5 Hearty Meals for Winter Camping
Five meals that travel well and are easy to cook when you’re camping in the winter
Winter is beautiful, but harsh. Getting outside and especially camping takes a lot of effort and energy burning more calories to stay warm and navigate snowy landscapes. That said winter adventures, like a hut trip, or an overnight snowshoe can be among the most memorable. For adventurous souls who like to go camping year-round, here are five meals that travel well and will warm you from the inside out when you decide to head outdoors this winter.
1. Risotto with Chicken
When you want to impress your campfire mates, offer to make risotto. Our prepped meal packet only requires you to add hot water, so this option gives you all the fine dining with none of the stress of cooking.
Directions:
Boil 2.5 cups of water. Open package and discard using Leave No Trace principles. Add food to boiling water and stir well. Seal and let rest for 15-20 minutes. Stir again and you’re done.
2. Cast Iron Brats with Peppers and Onions
For a hot, filling meal, brats are the way to go.
Ingredients:
-
1 lb bratwurst
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 poblano pepper, julienned
- 1 yellow onion, julienned
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Sandwich rolls
- Mustard to serve if desired
Directions:
Preheat a cast iron skillet over your campfire. Add oil, then peppers, onions and salt. Cook until veggies begin to soften, then add bratwurst. Turn the brats and stir the veggies as needed, about 15-20 minutes. Once brats reach an internal temperature of 160°F, remove from heat and serve on rolls with mustard.
3. Three Cheese Mac & Cheese
There’s nothing like comfort food to fill your stomach on a cold night. This prepped vegetarian meal is high-protein and can be used as a side dish or primary meal for your kiddos, though our reviews prove that adults love it, too.
Directions:
Boil 2 cups of water. Open package and discard using Leave No Trace principles. Add food to water and stir well. Seal and let rest for 15-20 minutes. Stir again and dinner is served.
4. Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
You can make these at home and just heat them at your campfire, making this a convenient option for camping.
Ingredients:
-
12 Hawaiian rolls
- 1 lb sliced ham
- 12 slices cheese, Swiss or Provolone
- 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried onion
- ½ cup melted butter
Directions:
Divide ham evenly between the 12 rolls. Top with a slice of cheese and close the sandwich. Prepare 6 sheets of heavy-duty foil. Place 2 sandwiches on each sheet. Mix melted butter, dried onion, brown sugar and Dijon, then pour evenly over the tops of the sandwiches. Close each sheet. To cook, place packets on warm campfire coals, turning frequently, until cheese is melted (about 10-15 minutes).
5. Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
A hot breakfast on a cold day...what’s more delightful than that? This is one of our most popular prepped meal selections. In fact, several reviewers mentioned that they eat this at home, not only when they’re camping.
Directions:
Boil 1.25 cups of water. Open package and discard using Leave No Trace principles. Add food to water and stir well. Seal and let rest for 5 minutes. Stir again and breakfast is ready.
