.”
Other Approaches to Camp Cooking
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Meal Delivery Kits – Services like Blue Apron or HelloFresh make life easier by sending ready-to-cook meals you can pack in your cooler.
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Pre-Cooked at Home – Make your favorite chili, lasagna, or pulled pork ahead of time, vacuum seal, freeze, and reheat at camp.
Both approaches save time while still delivering better-than-basic meals on the trail.
Pro Tips for Successful Overland Camp Cooking
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Always pack extra water – For drinking, coffee, cooking, and cleaning. Consider a heavy-duty water carrier or built-in filtration system.
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Overpack food & water – Like fuel, it’s better to have more than you need. You’ll be grateful if you get delayed or decide to stay longer at camp.
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Forage & fish responsibly – Fresh trout, wild berries, or seasonal herbs can elevate your meals. Just make sure you know local laws and plant safety.
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Keep freeze-dried meals as backup – Lightweight, long-lasting, and easy to prepare in emergencies.
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Plan your meal strategy – Big dinner with lighter breakfasts? Or a heavy breakfast before a long trail day? Match meals to your activity.
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Share responsibilities – If you’re traveling in a group, assign cooking roles to keep things fun and fair.
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Mind dietary needs – Check for allergies before planning meals—nobody wants to discover lactose intolerance halfway into cooking Alfredo!
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Eat local when possible – Support communities, enjoy regional cuisine, and give yourself a break from cooking.
Most importantly: have fun. Camp cooking is about more than food—it’s about creating shared experiences, learning new skills, and adding another layer of joy to your overlanding journey.
FINAL THOUGHTS: COOK WITH PURPOSE
Camp cooking is more than just preparing food—it’s part of the overlanding experience. Whether you’re keeping it simple or going all-out, your meals should reflect the spirit of your journey.
So when you roll out your camp kitchen, light the stove, and gather your ingredients, do it with intention. You’ve earned this moment. Bon appétit!
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