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25+ Make Ahead Camping Meals

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25+ Make Ahead Camping Meals, to prep before you hit the road.  We have selected some delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner make-ahead recipes - including some easy snacks. 

Planning, prepping, and making your meals ahead of time will give you more time to actually enjoy your camping trip and not worry about what you are going to make for your next meal.  Your family will be well-fed and happy!

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You'll Love These Make Ahead Camping Meals

Don't waste your time grocery shopping or prepping meals on your next camping trip. Make a plan before you hit the road!! 

A friend once told me regarding meal planning "If you fail to plan...you plan to fail".  It is so true, but with a meal plan and make ahead meals,  you can eliminate mealtime stress. 

After a long day of exploring the last thing you want to do is think about what you will be fixing for dinner, preparing the meal from scratch, and then cleaning up the mess. 

Having a meal plan and preparing the food beforehand will make your vacation enjoyable and also help save money.  Buying prepackaged foods gets expensive and can be unhealthy. 

Making your meals ahead of time also minimizes the ingredients you need to pack.  We all dread the words "what's for dinner?"  With these tips and recipes, you will easily answer that question with a smile!

Helpful Tips For Meal Prepping

  • Make a meal plan for your trip including travel days.  
  • Do your grocery shopping with a list or preorder your groceries to save time
  • Wash and prep the fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home from the grocery store
  • Use your slow cooker or instant pot for preparation...your meal prep BFF!
  • It's okay to cut corners- You can stock up on shortcut staples. This can help save time when you can't prepare from scratch.
  • Purchase freezer tape to label your meals - or use a permanent market on freezer bags.
  • Buy disposable containers to make clean up quicker

Common Questions About Meal Prepping

What does meal preparation mean?

Meal preparation is planning and preparing meals ahead of time.  It can include prepping ingredients, make ahead meals, individually portioned meals, and batch cooking. This method is a huge time saver when you have an incredibly busy week coming up, or in this case you are taking a trip. 

Pre-prepping for a trip means you can prepare a meal with minimal effort while on vacation!

How do you prep meals?

  • Make a meal plan- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and make sure to include snacks
  • Pick a day to do the prepping and put it on your calendar!
  • Go shopping with your organized list.  This planner is perfect!
  • Make sure you have proper storage containers (BPA free, freezer safe, microwavable, stackable, portioned ) or freezer bags

How many days ahead can you meal prep?

You can meal prep between three to five days ahead of your trip.

Can you freeze tin foil dinners?

Yes, you can freeze tin foil dinners! Make sure to use heavy-duty aluminum  foil to eliminate freezer burn and leaking or purchase these awesome grilling bags.

How long does it take to thaw out frozen meals?

It takes approximately 24-48 hours to thaw out a frozen meal in the refrigerator.

Meal Ideas

Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes 

Start your day with a good breakfast to fuel your body before a busy day of activities!

Jar of Peanut Butter Overnight Oats for a delicious vegan breakfast
Image: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats | by Minimalist Baker
make ahead breakfast bowls
Image: Freezer Friendly Make Ahead Breakfast Bowls | Mommy Hates Cooking

Make Ahead Lunch Recipes

Move aside PB&J! These easy lunch recipes will be a hit!

A Chicken & Hummus Plate Lunch Meal Prep with chicken, veggies and hummus ready to be eaten for lunch.
Image: Chicken and Hummus Plate Lunch | Project Meal Plan

Make Ahead Snack Recipes

With a little planning, you can prepare these yummy snacks instead of reaching for unhealthy processed and expensive prepackaged snacks. 

Plate of Homemade Chewy Granola Bars | iowagirleats.com
Image: Homemade Chewy Granola Bars | Iowa Girl Eats

Make Ahead Dinner Recipes

Keep dinner fuss-free with these delicious make-ahead recipes.  

The Best Baby Back Ribs Recipe

With only 3 ingredients you can precook these easy ribs. There are 2 methods of cooking oven to grill or instant pot to grill.

We make these ribs a lot on trips!  I follow the steps through baking. I let the ribs cool then cut them into 2 rib portions and place in a plastic bag.  When you are ready for dinner on your tip, simply brush with bbq sauce and warm them on the grill!  Recipe:  The Best Baby Back Ribs Recipe

The Best Baby Back Ribs Recipe (Grilled Pork Back Ribs)
Image: The Best Baby Back Ribs Recipe | Seeking Good Eats®
Meatball Foil Packs are a fun dinner recipe that can be made two ways. The perfect camping recipe - you can make either spaghetti and meatballs or a meatball sandwich easily.
Image: Meatball Foil Packets | Create Kids Club
baked spaghetti in dish
Image: Baked Spaghetti | North Carolina Charm

Make Ahead Side Recipes

Every delicious meal needs a side dish.  Leftovers?  No problem...serve them for lunch!

Easy Canned Fruit Salad Recipe

This family favorite is perfect to serve at your next RV trip.  It keeps for several days so it's perfect to make ahead of time!  Recipe:  Easy Canned Fruit Salad Recipe

Square image of colorful canned fruit salad recipe in a bowl with peaches, grapes, pineapple, cherries, banana, and marshmallows.
Image: Easy Canned Fruit Recipe | Seeking The RV Life
mac n cheese
Image: Camping Mac and Cheese | Lauren's Latest

Make Ahead Dessert Recipes

Make room for dessert.  Your sweet tooth will love these make ahead desserts!

Image: Smores Brownies | Seeking The RV Life

More Camping  Recipes You'll Love

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25+ Make Ahead Camping Meals that are perfect RV & camping food! Make-ahead recipes are the perfect thing for camping and RVing. Meal prepping will keep you from packing too many ingredients, and you'll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your family & vacation. #makeaheadcampingmeals #makeaheaddinner #makeaheadsnacks #mealprep #batchcook #makeaheaddesserts #rvfood #rvcooking #camping food #campingrecipe #campfirecooking #makeaheadmeals #makeaheadrecipes #rvliving #rvcamping

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