Spend any time in the countryside or even the campground at your local state park, and you’ll quickly realize the importance of a delicious picnic. You don’t just need calories Long walkBut a good meal can also help ease the pain of a long day and turn a trip in the rain into one where at least we ate well.
Bringing the kitchen outdoors is not always as simple as one might think. I’ve been a professional chef and have guided quite a few groups through the wilderness, and in that time, I’ve discovered what every professional guide knows: Food makes or breaks trip. Here, I’ve put together a variety of ideas, from the tools you need to meal planning advice. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned tent wearer. Be sure to check out ours outdoor guide for more tips, including Best camping gear and The best tent.
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The Basics: A Good Kitchen
For car camping, I recommend a two-burner stove. The size of the kitchen really depends on the size of your team. For a group of five or less, the best choice is this Coleman Classic 2-burner propane stove. It strikes a good balance between cost, cooking capacity and size. If you’re going out with a larger group, you’ll want to use a few stoves or go with something like Camp Chef Pro 60X Deluxe ($320). If it doesn’t feel right for you, The Best Camp Kitchen Guide Includes more recommendations.
Finding a good backpack stove is more difficult, as weight is much more important. In fact, ultralight hikers will counter that you don’t even need a stove, just bring ready-to-eat food. But for the rest of us, a delicious, hot meal can really mark the difference between survival and real pleasure. I have used and enjoyed the Primus Firestick ($90), which is perfect for a two-person meal.
If you are going out alone, Jetboil MiniMo ($155) is a perennial favorite. If your group is larger, my suggestion is to divide the food into pairs, where there is a kitchen for every two people. It is certainly possible to cook more things on a backpack stove, but I find it more troublesome than just carrying an extra compact stove.
Good cooler
The best cooler is Series Yeti Tundra. I wish the most expensive option wasn’t the best, but it is, and it’s impressive. I tested the Yeti Tundra 45 for several months and regularly got a week of continuous cooling from a block of ice. Even ice packs typically last three to four days at 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it gets hotter than that, performance drops (humidity will also cause it to melt faster) , but it’s still better than anything you’ll get from other coolers. Yetis aren’t cheap, but they’re nearly indestructible and perform better than anything else we’ve tested.
If you’re not camping enough to justify the cost of a Yeti, I’d recommend going with whatever’s available at your local store. Most other coolers are on par in terms of performance. Be sure to get something with plenty of room for your food and Ice. Most cooler manufacturers recommend a 2 to 1 ice to commodity ratio, but honestly I rarely manage that with a family of five camping for a week. In my testing, the 1-1 ratio was more realistic and still seemed to keep my food cold.
No matter which cooler you get, store it properly. If you’re in bear country, that usually means in a supplied metal storage box. No matter where you are, keep your refrigerator out of direct sunlight when possible and make sure the lid is tightly closed. Open the refrigerator for food as little as possible to keep cold air inside the refrigerator. One way to minimize airflow and keep ice longer is to carry a separate cooler for drinks so you don’t have to constantly open and close your main cooler just to get another drink. I also recommend making your own cubes if you have freezer space.
Camping table
If you are going to a campsite, you may have access to a picnic table, which you can use for cooking, but it takes up dining space. If you have a larger group or can’t afford a picnic table, a good camping table is indispensable. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, I have not used a camping table that I really love that can still be purchased. The best thing I’ve used lately is this desk from Alps Mountaineering, it’s pretty stable and folds up nicely and is small, even though it feels pretty cheaply made.
Another option is the more affordable plastic folding table that you’ll find at most big box stores like Walmart. I used this Mainstays 4-pin model ($40) while camping, and it did the job, although it warped over time; The metal stove will also slide around on it, so be careful when cooking.
Camp Cookware
You’ve got your food safely stored on multiple rocks, your stove is set on the table, and now it’s time for the actual cooking. What do you cook with? To get started, just bring your pan and cookware from home. I happen to be cooking almost entirely in cast iron, which is great for car camping, as it’s very durable and retains heat well. But it is very heavy.
If you don’t want to bring your pretty pans from home, another option is to go to your local thrift store and pick up a few cheap pans that you don’t mind picking up ticks from the camp. But if you’re looking to take your camp cooking to the next level, consider a Dutch oven. Cooking in a Dutch oven takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t be able to do a lot with either of these. I own and recommend the 6 liter Lodge model with flat lid. The lid can double as a grill.
Meal planning
Photo: Westend61 / Getty Images
Cooking in a campsite or the countryside can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Whether you’re into sausage skewers or wood-smoked salmon with radishes and aioli, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when planning your camping meals.
