Kitchen Camping Essentials

Are you planning a camping trip this summer? Going camping for the first time, and don’t know what to bring? I’m sharing everything you need to pack to create a kitchen camp. There are several kitchen essentials you need for a camping trip, and this camping list will provide the essentials, as well as a camping food list.

“This post has been sponsored by the DINTY MOORE® Brand. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Packing up the car, RV, or hitching the trailer to the truck and heading up North is a typical Michigan weekend around here. And with summer on its way, many people are ready to get outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature. We’ve done our fair share of camping over the years, including a really fun SUV camping adventure last year.

Going camping is something we enjoy doing, but requires a bit of work to prep and organize the necessary items. One of the main things you need to focus on when prepping for a camping trip is the food supply. And not only the food but all of the kitchen tools and essentials you may need while exploring everything nature has to offer.

If you’re not familiar with what kitchen essentials you should bring with you on a camping trip, I’ve got you covered.

First, it’s important to make a list of everything you will need. Think about it; basically, you’re bringing the whole kitchen sink with you.

What To Take Camping | Camping list of kitchen essentials

A cast iron pan can handle everything that camping throws at it! Use it to cook hot dogs, bacon, pancakes, steaks, and to heat up canned goods, like hearty and delicious DINTY MOORE® Beef Stew. A good cast iron pan is a must-have for all of your camping meals and can be used right on the open fire. Be sure to grab a few oven mitts.
A cast iron dutch oven is another essential you will need for a kitchen camp. This tool is great when you want to make hot cereal, make a beef stew, pasta, and more.
Can opener. This is an item many people forget! If you are taking canned soup, beans, or other canned goods for your meals, you want to be sure you have a quality can opener on hand.
Zip-close baggies. These are perfect for keeping toiletries in as well as matches and other items that can’t get damp. You can also keep seasonings in them, hair accessories, and other small travel items.
Utensils. Enough said. (and don’t forget a paring knife and a pair of kitchen scissors)
Cookware. You can do paper plates, or invest in a set of simple, durable cookware.
Cutting board. A small bamboo cutting board is great to take with you. You will want a clean spot for food prep.
Tupperware. If you have leftovers or bring seasonings, these will come in handy for storing your food.
Don’t forget to bring a roll of trash bags with you.
Portable Stove. This is optional since you can use a fire pit to cook your food. You may also find campsites that have a small grill on-site.
Fuel. Having fuel on hand is a great way to get a fire going quickly, especially if you are planning to use a fire to cook all of your food.
And while we’re at it, don’t forget to bring a box of matches.
Foldable table. Many campgrounds will have a picnic table, but just in case, a portable table is worth having as part of your kitchen gear.
A pair of tongs is good to have on hand to use for food and even to move charcoal around.
Which brings us to another camping essential: bring a bag of charcoal.
Kettle to boil water. This can also be used to make tea and/or coffee. You may also want to invest in a portable coffee maker if you are the type of person that can’t live without coffee.
Water bottles and insulated mugs.
Foil.
Bottle opener.
Paper Towel.
Collapsible sink. If you plan to use dishes, having something like this, or a small tub will be ideal when it comes to washing dishes.
And be sure to bring dish soap and scrubbers.
A roomy cooler is perfect for camping and a great way to keep food and beverages cold. Fill it up with plenty of ice and your favorite drinks and snacks, and you will have cold items at your fingertips. When the ice melts, coolers are easy enough to rinse out and refill. Don’t forget your ice packs!
Pressure Cooker. If you have the luxury of having a place to plug in electronics, (like we did when we went camping last year), having a pressure cooker is a great essential to have in your kitchen camp. Not only will you be able to prepare your meals quickly, but it can also heat up those canned goods, like the DINTY MOORE® Beef Stew we pack in our camping food bag.

Camping Food List

High protein snacks. Take plenty of high protein snacks to keep you energized. This includes granola, granola and fruit bars, jerky, nuts, and other dried snacks.
Dry goods. Think cereal, rice, pasta.
Seasonings. We can’t leave our seasonings out, so be sure to have the basics: salt, pepper, and a few other favorite seasonings.
Marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Because, what’s camping without having S’mores around the fire?
Tea/Coffee.
Syrup and Pancake mix.
Powdered milk.
Fruit (fresh and dried).
Instant oatmeal.
Cooking oil.
Fresh herbs are always nice to have on hand. You may even find fresh herbs while out hiking!
Fresh produce. Onions, peppers, and garlic.
Canned goods. Often when camping, you may not have the luxury of cooking chicken, steaks, making pancakes in the morning, and having a bowl of hot cereal. If there is one food essential you need to make sure you have on your list, it’s canned goods. DINTY MOORE® Beef Stew is a must-have for an easy dinner while you are enjoying your camping trip.

DINTY MOORE® products are perfect for camping because you can heat them up over the fire in a cast iron skillet. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to get dinner on the table while camping with a can of DINTY MOORE® Beef Stew. And when you’re not camping, you can still enjoy a hot bowl of easy-to-make beef stew. Simply follow the directions on the back of the DINTY MOORE® Beef Stew can.

It’s a simple solution for camping that is hearty and has real meat, potatoes, and vegetables.

Whew, it’s a big list, right? And this is just the list of essentials you need for your camp kitchen. Camping is a lot of work, and organizing yourself, building up your camping essentials is important to start now. Your camping trip may be months away, but organizing everything you need can be tedious and overwhelming. Using this list of basic kitchen essentials you need for camping will take away the frustrating side of packing and guide you in the right direction.

Start shopping for your camping essentials now. While you’re out at your local grocery/retailer shopping, be sure to pick up a few cans of DINTY MOORE® Beef Stew. You can also use this rebate offer from Checkout51 to save money. See, now you’re saving money and time!

Did I miss something from this list? Drop me a line below and let me know what’s on your camping kitchen essential list!

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Kitchen Camping Essentials | Camping Food List