Easy Camping Meals Using Trader Joe’s Ingredients

These are my favorite hassle-free (and delicious) camping meals. All use just a few ingredients from Trader Joe’s and are easy to prepare with minimal cleanup afterwards.

BREAKFAST

Instead of the usual bowl of oatmeal at camp, I tend to crave something more savory in the morning. Maybe it’s the smell of campfires drifting through the campground or the scent of bacon cooking nearby, but a warm, savory breakfast just feels like part of the camping experience.

Hash Browns with Chicken Sausage

One of my favorite breakfasts for camping, this recipe uses Shredded Potato Hash Browns, Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patties, and Melange a Trois Bell Peppers from the frozen food section at Trader Joe’s. To cook, I add one teaspoon of vegetable oil to a small skillet, then add the shredded potatoes, salt and pepper, lightly frying the potatoes until slightly browned and beginning to crisp. Then I add the chicken sausage, cut up into smaller pieces. It’s already fully cooked, so it just needs to warm up and brown a bit. Last, I add the peppers and cook for a few minutes, adding a small amount of shredded cheese at the end if I have any.

Griddle Cake Sandwich

I got the idea for this griddle cake sandwich when I found the Dutch Griddle Cakes at Trader Joe’s. So I don’t have to deal with egg shells when I’m camping, I crack the eggs at home and place them in lidded plastic container. At camp, add two griddle cakes and one Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patty to a small skillet, cooking until the sausage is slightly browned. Be careful not to burn the griddle cakes… the sugar in them makes them brown faster. Then I remove the sausage and griddle cakes from the skillet to scramble the Pasture Raised Brown Eggs. Stack the scrambled egg, sausage, and a slice of Sharp Cheddar Cheese on the griddle cakes, and enjoy a sweet and savory breakfast treat.

Breakfast Burrito

Start by warming Fully Cooked Uncured Bacon over low heat. It only needs to heat through, and it burns quickly even on low, so watch it closely. Once warmed, set it aside. Next, scramble the Pasture Raised Eggs in the skillet until just set. I like to crack them at home and store them in a container so they’re ready to go at camp. Now it’s time to assemble: spread Avocado Mash on the Flour Tortilla, add the scrambled eggs and bacon on a flour tortilla, then sprinkle Mexican style Shredded Cheese on top and fold it into a burrito. Warm the burrito in the skillet on both sides until heated through and the cheese melts. This breakfast wrap is hard to beat. Mmm.

LUNCH

When I’m camping, I usually keep lunch simple with meals that don’t require any cooking and can be packed up easily for the day. Whether I’m heading out on a hike, relaxing at the beach, or hanging around camp, I like lunches that are quick to put together, easy to carry, and still feel fresh and satisfying.

Italian Deli-Style Sandwich

This sandwich comes together quickly at camp and also packs well for a hike later in the day. Start by slicing the Brioche Bun, then layer on Deli Duo Genoa Salami and Provolone Cheese. Spread a generous layer of Avocado Mash on top, then finish with Baby Red Butter Lettuce & Arugula for freshness and crunch.

Salad Mix

Salad mixes are one of my favorite ways to get some fresh vegetables while camping, especially when I want something quick and refreshing for lunch. Trader Joe’s salad kits make it especially easy because everything is included in the package — dressing, toppings, cheese, croutons, and other mix-ins — so there’s no prep involved at camp. Just open the packages, mix everything together, and lunch is ready. The variety changes often, but some of my favorites are the Sweet Onion, Pizza Ranch, and BBQ & Black Pepper Toscano salad kits.

Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese

This simple lunch feels a little more special than the usual camp snacks while still being light and easy to put together. Start by spreading Dill Cream Cheese Spread on the Green Olive Flats Crackers, then top each one with Oak Smoked Salmon. It’s satisfying without being too heavy and works especially well as a light lunch or snack before a bigger dinner later in the day.

DINNER

Camp dinners don’t have to mean the usual hot dogs, foil packet dinners, or complicated Dutch oven meals cooked over the fire. I like meals that feel a little more elevated after a day outside, but are still easy to prepare with just a few ingredients and minimal effort. These dinner ideas come together quickly at camp while still feeling hearty, comforting, and a little more special than standard camping fare.

Shrimp Scampi with Ravioli

This meal is incredibly easy to prepare, yet it still feels a little fancy for camping and makes a great dinner after a long day outside. Start by bringing water to a boil for the Four Cheese Ravioli, which only takes about 4 minutes to cook. While the ravioli cooks, add the frozen Shrimp Scampi to a skillet. The shrimp comes coated in a garlic butter, lemon, and white wine sauce that melts into the pan as it cooks. Once the ravioli is done, strain it and place it on a plate, then spoon the shrimp and sauce over the top. Finish by heating the Roasted Green Vegetables, which are already fully cooked and just need to be warmed through.

Asian Noodle Stir Fry

This is one of my regular camping dinners because it’s easy to make, filling, and packed with vegetables. Start by bringing a pan of water to a boil for the TJ’s Squiggly Noodles while you cook the rest of the meal. Cut the Sriracha Baked Tofu into small pieces and brown it in a skillet until lightly golden. While the tofu cooks, slice the Sugar Snap Peas, then add them and Shredded Carrots to the skillet and cook until just tender. The noodles only take about 4 minutes to cook. Once they’re done, strain them and stir in the sauce packet included with the noodles. Add the tofu and vegetables to the noodles, reheating briefly if needed so everything is hot and well mixed.

Chili Lime Chicken Burrito

This burrito combines pre-cooked smoky chicken with creamy avocado mash for an easy camp dinner that’s flavorful, satisfying, and easy to eat around camp. It’s also one of my favorite camping meals and something I bring on almost every trip. Start by heating the Grilled Chili Lime Chicken in a skillet until warmed through. Assemble the burrito by adding the chicken, Mexican Style Cheese, Avocado Mash, and Baby Lettuce & Arugula to a Flour Tortilla. Fold it into a burrito, then warm both sides in the skillet until heated through and the cheese begins to melt.

Asian Dumplings

I love all kinds of dumplings… and Trader Joe’s offers several different varieties. I like the Thai Shrimp Gyoza and Chicken Gyoza Potstickers. I’ve cooked these two different ways, and both are good. For potstickers, add a small amount of vegetable oil to a skillet and cook the dumplings until slightly browned, turning to get color on each side. After about five minutes, I add a couple of tablespoons of water to the skillet and place a lid on top so they can steam. The other way I cook them is to skip the oil and browning and just steam them for about 7-8 minutes. I make my own dipping sauce using soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar and sesame oil, but Trader Joe’s sells a Gyoza Dipping Sauce if you prefer to not make it yourself.

Video

Here’s a quick look at how all of these Trader Joe’s camping meals come together at camp. The video walks through each recipe step by step so you can see just how simple they are to make in real time.

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