Food just tastes better outside. That’s why we get so excited when it’s time to plan a river float, day trip or camping weekend! There’s nothing like gathering friends and family in the great outdoors—unplugging from daily routines, sharing meals around the fire and making memories that last a lifetime.
Fortunately, eating well outdoors doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s where we come in! We’ve rounded up our favorite make-ahead tips and time-saving tricks to help you spend less time stressing and more time connecting over homemade food, good company and the beauty of nature.
Whether you’re bringing a portable stove or grill or cooking over an open fire, grilling is pretty much the essence of eating outdoors. What’s on our menu this year? Veggie burgers! Packed with plant-based protein and fiber from Green Lentils, Organic Farro and Protein Oats, our 3-in-1 Veggie Burger can be transformed into Masala, Spicy or BBQ burgers with a few simple additions. Make and freeze ahead of time and store in your cooler until it’s time to eat!
What's an excellent burger without a delicious bun? Made with our high-quality Artisan Bread Flour, our Ultimate Easy Burger Buns are soft and tender, yet sturdy enough to stand up to your favorite toppings! Bake ahead of time and bring them along—don't forget to grill them over the fire for that perfect smoky flavor.
What’s next? How about some delicious grain salads? Packed full of nutrients (and flavor), they are the camping MVPs. Our Charred Corn and Quinoa Salad is bursting with summer vegetables and ripe tomatoes, with protein and fiber from Organic Tri-Color Quinoa and a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. #ProTip: Mix everything but the corn together before you pack, and grill the corn in foil before slicing off the kernels.
Another excellent choice is our Farro Salad with Grilled Summer Vegetables! Again, you can make this completely ahead of time, or wait and grill the veggies before serving. The colorful grilled vegetables, chewy Organic Farro and chimichurri-inspired garlic and fresh herb dressing make this a memorable al fresco experience.
This Berry Patch Dump Cake is the ultimate outdoor dessert: it requires minimal ingredients, next to no prep, and can even be cooked over the campfire (click the link for a how-to). Just toss fresh berries with a few pantry staples in a Dutch oven, sprinkle on our incredible Classic Yellow Cake Mix, and top with butter—and that's it! Cover and cook over a bed of coals or in your oven for a dessert that captures the essence of summer.
Our number one rule for the great outdoors? Bring more snacks than you think you need. Seriously—a lot more! Snacks help cut down on prep and cleanup, and when you’re paddling downstream or relaxing by the lake, nobody wants to wait to refuel.
We love making a big batch of our Muesli Breakfast Bars to keep on hand for breakfast or a mid-hike energy boost. Made with our Gluten Free Tropical Muesli, packed with the goodness of whole grain oats, flaky coconut, real fruit, and crunchy nuts and seeds, it’s a super-simple recipe to throw together that’s versatile and portable!
Are there fire restrictions at your recreation area? You can still enjoy the magic of s’mores with our super-snackable S’mores Bars. Made with the perfect blend of Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, nutty Almond Flour and power-packed Protein Oats, these gluten free treats are topped with rich melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows for the perfect outdoor indulgence.
Is there anything better than sitting under the stars together, sharing a big bowl of crunchy, flavorful popcorn? This Nacho Popcorn is pretty much the perfect make-ahead snack: just pop some Yellow Popcorn and toss with Nutritional Yeast and spices. Or, you can pre-mix the spice blend and pop the corn over the fire. Just bring a lidded container to shake it all together!
If you're loading up the car for the weekend, just-add-water favorites like oatmeal, pancake mix and hot cocoa mix are a camper’s best friend. They cut down on packing, prep and cleanup—no extra ingredients or measuring required—so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the great outdoors.
Have you seen our new Whole Grain Instant Oatmeal packets? Made with our signature four-oat blend and available in Classic, Apple & Cinnamon or Maple Brown Sugar, they’re your shortcut to creamy, scratch-quality oatmeal—whether you’re at home in your kitchen or sitting by the fire! Toss them in your mess kit to enjoy the World’s Best Oatmeal® in just 3 minutes with the people you love.
Our just-add-water Pancake Mixes were practically made for camping. Our expert blend of premium flours and other pantry staples makes it easy to create fluffy, golden pancakes every time—just remember your whisk! Our Homestyle Buttermilk mix is a perennial classic, while our Chocolate Chip & Banana and White Chocolate & Strawberry flavors make “roughing it” just a little more luxurious.
Finally: is there anything cozier than sipping a hot cup of cocoa around the campfire? All you need is our make-ahead Hot Chocolate Mix and some hot water! Just mix cocoa powder with our Non-Fat Dry Milk Powder, sugar and a pinch of all in an airtight, shatterproof container, and don’t forget the camping mugs! Extra credit: add a cup of mini marshmallows.
There’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot the essentials—especially when you're halfway to the river or setting up camp at your favorite trailhead. That’s why I rely on checklists to keep things simple, organized and stress-free. Just pack, prep and get to the fun faster!
Planning meals ahead of time makes everything easier—from quick breakfasts to fireside dinners. Skip the gas station scramble and start with a list. Choose a few make-ahead favorites and our just-add-water picks to keep everyone fueled, full and happy—wherever the weekend takes you.
Camping cuisine is a breeze with the right equipment. My rule of thumb is have a list of cooking supplies, and a list of cleaning supplies. A basic list looks something like this:
Camp stove and fuel
Matches or lighter
Firewood, kindling and fire starter (if campfires are allowed)
Frying pans
Saucepan
Potholders
Kettle
Coffee percolator or camping French press
Grill tools: spatula, tongs, fork
Wooden spoons
Bottle opener, can opener, corkscrew
Cutting board
Knives
Foil
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
Wash tub
Drying rack
Scrub brush
Biodegradable soap
Dish towels
Garbage bags
One last tip: remember the sunscreen and bug repellent!
With a little planning and a few easy prep steps, you can set yourself up for a trip to remember—for all the right reasons! A bit of work ahead of time means less stress, and more time for the good stuff: time around the fire, meals shared under the stars, and opportunities to enjoy the moments that matter.
