Vegan Camping Food Ideas and Tips
on Jul 11, 2017, Updated May 13, 2024
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Today I’m sharing a bunch of vegan camping food ideas and tips so you can plan a plant-based camping trip. S’mores included, of course. Let’s dig in.
Vegan Camping Food Ideas
We love getting out of the city and spending as much time as possible outdoors during the summer. We only get a few short months of warm, sunny weather here on the West Coast, so once it hits we really gotta take advantage. Camping is one of my favourite ways to do that.
I have so many wonderful memories growing up camping with my family and it’s something I still love to do whenever we get a chance. These tips and ideas are for camping in a spot you can drive right in to. It would be a different list for backcountry camping but hopefully you can still find some ideas if you’re doing an overnight backpacking trip.
I’m pretty excited to get out there and relax seaside with delicious, healthy food, plenty of card games and a good book. To make things run smoothly on the food side, here are my tips for making camping food a breeze:
- write down your meal plan in advance and grocery shop for everything you need
- food prep some snacks and easy meals in advance
- use minimal dishes for less clean up
- stock up on staples
- be well prepared with cooking supplies and eating utensils
We aren’t sure if we’ll be able to have a fire yet so we’ll have a propane camp stove with us for cooking. If we can have fires, we’ll definitely be cooking over the fire when we can and of course, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs.
Camping Supplies
You don’t need much for cooking and eating while you’re camping, especially if you have an RV. We only have a tent though, so a few cooking extras go along way for a stress-free camping experience. Here’s what I stock in my camping supplies to cook for 2 people:
- 2 person dinning set: plates, bowls, knifes, forks, spoons, cups and mugs
- camping stove
- grate for cooking on the fire
- camping griddle
- marshmallow/hot dogs roasting sticks
- one frying pan
- large cooler
- 1 mixing bowl/salad bowl
- one medium-sized pot
- cooking utensils: tongs, spatula
- bin for doing dishes
- can opener
- bio-degradable dish soap and dish scrubber
- dishcloths for washing and clean up
- tablecloth
- plenty of tin foil
- extra food storage containers for leftovers
- stainless steel coffee percolator
- oven mit
- couple of good water bottles so we stay hydrated
Vegan Camping Staples
Before we get into breakfast, lunch and dinner, let’s take a look at some vegan camping staples that I like to have on hand.
- oats
- banana, apples and other fresh fruit that transports well
- ketchup, mustard, hot sauce
- coffee
- carton plant-based milk
- bread, hamburger and hotdog buns, wraps/tortillas
- veggie dogs and burgers (to keep it simple, I go store-bought for camping)
- vegan graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate for s’mores
- salt and pepper, nutritional yeast
- cooking spray
- canned chickpeas and black beans
- salsa
- potatoes
- nuts or prepared trail mix for snacking
- homemade baking and granola bars
- tomatoes, onion and lettuce for sandwiches
- syrup and ingredients for pancakes (or use a pre-made pancake mix)
- peanut butter and jam
- onion and garlic
- canned soup and chili, vegan boxed mac and cheese (I like having these on hand in case the weather is crappy and/or I’m feeling lazy)
If you’re stocked up on those items, you’re ready to add in some specifics to create fun, healthy and tasty vegan camping meals. I would highly recommend doing some prep ahead of time, especially for snacks so you’re not relying on processed snack foods.
Vegan Camping Food Prep
Doing a little food prep in advance can save a lot of time and clean up once you head up out to your campsite. Here are a few things I like to prep ahead of time to make life easier:
- pasta salad, potato salad
- pre-make some foil veggie packs
- muffins
- cookies
- granola bars or raw energy bars or balls
- hummus or other dips
Alright, let’s get into the good stuff: vegan camping food ideas, meals and recipes!
Vegan Camping Breakfast Ideas
Vegan camping breakfasts are easy and don’t differ much from any breakfast you’d make. I always make pancakes at least once and then rotate between the other breakfast ideas below. There’s nothing better than enjoying breakfast outside with a fresh cup of stove-top coffee on a beautiful morning.
Pancakes
Pancakes are a must-have for camping. They’re probably my favourite camping meal. You can use a pre-made pancake mix but I usually just make a very simple recipe of flour, baking powder, salt, stevia and water. I mix that up and cook it stove-top. We top our pancakes with pure maple syrup or peanut butter and jam with fresh fruit. So good!
Oats
Oats are so easy for camping and you can customize them to whatever you feel like or have on hand. I cook them up in a small pot on the camp stove with sweetener and almond milk and then we load them up with toppings like nuts, seeds, raisins and fresh fruit.
You can also prep overnight oats in advance for a no-fuss breakfast you can dig right into. Once you’re camping and have eaten the first batch , use the jars to prep another batch for the next day.
Or, if you prefer, you can make grain-free, oatmeal-style nut and seed bowls using coconut, nuts, seeds and dried fruits and topping with almond milk.
Tofu or Chickpea Scrambles
These are really easy to make especially near the end of your trip when you have veggies you need to use up. You can used crumbled firm tofu or mashed chickpeas to make egg-inspired scrambles.
Simply fry them up in a pan with veggies, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, garlic and a dash of soy sauce. If I remembered to bring turmeric, I’d add that in too. You can also use your scrambles to make breakfast burritos.
Hashbrown Foil Packs
These are an easy way to make hash browns on the fire. Just wrap a bunch of thinly sliced potatoes in foil with garlic, salt, pepper and some vegan butter or oil and toss on the fire until they’re tender and nicely crisped.
You can make this in a pan too but I like the ease of cooking it in foil on the fire so it frees me up to get some other items ready.
Homemade Baking
Before you head out, food prep some homemade baking you can take along for breakfasts and snacks.
Muffins and breakfast cookies are my favourite. Serve them with fruit, peanut butter and jam and you’ve got another super easy camping breakfast option.
Fruit and Cereal
Pack a box of store-bought cereal or bring homemade granola and you’ve got a super easy breakfast option, no cooking required. I like my granola or cereal with sliced banana, fresh berries and almond milk. That and a cup of camp stove coffee and I’m one happy camper.
“Bacon and Eggs” Breakfast
There’s something about a plate full of hearty breakfast food that is just good for the soul. When I’m camping, I’ll usually do one day of a full-on, “bacon and eggs” style breakfast.
To make a vegan version of “bacon and eggs” I’ll cook up some store-bought vegan breakfast links or bacon, make a batch of scrambled tofu, cook a potato hash over the fire in tin foil and serve it all with toast, sliced avocado and fruit.
Vegan Camping Lunch Ideas
I like to keep camping lunches super easy with minimal clean up so we can get right back to important things like reading, listening to tunes, swimming and relaxing.
My go-to camping lunches are sandwiches and wraps. They’re easy, don’t require any cooking, the clean up is minimal and they can be made accordingly to each campers preferences. Of course, you can use any of the vegan camping dinner ideas below for lunch as well, and vice versa.
Corn on the Cob
There are a few ways you can make corn while your camping. I’ve done everything from cooking it on the fire right in the husk to shoving it on a roasting stick and cooking it over the fire that way.
The quickest way is probably to boil it and it always tastes great like that. You can also chop the cobs into smaller chunks and wrap them all up in foil with butter and cook on the fire. No matter how you cook it, fresh corn on the cob is camping must-have.
PB & J Sandwiches
As easy as can be and always delicious. Sliced banana in there is always a favourite too. You can make these on bread or rolled up in a wrap.
Lettuce, Tomato and Turkey Sandwiches
I’ll usually grab a pack of store-bought vegan sandwich meat to bring camping. Quick lettuce, tomato and “turkey” sandwiches with mustard and avocado or mayo are easy and taste great.
Soup and Sandwich
I love a good soup and sandwich while camping. It’s easy, comforting and tastes great. I usually bring a long a few soup options or a can of Amy’s Chili and we’ll have that with hummus, avocado, tempeh and lettuce sandwiches.
Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Pack some canned chickpeas and you’ll be ready for easy, chickpea “tuna” salad sandwiches. I like to make mine with mashed chickpeas, diced pickles, celery, red onion and either vegan mayonnaise or avocado. Y0u can eat the mixture as is or pile it into a sandwich or wrap.
Soup, Chili or Mac n’ Cheese
I like canned soup or chili, or boxed vegan mac n’ cheese for super quick and easy lunches with little prep and clean up.
Vegan Camping Dinner Ideas
Veggie Burgers or Dogs and Salad
The obvious, go-to choice for camping meals! Make your own ahead of time or go with store-bought, either way, this meal is a cinch and always delicious.
For store-bought I like Field Roast sausages and burgers. Grilled portobellos are awesome too for an alternative to veggie burgers.
We always have a nice, big salad or a side of veggies to go along with our burgers or hot dogs. I’ll pack a few containers of pre-washed spinach and some store-bought salad dressing for making quick and easy salads.
ry a Strawberry Spinach Salad by adding red onion, nuts and sliced strawberries or a Chickpea and Bell Pepper Salad by adding canned chickpeas, diced bell peppers and zucchini. Grilled corn, pasta salad, potato foil packs or any grilled veggies also work well.
Veggie and Tofu Kabobs
Kabobs are healthy, customizable, super easy and another one that’s good for the end of your trip when you need to use up left over veggies. Use any veggies you want, plus some marinated chunks of tofu and grill until tender but crisped.
Pasta with Veggies and Sauce
If you can’t have a fire, pasta is really easy meal to make while camping. You can make it in one pot by cooking your pasta first, draining and then just adding in the sauce and any veggies you like to heat them up.
I usually just stir in a bunch of spinach and store-bought pasta sauce to keep it simple. For a treat, I love making some garlic bread to go along with this.
To make amazing vegan garlic bread, get a baguette and spread it with vegan butter, lots of minced garlic and nutritional yeast then toast over the fire or on a pan on the camp stove. You can also wrap it in foil and cook it stove top or on a grill over the fire.
Grilled Tofu Steaks
These are super easy for camping too. To make them, slice a block of firm tofu into half, then cut those halves into two thinner squares so you have 4 “steaks”. Marinate them in a ziplock bag with soy sauce, maple syrup, salt, pepper and garlic and then grill them until brown and crispy. Serve on their own with a side of veggies, on a sandwich or in a salad.
Foil Veggie Packs
I love these and they’re so easy to make camping. Basically, it’s set it and forget it plus you can throw in whatever you feel like.
Potato, garlic, mushrooms and onion are a must-have in mine then I’ll add in whatever else I have on hand. Heartier veggies like carrots and sweet potato work well but you can add broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, cabbage or anything else you feel like! We’ll have veggie packs as a side to go with veggie dogs or burgers.
Veggie Burritos
This is another favourite of mine for camping. I like making them with tortillas, canned refried beans and/or black beans, lettuce, tomato, salsa, vegan cheese, avocado and grated carrot. Try wrapping them up on foil and heating them on the grill over the fire so the cheese melts. Serve with tortilla chips and salsa.
Veggie Tacos
Tacos are also super easy to do camping. I crisp some tempeh in a pan and serve in corn tortillas with salsa, avocado, carrot and lettuce. Easy, healthy and delicious!
Foil Zucchini Boats
These are really tasty and easy to make while camping. To make them, simply slice a zucchini down the middle and place on some foil.
Load it up with pasta sauce, garlic, chickpeas, onions, vegan cheese and/or nutrition yeast or anything else you can think of. Wrap it up in the foil, place on the grill over the fire and let them cook away for about 20 minutes. So good and so easy!
Vegan Camping Snacks
- Fresh Cherries – a summertime camping must-have
- Ants on a Log – make ’em classic with peanut butter and raisins or fancy with almond butter and goji berries
- Stuffed Dates – medjool dates with chocolate chips and nut butter make a yummy snack or dessert
- Sliced Apples and Peanut Butter
- Apple Cookies or “Nachos” – these make a really fun snack or dessert, slice an apple into rounds and top each one with nut butter, coconut, chocolate chips, dried fruit and nuts. Make them as individual cookies or cookie sandwiches or layer them on a plate to make apple “nachos”
- Veggies and Hummus – easy and healthy, make your hummus before you go or pick up some store-bought
- Homemade Granola Bars or Baking – prep at home before you go
- Tortilla Chips and Salsa
Store-Bought Foods for Camping
Sometimes we head out at the drop of a hat and don’t have time to meal prep and plan in advance. No worries, there are so many wonderful packaged foods out there you can bring along if you don’t have time to make your own.
Here are my favourite packaged snack foods to bring camping.
- The Good Bean Roasted Chickpeas
- Coconut Chips
- Simply Protein Bars
- Redd Superfood Energy Bars
- Enjoy Life Cookies
- Kale Chips
- Larabars
- Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips
- Boom Chika Pop Popcorn
For vegan cheeses and other dairy alternatives, I like Daiya Provolone and Cheddar Slices, Earth Balance cheese, Daiya Greek-Style Yogurt, Tofutti Sour Cream, So Delicious Yogurts, Tofurky meat substitutes, Field Roast sausages and burgers and Silk plant-based milks.
There are also some incredible companies in Vancouver making vegan cheeses out of cashews, coconut and other nuts and seeds, check your local markets to see what might be up and coming in your area.
Vegan Camping Desserts
Campfire Banana Boats
Campfire banana boats are a camping must-have as far as I’m concerned. All you need is foil, bananas and all the yummy fixings. Think chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows and maple syrup. Oh baby.
To make them, slice a banana through the skin lengthwise being carful not to slice all the way through, load in your toppings, wrap it all up in foil and cook it on the fire for about 15 minutes. I like adding granola once it’s finished too. These are amazing!
Campfire Sweet Potato Boats
These are just like the banana boats but you’ll need to pre-bake the sweet potato before adding toppings. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork, wrap in foil and cook on the fire until fork tender. Remove and carefully open, adding in your toppings then placing back on the fire for about 10 minutes. These are THE BEST and can be made as healthy or as decadent as you want.
S’mores
Camping isn’t camping without s’mores. If you want to keep your s’mores vegan, you’ll need to pick up some vegan marshmallows and graham crackers. I recommend Dandies and S’Moreables. Once you’ve got those two covered, the chocolate is easy.
There are loads of amazing, dairy-free chocolate options available. I recommend a nice, organic dark chocolate from brands like Green & Blacks, Pascha or Alter Eco.
Dessert Quesadillas or Crepes
I love, love, love making these. To make them, lay a tortilla flat in a pan and fill one side with peanut butter, chocolate and sliced banana, fold it over then cook until crispy and melty. You can add in any other toppings you feel like (hello, marshmallows). Alternatively to the dessert quesadilla idea, you can roll these up to make dessert “crepes.”
Grilled Fruit
Grilled fruit is super easy and perfect for the summer when many fruits are in season. Simply, slice them up, brush with maple syrup and grill until slightly soft and they have some nice grill marks. You can also slice them up and cook them wrapped in foil with maple syrup.
Both are good topped with more maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nuts. My favourites fruits for grilling are peaches, nectarines and pineapple.
You can even grill watermelon slices or cut up chunks of fruit and do grilled fruit kebabs! Soooo yummy and so much fun, especially for kids when they can build their own kebabs.
You can even make a quick chocolate dipping sauce by melting some your s’mores chocolate in a small pot over the fire or stove top.
Now Make Your Camping Meal Plan
Alright, hopefully all those vegan camping food ideas got you pointed in the right direction. Now it’s time to make a meal plan and creating a detailed grocery list for your trip. Try not to feel overwhelmed when making your meal plan. If you have time, the more you can do in advance the better.
You can always chip away at a bit of meal prep and freeze it until needed. When in doubt, grab all the staples I listed plus fresh produce and you can’t really go wrong.
When I actually go camping in a few weeks I’ll make sure to snap some photos of everything from start to finish so you can see just how easy and yummy doing a plant-based camping trip can be. Oh, and if you’ve got a bit of a road trip just to get to your campsite, check out my post on healthy vegan road trip snacks. Let me know if you have any questions!
I’d love to hear what you eat when you go camping? Besides the obvious s’mores every day! 😉
Hiย
What a wonderful article – thank you!ย
Our vegan dietary requirements are a bit complex due to health issues (no sugar/ wheat etc) but we are going camping and would love to get some tofu to take along. I think you are based in Australia and was wondering where you get โshelfโ tofu?ย
Thanks!ย
I’m in Canada. Tofu here is usually found in the refrigerated section. If you’re looking for silken tofu, that can be found on the shelf but it’s hard to find here in regular grocery stores. Any well-stocked Asian grocery store should have it though!
This post is a godsend, thank you!! I am feeling less overwhelmed about my meal plan now ๐
Great! Hope you have a fun camping trip!
I’m moving across Canada in June and camping across, some great idea here as I though I was going to be eating just veggie dogs and burgers for 2-3 weeks straight! Going to have to plan some grocery store stops along the way!
Haha! I’m sure with some planning you can make it work! That’s a big move, have fun!
These all look so good! Even though it’s Autumn we’re still camping lots so this has given us loads of recipe inspo. Have you got any recipes for dinners? We usually hike so want to take as little weight as possible but always want to whip up something creative at dinner. Any thoughts?
Hmm. For hiking, I’d probably just do wraps or sandwiches with chickpea “egg” salad or something. Or you could do cold tacos and bring a package of tortillas with some lentil taco mix, salsa and avocado. Buddha bowls or hearty salads would be good too if prepped in advance. There are lots of recipes to explore on the blog. Or what about like a vegan charcuterie spread with some vegan cheese, crackers, grapes, nuts, dried fruit, hummus and tempeh bacon or something? Ooh so homemade sushi or sushi bowls would be fun too!