3 Easy Late-Night Dinner Ideas for Camp

The Dyrt

It was past 8 pm, about 30 degrees, and I’d driven over 4 hours to get to camp. The first thing I did was set up our camp chairs and we curled up by the fire pit to get warm. Next: we had to cook. Something easy, minimal effort, yet hot and filling to keep us warm. We settled on a bag of frozen stir fry we had stashed in our cooler. Prepping food in advance, whether it’s frozen goods or pantry staples, is really worth it if you camp often.

Plans, routes, and campground bookings can change, so being prepared before you head out really goes a long way when it comes to cooking meals. Here, we’ll share three simple yet epic (and easy!) meal ideas that are perfect for whipping up — no matter where and what time you arrive at camp.

Simple Yet Delicious: Frozen Stir Fried Rice

Optional: add a protein (crumbled burger patties or tofu)

Photo: Mary Murphy

This is a meal I could nearly cook with my eyes closed, and requires no prep and almost no work to prepare at camp. (Great if you find yourself getting to camp late or cooking in the dark!) You’ll need a bag of frozen stir fry rice, and you can always supplement with other veggies you might have in your cooler to make the flavor your own. Get your pan hot, add some oil, and stir fry according to instructions on medium-high.

I really love the frozen rice from Trader Joe’s, but there are plenty of other ones available. Frozen carrots and onions work great for this meal. I also love adding edamame if you want to go the Asian route and add a soy or teriyaki sauce. Try to stay away from mushrooms, leafy greens, or other veggies that hold a lot of water — you want everything to cook evenly.

Staple for Anywhere: Grilled Cheese and Soup

Optional: add a spread like pesto to your sandwich before melting on the cheese!

All you need is to buy your favorite cheese on the way to camp (if you haven’t already packed any). This meal works great in a pinch, for last-minute trips, or if your plans for camping or lodging suddenly change. I’ve made this several times on East to West cross-country road trips. Pantry staples like canned soup, croutons or crackers, and a hearty loaf of bread round out this meal.

This meal is a great one to have on the menu because grilled cheeses are also easy to make anywhere — on campground grills, one-burner camp stoves, and in small spaces. (Once, I rented out a sub-100-foot tiny house in winter, and this was one of my favorite meals to make after a long day outside snowshoeing or skiing.) The recipe is adaptable depending on what you’re in the mood for too — and remember, it doesn’t have to be tomato soup! Try a hearty black bean soup, or a creamy potato. Finally, toasted or flavored crackers are one of my favorite ways to top it off.

Crowd & Family Favorite: Kitchen Sink Kebabs

Optional: play around with different seasonings. One of my go-tos is garlic, cracked black pepper, and fresh lime. Oil and balsamic is also an easy one. You can buy a premade dressing, or mix up your own and store it in a leakproof container for travel.

Photo: Mary Murphy

All you need is 10-20 minutes to prepare this at home, and it will be a hit when you get to your final destination. Just slice or chop into similar size pieces whatever veggies you have at home: squash, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and more. You can also add meat that cooks easily on a grill, like chicken or even pre-cooked sausages. Just make sure every fixing is roughly the same size and thickness. Pat dry, salt all the toppings, assemble on skewers, and put in a tupperware for transport. Store in your cooler. When you get to camp, all you have to do is light the grill or stove, and roast these for a few minutes each side, turning as they cook. You can add extra marinade, butter, or sauces as they grill, and serve alongside dips or sauces of choice (ranch, BBQ, guacamole, etc.). I highly recommend warming up some pita breads to go along with these. This meal comes together so quickly and is a great option when you need to cook for a lot of people, too.