There’s something irresistible about lunchtime when you’re out in the great outdoors. Maybe it’s the air, maybe it’s the way a sandwich tastes 100% better when eaten under a pine tree, or maybe I’m just always hungry after hiking. Either way, I’ve been collecting and testing camping lunch ideas for years. That includes from the elegantly simple to the downright indulgent, and so I’m going to share 35 of my favourite midday meals you can make on your next camping trip.
Camping Lunch Ideas
I’ve organised this list the way I pack my cool box. It’s all easy, filling, and designed to use the fewest dishes possible. I’ve offered up some of my simple camping lunch winners, make-ahead gems, and a handful of campfire treats that taste like they belong in a mountain bistro somewhere. I hope this gives you some inspiration for your next camping trip.
No Cook Camping Lunch Ideas
1. Charcuterie picnic for one (or more). You can use cooked ham, prosciutto, salami, a couple of cheeses, crackers, olive, apple slices, orange segments – whatever you fancy. Drizzle a little olive oil over crusty bread, add a dip and and call it gourmet.
2. Deli meat & cheese wrap. Use a tortilla, roast turkey or ham, greens like lamb lettuce or rock, a smear of mustard and mayo. Fold and press; no pan, no problem.
3. Caprese sandwich. Simple and effective when you use fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic. It’s like summer between slices of bread.
4. Hummus & veggie wrap. I make mine with hummus, sliced bell pepper, shredded carrots, and lettuce in a tortilla. Crunchy, bright, and surprisingly filling.
5. Tuna packet salad. Use a ready prepared tuna packet or ready to go tin, a squeeze of lime juice, mayo, chopped celery, and serve with tortilla chips for a portable crunch.
6. Peanut butter, banana & honey. A childhood comfort that sustains me on a long day of hiking. You could fold in a few chopped nuts if you want extra protein.
7. Simple grilled cheese (no grill required). If you pre-grill at home and reheat your sarnie on a camp stove, you can eat it warm. Otherwise, eat it cold for a cheese-lover’s dream.
8. Black bean & corn salad. You can use canned black beans, corn, red onion, chopped bell pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. Toss with a splash of olive oil for a protein-packed, filling salad that keeps well.
Make-ahead Salads & Bowls Camping Lunch Ideas
9. Pasta salad with a twist. Cook some pasta and add cherry tomatoes, olives, cubed cheese, and an olive oil + vinegar dressing. Pasta salad is a classic camping lunch because it travels well.
10. Mediterranean quinoa salad. Pre-cook your quinoa and add cucumber, feta, olives, and olive oil. Making this at home saves time and adds a refined touch to lunch.
11. Couscous salad with chickpeas. I love couscous as it cooks quickly and takes on flavours beautifully. Add chickpeas for protein and squeeze in lime juice for brightness.
12. Cold soba noodle bowl. You can keep a little sesame oil in your kit and a few sliced scallions. You’ll find it’s refreshing and unexpectedly satisfying.
13. Filling salad with warm protein. If you pre-cook some roast chicken and mix it with some greens, avocado, and a citrus-y dressing, you’ll find this one feels like a treat after a long hike.
14. Mexican-inspired bowl. Us rice, black beans, pico de gallo, avocado, and crushed tortilla chips on top for texture. Add a dollop of sour cream for richness.
15. Pasta pesto salad with bell pepper. I’d suggest storing your pesto separately and tossing it at lunch for a fresh, herby punch.
Easy Camp-stove or Fire Lunches
16. Street tacos with ground beef. You’ll need to brown ground beef mince and spice it with cumin and chilli flakes. Use it to top corn tortillas and add chopped onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
17. Sausage & pepper skillet. Use sliced sausage, bell pepper, onion, and a splash of olive oil. Eat with crusty bread or pittas. You can toast your pittas in the pan as well. Yummy!
18. Camp skillet nachos. Simple layered tortilla chips with cooked ground beef, veggies and mixed beans and shredded cheese. Add a couple of dollops of sour cream. This one is perfect for sharing by a campfire.
19. Grilled panini. You can just press your sandwich in a cast-iron and get that crispy, melty goodness.
20. Foil packet fajitas. Use pre-sliced peppers and onions and grill over coals. You can serve with tortillas and sour cream or guacamole.
21. One-pot pasta. Pasta cooked with cherry tomatoes, garlic, a splash of olive oil, and some wilted greens is perfect as a one-pot meal. This camping lunch idea is perfect for minimal washing up.
22. Camp quesadilla. Cheese and whatever leftover protein you have folded in a tortilla and toasted until melty. I like chicken, ham and a dollop of chilli jam. It’s fiery and hearty.
Hearty & Comforting Camping Lunch Ideas
23. Chilli with beans. You can either make a big batch at home or at camp with black beans and serve with tortilla chips or rice and sour cream. It’s the kind of lunch that fuels a long day.
24. Meatball sub. Pre-cook your meatballs with marinara, then reheat and stuff into a roll. Hearty, portable, and satisfying.
25. Pasta with browned butter & veggies. A little butter meets blistered vegetables for a rustic, comfort meal that you’ll love.
26. Hot dogs. Yes, classic hot dogs belong at camp. Grill them and serve with grilled peppers or a tangy slaw. I love a rainbow slow and a good dollop of mustard.
27. Mexican Soup. You can make this in camp or ahead of time and heat it up. The spicy kick wakes up your taste buds when you’re beat from hiking. It’s packed full of protein.
Kid-friendly & Snacks
28. Bagel pizza. Use bagel halves, tomato puree or sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. You can toast this on a camp stove for instant joy.
29. English muffin pizzas. This is the same idea as the bagel pizza, but smaller – and kids love assembling them.
30. Snack box. Fill a plastic container with cheddar cubes, apple slices, grapes, breadsticks, something sweet like my Portuguese Custard Tart Recipe and a boiled egg. Add a small tub of hummus or tzatziki. Great when everybody wants different kinds of things.
31. Pigs in blankets. Hot dogs wrapped in bacon and then dough. I’d suggest baking these at home and then warming them up at your camp. If you don’t want to use dough, just add the sausage and bacon pigs to a finger roll.
Ideas To Impress Camping Lunch Ideas
32. Prawn tacos. Toss grilled prawns or shrimp with lime juice, cabbage, diced mango and a dollop of sweet chilli sauce for a light but luxurious lunch.
33. Campfire flatbread topped with roasted peppers and olive oil. I’d suggest using pre-made dough or a naan and finishing it on the grill.
34. Smoky trout rillette. If you catch fish on the trip, flake it into a simple rillette with butter and herbs and serve on toasted bread.
35. Deconstructed burrito bowl. Use rice, beans, roasted veg, salsa, avocado, sour cream, and a handful of crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
My Top Tips
Prep as much as you can at home. Chop, pre-cook, and portion before you go.
Use a cooler or cool box, as this will save you so much time and hassle on prep and clean up.
Pre-cooked minced beef or chicken makes a million lunches possible.
I’d always suggest packing dressings or sauces separately. Nothing ruins a great pasta salad like a soggy noodle. I pack dressings in little jars and add them when I’m ready to eat.
Use durable, leakproof containers. At home, we use glass containers, but these are way too fragile and heavy for camping. Use plastic where possible.
Bring a multi-tool and a small pan. You’ll find that a single skillet makes grilled sandwiches, quesadillas, and skillet nachos possible.
If you can layer flavours, do it. A squeeze of lime juice or a drizzle of olive oil brightens everything. Mushrooms, bell pepper, and a pinch of sea salt can transform leftovers into something new and exciting.
Plan for a long day. If you’ve got a long day of hiking planned, choose a filling salad to keep you going. I’d suggest beans, grains, and fat. Something like black beans, avocado and olive oil is a winner.
Other posts to read:
How Long Do Olives Last Once Opened
Prettiest National Parks in the UK
I hope these camping lunch ideas have helped you to plan some fantastic meals for your next trip. Whether you are looking for something quick and simple that you can grab and go or whether you want something more hearty to fuel your adventure, I hope these camping lunch ideas have helped you plan.