We’ve curated a collection of 11 easy camping dinner ideas for large groups that are not only delicious but also designed to satisfy the appetites of large groups. From simple one-pot wonders to crowd-pleasing grilled feasts, these recipes will have everyone lining up for seconds.
Imagine the crackling sound of the campfire, the scent of nature filling the air, and the laughter and camaraderie of a large group of friends or family gathered together in the great outdoors. As the day winds down and hunger sets in, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a delicious meal under the starlit sky.
So, let’s dive into the world of camping recipes and discover the joy of creating memorable meals that will fuel your adventures and forge lasting memories. Get ready to ignite your culinary creativity and embark on a camping dinner extravaganza!
Here is the list for Camping Dinners for Large Groups:
1. Easy Slow Cooker Beef & Bean Chili Recipe
When looking for camping recipes, I like to look for recipes that are easy to fix and feed a large group. One that is perfect for this is Easy Slow Cooker Beef & Bean Chili recipe. Made with McCormick chili seasoning and slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot, this hearty beef recipe is sure to warm you up on even the coldest of nights while camping.
This recipe is cooked in a slow cooker so if you have a camping site with electricity, it is perfect for that. But even if you do not, it can be cooked over a fire or in a large pot on a propane burner. Either way, it will feed a crowd.
You can double or even triple this recipe based on the number of people in your group. This is one of my favorite go-to meals when camping.
What To Serve It With
I love to serve this with saltine crackers or you can even make this wonderful Homemade Sourdough Bread ahead of time to serve with it. I also love to bring lots of toppings such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, and pickled jalapenos.
2. Low Country Boil
When it comes to camping, there’s something special about enjoying a meal that brings everyone together, and few dishes accomplish this as perfectly as the famous Low Country Boil. Originating from the coastal regions of South Carolina, this hearty and flavorful feast has become a staple for large group gatherings, creating memories that linger long after the last bite.
Picture a large pot simmering, filled with an enticing medley of fresh seafood, succulent sausages, vibrant vegetables, and a blend of fragrant spices. As the flavors meld and mingle, the tantalizing aroma drifts through the campsite, whetting the appetite of all who gather around.
3. Chicken Bog
Chicken Bog is another localized recipe that came from the coastal regions of the south, specifically South Carolina. This dish is a variation of chicken and rice and as the name implies, it is sort of boggy or sticky as I like to call it.
It is a hearty meal that sticks to your ribs and feeds a large crowd. This dish starts with a whole chicken stewed in vegetables to make a flavorful broth. The chicken is then separated and the broth is used to cook the rice. Add in the smoked sausage and you have a meal that is sure to please.
Don’t overlook this simple but flavorful meal. It is a great camping dinner idea for large crowds on your next camping trip. Chicken Bog can be cooked in a large Dutch oven over an open fire or you can cook it in a large pot on your propane burner. Either way, it will turn out great.
4. Irresistible Spaghetti Pasta Salad
What would a camping trip be without Pasta Salad? It seems that it is always included in meals to serve when grilling out or camping. The best thing about this Irresistible Spaghetti Pasta Salad recipe is it can be made ahead of time at home. You can pack it in the cooler and bring it with you.
Spaghetti pasta salad is a cold pasta salad that is full of fresh veggies, Parmesan Cheese, and a zesty dressing mix that is to die for. One of the key ingredients in this dish is Salad Supreme Seasoning.
What To Serve It With
Spaghetti Pasta Salad feeds a lot of people and it makes the perfect side dish for hot dogs or hamburgers. So the night that you plan to grill out, make sure to make this recipe to bring along. One thing to note is, it is even better after it has sat overnight (Make sure to keep it chilled though).
5. Tin Foil Packet Meals
When it comes to camping, simplicity, and convenience are key, especially when it comes to mealtime. That’s where Tin Foil Packet Meals come to the rescue! These versatile and fuss-free creations are a game-changer for campfire cooking, offering a delicious and mess-free dining experience that is sure to please everyone in your large group.
With just a few simple ingredients and a roll of trusty aluminum foil, you can create an array of mouthwatering meals that are cooked to perfection over an open flame. If you do not want to fool with the fire and get a bed of coals to cook them on, another quick option is to use an outdoor grill. You can use a charcoal grill or even a propane grill.
This recipe combines ground beef with fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, and red potatoes for a hearty meal that is easy to make. Either way, by making foil packets you will have a simple meal that can feed a large crowd when camping but have virtually no mess or cleanup. This truly is one of the best camping meals there is.
6. Southern Style Egg Salad
If you are looking for a recipe that is more on the lighter side, serving Southern Style Egg Salad sandwiches is a great option. The best part is this meal is cheap to make and can feed a large crowd.
Not only does egg salad feed a large crowd, but it is quick to make. Having quick camping meals is essential to having a great camping experience in my opinion. No one wants to waste a lot of time cooking to feed a large crowd.
This easy recipe starts with just simple ingredients. The basics are eggs, mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper. Ingredients are mixed up as a bound salad and served on just plain white bread or as a spread on crackers. For a low-carb or Keto option, serve it on a bed of lettuce. Either way is a great way to enjoy this delicious recipe.
What To Serve It With
Typically if we are having sandwiches, we will serve them with a side of our favorite potato chips.
7. Old-Fashioned Pancakes
If you are like us, we love to have breakfast for dinner. One of our favorite breakfast meals to have is Old-Fashioned Pancakes. These pancakes are buttery, perfectly sweet, with crispy edges, making them a favorite among breakfast lovers everywhere.
One idea that I keep meaning to try is to make the pancake batter ahead of time and put it in an empty coffee creamer bottle. The one I am talking about is similar to the International Delights Coffee Creamer bottle. The bottle is perfect for this and by making it ahead of time, it is ready to go when you want to make dinner or even breakfast.
Pancakes are cheap to make and are a filling meal. Because of this, we love to include them in our camping meals, even if it is for dinner one night. To make pancakes to feed a large group of people, you need a large skillet or large cooking surface. The best thing I have found to cook them on is this Blackstone Tabletop Griddle. It is perfect for this application.
What To Serve It With
Add some sausage or bacon to round out the meal so you have protein. Don’t forget the maple syrup and make sure to bring some fresh fruit for a side or topping. The kids love to add chocolate chips as a topping. One more thing, I am going to let you in on a little secret, try adding some peanut butter on top. I have done this since I was a kid and I love it!
8. Brunswick Stew
Brunswick Stew is an excellent choice for a camping meal that can feed a crowd. Its hearty and comforting nature makes it perfect for sharing and enjoying with a large group of campers. The stew is typically made in large batches, simmering low and slow to develop its rich flavors. It’s a one-pot dish that combines meat, vegetables, and seasonings, making it a convenient and fuss-free option for camping cooking.
Since Brunswick Stew can be made ahead of time and reheated, it allows you to focus more on enjoying your time outdoors and less on meal preparation. Whether you’re camping with family, friends, or a community gathering, this flavorful stew is sure to please everyone’s palate. It can be served on its own as a main course or paired with cornbread, rice, or even grilled sandwiches for a more substantial meal.
It is hard to beat a good soup or stew while camping. Stews or soups just make perfect sense. They give you that rustic camping feeling but they also can be stretched to feed a large crowd making it one of the best camping dinner ideas for large groups.
9. Catfish Stew
Sticking with the soups and stew theme, the next camping dinner idea for a large group is Catfish Stew. Like the Low Country Boil and Chicken Bog recipes, Catfish Stew is a recipe that is a traditional South Carolina Recipe, one that originated in that state.
If you are camping near a body of water, one of the unique things about Catfish Stew is it gives you the opportunity to catch and cook while you are camping. There will be no fresher meal than catching your own fish, and cooking them right there on the banks while camping.
Overall, Catfish Stew offers a delicious way to enjoy the bounty of nature while camping. It combines the thrill of fishing with the joy of cooking a flavorful and hearty stew. So, if you’re a fan of catfish and looking for a camping recipe that showcases its flavors, Catfish Stew can be a great choice for your outdoor culinary adventures.
If you prefer not to rely on your fishing skills, just bring your catfish fillets with you. This meal is pretty simple to make and like a lot of the others on this list just requires a big pot and a heat source whether that be a propane burner or a campfire.
10. Quick and Easy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry
If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner that’s packed with flavor and healthy vegetables, look no further than this chicken and vegetable stir fry. This recipe is perfect for camping when you don’t have a lot of time to spend.
As you gather around the campfire, eagerly awaiting the fragrant stir fry, the excitement builds. Serve the Quick and Easy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry over a bed of fluffy rice or noodles, allowing everyone to customize their portions. The combination of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a flavorful sauce will tantalize your taste buds and provide a satisfying meal that’s both nourishing and delicious.
Not only is this stir fry bursting with flavor, but it’s also a practical choice for camping. With its quick cooking time and easy cleanup, you can spend more time enjoying the great outdoors and less time fussing over meal preparation. So, gather your camping group, prepare your ingredients, and get ready to savor the simplicity and deliciousness of this Quick and Easy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry.
The best way to cook this meal is by using the Blackstone Tabletop Griddle as we mentioned in the Old-Fashioned Pancake recipe. This makes cooking so simple and easy with this flat-top grill. If you do not have one of those, you could use a large cast iron skillet or griddle as well. Either way, this is a great meal if you are looking for something a little different than the normal camping meals.
11. Crispy Fried Catfish
There is nothing more synonymous with camping than cooking fresh fried catfish on the banks of a river or lake while camping. As a matter of fact, that is where the term “Fish Camp” comes from. If you do not know what a fish camp is, that is what Southerners call a restaurant that serves fried fish.
Catfish is a moist, slightly sweet, and flaky textured fish. Catfish is one of the tastiest fishes once it is fried up if it is prepared right. One of the main things to consider on catfish fillets is taking out the bloodline before cooking them.
You can feed a lot of people with fried catfish. Best of all, it can be a very cheap meal since you can catch the fish yourself.
What to serve it with
Most of the time when you have fried Catfish you will serve it with slaw, hushpuppies, and French fries. We also like to have Pork and Beans with it. Make sure to top it off with some Homemade Southern Tarter Sauce!
Conclusion
As our journey through 11 Easy Camping Dinner Ideas for Large Groups comes to an end, we hope you’re feeling inspired and excited to embark on your next camping adventure. From hearty stews to sizzling stir-fries, from comforting classics to inventive creations, these recipes have showcased the delicious possibilities that await when cooking for a crowd in the great outdoors.
Preparing meals for a large group while camping can be both enjoyable and rewarding. It’s an opportunity to bond with fellow campers, share stories and laughter, and create lasting memories around a communal table. The beauty of these easy camping dinner ideas lies in their simplicity, as they require minimal equipment, ingredients, and preparation time.
Whether you’re seeking nourishing comfort food or exploring new flavors, our curated collection has provided a diverse range of options to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. From the comforting warmth of Brunswick Stew to the quick and vibrant Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry, these meals showcase the versatility and adaptability of camping cooking.
We encourage you to embrace the spirit of adventure and culinary creativity during your camping trips. Don’t be afraid to experiment, customize, and make these recipes your own. Remember, the most important ingredient in any camping meal is the joy of sharing good food and good company in the midst of nature’s embrace.
So, pack your camping gear, stock up on ingredients, and get ready to embark on culinary adventures that will leave your taste buds satisfied and your camping companions delighted. These easy camping dinner ideas for large groups are your passport to creating memorable feasts under the open sky. Happy camping and bon appétit!
Thanks for stopping by Southern Food Junkie. It is our hope that you enjoy this recipe sharing it with friends, family, and coworkers. Make sure to take time to give thanks to the creator, God, by which all blessings flow.
-Ronnie | Let’s Get Food Junked
John 6:35
Make a meal plan ahead of time. Prep ingredients in advance such as vegetables. Pre-cook items that can be such as soup, which can be reheated.
Yes, if you do not like fish you could use chicken or beef in the soup.