Have you ever planned a camping trip in advance, and when it comes time to pack the food and drinks, found yourself frustrated about space issues and excessive inventory? Clothes are easy; you just roll them. Food and drinks; that's another story. We at Campers Inn want to share some of our favorite packing hacks when it comes to your food.
1. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead in full and being prepared is always a good idea in any situation. Know how many people you will be taking on your trip. Having a sense of how much they generally eat is a good idea as well, for this will allow you to pack the perfect amount, and for you to come home with little to no leftovers.
2. Spices
When on a trip it is obvious that you don't need to take along your entire spice cabinet, or a full bottle of pepper for that matter. Campfire food, however, wouldn't be complete without some herb and spice, so it's a necessary thing to take along. To resolve this, try packing your spices empty tic tac containers or pill dispensers for limited space and easy separation for just the right amount of flavor needed for the length of your trip.
3. Drinks
Water bottles and drink containers are the more annoying thing to pack, and perhaps the bulkiest. Save yourself a lot of extra space by bringing only a water bottle or two per person. Pack drink packets that you can mix in with water later as necessary. Throw your favorites in a zip loc bag and you're set for the entire trip. This is a good way to make instant coffee as well.
4. Jar Meals
Utilize mason jars for pre-planned meals! These are perfect for salads, casseroles, pancake mix, and anything that can be mixed together for a few days at a time. They can easily stack together and prevent leftover food at the end of your trip. Quick tip: place wet ingredients in the bottom and dry ingredients at the top of the jar.
5. Bread in a Can
Here's a great way for you to save space while also protecting your soft bread. Bake bread in a tin can ahead of time, leave it in the can while you travel, use what you need, and then put it back in the can when finished! Here's the recipe and directions for canned bread!
6. Bagged Coffee/Tea
If you're not a fan of the instand coffee/tea packs, or want to go a cheaper route, use coffee filters and a floss to pack those grounds in a way that saves space. When you're ready, just stick the packets in water and you have coffee or tea at the campground!
7. Paper bag, pre-planned meals/snacks
If you have dried ingredients, or foods that can be mixed, put them in paper bags for quick on-the-go snacks or for an easy way to plan ahead. Write down on the outside what's inside, or who they belong to.
8. Eggs
Eggs are probably the hardest thing to pack in fear of them breaking, and a carton can take up a lot of space. What's a camping trip without some yummy eggs in the morning? All you have to do is beat the eggs ahead of time while you're still at home and strain them into a used water bottle for safe travel. Mark how many eggs are in each bottle for reference and measuring purposes.
9. Coolers
Now comes the hard part: packing the coolers. Deciding what needs to keep cool, and how to do it without getting food soaked with cooler water during travel is somewhat of a difficult task. Check out more in-depth tips here: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/8373949280374848/
9. Vacuum-Sealed Meals
Still need more space? Vacuum-sealing is always an option. Seal your already prepared or mixed meals, cut open when you're ready to eat, and you're good to go!
Planning meals for your trip, but not sure what you want to eat? Check out our blogs on campfire cooking and recipes!
Campfire Recipes to Try on Your Next Trip
4 Fun and Unique Campfire Recipes