One of the most stressful things about preparing for an RV trip is food. These 17 make ahead camping meals are not only perfect for RV travel but will allow you to relax and truly enjoy your vacation time.
As we traveled around the country, we met so many amazing fellow RVers. Some were full-time like us, some were weekend warriors, and some were snowbirds. Our conversations often revolved around favorite destinations, as well as hacks to help make RV travel even more enjoyable.
I’ll never forget this one family we met at an ice skating rink in Florida (of all places). They loved to RV with their kids and escaped every chance they could, often only on the weekends.
He told us a secret. The reason he was able to RV so often – even with a full-time job and busy family schedule – because their RV was ready to go at all times.
How? Well, they had space next to their house where they could park their RV and leave it plugged in. Not only that, but they kept it fully stocked with everything they would need, from linens and clothes to those all-important RV gadgets and outdoor camping gear. The only thing they had to get ready before a trip was their food. And for that, they did a lot of make ahead camping meals.
- PRO TIP
To reduce travel day stress and make it possible to go RVing more often, keep the rig ready to go – packed with linens, clothes, camping gear, and have a go-to list of make ahead camping meals.
They did everything they could to make sure they had minimal excuses to hit the road as often as possible and 100% relax once they arrived at their destination.
I love that! And if we had space to do the same thing, you can bet I would.
Related Reading: Have Your Tent Camping Gear Ready
To help make sure you can relax as much as possible on your RV camping trip, I asked some fellow bloggers to share their favorite make-ahead camping meals of make-ahead RV meals.
From coffee cake and overnight oats to chili and potato pancakes, there’s a little something for everyone.
Meat and Seafood Camping Meals
Hatch Chile Verde with Chicken
For this recipe, just marinate the chicken at home and grill over the campfire. I put the mixture (with the chicken) in a heavy duty Ziploc bag. After allowing it to rest for a while, I can then freeze it before our trip. If I time it right, it thaws just in time to pop onto the campfire.
The only trick is to make sure you don’t forget it! So I add a note on my RV Packing list to remember the chicken marinade.
This simple salsa verde marinade includes roasted hatch chiles, tomatillos, cilantro and garlic. The tart tomatillos not only provide flavor, but they also help tenderize the chicken breasts and keeps it super moist and juicy.
Family Spice
Shrimp Foil Packets with Zucchini
For this meal, make the foil packets ahead of time then light up the grill!
Yeap,these Shrimp Foil Packs packed with veggies will save you from your stovetop. Oh and that extra dollop of butter you can add before grilling makes this recipe even more amazing. Plus these are gluten free and low carb too.
Recipes From a Pantry
Fish Wraps
Are you questioning the choice of sardines? Sure, consider this – they’re easy to pack, store, and clean up. Sounds like a perfect recipe for camping meals.
These easy fish wraps are customizable, portable, and an easy, healthy lunch option!
Champagne TastesSee AlsoChocolate Chip Cookie Layer CakeBackpacking Recipes: Chef Glenn’s Full CollectionPeanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats (+Protein) - Secretly Healthy HomeSouthern Buttermilk Pie - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com
Campfire Stew
Here’s another great camping meal idea that we got from Recipes From a Pantry. Make this yummy stew at home and then reheat over the campfire or in your RV kitchen.
Maybe I should mention it’s a good idea to make extra so you can enjoy a nice hot bowl of stew before departing on your road trip. Um, yeah, been there, done that.
It’s ameaty, flavourful and hearty stewthat tastes wonderful roasted over an open campfire but it can be made in an Instant Pot, slow cooker or oven too without sacrificing flavour.
Recipes From a Pantry
Cowboy Coffee Rub Grilled Pork Chops
Yum. He had me at coffee. Make this rub before you go and serve up some pork chops bursting with flavor.
These Cowboy Coffee Rub Grilled Pork Chops use a simple homemade rub that penetrates flavors deep into the meat.
Plating Pixels
Pesto Pork Chop and Summer Vegetable Foil Dinners
Prep your veggies at home and store them in a Ziploc bag. Then when you get to your destination, assemble your packets and throw them on the campfire. Easy peasy.
After that, all you have to do is place the pouches on the grill and cook until the vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked through.
Good Life Eats
Easy Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
If you’ve read my articles about my favorite RV kitchen accessories and top RV cooking tips, then you know just how fond I am of the Instant Pot for RV travel. An Instant Pot can be a huge help for simple make ahead camping meals.
For these country style ribs, apply the rub mixture before you leave home, then place them in the Instant pot with the BBQ sauce and broth and you’ll have delicious ribs in about an hour.
Not only can you cook them in under an hour, but they are incredibly juicy and delicious ~ just as if you’d been slow cooking them all day in the oven or a slow cooker.
Whole Lotta Yum
Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Chili
Chili is always better the second day and this one is no different. Either cook the entire dish ahead and time and reheat or roast the sweet potatoes + chop all of the veggies at home.
Roasting the sweet potatoes is an extra step but is so worth it. Itadds incredible flavorand creates soft, tender cubes of potato with crispy, browned edges.
Plating Pixels
Vegetarian and Vegan
It’s time to switch gears a bit. For those of you who prefer a vegetarian (or vegan) meal while relaxing in the peaceful outdoors, here are a few easy recipes you can prepare in advance.
Instant Pot Baked Beans – Vegan
Make these ahead of time in the Instant Pot and then reheat over the stove or campfire. And let me tell you, I’ve never had baked beans on toast but am definitely trying it now!
This vegan instant pot Baked beans recipe is super easy to prepare. Just soak the beans for a few hours (don’t worry if you forget it too), add everything to your favorite gadgetinstantpot, and walk away.
The Belly Rules The Mind
Related Reading: Great Tips for Using an Instant Pot in Your RV
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili – Vegan
Chili is one of my all-time favorite make ahead meals for a camping trip. It is so much better heated up than right out of the pot!
An awesome good pot of vegan chili you can make ahead, reheat and serve.
The secret to any good chili are the spices. I know. Most will say the meat. But, that’s crap! It’s the spices.
Shane & Simple
Lentil Tomato Stew
A little bit of prep at home and you can whip up this stew in no time over a camping stove, fire or in your RV kitchen.
I like to prepare my chopped vegetables before heading for the campsite.
Veggie Desserts
Vegan Potato Pancakes with Carrot and Rice
Mix and shape these potato pancakes at home and then fry them up quickly for a tasty dinner.
They are so easy to make, and the kids love them. Naturally gluten-free, and suitable for toddlers. Also great for freezing and make ahead meals.
Little Sunny Kitchen
Side Dishes
Here are a couple of our favorite side dishes that are simple to prepare before departing for your next road trip. You’ll be glad you did!
Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans
Make these ahead of time, reheat and enjoy!
This easy baked beans recipe is so versatile that it can be easily adapted for yourmeatless Monday lineup.
She Loves Biscotti
Easy and Amazing Campfire Corn on the Cob
Yum. There’s something about corn on the cob and camping. They just go together.
The great part about this was that I did all the prep at home, which made it fantastically convenient for our camping trip.
Tikkido
Breakfast
There’s nothing like having breakfast done for you with these make ahead camping breakfast ideas. If you’re not quite a morning person (I can totally relate) making breakfast isn’t the first thing you want to do when you wake up. The first thing you want is a cup of coffee and breakfast done already.
Campfire Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze
Coffee cake is one thing my family always ask for. Always. This one has a maple glaze that sends it over the top.
“To make this campfire ready, simply bake as normal. Put Maple Glaze in an air-tight container and wrap the coffee cake in tin fold. Simply warm the cake over the fire in the morning and pour on the Maple Glaze!” – My 3 Little Kittens
Overnight Mango Coconut Oats
These overnight oats make me want to pack up the RV and head to the Florida Keys! This particular recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a gluten-free, vegan breakfast with West African flavors.
“These vegan oats, take all of 2 mins to whip up and store in the fridge overnight.” – Recipes from a Pantry
Related Reading: My Go-To Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos
Camping Breakfast: Easy Power Muesli
If you like to go on early morning hikes as we do, this is the perfect make-ahead breakfast to take with you or eat before you go.
“This Easy Power Muesli is an easy camping breakfast. It’s vegan, keeps me full all morning long, and is a fabulous pre-hike breakfast.” – Champagne Tastes
DIY Porridge Sachets for Backpacking or Camping
Hearty, healthy and simple to prepare, these porridge packets are the perfect breakfast to get you going in the mornings.
“Eating out at cafes and restaurants can get quite expensive, so in a bid to keep expenditure down I created these little portable porridge sachets for our quick and easy affordable breakfasts.” – Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Share Your Favorite Camping Meals
I imagine you have some great ideas for how to prepare for road trip adventures. We would love to hear about your favorite recipes, cooking ideas, and other ideas that help alleviate the stress and time spent cooking.
Thanks for leaving your comments below. We love hearing about your RV camping hacks and recipes that simplify meal prep. It’s always nice to spend less time cooking and more time camping. 😉
Related Reading
- Camping Breakfast Ideas
- Our Favorite Dutch Oven Camping Meals
Julie Bonner
Julie specializes in helping you whip up delicious meals in your tiny RV kitchen, as well as RV organization tips and helping fellow RVers make their RV feel like home. Her favorite RVing spot is in Banff National Park in Canada where yes, the water really is that blue and the people really are that nice.
