Easy Camping Meals For Large Groups & Big Families | Recipes To Feed A Crowd

Angela Devaney

Planning a camping trip with a crowd? These easy camping meals for large groups will make meal times a breeze.


Are you planning a camping trip with a large group of people? Nothing beats camping with your closest friends and family.

Yet, no matter how scenic your destination is, a camping trip is never complete without good food.

We’ve got you covered! From breakfast camping meals to dinner ideas, we’ve compiled a list of 37 easy recipes that will feed your entire group.

Plus, we’ve included some tips on cooking for a crowd and what camp kitchen equipment you’ll need.

You’re sure to find something everyone in your group will love with this impressive list of camping recipes.

And the best part is, all these recipes are easy to follow, and you can make them right on the campsite.

So get ready to eat like kings and queens – without ever having to leave the campground!

Easy Camping Meals For Large Groups | Camping Recipes To Feed A Crowd

You can prepare stress-free and delicious meals on the go by following these camping recipes for a crowd. They need minimal effort to prepare, giving you more time for fun and relaxation. Read our full list of recipes below to build the perfect camping menu for your group.

Camping Breakfast Meals For Big Groups

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially if you’ve got a full day of fun and adventure ahead of you. Low maintenance and easy meals are ideal in the morning, so you can move on with your day as soon as possible.

Kickstart your morning with these simple and scrumptious RV meals for a crowd.

Camping Lunches for Crowds

A filling and energizing meal at lunch will keep everyone satisfied throughout the day. Use these RV meals for a crowd to keep everyone happy and full during your camping trip.

Camping Dinners for a Crowd

After everything you’ve done throughout the day, everyone is bound to be starving in the evening.

Dinner may just be the most satisfying part of the day, and you can set the perfect camping mood with campfire and barbecue dinners.

Here are some great camping dinner recipes for large parties for you to try out.

Easy Desserts Ideas for Large Groups

You can’t forget about dessert. After all those delicious and savory dishes, you need some sweetness to cleanse your palate. Try out these delectable desserts to end your night on a high note.

Most of them are no-bake and straightforward to prepare, which is ideal for camping in large groups.

Easy Camping Snacks for Large Groups

Since snacks maintain your energy, they’re just as important as all your other meals.

Check out these easy snack recipes so you can take a quick but yummy bite between activities. Most of them only take a few minutes to make, so you won’t have to worry about taking too long to prepare.

Meal Planning Tips for Group Camping

When it comes to camping with a large group, meal planning is essential.

Not only will it save you time and money, but it will also ensure that everyone has enough to eat.

Here are some tips for making sure your camping meals go off without a hitch.

Opt for Simple Recipes

To make meal planning for group feasts easier, try to find camping recipes that are easy to make and don’t require too many ingredients.

For example, one-pot dishes like chili or stew are great options because they’re easy to prepare and can feed a lot of people.

If you’re looking for something more creative, try making kebobs with different types of meat and fresh veggies. You can also use pre-made dough to make pizza or calzones over the campfire.

Choose recipes with no-meat options in case anyone in the group is vegan or vegetarian.

Breakfast is also an important meal when camping with large groups, so consider making big batches of oatmeal or biscuits and gravy.

Don’t Forget the Snacks

It’s also important to think about snacks when camping with large groups.

Stock up on plenty of fresh fruits, nuts, chips, and other snacks that will keep everyone full throughout the day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try making s’mores over the campfire!

Finger foods are filling enough to satiate your hunger but not enough for you to feel too stuffed for your next meal.

They’re also a good source of energy if you get tired.

Plan as a Group

Planning meals for group camping trips together is crucial for ensuring everyone’s preferences and dietary needs are met.

By involving all members in the planning process, you can create a more inclusive and enjoyable meal experience for everyone.

Plus, everyone can ensure their own meals take into account any food allergies they have.

It also helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that everyone knows what to expect at mealtime.

Plus, it’s a great opportunity for bonding and building camaraderie within the group.

Have a Daily Meal Plan

A daily meal plan helps streamline the decision-making process and ensures that everyone knows what to expect at each meal.

By planning meals in advance, you can avoid the stress of last-minute decisions and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment on hand.

Additionally, a daily meal plan allows you to plan for variety and balance, ensuring that your group’s meals are both enjoyable and nutritionally sound.

Write a Shopping List

A comprehensive shopping list is essential when camping with a large group.

It helps ensure you have all the necessary ingredients for your planned meals and minimizes the risk of forgetting important items.

This is particularly important when camping, as running to the grocery store may not be a convenient option.

A well-organized shopping list also makes packing and transporting food more manageable and helps prevent overbuying, which can lead to wasted food and increased costs.

Share Out Tasks

Dividing meal preparation tasks among the camp crew is an effective way to lighten the workload and ensure everything gets done efficiently.

With a large group, it’s especially important to delegate tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and organizing supplies.

Sharing responsibilities also helps create a sense of teamwork and collaboration, making the entire camping experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Save Weight with Dry Foods

Incorporating dry foods such as pasta and rice into your camping menu is a practical way to save weight while still enjoying satisfying and delicious meals.

Dry foods are not only lightweight but also compact, making them perfect for camping trips where you need to minimize the load you’re carrying.

Here’s how using dry foods can be helpful when camping with large groups:

  • Easy to transport – they’re lightweight and take up less space in your backpack or vehicle compared to fresh or canned items.
  • Long shelf life – so they can be stored for extended periods without spoiling. This is particularly beneficial when camping with a large group, as it reduces the risk of food spoilage and waste.
  • Versatile meal options – combined with various ingredients to create a wide range of delicious and satisfying meals.
  • Energy-dense and filling – dry foods are often energy-dense and filling, providing the necessary fuel to keep your group energized throughout the day.

What Kitchen Equipment Do You Need?

  • Portable stove or outdoor grill: Your RV will most likely have a stove, but it’s best to be ready. RV stoves are often smaller than standard home stoves, so you may need to bring out an extra outdoor grill to cook large meals faster.
  • Dutch oven, cast iron skillet, pot, and pan: Cast Iron is built durably, so it’s often used to cook on more substantial fires like charcoal grills or campfires. If you’re traveling in groups of more than 8 people, go big with 2-liter and 4-liter pots. A slow cooker or pressure cooker makes a fine addition to your RV kitchen too.
  • Reusable plates and utensils: Save up on disposable utensils and bring reusable ones instead. You can also reduce the amount of trash on your site while doing this. It’s best to bring plastic, durable plates. 
  • Collapsible sink: Your RV should already have a sink, but if you’re cooking and cleaning up after a large group, the extra space to get things done faster.

Camp Cooking Tips for Big Crowds

Optimize Food Storage

Proper food storage will ensure that food remains fresh, safe, and easily accessible throughout the trip.

Choose lightweight & compact foods

  • Lightweight and compact foods like pasta, rice, and dehydrated meals are easier to transport and store, especially when space is limited.
  • Selecting canned goods with pull-tab lids simplifies the opening process and eliminates the need for additional tools.

Pack smart

  • Sturdy, stackable containers protect food from damage and make organization more manageable.
  • Labeling containers and coolers allows for easy identification and prevents confusion in the camp crew.

Keep perishables cold

  • Well-insulated coolers with ice packs or frozen water bottles help maintain proper temperatures for perishable items, ensuring food safety.
  • Separating raw meats from other foods prevents cross-contamination and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Streamline Meal Preparation & Cooking

Efficient meal preparation and cooking will make sure that everyone is well-fed and satisfied without placing undue strain on the designated camp cook.

Divide and conquer

  • Assigning specific tasks to group members distributes the workload evenly and encourages collaboration.
  • Rotating cooking duties allows everyone to have a chance to relax and enjoy the camping experience.

Cook in bulk

  • Preparing large quantities of food at once minimizes the overall time and effort spent on cooking.
  • Chop up your fresh veggies ahead of time and store them in your RV fridge. This speeds up the cooking process and helps you finish faster. 
  • Opting for one-pot meals or dishes that can be easily scaled up, like chili or pasta, simplifies the cooking process and ensures there’s enough food for everyone.

Make-ahead meals

  • Preparing certain dishes or components in advance, such as marinating meats or prepping veggies, reduces the amount of work on camp.
  • Utilizing slow cookers or portable ovens allows for meals to be ready when you return from activities, providing a convenient and welcoming dining experience.

Practice Safe Food Handling

Safe food handling will help prevent foodborne illnesses and ensures that everyone remains healthy throughout the trip.

Keep it clean

  • Regularly washing hands and surfaces, especially when handling raw meats, promotes cleanliness and reduces the risk of contamination.
  • Using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods prevents cross-contamination and ensures food safety.

Cook to proper temperatures

  • A food thermometer ensures that meats are cooked to safe internal temperatures, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
  • Maintaining appropriate temperatures for hot and cold foods helps prevent bacterial growth and ensures food quality.

Store leftovers safely

  • Promptly refrigerating leftovers in airtight containers helps maintain freshness and prevents spoilage.
  • Reheating leftovers to at least 165°F (74°C) before serving guarantees food safety and quality.

More RV Meal Ideas & Camping Recipes

Looking for more inspiration or wondering what to feed your family on your RV camping trip? Check out our other incredible RV meal ideas and some of our favorite camping food and recipes, and never be short of inspiration again.

In Conclusion

Good food is one of the best parts of going camping. You can’t deny that bonding over the campfire as you eat a nice meal makes some great memories.

Take the time to plan out your menu so that your trip goes as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.

These easy camping meals for a large group are great options to save time and effort, so be sure to try them out.

Angela Devaney

Angela Devaney, a former IT project management professional, embarked on an adventurous journey of full-time travel, which included touring West Africa in a converted overland truck and converting an ex-military 4×4 Sprinter van into a camper for a five-year South American expedition. She now utilizes her hands-on experience to create practical RV living and van life advice as a full-time digital media producer, reaching over a million users annually through her YouTube channel, blog, and newsletter. Angela also lends her expertise as the editor-in-chief of the Campervan Electrics Handbook.

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