5 Expert Camping Food Hacks

5 Food Hacks for Your Next Camping Trip

There's nothing quite like laughing with friends around the campfire on a cool summer night. When hunger strikes, however, it's good to have some go-to moves for tasty meals without a lot of fuss. Here are some camping food hacks to keep you and your crew feeling full and satisfied.

1. Make a quick cup of joe. Can't get going without your morning coffee? Scoop some coffee grounds into a filter and tie it shut with a string of dental floss. Throw it in a pot of boiling water, and you will have a nice, clean pot of campfire coffee for you and your friends. Best of all, unlike other “cowboy coffee” methods, this little tactic will keep those bitter little coffee grounds out of your mouth.

2. Bake muffins in your orange peels. Instead of tossing out your old orange peels, you can use them as makeshift muffin holders. Cut an orange in half and scoop out all the sticky goodness. Pour in your muffin batter and close the top. Next, place the oranges on a piece of foil over your campfire coals. In a matter of minutes, you' will have tasty muffins or cinnamon rolls with a delectable hint of citrus.

3. Whip up some s'more cones. Tweak the timeless tradition of campfire s'mores by packing some ice cream cones in your camping gear. After the sun sets, load your cones up with chocolate chips and mini-marshmallows. Then, wrap each one in foil and place it on your campfire grill or alongside some hot coals. In just a couple of minutes, you can sit back and enjoy your s'more cones without having to deal with the typical gooey mess.

4. Enjoy some tacos in a bag. Although traditional tacos aren't really a practical option for campsites, you can still pull it off. Pack a few bags of snack-size Fritos or tortilla chips and fill them with cooked ground beef or turkey, diced tomatoes, peppers, onions and salsa. Also known as "walking tacos," this camping food hack is a simple way to enjoy a flavorful meal outdoors, as long as you remember to bring along some plastic spoons.

5. Add flavor to your meats. Whether you're roasting chicken, pork, beef or turkey, some signature spices can really unlock hidden flavors. Instead of glazing your campfire cuisine with marinade, try sprinkling fresh herbs on the hot coals. Rosemary, basil and oregano will all infuse your campfire meats with a distinctive smoky flavor that will complement the fresh, outdoor air.

While it's great to sit down among friends and savor a meal around the campfire, you also need delicious, high-energy foods while you're on the go. Backpacker's Pantry provides a wide variety of dehydrated meals for hikers, climbers, kayakers, bikers and all lovers of the outdoors. Browse our lightweight, nutritious food for the trail and eat like you should, while you're enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.