Camp Without A Cooler
Camp without a cooler!?!?
You’re probably thinking, “no way, you’re crazy!“
But, wait. I’m not asking you to skip food for the whole trip. Hear me out first.
Camping has a lot of moving pieces. Add kids to the mix – even more moving pieces! Now you’re not just thinking about food for yourself and possibly a spouse, you’re thinking about food for little one(s). Kids + food + cooking + camping = lots of work.
To camp without a cooler is an option to simplify on some things, while still fully enjoying the experience of camping.
🙌 Imagine not having to worry about soggy bread or wet cheese. Gross.
🙌 Imagine not having to ditch the meat because you’re not sure if it kept well enough in the bathtub-feeling water.
🙌 Imagine not having to run out to the mini mart AGAIN for an overpriced bag of ice.
Yeah, those are just a few things. And don’t get me wrong, I love all my refrigerated goods like dairy, and meat, and fresh veg, and condiments, but sometimes, for some occasions, it’s easier and simpler to camp without a cooler. Here are some ideas on how to make that possible!
Cooler-free Camping BREAKFASTS
What if you consider instant hot oatmeal packets instead, topped with nuts, raisins, and brown sugar? Boil a quick pot of water and tada, breakfast is served. Here are some other ideas
1. Fruit
Consider fruit that doesn’t need refrigeration, like apples, bananas, and oranges.
2. Granola Bars
Go ahead and get your favorite kind, like the ones dipped in yogurt or chocolate covered😋 You’re camping after all.
3. Oatmeal Packs (just add hot water)
Oatmeal doesn’t have to be boring. These come in a variety of flavors like apples and cinnamon, brown sugar, and cranberry walnut.
4. Pop tarts
Again, maybe not a pantry staple, but when you’re camping? Time to let loose and have a little fun!
5. Applesauce (perfect for babies and toddlers)
6. Pancakes
Just add hot water and pour on a hot griddle. Yum😋
Cooler-free Camping LUNCHES
Lunches are probably the easiest thing to adjust to eating cooler-free. Hiking, picnics, and grab-and-go foods are often food items that do not need to be refrigerated. Lunches, especially when you’re feeding little mouths, can be more like snack foods, and still get the job done. Consider some of these food combos for your next camping trip without a cooler.
1. Trail Mix
Trail mix is the perfect go-to snack for outdoor activities, for all ages! Make it extra fun for the kids by letting them help make it at home.
2. Granola Bars
Like trail mix, just melted all together in a nice, handy bar 🙂
3. PB & J, Pb & Marshmallow fluff, or PB & Honey
Depending on the ages of your kids, peanut butter sandwiches are great for them to make themselves. They like to have the independence and ability to do something by themselves, and camping keeps all the mess outside.
4. Chips & Dip
Just grab a bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa or queso cheese and you’re good to go!
5. Tuna Packets with Crackers
I love tuna packets! They come in handy for so many things. Tuna is a great, EASY way to add protein and nutrition to a quick meal.
6. Avocado Toast
If you are cooking on your trip, toast some bread over the fire or stove and smear on avocado. If you’re going cook-free too, try avocado on rice cakes, pita chips, or roll it up with tuna in a wrap.
7. Fruit
Although a lot of fruit does require refrigeration, bananas, apples, and oranges or clementines are your best friends when it comes to camping. Refrigeration is not required, these fruits are kid-friendly, and they can easily be paired with other snacks and toppings.
Cooler-free Camping Dinners
Again, the reason to camp without a cooler is for when you have a short window, bad weather, or other variables when you need camping to be as easy as possible. I’m not saying never camp without a cooler, but it’s nice to have an easy option sometimes.
1. Ramen Noodles
Just add hot water. Couldn’t get easier! Tastier? More nutritious? Well, yes, most likely. But sometimes “easiest” is the ticket. Not always, but sometimes.
2. Canned Soup
Pop, dump, heat, delish. Pick your favorites like chicken corn noodle or roast beef and vegetable. Hot soup around a campfire? Sounds amazing.
3. Canned Chili & Beans
Again, as easy as a pop and a pour (please make sure you get the cans with the soda-pop top😉 So much ease). Chili is amazing topped with corn chips too.
4. Coucous
An easy grain to make with boiling water, coucous is simple and can be seasoned just right to make it delicious. Add tuna or sautéed veggies for more variety.
5. Pre-cooked rice & Canned Beans (Seasoned to delish😋)
Pre-cooked rice comes in packets now and is as easy as One, Two, Squeeze. Add some canned beans (don’t forget the soda-pop top), sprinkle on garlic, cumin, and paprika, and yummy!
6. Freeze dried or Dehydrated meals
These days freeze dried and/or dehydrated meals are so easy to come by. Pre-order online, or pickup at a Walmart or your nearby outdoor store. These meals are not the cheapest for the budget, but they are so simple, nutritious, and more delicious than you’d think.
7. Pasta with Tuna
Tuna, again! Because it’s that good. Tuna pouches or canned tuna is a great way to have meat on your trip without needing a cooler. Pair tuna with pasta or rice and you have an easy, cooler-free dinner.
Conclusion:
Mmmhmm, just look at all those delicious options that you can have camping, without the hassle of a cooler!
Has it even crossed your mind before?
And again, let me reassure you, this is not to say, ‘Never take a cooler camping,’ because we LOVE our cooler foods and the endless options we can make for meals. But, sometimes camping is about giving some and taking some.
If there’s a lot of moving pieces on your next camping trip (tight schedule, short trip, bad weather, etc), consider the ease of going Cooler-free.
Have you had a cooler-free camping trip before? How did you like it?
Get out, go adventure!