When planning a camping trip, the second most popular question (following “Where should we go?”) is probably, “What are we going to eat?” Planning a camping grocery list can sometimes be overwhelming because we don’t always have access to the comforts of our home kitchen, like an oven, stovetop, our different gadgets, and plenty of refrigerator storage. Our camp kitchen may look more like a cooler, a storage bin or two, or maybe just a grocery bag of items we grabbed last minute on our way out.
In my opinion, the best camping food is food that is simple, easy to make, and obviously delicious. But keeping food simple doesn’t mean it has to be boring. By combining key staples in several different ways, we can be sure to keep meals exciting, delicious, and simple.
This camping grocery list is geared towards the weekend camping trip for a small family or group of 4 to 6 people. It’s meant to give you a good starting point on how to plan and what to pack for a 2 to 3-day camping trip. I’ve also included meal ideas in addition to the grocery list, to offer inspiration and guidance on how to combine the ingredients into quick and easy meals!
How to Use This Camping Grocery List
- Before heading to the grocery store, read through the grocery list and meal ideas below and make a quick list of the meals you want to make during your camping trip (and don’t forget the snacks).
- Cross out any ingredients on the list that you won’t need for the meals you have selected, and add any ingredients that you will need.
- Cross-reference the ingredients on your list with the ones you already have at home to avoid buying products you don’t need.
- Print the list, write it down, or have it on your phone before heading to the grocery store.
The Weekend Camping Grocery List
Fresh Produce:
- Fruit, such as apples, bananas, oranges, nectarines, grapes
- Vegetables for snacking, such as carrots, cucumbers, peas, celery, bell peppers
- Bagged salad mix
- Lettuce or spinach
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Corn on the cob or other seasonal vegetables
Dairy:
- Butter
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheddar cheese
Meat:
- Bacon
- Burger patties (homemade or store-bought)
- Deli meat
- Ground beef
- Smokies/hot dogs
- Canned tuna
- Eggs
Pantry:
- Pancake mix
- Large tortilla wraps
- Burger/hot dog buns
- Bread
- Crackers
- Oatmeal packets
- Cereal
- Granola
- Ramen/instant noodle packages
- Salt
- Pepper
- Taco seasoning
- Cooking oil
- Canned beans
- Canned corn
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Chocolate
- Trail mix
- Granola bars
- Muffins
- Cookies
- Beef jerky or pepperoni sticks
- Fruit cups
- S’mores items (marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers)
Spreads/Condiments:
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Hot sauce
- Syrup
- Salsa
Drinks:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Hot chocolate
- Beer/wine
Cooking Supplies:
- Aluminum foil
- Bowls
- Plates
- Cups
- Silverware
- Can opener
- Biodegradable dish soap
- Paper towels
- Scrubbers/sponge
- Skewers
- Tablecloth
Other Supplies:
- Batteries for flashlights, headlamps
- Flashlight
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- First aid supplies
- Matches/lighter
- Tarp (to shelter the cooking/eating area in case of rain or hot sun)
- Trash bags
- Axe/hatchet if chopping wood
Quick and Easy Camping Meal Ideas
Breakfast Ideas
- Hot oatmeal or cereal and milk
- Pancakes
- Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast
- Breakfast tacos (using tortilla wraps, scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, salsa)
- Yogurt, granola, and fruit salad
- Breakfast skillet scramble (using eggs, leftover potatoes, leftover BBQ meat, cheese, onion, corn)
Lunch Ideas
- Quesadillas (using tortilla wraps, cheese, leftover meat)
- Sandwiches (using bread, deli meat, cheese, condiments)
- Grilled cheese sandwiches (using bread, cheese)
- Wraps (using tortilla wraps, deli meat, cheese, lettuce, condiments)
- Canned tuna/cheese and crackers
- Instant noodles with boiled egg
Dinner Ideas
- Burritos (using tortilla wraps, ground meat, cheese, salsa, lettuce)
- Burgers (using burger buns, hamburger patties, cheese, lettuce, condiments) with bagged salad mix and/or foil packet potatoes
- Hot dogs/smokies (using smokies, buns, condiments)
- Tin foil packet meal with chopped smokies, potatoes, onion, corn
- Chili (using ground beef, canned beans, canned vegetables)
Now that you have your camping grocery list and menu planned, you’re one step closer to a fun and delicious camping trip! Remember to always practice leave no trace principles and dispose of food waste and garbage properly. Happy camping!
Carlin is a lover of all things outdoors, adventure, and food! She is an avid outdoorenthusiast and enjoys activitieslike camping, hiking, biking, snowboarding, and surfing—especially in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and BC, Canada. She combined her passion for food and the outdoors and decided to start her outdoorfood blog,Camp Kitchen, where she shares easy, delicious, and approachable recipes for the outdoors.
Image credit: Carlin Frimmel
