Chilly nights around the campfire call for hearty, warm-you-up dishes. This list features recipes perfect for making during the colder months. From tasty stews to flavorful desserts you’ll want to bookmark these cold weather camping recipes for use on your next camping trip.
Looking for Cold Weather Camping Recipes? Try These 13 Favorite Winter Camping Recipes
1. Cast Iron Chili and Cornbread
This easy recipe lets you make hearty chili and deliciously cheesy cornbread all in one pot. It’s almost as easy as it is tasty!
One of the many great things about this chili dish is you can customize it to meet your or your children’s preferences and dietary needs. For example, swap ground beef with a different meat or use more beans for a vegetarian-friendly option. You can also increase or decrease the spice level based on your craving. Regardless of how you switch up the recipe, include oregano, cumin and chili powder to give your meal that signature chili taste.
2. Hatch Green Chile Stew
If you like spice, then hatch green chile stew is for you! This stew uses a Dutch oven and only gets better the more it simmers over the fire. You’ll love this warm meal on chilly nights.
Both flavorful and hearty, hatch green chile stew allows you to experience the American Southwest no matter where your travels take you. Serve this stew with a large chunk of cornbread or tortillas, tortilla chips, green onions or sour cream.
3. Irish Stout Beef Stew
Whether you’re camping on St. Paddy’s Day or not, this slow cooker Irish stout beef stew is easy to throw together. Full of hearty flavor that’s sure to keep you warm, it will be a staple both on and off the campground.
The secret to this stew is adding a bottle of Guinness, which gives the stew a richer, deeper flavor and keeps the meat tender as it simmers throughout the day. This dish is full of flavorful ingredients besides the bottle of Guinness, such as garlic and onion, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaves.
4. Campfire Chili Lasagna
Everyone loves lasagna, but they may think twice about making it, especially when they are camping. Luckily, this simple campfire chili lasagna makes enjoying cheesy chili goodness easier with ingredients like Hamburger Helper Lasagna.
A long-time KOA favorite, this recipe will warm you up and never let you down. Traditional chili gets a distinctive Italian twist that’s sure to surprise and delight your camping guests. Stay warm and full when you make this delicious cold weather camping recipe.
5. Red Eye Shrimp & Grits
For a stick-to-your-ribs meal, it’s hard to beat classic shrimp and grits. This tasty red eye shrimp and grits features black coffee, adding a distinct gourmet twist to this old standby.
Red eye shrimp and grits takes inspiration from red-eye gravy, a classic Southern recipe often served over country ham. This dish comes together in a snap, with the longest part being cooking the grits. If time allows, however, you can pre-cook your grits before your arrival so you can easily throw everything together.
6. Cheesesteak Pot Pie
If you love pot pie, you’ll want to try this cheesesteak pot pie. Flaky biscuit topping meets hearty steak and cheese in a meal that’s hard to beat!
You can savor this cozy campfire meal on its own or pair it with French fries, macaroni salad or other fire-roasted sides, like potatoes.
7. Beer Cheese Soup
There are few things better than soup on a chilly day – except maybe cheese soup in a bread bowl! Make our tasty, crowd-pleasing beer cheese soup, and you won’t regret it.
Rich and creamy, beer cheese soup is the perfect way to warm up after a day in the snow or enjoying your favorite winter activities. As one of the top comfort meals for camping, this dish is even better with multiple topping options to choose from, including croutons, popcorn and diced green onion.
8. Campfire Mac and Cheese
This recipe shows you how to make super cheesy mac and cheese right over the campfire. Easy and delicious!
This campfire mac and cheese offers easy prep and a fast way to make a delicious meal after a day of sledding, skiing or taking in the sights. This hearty meal also makes enough for leftovers to enjoy the next day! Just seal the container you store it in tightly to prevent water from entering.
9. Corned Beef & Hash Breakfast Skillet
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and starting your day with our corned beef & hash breakfast skillet is a great way to ensure you have the fuel you need to carry you through wherever your day may take you.
10. Gingerbread Pancakes
These gingerbread pancakes combine the warm and festive taste of gingerbread with a breakfast classic. This recipe is sure to be a favorite whether it’s the holidays or not. Have your family sit around the campfire for a great start to the morning, or pack them up to enjoy on a hike, walk or other adventure.
These festive pancakes are savory and warm, thanks to spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger. To add even more of these feel-good spices, sprinkle cinnamon on top or try them with a healthy dose of maple syrup.
11. Slow Cooker Cajun Scramble
A breakfast that cooks while you sleep sounds easy to us! Spice up your everyday with our slow cooker Cajun scramble. This camping recipe is a must-try!
Another great benefit of this delectable blend of flavor and heat is it is a sneaky way to get your kids to start their day with some vegetables. This cozy camping meal contains red and green peppers for a flavorful dish you and your children will love.
12. Skillet Blueberry Cobbler
Warm, grilled cobbler is a dessert that will heat you from the inside out. Impress your camping friends with this easy skillet blueberry cobbler.
While s’mores are an essential comfort food for camping, do not be afraid to switch it up with a deliciously easy blueberry cobbler. For some extra sweetness, add chocolate chips or swap in strawberries or another berry.
13. Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
This ooey-gooey cinnamon pull-apart bread is quick, easy, and tasty, perfect for dessert or breakfast (or anytime, for that matter).
Everyone needs a sweet treat now and then, and our cinnamon pull-apart bread will satisfy your craving while being fun to eat.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
