When it comes to camping, particularly with family or friends, the experience often revolves around shared activities, stories by the campfire, and, importantly, meals that fuel the adventure. Planning healthy meals for camping isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s about ensuring that everyone in your group has the energy and vitality to fully enjoy the natural beauty and activities that the outdoors offer.
Here are 10 healthy car camping meals with lots of protein, perfect for feeding adults and children
- Grilled Chicken and Veggie Foil Packets: Marinate chicken breast pieces with your favorite herbs and spices, then combine with chopped vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and onions. Wrap in foil and cook over the campfire.
- Steak and Sweet Potato Skewers: Alternate chunks of lean steak, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers on skewers. Grill until the steak is cooked to your liking.
- Salmon and Asparagus: Wrap salmon fillets and asparagus spears in foil with lemon slices, garlic, and dill. Cook over a grill or open flame.
- Quinoa and Black Bean Salad: Prepare quinoa and mix with black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, avocado, and a light vinaigrette for a protein-rich salad.
- Turkey and Cheese Sandwich Wraps: Use whole wheat tortillas, turkey slices, cheese, lettuce, and avocado. Wrap tightly for an easy, protein-packed lunch.
- Lentil Soup with Chicken Sausages: Cook lentils with vegetables like carrots and celery. Add sliced chicken sausages for extra protein and flavor.
- Chickpea and Tuna Salad: Combine canned chickpeas, tuna, red onion, cucumber, and olive oil for a quick, protein-dense meal.
- Breakfast Burritos: Scramble eggs with turkey sausage and vegetables, then wrap in a tortilla. Add salsa for extra flavor.
- Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches: Use whole-grain bread with natural peanut butter and banana slices. This meal is great for breakfast or a snack.
- Greek Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries. Greek yogurt is high in protein and pairs well with the sweetness of berries.
These recipes are designed to maximize convenience and nutrition, making them ideal for car camping trips.
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Foil Packets
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, bell peppers, zucchini, onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs (like thyme or rosemary).
Instructions: Cut chicken and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and herbs. Divide the mixture onto foil sheets, fold into packets, and cook over campfire coals or on a grill for about 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
Steak and Sweet Potato Skewers
Ingredients: Lean steak, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Instructions: Cut the steak and sweet potatoes into chunks. Parboil sweet potatoes for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Skewer steak, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers alternatively. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill until desired doneness, about 10 minutes.
Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets
Ingredients: Salmon fillets, asparagus, lemon, garlic, dill, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Instructions: Place salmon fillets on foil sheets. Top with asparagus, lemon slices, minced garlic, and dill. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and cook over campfire or grill for 15-20 minutes.
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
Ingredients: Cooked quinoa, canned black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, avocado, lime, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Instructions: Mix quinoa with drained black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn. Toss with lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add diced avocado just before serving.
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich Wraps
Ingredients: Whole wheat tortillas, turkey slices, cheese slices, lettuce, avocado.
Instructions: Layer turkey, cheese, lettuce, and sliced avocado on a tortilla. Roll up tightly and slice in half if desired.
Lentil Soup with Chicken Sausages
Ingredients: Lentils, chicken sausages, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, salt, pepper.
Instructions: Sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery in a pot. Add minced garlic, lentils, and broth. Cook until lentils are tender. Slice chicken sausages and add to the soup. Season with salt and pepper.
Chickpea and Tuna Salad
Ingredients: Canned chickpeas, canned tuna, red onion, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper.
Instructions: Combine drained chickpeas, tuna, chopped red onion, and cucumber. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, mix well.
Breakfast Burritos
Ingredients: Eggs, turkey sausage, bell peppers, onions, tortillas, salsa.
Instructions: Scramble eggs with cooked turkey sausage, diced bell peppers, and onions. Fill tortillas with the mixture and top with salsa. Roll up burrito-style.
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
Ingredients: Whole-grain bread, natural peanut butter, bananas.
Instructions: Spread peanut butter on slices of bread, add banana slices, and assemble the sandwich.
Greek Yogurt Parfaits Ingredients: Greek yogurt, granola, fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries).