Camping & Backpacking Lunch Ideas

Camping & Backpacking Lunch Ideas | Stasher

If you're looking for a little lunch inspiration for your next camping trip, we've got you covered! Whether you need a backpacking lunch that's nutritious and easy to transport, or lunch ideas for camping that require minimal cooking gadgets (and less waste), read on for our top picks.

backpack meal Stasher bag

High-nutrient sandwiches and wraps

The beauty of sandwiches and wraps lies in their near-endless variety (and probably also in their carbs). They're also perfect for trips with bigger groups, because everyone can come up with their own creation and are bound to find something they like in the lineup of toppings. And with a little planning, it's easy to account for dietary restrictions like gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan.

With so many different sandwich combinations at your fingertips, it's pretty impossible to get sick of them, making them a clear go-to lunch for camping trips!

Pro tip: for each sandwich and wrap idea below, we recommend preparing the ingredients before your trip and storing each ingredient in a Stasher Sandwich Bag. And as you assemble your meals and use up your ingredients, you can slide your sandwiches into one of those same Stasher bags to grab and go.

Classic BLT sandwich

The BLT – bacton, lettuce, tomato – is a classic for a reason: it's beloved by many, is simple to make, and has the perfect balance of flavors. (For a vegan-friendly version of the BLT, try making this oven-baked eggplant "bacon" the day before your trip.)

Bread of choice
Mayonnaise, butter, or vegan substitute
Lettuce
Thick-cut tomato seasoned with salt and pepper
Bacon or eggplant "bacon"

Turkey-cranberry sandwich

It may not be Thanksgiving time, but turkey and cranberries deserve a place on your plate throughout the year.

Bread of choice (we love sourdough for this!)
Roasted turkey slices
Mayonnaise or butter
Cranberry sauce (canned)
Cream cheese
Red onions (finely chopped)
Tomato slices
Lettuce

Sophisticated PB&J sandwich

Your throwback elementary school lunch just got an upgrade! This artful twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is toasted over the campfire in a pie iron, making it into a gooey dessert that's acceptable to eat at all times of the day.

Pie iron
Sandwich bread, outer sides buttered
Peanut butter
Jelly
And any extra add-ins, like banana slices, berries, dark chocolate chunks, or marshmallows.

Teriyaki chicken wraps

For an easy, protein-packed lunch, opt for this teriyaki chicken wrap.

Tortillas (we love Siete's almond flour tortillas for a little extra protein)
Pre-cooked shredded roast chicken
Teriyaki sauce
Shredded cabbage and carrots (Stasher tip: to reduce single-use plastics, nix the pre-shredded bagged vegetables and opt for produce that you can chop yourself. The day before your trip, just chop a cabbage, grate some carrots, and pop it into a Stasher bag.)

Chicken-Pesto sandwich

So, you've got leftover chicken from that teriyaki chicken wrap: what now? Try this chicken-pesto sandwich! And bonus points if you make your own pesto.

Bread of choice
Pre-cooked shredded roast chicken
Jarred pesto or this awesome carrot-top pesto that helps cut down on food waste
Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Sliced red peppers
Provolone, white cheddar, parmesan, or mozzarella cheese

Grilled cheese sandwich

Another tried-and-true lunch option is the humble grilled cheese sandwich. Made in a pie iron over the campfire, this grilled cheese gets nice and crispy, and can be stuffed with any other toppings you like.

Pie iron
Bread of choice, outsides buttered

Cheese of choice (cheddar is a grilled-cheese classic, but we've been eying this brie, fig, and apple grilled cheese, too)

Chickpea taco wrap

Chickpeas are tiny but mighty – they're packed with protein to fuel all your outdoors adventures, and they can be prepared in all sorts of ways.

Corn tortilla
Chickpeas (out of the can and warmed in a pan over the fire, or roasted before the trip)
Cheese of choice
Tomatoes
Onion

Sprinkling of taco seasoning (to avoid single-use packaging, bring a little of your favorite seasoning in a Stasher Pocket Bag!)

Greek wrap

Leftover chickpeas from the above taco wrap get new life in this tasty Greek wrap.

Tortilla
Tzatziki sauce (our friends at Imperfect Foods make a great one!)
Chickpeas (canned or roasted ahead of time)
Cucumber slices
Red onion slices
Feta cheese
Tomato
Olives

Easy camping lunches

Other easy camping lunches

Watermelon salad

Watermelon salad is one of those camping meals that's perfect for hot days where you need something light and refreshing. Add all of the ingredients to a Stand-Up Mega bag, shake gently, and dig in!

Watermelon chunks
Lime juice
Feta cheese
Fresh basil or mint

Butternut squash pasta salad

This mouthwatering make-ahead butternut squash pasta salad is brimming with nutritious vegetables like Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and spinach. Whip it up before you head out for your camping trip, and store it in individual servings. To show the planet a little love, be sure to skip the single-use plastic bags or foil packets, and opt for an endlessly reusable Stasher bag instead.

Pasta
Olive oil or avocado oil
Frozen cubed butternut squash
Brussels sprouts
Spices: salt, papper, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg
Spinach
Chopped parsley
Goat cheese
Toasted pine nuts

Kale salad with lemon tahini dressing

If a classic green-leaf salad is more your thing, then check out this recipe for our kale salad with lemon tahini dressing. Even when dressed, kale holds up well so it’s a great option for make-ahead salads.

For the salad:

Fresh kale
Hard boiled eggs (or chickpeas, for vegan-friendly protein)
Pepitas
Grated parmesan cheese

For the dressing:

Tahini
Warm water
Lemon juice
Maple syrup or honey to sweeten
Salt and pepper to taste

Forbidden rice buddha bowl

This Forbidden Rice Buddha Bowl is easy to prep ahead – prepare the rice and pickled onions before you embark, and store both of them in your Stasher bags of choice.

Forbidden rice
Sweet potato
Kale
Pickled red onions
Cucumber
Avocado

Mediterranean orzo pasta salad

Quite possibly the easiest (and most delicious) camping lunch on our list is this Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad. Simply add the ingredients to a Half-Gallon Stasher bag, and shake it up!

Cooked orzo pasta
Cucumber
Kalamata olives
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Feta cheese
Fresh tomato or sun-dried tomatoes
Pepper to taste

Crunchy Thai salad to go

Last but not least is this satisfyingly crunchy Thai salad with homemade dressing. Add the salad ingredients into a large Stasher bag, pour in the dressing, and shake!