Alright, let’s talk about this whole camping crockpot recipes thing. For years, I was all about cooking over the open fire. You know, the whole rustic experience. But let me tell ya, sometimes, especially after a long hike or if the weather’s a bit iffy, fussing with firewood and embers is the last thing I want to do. That’s when the crockpot idea started to creep in.
Figuring Out the Crockpot Camping Game
First off, I didn’t go out and buy some fancy, new-fangled camping-specific slow cooker. Nope. I grabbed my trusty old crockpot from the kitchen. The one that’s seen countless chilis and stews. The biggest hurdle, obviously, is power. If you’re at a campsite with an electrical hookup, you’re golden. If not, well, you’re looking at a generator or one of those hefty power stations, which adds another layer of gear to pack.
My first attempt was, let’s say, a learning experience. I figured I’d do all the prep at the campsite. Chopping onions with tears streaming down my face while swatting mosquitoes? Not ideal. Now, I’m a firm believer in doing all the prep at home. Chop your veggies, measure out your spices, brown any meat if the recipe calls for it. Put everything into Ziploc bags. Seriously, this is a game-changer.
My Go-To Simple Starter: Pulled Pork
One of the easiest things I started with was pulled pork. It’s ridiculously simple and always a crowd-pleaser. Here’s basically what I did:
- Woke up, got the coffee going.
- Grabbed my prepped pork shoulder (maybe 3-4 pounds), plopped it into the crockpot.
- Poured a bottle of my favorite BBQ sauce over it. Sometimes I add a chopped onion (pre-chopped, remember!) and a bit of apple cider vinegar.
- Put the lid on, set it to low, and then… just left it. Went for a hike, read a book, whatever.
The beauty of it is coming back to the campsite after a few hours, and the whole area smells amazing. All you gotta do is shred the pork with a couple of forks, and boom, dinner is served. Slap it on some buns, maybe with a side of coleslaw (store-bought, I’m not making that from scratch at a campsite, haha).
What I Learned the Hard Way (and Some Tips)
Cleanup. Ugh. That was my next hurdle. Scraping baked-on BBQ sauce out of a crockpot with limited hot water is no fun. Then I discovered crockpot liners. Bless whoever invented those things. Seriously, just lift out the liner, toss it, and your crockpot is practically clean. A quick wipe, and you’re done.
Another thing: don’t overfill it. Especially if you’re moving it around or the surface isn’t perfectly level. I learned that one when I had a bit of a spill. Keep it to about two-thirds full, max.
And make sure it’s on a stable, flat surface. Campsite picnic tables can be wobbly. I usually stick mine on the most level spot I can find, sometimes even on the floor of the car if I’m just stepping away for a bit (obviously, not while driving and making sure it’s safe).
I’ve also done simple chili – just brown some ground beef beforehand (or use pre-cooked sausage), dump in canned beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder. Let it simmer all day. Or a hearty beef stew, with pre-cut potatoes and carrots.
So, Is It Worth Lugging a Crockpot Camping?
For me, for certain types of camping trips, absolutely. If I’m staying put for a couple of days and have access to power, it’s a fantastic way to have a hot, satisfying meal ready with minimal effort during the day. It lets me enjoy the actual camping part more, instead of constantly tending to food.
It’s not for every trip, mind you. If I’m backpacking or moving sites every day, it’s just not practical. But for a relaxed weekend getaway? Yeah, the crockpot has definitely earned its spot in my camping gear rotation. It just took a bit of practice to get the system down. Now, it’s pretty smooth sailing.
