Vegetarian Camping Meals

Going on a camping trip does not mean you have to go without satisfying and delicious meals that align with a vegetarian diet. The following vegetarian recipes are flavorful and hearty to make any meal during your camping trip more exciting.

Breakfast

Start a fun day in the great outdoors off on the right foot with these easy vegetarian camping meals. 

Muffins in Orange Shells

Enjoy orangey-muffiny goodness with no mess with these muffins in orange shells.

Ingredients:

• 6 oranges
• 1 7-ounce package of corn muffin mix
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Cut off the top quarter of each orange and remove the pulp to create hollow shells.
2. Prepare the corn muffin mix based on the package directions.
3. Lightly butter the inside of the oranges but do not butter the lid.
4. Pour enough muffin batter into the shells so that they are half full.
5. Put the lids into place and wrap them in foil before baking for 30 minutes.
6. Remove the oranges from the coals and remove the foil.
7. Eat the muffins with a spoon or pull the muffin out of the peel.

Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal is a healthy vegetarian camping meal you can make before your camping trip or after you arrive. Make this recipe your own by adding your favorite fruit!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup oil
• ¾ cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the eggs with milk, oil, brown sugar and salt before mixing.
3. Add in the remaining ingredients before pouring into a greased 9X9 pan.
4. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.

Buttermilk Waffles

Premix the ingredients for your buttermilk waffles in a plastic zipper-lock bag and add the liquid ingredients after arriving at your campsite.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Combine the eggs, buttermilk, butter and vanilla in a bowl.
2. Add the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is runny but there are no lumps.
3. Pour ½ cup batter onto the waffle maker.

Snacks

Fuel up between activities with these easy vegetarian meals for camping.

Awesome Chip or Vegetable Dip

Make this dip recipe before your camping trip for a unique pairing for your favorite vegetables or chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 container of cottage cheese
• 1 container of sour cream

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients until well combined.
2. Refrigerate the dip until you are ready to enjoy it.

Baked Santa Fe Dip

This delicious baked Santa Fe dip is a make-ahead vegetarian camping meal that is ideal as a snack or appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 8-ounce can of drained whole-kernel corn
• 1 seeded and chopped medium tomato
• 1 4-ounce can of chopped green chili peppers
• ¼ cup sliced green onion
• 2 teaspoon chopped canned chipotle chili pepper in adobe sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Combine the cheeses, mayonnaise, corn, chili pepper, chipotle and garlic powder.
2. Evenly spread the mixture along the bottom of a one-quart casserole dish or cast iron pan.
3. Cover the mixture and refrigerate it for 24 hours.
4. After the 24 hours are complete, bake the cheese mixture in a 350-degree oven for 25 minutes or until it begins to bubble.
5. As the mixture bakes, combine the tomato, green onion and cilantro and spoon it on top of the dip after removing it from the oven.

Barbecue Snack Mix

This savory barbecue snack mix offers the flavors of a barbecue without meat.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 2 teaspoons barbecue seasoning
• 1 8-ounce can mixed nuts
• 1 3-ounce can of chow mein noodles

Directions:

1. Combine the butter and barbecue seasoning in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Cover and microwave for 45 to 60 seconds or until the butter melts.
3. Stir in the mixed nuts and chow mein noodles.
4. Cook the mixture uncovered on high for six to seven minutes. Stir the mixture every two minutes for the first four minutes and then every 30 seconds.
5. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and allow it to crisp before enjoying.

Lunch

Move beyond the traditional peanut butter and jelly with these simple vegetarian camping meals.

Bean and Cornbread Casserole

This bean and cornbread casserole is a hearty addition to any table and features lots of delicious vegetarian ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 chopped onion
• 1 chopped green pepper
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 can of red kidney beans
• 1 can of pinto beans
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 cup self-rising cornbread
• 1 ¼ cup milk
• 1 can of creamed corn
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 3 tablespoons of butter

Directions:

1. Pour oil into a Dutch oven and add the onion, pepper and garlic to sauté.
2. Once the vegetables are tender, add the undrained kidney and pinto beans, the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings.
3. Cover the Dutch oven and cook for 30 minutes,
4. While the mixture cooks, combine cornmeal, corn, milk, egg and butter and spoon it over the bean mixture.
5. Put the cover on the Dutch oven again and cook it on medium heat for 35 minutes.
6. Add coal to the top of the Dutch oven and cook it for another 25 minutes or until the cornbread is golden.

Chinese Cabbage Slaw

The Chinese cabbage slaw is a refreshing dish you can enjoy as the main or side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of shredded bok choy
• 1 head of shredded Chinese cabbage
• 8 diced green onions
• 1 shredded carrot
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ sesame oil
• 6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• ½ cup sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine bok choy, Chinese cabbage, onions and carrots in a bowl.
2. Melt butter in a skillet before adding the almonds and sesame seeds. Sauté over medium-high heat until they are brown.
3. Drain any remaining butter from the pan and stir vegetable oil, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar and sugar into the almond and sesame seed mixture.
4. Mix until the sugar dissolves and pour it over the bok choy mixture before serving.

Dinner

After a long day of camping fun, enjoy a delicious and nutritious vegetarian dinner with some of the best vegetarian camping meals.

All-In-One Potato Frittata

This camper-submitted recipe is a great vegetarian meal for camping.

Ingredients:

• 1 peeled and diced potato
• 8 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Pepper, according to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 medium onion
• ½ diced green pepper
• ½ diced red pepper
• 1 diced zucchini
• 1 minced garlic clove
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Cook the potato in salted boiling water until it is tender. Drain the water from the pot and set it aside.
2. Combine the eggs, milk, basil and pepper in a separate bowl.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add onion, peppers, garlic and zucchini. Sauté for three minutes, then add the potato and cook for another two minutes. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook on medium heat for 12 minutes. As the mixture cooks, lift the edge of the eggs to let uncooked eggs run to the bottom of the skillet.
4. Once the eggs are no longer runny, sprinkle cheese on top and serve.

Baked Potato in a Can

Enjoy the perfect baked potato with little to no mess thanks to this camper-submitted recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium potato
• Butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Aluminum foil
• Tin can
• Additional toppings such as cheese and sour cream

Directions:

1. Clean the potato and then butter the outside and add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Place the potato in the tin can and cover with foil.
3. Put the can next to the fire pit and let it roast for 25 minutes. Then, turn the can 90 degrees and let it roast for 20 minutes without opening the foil.
4. Once the 20 minutes pass, remove the potato from the can and put your desired toppings on top.

Desserts

While s’mores are a go-to for many camping trips, plenty of options are available to satisfy any sweet tooth. Here are some desserts to make while camping.

Apple Pie on a Stick

This apple pie on a stick recipe is the perfect meal to make around the campfire.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 4 cooking apples
• 4 roasting sticks

Directions:

1. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set it aside.
2. Push the roasting stick through the top of the apple until it comes out the bottom.
3. Roast the apple on a stick about two to three inches above the fire and turn it to ensure it roasts evenly.
4. When the skin is loose, remove the apple from the fire but leave it on the stick as you peel the skin.
5. Roll the apple in the cinnamon and sugar mixture before eating.

Angel Lush

This light and fluffy angel lush is easy to assemble for a quick way to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• Vanilla instant pudding or pie filling
• 1 can of undrained crushed pineapple
• 1 cup of thawed cool whip
• 1 package of prepared angel food cake

Directions:

1. Mix the pudding or pie filling with pineapple in a medium bowl.
2. Gently combine the whipped topping without over mixing it.
3. Cut the cake into three layers and place the pudding mixture onto the bottom layer. Place the middle layer on top of the mixture before adding more topping. Put the top layer on and then one more layer of whipped cream. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve it.

Apricot Bars

These crumbly apricot bars are a sweet way to end a fun day of camping, and you can top them with nuts or butterscotch chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup butter
• ¾ cup apricot preserves

Directions:

1. Thoroughly combine the dry ingredients before adding in the oats and sugar.
2. Cut in the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly and then put ⅔ of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 11 by 7-inch pan.
3. Spread the preserves onto the crumbs and then place more crumbs on top.
4. Bake the bars in a 375-degree oven for about 35 minutes. Let the mixture cool before eating.

Brown Bears

Brown bears are a sweet addition to any camping trip. You can prepare it in seconds, making it an excellent food for toddlers and little ones.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar
• ½ tablespoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 package bread dough

Directions:

1. Combine the cinnamon and sugar until well combined.
2. Melt the butter in a shallow pan such as a cake pan.
3. Roll the bread dough into snake-shaped pieces before wrapping it around a stick in a coil.
4. Roast the bread dough over the campfire until it is golden brown.
5. After removing it from the fire, roll it in the melted butter and cinnamon and sugar mixture before enjoying.

Camp Fruit Cobbler

Fill this camp fruit cobbler with your favorite seasonal fruits for an easy dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 4 cans of fruit pie filling of your choice
• 1 to 2 cans of refrigerated biscuits
• ¼ to ⅓ cups brown sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Directions:

1. Burn the campfire down to the very hot coals.
2. Spray a Dutch oven with cooking spray and add the fruit filling.
3. Cover the fruit with refrigerated biscuits and sprinkle brown sugar or cinnamon on top.
4. Cover the Dutch oven and place it in the center of the coals with additional coals around the sides.
5. Let the mixture bake until the biscuits are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Enjoy a Delicious Meal as You Camp at a Kampgrounds of America Location Near You

Whether you want to cook your meals over an open fire or take advantage of kitchenettes in Camping Cabins, there are numerous ways to make delicious meals while staying at a KOA. Start planning the vacation of a lifetime and some meals to go with it when you book your stay at a KOA near you today.

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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.