You know, I used to think camp cooking was all about hovering over a smoky fire, trying not to burn the burgers, or just settling for cold sandwiches again. It felt like a lot of work after a day of hiking or just trying to relax. I remember this one trip, everything got soaked in a sudden downpour, and trying to get a fire going for dinner was just miserable. We ended up eating granola bars and feeling pretty sorry for ourselves.
Finding a Better Way
That trip was a bit of a turning point. I started looking for easier ways to get a hot meal without all the fuss. I’d seen folks at some campgrounds with all sorts of setups, but then I remembered my trusty old crock pot back home. I thought, “Could that actually work for camping?” It seemed a bit out there at first. I mean, a crock pot? In the woods?
So, I decided to experiment. The first hurdle was power, obviously. My little 3-quart crock pot doesn’t draw a ton of power, but you still need a source. I invested in a portable power station – one of those big battery packs – and it’s been a game-changer for more than just cooking, let me tell you. Some campsites we go to also have electrical hookups, which makes it even easier.
My Go-To Camping Crock Pot Meal: Shredded Chicken Tacos
My absolute favorite, and probably the easiest, thing I make is shredded chicken for tacos or sandwiches. It’s so simple, and everyone loves it. Here’s how I get it done:
Before We Leave Home:
- I grab a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs have more flavor, I reckon.
- I whip up a quick spice mix: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, a bit of salt and pepper. I just eyeball it, really.
- Sometimes, I’ll chop an onion and a bell pepper if I’m feeling fancy. I put these in a separate bag.
At the Campsite:
- First thing in the morning, or at least a good 4-6 hours before we want to eat, I get the crock pot out.
- I place the chicken into the crock pot. If I brought onions and peppers, I toss them in on top.
- Then, I sprinkle that spice mix all over the chicken.
- I pour in about half a cup of chicken broth or even just water, or sometimes a jar of salsa. This helps keep it moist.
- I put the lid on, plug it into my power station (or the site’s power), and set it to low.
And that’s pretty much it! We then head off for our day – hiking, swimming, reading by the lake, whatever. The best part is coming back to the campsite with that amazing smell wafting through the air. Seriously, it makes everyone hungry.
After about 4-6 hours on low (or 2-3 on high, but low is better for tender chicken), I just take two forks and shred the chicken right there in the crock pot. It just falls apart. We serve it up with tortillas, some shredded lettuce, cheese, and salsa that we packed. So easy, and so, so good.
Another Easy One: Campfire Chili (Crock Pot Style!)
Chili is another fantastic one, especially if the weather is a bit cool.
Prep at Home (optional, but makes it faster):
- I often brown a pound of ground beef with some chopped onion. I let it cool and then pack it in a container for the cooler.
- I’ll pre-chop any other veggies like bell peppers or celery.
At Camp:
- If I didn’t pre-cook the beef, I’d need to do that first in a skillet. But assuming it’s pre-cooked, I just dump it into the crock pot.
- Then I add a can or two of diced tomatoes, a can of kidney beans (rinsed!), a can of pinto beans (rinsed!), and any pre-chopped veggies.
- I stir in some chili powder, cumin, a bit of cayenne if we like it spicy, salt, and pepper.
- I put the lid on, set it to low, and let it simmer away all afternoon.
Again, coming back to that ready-made, hot meal is just the best feeling. We bring along some shredded cheese and maybe some cornbread or crackers. Perfect.
Why I Stick With It
It’s just so much less stressful. I get to actually enjoy my camping trip instead of worrying about meal prep and cooking over a finicky fire. I spend maybe 10-15 minutes in the morning getting things into the pot, and then I’m free for the rest of the day. Clean-up is usually pretty simple too, especially if I use those crock pot liners – total lifesavers! If not, a bit of hot water and soap usually does the trick back at home or if the campsite has a wash station.
It’s made a huge difference to our trips. We eat better, I’m less stressed, and we have more time for the fun stuff. If you haven’t tried taking a small crock pot camping, and you have a way to power it, I’d say give it a shot. You might be surprised how much you like it!
