5 Clever Campsite Cooking Hacks

This week we are looking into how to make your culinary life more easy while you are camping. With more people stuck inside these days, camping is becoming more and more popular as a way for people to get a change of scenery and leave their electronics behind temporarily.

Some of our hacks will take a bit of planning and preparation before you leave your home, but our goal is to help make things easier so that when you get your tent set up, cooking will be the least of your worries.

Always remember to plan ahead and be prepared, especially when it comes to food safety. You do not want to become ill without access to medical facilities just because you did not prepare well. This can be easily avoided by taking the right precautions and having useful tools in your supplies.

We’re just going to say it now, you don’t need to be a top chef to cook a tasty meal while you are out enjoying all that nature has to offer. With some easy tips and tricks your taste buds will thank you as you feed your body the nutrients it needs to give you energy and make the most of your camping itinerary. Whether you are a camping pro or new to the camping scene, we are sure there will be a hack or two below to help you cook while you are connecting with nature.

Read on for our Top 5 Clever Campsite Cooking Hacks!

1. Minimize Your Equipment

This is a hack that not only helps with your cooking, but also helps with your packing. Cooking equipment can take up a lot of *precious* space that could be used for other things. Do yourself a favor and make your life easier by getting a Teppanyaki Grill. This is a great alternative to traditional campfires or BBQs because they are portable, versatile and don’t take up much space. Whether it is steak or veggies, the Teppanyaki can cook it to perfection. It can also cook your food a lot faster than most other outdoor cooking options, which is great when you’re cooking for a big group.

Gadgets can make a world of difference to your camping experience, especially when it comes to cooking. Think about what you can’t (or don’t want to) go without and do a bit of research to find something that works for you. Simplicity is key!

2. Add Flavor

Use your old Tic Tac boxes (or other clean, compact containers you might have lying around the house) to bring along your favorite or experimental herbs and spices. Not only is it a great way to re-use the containers, saving you from buying expensive ones, but it means you can make your campsite meals tastier without taking up much packing space. Curry powder, dried cilantro and garlic powder are just a few of our favorite herbs and spices to use but have fun with it and do your own thing! You might just find a new combination that you can tell all your friends about.

Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle… and add some flavor!

3. Tin Foil

Some of you might be thinking “obviously” but for all you novice campers, this can be a game changer. Use it to wrap and marinate, keep your food fresh and to cook multiple different things at once on your BBQ, Teppanyaki Grill Plate or in an open fire if you are a more survivalist type of camper. Basically, what we’re trying to say is that tin foil is an all-around camping match made in heaven.

4. Freeze Your Liquids

This is a really great hack for keeping things cold while bringing along essential liquids. Freeze your water, milk (or dairy alternative) and soups before you leave home then pack them in a cool bag/box along with whatever else you’re bringing that needs to be kept at a low temperature. The frozen stuff will defrost but they will help to keep the temperature low for the other ingredients in there, especially if you only open the cooler when necessary. It’s an easy way to pack more without trying to make room for or giving up anything else!

We know, another boring and self-explanatory reminder but it is really important to remember that it is not an actual refrigerator so can’t safely be used for long-term storage of perishable foods and liquids.

5. Food Storage Bags

Whether you use the classic Ziploc plastic bags or the more Earth-friendly reusable bags, they are a multi-use product that will make your life a whole lot easier while you’re camping. Bring them along to use as cooking utensils, use them to portion out your food, there are so many things you can do with such a basic and cheap item.

To use them for cooking we prefer the reusable silicone food bags. Not only are they food-safe but they also have a smaller impact on the planet than a normal one-use plastic bag, so it really is a win-win situation. They come in different sizes and due to their increasing popularity, they are relatively easy to find, making them an undeniably effective addition to your packing list.

The food storage bags can be used to store AND cook eggs (and other meals!). Eggs, specifically, are notoriously awkward to securely transport from home to campsite, but their nutritional value makes them a must-have for many campers. All you have to do is crack the eggs into the bag, add any other ingredients you like, and either boil it in the bag or pour it out into a pan to cook. This is super easy and efficient which is what you want for a breakfast that will fill you with energy for the days ahead or nourish you after a long day of hiking.

Thanks for reading! We hope you found something helpful that you can use on your next camping trip. Always remember to prepare, stay safe and have fun!