20 Easy Camping Lunch Ideas I Can’t Stop Making

When it comes to camping lunch ideas, I like to keep them simple. These are all the tried and true camping lunches that I return to over and over. From no-cook options to campfire cooking, this list has it all!

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In general, I prefer no cook camping lunches, so I listed those first. Let’s dive in!

Prep at Home Camping Lunch Ideas

These are the camping lunches that are no-cook at camp thanks to a little cooking and prep at home.

Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a go-to for me because you can prep it at home and then store it in the cooler. It usually lasts for a few days and there are endless ways you can change it up.

I love to coat mine in an olive oil-based dressing and add lots of Italian meats and olives.

Here are a couple of recipes to try:

• Herby Italian Orzo Salad by Ambitious Kitchen
• Greek Olive Pasta Salad by Half Baked Harvest

Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is the perfect high-protein camping lunch! This is one of the lunches I make the most for camping trips.

Try this Black Bean and Corn Chicken Salad on your next trip!

To make things easier, I like to use a rotisserie chicken. This adds tons of flavor and I don’t have to cook anything. I add in mustard, mayo, celery, a bunch of fresh herbs, and sea salt. I will eat this on its own or use crackers or bread for something more substantial.

See exactly how I prepped chicken salad for a camping trip in the video below:

Vegetarian Chickpea Salad

For a vegetarian option, try a chickpea salad instead! Make it ahead of time and serve in a lettuce wrap, on bread, or with some crackers.

Egg Salad

Egg salad is another protein-packed camping lunch idea. For this one, I like to hard boil the eggs at home.

Egg salad is very simple: hard-boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, salt, pepper, and lots of fresh dill and chives. Store this in the cooler and serve it on a slice of bread or with crackers.

I try to eat egg salad within a few days of mixing all the ingredients.

BLT Sandwiches

BLT sandwiches – Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato. A perfect sandwich that’s one of my favorites!

I like to cook the bacon at home and store it in the cooler. Then at camp, all you have to do is assemble the sandwiches. I prefer to make my BLT with nice sourdough bread. Yum!

No Cook Lunches for Camping

These are the best camping lunches that are completely no cook – both at home and at camp!

Charcuterie Board

Oh, how I love a good charcuterie board! This is such a fun camping lunch idea for a group.

I love how everyone can gather around the picnic table and choose from a spread of meats and cheeses. You can make it fancy by adding dried fruits, crackers, olives, nuts, jam, and more.

When it’s only me and Nick camping, I stick with crackers, a couple of cheeses, salami, and some dried fruits.

Pre-made Salad Kits

If you’re looking for an option with a few more vegetables, try packing a salad kit. You can get these at the grocery store and they come in so many different flavors.

Packed with toppings and the salad dressing, all you have to do at camp is mix it together.

Deli Meat Sandwiches

This is the camping lunch that I make the most often. I love a good sandwich!

I pack deli meat like roast beef or turkey, along with cheese, bread, and toppings. I love mustard, mayo, avocado, red onion, pickles, lettuce, and tomato. I’m getting hungry just thinking about this one!

Vegetarian Hummus Wraps

This is a great vegetarian lunch option that’s very customizable!

Pack tortilla wraps and hummus as your base. Next, load up on toppings like lettuce, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, and pickles!

For something with chicken, try these high-protein Chicken Caesar Wraps instead!

Tuna Fish Sandwich

Tuna salad is a great camping lunch that you can make on the go. Pack canned tuna and mayo to make tuna salad.

Alternatively, use pre-flavored tuna packets for a quicker option. There are no dishes to clean up with this option! I like to serve tuna salad in a lettuce wrap, with crackers, or on bread.

Caprese Sandwich

For a vegetarian camping lunch, try a Caprese sandwich! Pack fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil leaves, salt, and pepper.

I love to use a nice heirloom tomato for this because they have so much flavor!

Layer the ingredients between slices of crusty bread like a baguette or ciabatta. You can also drizzle on some olive oil and balsamic vinegar if desired… I highly recommend it!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Variations

I certainly couldn’t forget this classic lunch idea. Peanut butter, honey, and banana are my favorite ingredients for a twist on a classic peanut butter and jelly.

Bagel and Lox 

Lox is salt-cured salmon and for this lunch, you serve it on an open-faced bagel with cream cheese. Top with red onion and fresh dill for a simple lunch.

Lox differs from smoked salmon, but you can use either for this camping lunch.

Try this simple Bagel and Lox recipe with scallion dill cream cheese!

Yogurt and Granola

I sometimes consider this a camping snack, but it can also work as a small lunch (or breakfast). I like to choose full-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt – both options keep me fuller for longer.

Top with your favorite granola, honey, and/or fresh fruit. You can’t go wrong!

Pinwheel Sandwiches

Pinwheels are another take on a wrap. They typically use cream cheese to bind the ingredients and you can customize them in various ways.

Try these bacon ranch pinwheels!

Other Camping Lunches (cooking required)

These are the camping lunches that need a little cooking. They’re still very simple though, I promise!

Grilled Cheese

I love a good grilled cheese sandwich! It’s worth getting the camp stove set up for this one.

You can keep this simple with cheese and bread, or try something else like a pesto grilled cheese. Spread a little pesto on the bread for a tasty twist.

Grilled cheese variations to try:

• Turkey Apple Grilled Cheese by me!
• Pesto Grilled Cheese by A Couple Cooks
• Peach, Basil, and Prosciutto Grilled Cheese

Quesadillas

Quesadillas make a great quick camping lunch or even an easy camping dinner. I regularly make quesadillas for camping meals because they’re easy and always delicious.

Pie Iron Sandwiches

Are you familiar with the pie iron (aka the cooking iron)? This little cast iron cooking iron is one of my favorite ways to cook over the campfire.

It is best known for desserts like campfire pies. But, you can also make tasty sandwiches in them.

They’re like a panini and the options are endless!

Try a Pie Iron Ruben Sandwich:

• Bread
• Mustard
• Ham
• Swiss cheese
• Sauerkraut

Layer it all in the cooking iron and cook with butter over the campfire!

Ramen

Ramen for lunch reminds me of my younger days. I always pack it in my camping food bin for quick meals.

This is a great lunch option for when it’s cold outside and you want to warm up! 

Mac and Cheese

Boxed mac and cheese is another meal I always have packed on camping trips.

You never know when you’ll need something quick or have to stay out longer than expected. For those moments, it’s nice to have mac and cheese on hand.

Looking for the perfect camping meal plan?

Check out the video below for meal-planning tips on your next camping trip. Avoid overwhelm and enjoy delicious food outdoors!

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