Menu Suggestions

Need some ideas for menus? Here are a few to get you started. Remember to read through the cooking instructions and make sure you have all of the ingredients you'll need. These suggestions include ideas for both car camping and backpacking.

Breakfasts:
  • Pancakes (get the kind that only needs water added)
  • Eggs (fixed however you like them, there are egg cartons available to help keep your eggs
    from breaking in your backpack, or use part of an egg carton)
  • Hash browns (Look in the instant mashed potatoes section of the store)
  • Little Links (or other vegetarian breakfast sausages
  • Fruit (check out the individual containers of applesauce, peaches, mixed fruit, etc.,
    when you only have a couple of people)
  • Hot cereals - Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, etc.(be sure to bring the raisins, dates, or brown sugar)
  • Bagels (check out the recipes in the Camping recipe section)
  • David Hash
  • Omelet-in-a-bag
  • French toast
  • Broccoli Omelet
Don't forget the hot chocolate for those cold mornings, there are several flavored varieties out now that make breakfast a little more interesting. Or try apple cider for a change.

Trail Snacks: If you want something quick to eat on the trail or just something light to tide you over till supper, here are some ideas.
  • crackers
  • GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, or you can add things like m&m's, cashews, chocolate chips, etc.)
  • small candy bars
  • dried fruit - apples, pears, peaches, apricots, pineapple, mango, papaya, bananas, etc.
  • granola bars
  • breakfast bars
  • pudding or fruit-in-a-cup
  • bagels

Lunch and Dinner:

  • Any prepackaged dinners
  • Spaghetti
  • macaroni and cheese (add dried soup for variation)
  • red beans and rice
  • Vegetarian Beef Stew
  • La Loma Chicken Delight or Ocean Platter are great (don't forget the tarter sauce)
  • Fettuccini Alfredo
  • Chili
  • Chili Mac
  • Black Beans and Rice
  • dehydrated vegetables
  • Stew Pack
  • Hot dogs (for car camping)
  • Haystacks (car camping)
  • Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
  • Potato dishes (mashed, Au gratin, or other packaged potatoes)
  • Rice dishes
  • Pilafs (lentil, rice, wheat)
  • Lentils
  • Couscous
  • Soups (cup-a-soups work great)
  • Burritos
  • Cheese Quesadillas, Spanish Rice, refried beans

Deserts:
  • Cheesecake (any of the Jell-O or Royal instant mixes)
  • Chocolate cake (if you have a Bakepacker)
  • S'mores
  • Mexi S'mores
  • cookies
  • pudding
  • fruit
  • Oh, and don't forget the marshmallows!