Car Camping Food That Doesn't Require An Ice Chest

By Debbie Wars


Barbecuing a fancy meal at your campsite can be a lot of fun, not to mention tasty. However, in some cases we are limited by time, money or cargo area. That is where cheap and easy camping meals come in convenient.

You don't always have to give up a warm, prepared meal to inexpensive food that is easy to prepare. With a mobile burner, you can still enjoy hot coffee at daybreak, cook warm breakfasts, make hearty stews and lots more.

A mobile gas burner can cost you less than $20 plus a mini propane tank will cost a few dollars. Besides being more affordable than a barbecue, camping stove or portable grill - this cooking set up uses up virtual no space in your car. They are even optimal for backpacking journeys.

Presuming that you do not wish to bring food that you have to keep in a cooler, below are some concepts for camping meals that are easy, cheap and healthy.

Noodles

Get yourself a big stew pot, and you can heat water for all types of noodles. Pasta is inexpensive, takes up practically no space and does not need to be stored in a cooler. Include a jar of pasta sauce, and you have a warm, substantial meal. Leftovers also make a wonderful, quick lunch.

Chili Beans

Get a couple of cans of chili and warm them up in your pot. Lots of items already have flavorings included, so this means less work on your part without having to forgo taste. Again, no refrigeration needed, and naturally canned food keeps for a very long time. You might even include your chili to your pasta dish above.

Oatmeal

There is nothing like a warm meal at daybreak when you are camping, and oatmeal costs virtually nothing and takes up very little space. You can utilize the same pot you utilized for the pasta and the chili and throw in some oats for a couple of minutes with some cinnamon or brown sugar. For a more substantial meal, you might even include some trail mix or dried fruit, which are excellent snacks to bring on a camping trip anyway.

Rice

Although it takes longer to cook than pasta, rice is a good alternative, because it is compact, affordable and it does not have to be refrigerated in its dry form. Rice goes well with any sort of meat, fish or vegetable, but I even like it plain with some soy sauce.

Tuna in a Can

Canned tuna is an inexpensive, simple and a fast source of healthy protein. Add it to rice, sandwiches, tortilla chips or eat it plain from the can. Small serving containers are also a convenient benefit.

Potatoes

This vegetable may use up more space, but it is easy to transport, doesn't require refrigeration and is an inexpensive healthy carb. You may like baked potatoes or those cooked in a skillet vs boiled potatoes, however, no matter what type of cooking devices you have, understand that you have meal options.

Peanut Butter

Don't forget peanut butter. It is quick and easy and a great source of protein too. If you are looking for an option to sandwich bread, why not get crackers or rice cakes?

There are plenty more food choices to create car camping meals, but these staples are extremely versatile and help you create a significant number of dishes just by changing your flavorings or sauce.






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