Camping food that requires no refrigeration can save you a ton of money and hard work. Many people prefer taking their coolers along with them on camping trips. However, these bulky coolers can weigh you down and eat up your budget. When planning a budget-friendly trip, skipping a cooler can definitely minimize your expenses.
And guess what?
It’s also perfect for backpackers who have limited storage.
Taking a single fridge along isn’t suitable for large groups or extended stays either. In short, having food that doesn’t need cooling can be a super sustainable alternative. To help you plan better and pack light, we have compiled a list of camping foods that stay fresh no matter what!
Planning a camping trip soon? You’ll need these non-refrigerated meals for camping to stay active and fit on the go.
Best for Breakfast
Different Types of Bread
Bread is a very versatile food item to give you some much-needed carbs throughout the day. You can have bread for dinner, breakfast, or even as a snack. Bagels, muffins, tortillas, pita bread and more – go for what you like best.
Nut Butters, Jellies & Spreads
You can never go wrong with a good old peanut butter and jelly sandwich. For this, you can pack items like fruit jams & jellies, almond butter, or chocolate spreads.
Cereal
Whether you prefer the healthy variety or the sugary one, cereal can be a quick fix for breakfast. To save up on space, you can pack cereal in reusable containers or bags instead of large boxes.
Powdered Milk
Taking along large cartons of milk isn’t feasible and it’s prone to getting spoiled. Instead, you can use powdered milk. This can also be used with tea and coffee.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great food to take camping without a fridge. It is easy to prepare and provides a lot of energy and nutrition. It takes less space and makes for a hearty breakfast.
Pancake Mix
Entering into the more dessert-like breakfast category, we have the beloved pancakes. Out-of-box pancakes are super simple to whip up as a sugary breakfast option.
Camping Food No Refrigeration: Lovely Lunch or Dinner In Nature
Fresh or Canned Vegetables
To get all the health benefits of greens on the go, you must include some vegetables in your diet. You can fulfill this need with canned or fresh vegetables. Some great ideas include charcuterie boards, fresh salads, baked potatoes, vegetable stews and grilled veggies. You can even munch on a raw carrot as a snack.
Canned Meats
Since taking fresh meat would require refrigeration, you can go for the canned variety. If you’re camping near a lake, you can also catch some fish. If that isn’t your style, keep some canned tuna, chicken, salmon, SPAM or summer sausages.
Dehydrated Food Items
There’s a whole world of possibilities to explore when it comes to dehydrated meals and food items. Vegetables, lean meats, herbs, fruits, and many other things can easily be dehydrated. These meals speed up cooking times, save money and reduce your food waste.
Jerky
Jerky can be a super useful addition to your meal preparation. Not only can it act as a quick snack but it’s also good as a side dish. Bacon jerky is especially perfect for breakfast.
Canned Soup and Chilli
If you’re craving some simple yet comfortable meals on a cold camping night, canned soups or chili is the way to go. All you have to do is heat them up on the stove and enjoy the rich goodness.
Pasta, Macaroni, and Spaghetti
Lunch and dinner are often incomplete without a pasta or spaghetti dish. You can either get canned pasta and spaghetti to delight the kids or go for the dry variety. Instant noodles or ramen is also a good option for when you’re too lazy to whip up a meal. Another good idea is to get some instant mac and cheese for a comfort meal.
Rice and Beans
Rice is a must-have for many different main courses like rice bowls and casseroles. Beans and lentils are the ideal protein to pair with your rice.
Camping Snacks for an Energy Boost
Crackers and Chips
From good old Ritz crackers to buttery crackers and more – there’s a large variety to choose from. Crackers and chips make the perfect light snack and pair well with chili, salsa, cheese, and various dips.
Fresh and Canned Fruit
Fruits like apples, oranges, and watermelons that can stay fresh without cooling are the best healthy snacks. If your campsite has fresh produce around it, you can get fresh fruit quite easily. However, if that’s not an option, you can always go for canned fruit.
Cheese
Cheese is one of the best dairy items to add some much-needed deliciousness to any snack of the main course. You can carry processed cheeses like Cheez Whiz which pairs well with crackers, nachos, and more.
Dry Fruits and Nuts — great non-refrigerated meal for camping
When it comes to camping foods with no refrigeration, nuts and dry fruits make the best snacks. Nuts like almonds, pistachios, and walnuts are healthier and give you a major kick of energy.
Popcorn
Popcorn is easy to carry, easy to make, and even easier to eat. This light snack is healthy, fun, and great for a camp movie night.
Fulfilling Dessert Options
S’mores
Camping trips are incomplete without melt-in-your-mouth S’mores cooked over the campfire. For this, you need simple ingredients like chocolate, marshmallows, and Graham crackers.
Granola
Granola makes an amazing breakfast or snack that’s loaded with protein and good ingredients. Granola bars are even more convenient and can double as dessert. It’s a great camping food that needs no cooking and no refrigeration.
Cookies and Other Sweet Treats
Whether it’s your favorite chocolate chip cookies or some pop tarts, you can add in some guilty pleasures to have as a snack or dessert.
Final Thoughts
When making a list of camping foods with no refrigeration, it’s important to be realistic and sustainable. You need to maximize the amount of nutrition to make sure you’re not living on processed foods alone. Refer to our list containing a diverse range of meals and food ideas for you to explore. Add these non-refrigerated foods to your camping checklist now and have a memorable camping experience!