Budget Camping Meal Plan

It seems nearly everyone is feeling the pinch these days of increased grocery prices. Planning meals for camping doesn’t have to be expensive! While pre-packaged freeze-dried camping meals can be convenient, they are not cheap – often over $6 per serving! While top ramen and hot dogs have their place, we put together some budget meals that are a little more exciting! Below is a comprehensive 2-day meal plan for a family of 4 that averages out to be about $11 per person!

The meals in this post all come from The Easy Camp Cookbook and Camping with Kids Cookbook. Both books are packed full of meal ideas along with tips about camping food storage, cooler packing, and more. We also offer a FREE 3-day camping meal plan to help organize meals for your next camping trip.

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*A note about calculating recipe costs: I used the prices in our local chain grocery store and our local Walmart for cost. I’m not able to calculate exactly the price of ingredients from all regional areas. If you buy only organic or tend to shop at discount stores obviously the price on these meals could vary a bit. I used Budget Byte’s guide on how to calculate a recipe cost for the servings. Making meals from scratch also takes more time and that is not factored in to cost – sometimes convenience and time saving takes priority over budget when planning a camping trip!

These meals are designed for car camping and to make them you will need either a camp stove or a pot to cook over the fire. You will also need a cooler with ice to keep some of the ingredients cold until it is time to cook.

Day 1

Breakfast: Homemade Instant Oatmeal

Serves 6 – total price: $5.28 ($0.88 per serving)

Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 10 minutes

• 3 cups old-fashioned oats ($0.77)
• 3/4 cups dried fruit ($0.91)
• 3/4 cups nuts ($2.47)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar ($0.21)
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon ($0.60)
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal ($0.17)
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg ($0.10)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ($0.05)
• 3 1/2 cups water, divided

Prep at home:

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
2. Portion the mixture into six snack-size resealable plastic bags for easy packing.

At the campsite:

3. Boil 3 cups of water on a stove or on the fire.
4. Pour the contents of your oatmeal baggie into a heat-resistant bowl.
5. Add about 1/2 cup of water to the bowl and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Lunch: Campfire Quesadillas

Serves 6 – total price: $7.07 ($1.17 per serving)

Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 10 minutes

• 2 teaspoons olive oil ($0.08)
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced ($0.53)
• 12 button mushrooms, thinly sliced ($1.97)
• 1/2 cup frozen corn ($0.24)
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese ($0.66)
• 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese ($0.66)
• 6 large burrito-size flour tortillas ($3.59)
• Guacamole (optional)
• Salsa (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)

Prep at home:

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onion and mushrooms until tender. Add the corn and cook for 4 more minutes.
2. Let cool, then add to a re-sealable plastic bag.
3. Combine the Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in a large re-sealable plastic bag.
4. Store both bags in the refrigerator until ready to use, then transfer to a cooler if you’re traveling to your camping area.

At the campsite:

5. Lay out six pieces of foil and place a tortilla on each piece. Divide half the cheese among the six tortillas.
6. Divide the veggie mixture among the tortillas and top with the remaining half of cheese.
7. Fold tortillas in half along with the tinfoil. Roll up the sides of the foil to seal.
8. Place the packets on the grate and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp.
9. Top with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream (if using) and enjoy!

Dinner: Loaded Baked Sweet Potato

Serves 4 – total price: $7.73 ($1.93 per serving)

Prep time: 5 minutes / Cook time: 30 minutes

• 2 scallions ($0.32)
• 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (optional)
• 4 medium sweet potatoes ($5.36)
• 1 can vegetarian chili ($0.86)
• 1 avocado, cubed ($1.19)
• Sour cream, for topping (optional)

Prep at home:

1. Slice your scallions and pack in a re-sealable plastic bag.
2. Shred the Cheddar cheese (if using) at home and pack in another re-sealable plastic bag.
3. Keep refrigerated until ready to use, or keep in a cooler if you’re traveling to your camping area.

At the campsite:

4. Wrap each of the sweet potatoes in heavy-duty foil and put them in the hot coals of your fire. Cook for about 30 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes using hot pads or tongs so they cook evenly.
5. While the potatoes are cooking, heat up the can of chili in a separate pot either over the fire or on your camping stove.
6. After about 30 minutes, once the potatoes are soft and cooked through, take them out of the fire. Let cool for about 5 minutes.
7. Carefully unwrap the foil, slice the potatoes down the middle, and top them with the chili and avocado.
8. Top with sour cream and Cheddar cheese (if using).

Snack: Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Leather

Serves 4 – total price: $4.99 ($1.25 per serving)

Prep time: 5 minutes / Cook time: 3 to 4 hours

• 2 cups strawberries ($2.50)
• 1 cup rhubarb, chopped ($1.50)
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice ($0.09)
• 3 tablespoons of maple syrup ($0.90)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ginger powder (optional)

1. Wash the strawberries and trim the stems off. Chop the rhubarb.
2. Place the strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice, maple syrup, and ginger (if using) in a blender or food processor and puree for about a minute until smooth.
3. Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature (most start around 170F). Do not go any hotter than 200F.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the fruit mixture evenly on the paper. It should be about 1/8 inch thick.
5. Cook in the oven for 3 to 4 hours until the mixture is tacky, but not sticky. Remove from oven.
6. While still warm, carefully peel the leather from the parchment paper and lay on plastic wrap and then store in an airtight bag in the refrigerator.
7. Pack in an airtight container or re-sealable bag for transportation to the trail.

Day 2

Breakfast: Fruit and yogurt parfait cones

Serves 4 – Total price: $8.26 ($2.07 per serving)

• Assorted fruit (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, raspberries, blackberries, mandarin oranges, grapes, etc.) ($5.00)
• 4 waffle cones ($0.42)
• 2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt ($1.40)
• 2 cups granola ($1.44)

Prep at home:

1. Wash and cut the fruit and store in leak-proof containers.

At the campsite:

2. Carefully take a cone and add a spoonful of yogurt at the bottom. Then layer a spoonful of fruit and a spoonful of granola.
3. Continue layering the cones with yogurt, fruit, and granola until the cones are full, finishing with granola on top.

Lunch: Loaded Mac n Cheese

Serves 4 to 6 – total price: $8.57 ($1.71 per serving)

Prep time: 15 minutes / Cook time: 20 minutes

• 1 (7oz) package elbow macaroni noodles ($0.75)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream ($0.75)
• 3 tablespoons butter ($0.23)
• 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese ($0.88)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese ($1.67)
• 1/2 cup gouda cheese ($1.50)
• salt and black pepper ($0.05)
• dash paprika ($0.05)
• 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed veggies ($1.25)
• 2 cups potato chips, crushed ($1.44)

Prep at home:

1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain.
2. Stir the heavy cream into the cooked pasta, then add the butter and cheeses and mix well.
3. Sprinkle with the paprika and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the mixed veggies and stir well.
5. Line a 9-by-13″ pan with foil, then spray with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Pour the pasta into the prepared pan.
7. Top with the crushed potato chips.
8. Spray one side of a piece of foil with cooking spray, then cover the pan, greased-side down.
9. Refrigerate until ready to cook (or keep in a cooler if you’re traveling to your camping area).

At the campsite:

10. Place the pan on the fire grate above hot coals.
11. Cook for about 20 minutes until hot and bubbly, making sure not to burn the bottom.

Dinner: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Serves: 4 to 6 – Total price: $9.66 (price per serving: $1.93)

Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 35 minutes

• 1 medium yellow onion ($0.97)
• 3 medium sweet potatoes ($4.02)
• 1 (16oz) jar chunky salsa ($2.58)
• 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed ($0.86)
• 2 cups vegetable stock ($0.68)
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon chili powder ($0.30)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin ($0.20)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ($0.05)
• Fresh cilantro (optional)
• Avocado (optional)
• Lime juice (optional)

Prep at home:

1. Chop the onion and peel and chop the sweet potatoes into bite-size pieces.
2. Put the onions, sweet potatoes, salsa, black beans, vegetable stock, water, chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon in a re-sealable plastic freezer bag. Refrigerate or freeze flat, then transfer to a cooler for transporting to the campsite.

At the campsite:

3. Thaw the chili if frozen. Dump the entire bag into a Dutch oven pot with a lid.
4. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low, covered, for at least 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
5. Top with optional ingredients and serve.

Snack: Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Makes 16 bars – Recipe total: $6.70 (per serving: $0.41)

Prep time: 15 minutes (and 2 to 4 hours to chill) / Cook time: 30 minutes

• 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats ($0.52)
• 2 cups raw almonds ($1.60)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt ($0.02)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar ($0.21)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter ($0.15)
• 1 cup strawberry jam ($1.63)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter ($1.62)
• 1 cup chopped peanuts ($0.95)

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9-by-13″ pan with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor or high-speed blender, pulse the oats, almonds, salt, and brown sugar into a fine meal.
3. Melt 1/2 cup of butter. Transfer the almond oat mixture to a bowl and add the butter. Mix until well combined.
4. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan in an even layer. (It helps to get your hands wet with cold water and press hard with your fingers for best results.)
5. Bake the crust for 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, heat the jam, peanut butter, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. When the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and carefully spread the PB&J mixture on top of the crust. Top with the chopped peanuts.
8. Bake the bars for 15 minutes. The Jam mixture should be hot and bubbly. Let cool completely for at least 2 hours.
9. Remove the pan and cut into 16 bars. Chill the bars overnight to help continue the solidifying process.

• Tip: These bars turn out much better when they have time to cool properly before being chilled overnight. Do not skip this step or you will have PB&J mash on your hands!

Total grocery bill for 2 days: $65.14 (per person: $12.43)

Other Ways to Save Money Camping

Setting Facebook marketplace notifications for gear

If there is a certain piece of camping equipment you are looking for (a camp stove, for example), turn on notifications when something matching that description is posted.

REI Re-supply

If you live near and REI, they now have a “re-supply” section in the store where returned items are discounted quite a bit. REI also sells used gear online.

Community Swaps

Check with your local gear shops to see if your community runs any kind of gear sales/swaps. My community in Bellingham, Washington hosts a “ski-swap” each year where used skis, snowboards, etc can be purchased for really great deals!

We have an entire post dedicated to Finding Affordable Camping Gear for even more ideas on saving money camping.

Planning Ahead to Save

A big part of saving money camping is planning ahead. We’ve payed double the price for things at camp stores that we have forgotten (sunscreen, s’more materials…in one case a pair of kids shoes because one of our kids got in the car with no shoes on). Planning camping meals ahead and preparing them ahead of time saves money. We have a Car Camping with Kids Checklist to help keep you organized!

We would love to hear your favorite budget-friendly camping meals! Don’t forget to check out The Easy Camp Cookbook for lots of more camping meal ideas!

Related Articles

• Camping Lunch Ideas
• National Park Pass for 4th Graders
• Finding Affordable Camping Gear

Budget Camping Meal Plan

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