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Just because you’re comping doesn’t mean that you have to eat loads of bacon and hot dogs. In fact, camping without meat, makes things so much simpler.
Even though eating vegetarian seems like an easy and simple task, it camp be surprisingly difficult to find vegetarian camping recipes. Yes, it seems that most camping recipes involve loads of meat, and that vegetables are few and far between. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We all know that eating lots of fresh food is one of the best ways to fuel your body. So why not extend that to camping, where all your outdoor adventures are sure to have you needing more energy!
Why eat vegetarian foods while you’re camping
1. Less refrigeration
It’s no secret that keeping meat cool for extended periods of time can be a major pain. Between keeping the meats separated, constantly refilling the cooler with ice, and then making sure not to leave things out too long, meat and camping are a tricky combination.
While you’ll still need some sort of refrigeration to keep your food fresh while camping, it’s so much simpler when meat isn’t involved. And if you hate refilling ice as much as I do, you’ll want to invest in one of these coolers.
2. More Energy
Eating fresh, real food is one of the best ways for optimal energy output. While you’re camping, you’ll inevitably need as much energy as possible, so be conscious of what you eat. While it’s tempting to go on a s’mores binge, eating healthy will make your entire trip more enjoyable.
3. Cheaper
It’s no secret that eliminating meat is one of the cheapest ways to cut back on your food bill. If you’re wanting to save on your weekend getaway, simple vegetarian meals are a great way to do that.
4. Shorter cooking times
Cooking meat over a camp stove always seems to take FOREVER. Grilling up some veggies on the other hand is so much faster (and you don’t have to worry about pathogens from under cooking either)
5. More Sanitary
When you’re cooking without meat while your camping, it’s easier to maintain a high level of sanitation during your campout (at least to some extent). When you’re cooking with meat, you need to worry about different pathogens and bacteria and quite honestly, it’s hard to make sure that you can control those on your campout. Be eating vegetarian meals while camping, you can avoid sanitation issues that are common problems with meat.
Looking for vegetarian recipes for camping? We have some of the best vegetarian camping meals that you could imagine, including vegetarian camping breakfasts, vegetarian lunches and dinners for camping and vegetarian camping desserts.
Best Vegetarian Camping Breakfasts
Start your day off with these delicious vegetarian camping breakfasts.
Backcountry Pancakes
Start your day off right with these amazing camping pancakes. Learn expert tips to make great tasting pancakes on your next camping trip.
French Toast Foil Packet
Super easy French toast foil packet with cinnamon, strawberry, and walnuts. This can be cooked in the oven, on a grill or over the campfire! It’s a great camping and grilling recipe that can be enjoyed for breakfast or dessert.
Camping Breakfast Burritos
Pack your breakfast full of energy and nutrition with these delicious breakfast burritos. These are the perfect addition to any camping trip and can easily be customized to your own tastes.
Peanut Butter Banana French Toast
French toast is a perfect camping food, since it's warm and comforting, yet surprisingly easy. Top off our amazing French toast recipe with peanut butter and bananas for a perfect combination to start the day.
Breakfast Tacos
Get a little taste of the southwest in these breakfast tacos. Easily spice them up as much as your tastes desire, and top with creamy avocado for an energy filled breakfast.
Backpacking Oatmeal: 3 Perfect Combinations
Oatmeal is easily one of the fastest and delicious camping breakfasts. You'll absolutely love these recipes for Tropical Coconut Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal, and Vanilla Almond Berry Oatmeal.
Best Vegetarian Camping Lunches and Dinners
These vegetarian camping recipes are great for both lunch and dinner.
Campfire Nachos
These nachos are a fun and easy meal to enjoy while camping! They're easy to customize based on your tastes or what you have on hand.
Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili
This vegan Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili recipe has all the taste of hearty chili and can be ready to eat in 15-minutes or less. The convenience of a three-ingredient recipe without any greasy pans to clean.
Foil-Packet Grilled Vegetables
These Foil-Packet Grilled Vegetables are the easy way to get veggies on your table when you're camping. Just put them in the foil packet, put the packet on the campsite's grill, and you're done.
Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
These easy grilled Vegetable Kabobs are perfect treat or campfire fare that is also perfectly healthy. Add a salad to upgrade them to a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.
Baked Potatoes 7 Ways
My all time favorite food to eat while camping is potatoes. Baked potatoes are insanely easy to cook while camping (just wrap in foil and throw in the hot coals), and all these different toppings look absolutely perfect.
Rainbow Grilled Veggie Kabobs
Taste the rainbow with these beautiful plant-based Rainbow Grilled Vegan Veggie Kebab Skewers that are naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, Paleo, allergen-friendly and packed with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and important vitamins & minerals.
Mushroom Tikka
If you're looking for a flavorful recipe that's also really easy, try this Mushroom Tikka. All you need to do is to marinate the mushrooms and then grill them.
Lentil Tomato Stew {Camping Recipes}
This lentil tomato stew is one of my favorite camping recipes. I love how easy it is when camping, and it’s full of nourishing ingredients.
Basil Pesto Couscous
If you're looking for a quick and easy meal to make while camping, you'll love this basil pesto couscous. Easily prepare the ingredients at home so all you have to do is boil, stir, and enjoy.
Tandoori Gobi
If you're wanting a unique flavor on your next camping trip, try this Tandoori gobi recipe. It's a marinated and grilled cauliflower and the taste is amazing!
One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup • Happy Kitchen
This vegan Minestrone soup is a great example of how to combine vegetables, proteins and carbs in a single bowl. It is absolutely loaded with veggies and is so delicious and comforting.
Grilled Spicy Asian Tofu
This easy recipe for grilled spicy Asian tofu is perfect to add some great flavor to your next camping trip. All you have to do is mix, marinate, and grill.
Dutch Oven Taco Soup
This vegan taco soup makes the perfect camping dinner. The warm soup will keep you toasty on cool nights and the blend of beans and spices is sure to fuel you after a long day of adventuring.
Dutch Oven Pizza with Peaches & Honey
Pizza while camping?? No it's not too good to be true. This gorgeous pizza is made using an inverted dutch oven making it the perfect way to add a bit of gourmet flavor to your next camping trip.
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Creamy Avocado Dill Dressing
Grilling your corn on the cob is a delicious way to make sure that your corn turns out perfect every time. Combined with creamy avocado dill dressing, this combination of flavors is sure to make any camping meal even better.
Best Vegetarian Camping Desserts
Before you head off to bed, make sure to enjoy one of these delicious vegetarian desserts on your next campout.
Toasted Coconut S'mores
Enjoy a gourmet twist on this camping favorite. Toasted coconut brings this s'more recipe to life!
Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Create a little culinary magic! Bake up this nearly fool-proof Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside-down Cake on your next camping trip – or in your own backyard.
Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets
Easy campfire foil packets dessert recipe lovers, this one is for you. We have Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packs full of sweet juicy apples, cinnamon and granola. Bonus is that they require minimal prep and no cleanup.
No Bake Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is one of my all time favorite desserts, and this no bake version is perfect for camping.