14 Fast, Cheap & Easy Car Camping Dinner Ideas

Not sure about you, but even though I live in a car, I haven't given up on eating well! These 14 fast, cheap & easy car camping dinner ideas all use simple ingredients and can be whipped up in a jiffy.

Even better, all of these camping meals are fairly healthy. This is important, as a lot of camping food is highly processed…but not these recipes.

Most car campers don’t have Dutch ovens or big cast iron pans on hand, so these easy camping meals can be prepared in any regular frying pan/pot on a propane or butane camp stove...or even using no cookware at all!

Hope you enjoy. Let's get to the good stuff...

14 CAR CAMPING DINNER IDEAS

Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• Pinch of sugar
• Oil for frying
• Chopped vegetables (such as onions, carrots, and bell peppers)

Instructions:

1. Mix the chicken with soy sauce, cornstarch, and sugar.
2. Heat up oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken until browned.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Add chopped vegetables to the pan and fry until tender.
5. Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to combine.
6. Serve hot.

Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 can black beans, drained
• Taco shells
• Chopped lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Grated cheese

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a pan.
2. Add the taco seasoning and black beans. Fry for a few more minutes.
3. Serve in taco shells with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

Sausage and Pepper Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, sliced into rounds
• Sliced bell peppers and onions
• Oil for frying
• Bread or rice for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Fry the sausage in a pan until browned.
2. Remove the sausage and set it aside.
3. Add sliced bell peppers and onions to the pan and fry until tender.
4. Add the sausage back to the pan and stir to combine.
5. Serve with bread or rice.

Chicken and Vegetable Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Chopped vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, and onions)
• Skewers
• Rice for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
2. Grill or fry until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Serve with rice.

Potato and Sausage Hash

Ingredients:

• 2 potatoes, chopped into small pieces
• 1 lb sausage, sliced into rounds
• Chopped onions
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Fry the potatoes in a pan with oil until they are crispy and browned.
2. Add sliced sausage and chopped onions to the pan and fry until the sausage is cooked through.
3. Serve hot.

NO COOK OPTIONS

Mediterranean Salad

Ingredients:

• Canned chickpeas
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Feta cheese
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Toss together canned chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and a simple olive oil and lemon dressing for a tasty delight.

Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• Canned tuna
• Greek yogurt
• Celery
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Lettuce leaves

Mix canned tuna with Greek yogurt, celery, and seasonings, then wrap in lettuce leaves for a refreshing, satisfying meal.

Melba Toast with Avocado and Sliced Eggs

Ingredients:

• Melba Toast
• Avocado
• Hard-Boiled Eggs (sliced) You can buy 2 packs of hard-boiled eggs in most convenience stores
• Salt and pepper

Top a few pieces of Melba Toast with mashed avocado and a few slices of hard-boiled egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for an easy protein-packed bite.

Caprese Salad Skewers

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella
• Basil leaves
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves onto skewers. Season to your liking for a scrumptious delight. (OPTIONAL) Add pieces of salami for a heartier meal.

Hummus and Veggie Wraps

Ingredients:

• Tortilla
• Hummus
• Cucumber
• Bell pepper
• Carrot

Spread hummus onto a tortilla, top with sliced veggies (such as cucumber, bell pepper, and carrot), and wrap for a flavorful pick-me-up.

Greek Salad

Ingredients:

• Cucumber
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Feta cheese
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Toss together chopped veggies, feta cheese, and a simple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing for a colorful, zesty salad.

Cottage Cheese and Veggie Bowl

Ingredients:

• Cottage cheese
• Cucumber
• Cherry tomatoes
• Avocado

Top cottage cheese with chopped veggies (such as cucumber, tomato, and avocado) for a quick and satisfying meal.

Greek Yogurt and Berry Parfait

Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
• Granola

Layer Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and granola for a quick and healthy light dinner meal.

Peanut Butter and Banana Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• Tortilla
• Peanut butter
• Banana

Spread peanut butter onto a tortilla, top with sliced banana, and roll up for a quick and satisfying snack or dessert. (OPTIONAL) Add some peach slices for extra flavor and juiciness.

Tips for Cooking with a Propane Camping Stove

• Choose a level and stable surface: When cooking with a camping stove, it is important to choose a level and stable surface to prevent accidents. Look for a flat and sturdy surface to place your stove on, such as a picnic table, a large rock or a platform specifically designed for camping stoves.

• Use a windscreen: Propane and butane camping stoves are vulnerable to wind, which can make it difficult to cook and even extinguish the flame. Use a windscreen to block the wind and ensure that the flame stays steady and strong.

• Have spare fuel: Make sure to always keep an extra propane or butane fuel canister in your vehicle. This will prevent running out of fuel while cooking, and ruining a good meal.

• Preheat the stove: Before you start cooking, preheat the stove by turning it on for a few minutes. This will ensure that the stove is hot enough to cook your food evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pan.

• Use the right cookware: Choose cookware that is appropriate for camping stoves, such as lightweight and durable materials like stainless steel or titanium. Avoid using glass or ceramic cookware, as they can break easily and may not be suitable for high heat.

• Keep an eye on your food: When cooking with a camping stove, it is important to keep an eye on your food at all times. The flame can be difficult to control, so it is important to watch your food closely to ensure that it does not burn or overcook.

• Use a lid: Using a lid on your cookware can help to trap heat and cook your food more quickly and efficiently. It can also help to keep your food warm while you are waiting for other items to finish cooking.

• Clean up after cooking: After you finish cooking, make sure to clean your cookware and stove thoroughly. Use a gentle soap and water to clean your cookware, and wipe down your stove with a damp cloth to remove any debris or food particles.

• Store your stove safely: When you are not using your camping stove, make sure to store it safely. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from any flammable materials, and make sure that the fuel canisters are stored upright and away from heat sources.

• Practice fire safety: When cooking with a camping stove, it is important to practice fire safety at all times. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies, and make sure that you do not cook too close to flammable materials such as tents, trees or dry grass.

• Use a low flame: Propane and butane camping stoves can heat up quickly and get very hot, so it's important to use a low flame to avoid burning your food. Start with a low flame and gradually increase the heat as needed.

• Plan your meals: When cooking with a camping stove, it's important to plan your meals in advance. Consider the ingredients you have on hand, the equipment you'll need, and the amount of time it will take to cook each dish.

• Bring a lighter or matches: Make sure to bring a lighter or matches with you to light your stove. It's also a good idea to bring a backup lighter or matches in case the first one doesn't work.

• Cook simple meals: When camping, it's best to stick to simple meals that are easy to prepare and require minimal cleanup. Consider making one-pot meals, such as soups or stews, or grilling meat and vegetables on a skewer.

• Practice good hygiene: When cooking with a camping stove, it's important to practice good hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses. Wash your hands frequently, keep your cookware clean, and use separate utensils for raw and cooked food.

• Bring a cutting board and knife: Bring a small cutting board and a sharp knife with you to make food preparation easier. Choose a lightweight and compact knife that is easy to pack and store.

• Pack non-perishable foods: To make meal planning easier, consider packing non-perishable foods such as canned goods, pasta, and rice. These items can be easily stored and prepared on a camping stove.

• Bring a thermometer: Use a food thermometer to ensure that your food is cooked to the appropriate temperature. This is especially important when cooking meat, as undercooked meat can cause foodborne illnesses.

• Bring spices and seasonings: To add flavor to your meals, bring a small container of your favorite spices and seasonings. This will help to liven up simple dishes and make them more enjoyable to eat.

Hope You Enjoyed These Car Camping Dinner Ideas!

A hearty camping meal after a long day really hits the spot. Being able to whip up a great-tasting dinner using simple ingredients is also great for your wallet. So add these camping meals to your recipe book and try different variations of them.

LIVE WISELY, LIVE WELL!