One of the biggest concerns of any camping enthusiast is how to keep all their food fresh, safe, and hygienic, especially when they go on very long camping trips.
Although coolers are a great way to keep food and drinks fresh for many days, they’re not always convenient, and it can be quite a hassle to manage at all times. On top of that, sometimes, it’s impossible to bring a huge cooler on a camping trip, given the weight and size of such coolers.
In other unfortunate situations, it is also highly possible that your cooler gives up on you, and the next thing you know, 5 days’ worth of fresh and delicious food has become stale and gone to waste.
So, how do you deal with such a major food dilemma when going on a camping excursion? One of the best solutions is to pack a whole lot of non-perishable foods! We know this idea might not sound particularly appealing to you, especially if you’re someone who prefers fresh meals, but these foods can be an absolute life-saver for you and all your camping buddies.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
They require no refrigeration whatsoever and can be easily kept in your camping backpacks for several days. After all, a little extra preparedness on a camping trip can go a long way, especially if your stomach starts growling in the middle of the night!
The 7 Best Non-Perishable Foods for Camping
Here are our top picks for the best non-perishable foods for camping.
1. Canned Foods
This is the very first item that comes to mind when you think of non-perishable foods for camping.
Canned goods are ideal for camping trips because they are extremely convenient, quick-to-use, and they offer an immediate fix to all our unpredictable hunger pangs. But more than that, they are available in such great varieties, ranging from canned salmon and tuna to low-carb pasta and soups. The best thing to do is keep an adequate amount of different canned foods, depending on the number of days that you’ll be camping outdoors.
However, as hassle-free and easy-to-use as canned foods are, one of their biggest downsides is that they’re extremely heavy and can take up a lot of space and weight. The best way to go about this is to keep their quantity to a minimum and stack up on other lightweight non-perishable foods for camping.
2. Dried Noodles and Soups
Instant noodles are an absolute camping favorite, not just because they’re quick and easy, but also because they’re super delicious and filling. They come in a variety of different flavors, ranging from chicken mushroom and sriracha chicken to lime chili and roast beef.
These are basically dried noodles that come in well-packaged boxes with small tastemaker sachets inside. These sachets consist of the flavored seasonings, usually in a powder form.
To make these noodles, all you need to do is boil a pot of water over the campfire, pour it over the dried noodles, and then nicely mix in the tastemaker. Cover the top of the box with a lid for a few minutes till the boiling water completely softens the noodles. Once done, you have a delicious serving of noodles and soup that’s ready to devour!
3. Peanut Butter and Bread
What better way to kickstart your morning than a steaming cup of coffee to go with a slice of warm toast slathered with rich and nutty peanut butter, right?
Eating a peanut butter sandwich is a great way to start your camping morning, which makes peanut butter an excellent non-perishable food option for camping.
Bread can easily be stored outdoors; however, you must store it in a cool, dry place on your campsite and prevent it from direct sunlight. As for the peanut butter, the best way is to bring it in an airtight plastic container on your camping trip. All you need to do is toast a slice of bread over the hot campfire and then smear a thick layer of peanut butter all over it. If that’s not truly scrumptious and satisfying on a cold morning, we don’t know what is!
4. Dry Cereal and Powdered Milk
A bowl of cereal might sound too simple for a camping trip, but there’s no denying the fact that it’s one of the best comfort foods ever! What’s even better is that some cereals are absolutely delicious, even when eaten dry without any milk. The best cereals to take on your camping trip include Fruit Loops, Cheerios, Frosted Wheats, and Cocoa Puffs; however, you can take your favorite cereal along to really enhance those camping mornings.
If, however, you prefer eating your cereal with milk, you can easily take dried powdered milk with you and whip up a tasty bowl of crunchy cereal with milk.
5. Energy Bars
If you’re going to make the most of your camping trip, you need to make sure that you maintain your energy levels.
Energy bars are some of the best non-perishable foods for camping. As the name also suggests, they’re perfect for long and extensive camping trips where they help replenish or refuel your vigor and strength levels. On top of that, some energy bars are simply delectable, given the amazing ingredients that they contain.
It’s important to note here that there are various types of energy bars for camping, each with unique features and taste. One of the most popular types for campers are activity bars because they’re rich in carbohydrates, full of flavor, and they keep you on your toes during all your outdoor activities.
What’s great about energy bars is that they are super lightweight, small in size, and are full of proteins and fiber.
6. Dried Fruits
If you cannot survive without your daily fruit intake, dried fruits are one of the best options to take with you on your camping trip. They’re prepared by removing all the water content from the fruits with the help of a unique machine called a ‘dehydrator’ or by simply drying them in the sun.
From cherries to mangos to pineapples, there are so many dried fruit options that you can enjoy on your camping trip. The best part about this non-perishable food for camping is that dried fruits can last you for months, so you don’t have to worry about them going bad on a long camping trip.
All you need to do to keep them super fresh and delicious is to properly store them in an airtight container. Once you reach your campsite, keep the box in a cool, dry area, and they’ll be good to go for days!
7. Beef Jerky
Just like dried fruits, beef jerky is also a dehydrated type of food that’s ideal for camping and hiking trips. These thin slices of lean meat are perfect for chewing while you’re on-the-go; they also serve the purpose of replenishing the salt content in your body. If you don’t like beef, there are numerous other jerky flavors that you can try and pick your favorites ones for your camping trip.
Our Final Thoughts
We understand your hesitation about bringing things like canned foods, instant noodles, and beef jerky on a camping trip, however, you ought to know that they can be really delicious and filling when you’re outdoors, away from home.
We have picked out some of the best non-perishable foods for camping to help you with your food emergencies while you’re outdoors on foot and want to be satiated at all times. Not only do these foods stay fresh for longer, but they’re also super healthy, full of flavor, and will keep you full for a long time!
