Outdoors LogoTroop 41B and 26G

Cooking Meals

Self-Cook Camping Menu Ideas

Easy meal ideas perfect for cooking on your Jetboil or MSR PocketRocket stove. From just-add-water meals to simple one-pot recipes to advanced challenges for older scouts!


Just Add Water Meals (Easiest Option!)

These freeze-dried and dehydrated meals only require boiling water - perfect for beginners!


Mountain House BEST VALUE

Price Range: $8-12 per meal | Prep Time: 8-10 minutes
Popular Options for Scouts:

  • Breakfast Skillet - Scrambled eggs, potatoes, peppers, sausage
  • Biscuits and Gravy - Great for breakfast or dinner
  • Beef Stroganoff - Classic comfort food
  • Pad Thai with Chicken - Top-rated for flavor
  • Mac & Cheese - Kid-friendly favorite

Why Scouts Love It: 30-year shelf life, rehydrates fast, affordable, available at REI and Amazon

Peak Refuel HIGH PROTEIN

Price Range: $10-14 per meal | Prep Time: 10 minutes
Popular Options:

  • Chicken Alfredo Pasta - Creamy and filling (37g protein!)
  • Beef Pasta Marinara - Italian classic
  • Butternut Dal Bhat - Vegetarian, 24g protein
  • Granola with Milk & Blueberries - Quick breakfast

Why Scouts Love It: Highest protein content, uses 100% real meat, great for active hikers

Backpacker's Pantry

Price Range: $9-13 per meal | Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Popular Options:

  • Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal - Sweet breakfast
  • Three Cheese Mac & Cheese - Extra cheesy
  • Chana Masala - Flavorful vegetarian option
  • Pad Thai - Authentic Asian flavors

Why Scouts Love It: Wide variety (40+ products), eco-friendly company, special dietary options

?? Pro Tip: These freeze-dried meals are available at REI, Cabela's, Amazon, and Walmart. Buy a few to try at home before your trip!Simple One-Pot Meals

Easy recipes using basic ingredients - cook everything in one pot!


Breakfast Ideas

1. Instant Oatmeal Bar (Easiest!)

  • Instant oatmeal packets (any flavor)
  • Optional toppings: dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon
  • Instructions: Pour oatmeal in cup, add toppings, add 1 cup boiling water, stir and wait 2 minutes

2. Scrambled Eggs in a Bag

  • Pre-crack eggs into a zip-lock bag at home (or use powdered eggs)
  • Add cheese, pre-cooked bacon bits, salt & pepper
  • Instructions: Scramble in your pot with a little oil or butter, 3-5 minutes

3. Grits or Cream of Wheat

  • Instant grits or cream of wheat packets
  • Add butter, cheese, or sugar
  • Instructions: Boil water, stir in grits, cook 5 minutes
Lunch & Dinner Ideas

1. Ramen Upgrade (Super Easy!)

  • 1 package instant ramen noodles
  • Add: pre-cooked chicken, dried vegetables, hard-boiled egg, hot sauce
  • Instructions: Boil 2 cups water, add noodles and extras, cook 3 minutes

2. Instant Rice Bowl

  • 1 pouch instant rice (90-second rice works!)
  • 1 can tuna, chicken, or beans
  • Add: soy sauce, hot sauce, dried vegetables
  • Instructions: Heat rice with a little water, mix in protein and seasonings

3. Mac & Cheese Plus

  • 1 box instant mac & cheese (Kraft, Annie's, etc.)
  • Add: tuna pouch, hot dogs (pre-cooked), or canned chicken
  • Instructions: Boil pasta, drain most water, add cheese packet and protein

4. Couscous with Veggies

  • 1 cup instant couscous
  • Dried vegetables, olive oil, seasonings
  • Optional: feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes
  • Instructions: Pour boiling water over couscous (1:1 ratio), cover 5 minutes, fluff with fork

5. Quick Pasta Primavera

  • 1 cup small pasta (orzo, elbow, small shells)
  • Dried vegetables, parmesan cheese, olive oil
  • Italian seasoning, garlic powder
  • Instructions: Boil pasta in minimal water, add veggies last 2 minutes, drain, add cheese and oil
Snacks & Hot Drinks

Hot Drinks:

  • Hot chocolate packets (add mini marshmallows!)
  • Apple cider packets
  • Instant coffee or tea bags
  • Soup packets (Cup of Noodles, instant miso)

No-Cook Snacks:

  • Trail mix (make your own or buy pre-made)
  • Granola bars, protein bars
  • Beef jerky, summer sausage with crackers
  • Peanut butter packets with crackers or tortillas
  • Fresh fruit (apples, oranges travel well)

Advanced Recipes (For Older Scouts)

Challenge yourself with these more complex meals that require better cooking skills and technique!


Advanced Breakfast

1. French Toast on the Trail

  • Ingredients: 4 slices bread, 2 eggs, splash of milk, cinnamon, butter, syrup
  • Skills: Egg beating, temperature control, flipping
  • Instructions: Beat eggs with milk and cinnamon. Heat buttered pan on medium. Dip bread in egg mixture, cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Serve with syrup.

2. Breakfast Burrito

  • Ingredients: Tortillas, 3 eggs, pre-cooked bacon or sausage, cheese, salsa, diced peppers/onions
  • Skills: Sautéing vegetables, scrambling eggs, assembly
  • Instructions: Sauté peppers/onions in oil. Scramble eggs in same pan. Warm tortilla, fill with eggs, meat, cheese, salsa. Wrap tightly.

3. Pancakes from Scratch

  • Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, pinch salt, 1 egg, 3/4 cup milk, 2 tbsp melted butter
  • Skills: Measuring, mixing, heat control, flipping
  • Instructions: Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients, stir until just combined (lumps OK). Cook on medium heat, flip when bubbles form. Add blueberries or chocolate chips!
Advanced Dinner

1. Backpacker's Stir Fry

  • Ingredients: 1 cup instant rice, pre-cooked chicken or shrimp, dried vegetables (rehydrate in camp), soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger, oil
  • Skills: High-heat cooking, timing, sauce mixing
  • Instructions: Rehydrate vegetables in hot water 10 min, drain. Heat oil on high, add protein, cook 2 min. Add veggies, stir fry 3 min. Add soy sauce, garlic, ginger. Serve over instant rice.

2. One-Pot Pasta Carbonara

  • Ingredients: 8 oz pasta, 4 slices bacon (pre-cooked), 2 eggs, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, black pepper, garlic powder
  • Skills: Pasta timing, tempering eggs (so they don't scramble!), sauce technique
  • Instructions: Cook pasta in minimal water. While pasta cooks, beat eggs with cheese and pepper. Drain most water from pasta, add crumbled bacon. Remove from heat, quickly stir in egg mixture (residual heat cooks eggs into creamy sauce). Serve immediately.

3. Beef Stroganoff (From Scratch)

  • Ingredients: 8 oz egg noodles, 1/2 lb beef strips or ground beef, mushrooms (dried or fresh), onion powder, beef bouillon, sour cream powder or cream cheese, flour
  • Skills: Browning meat, making gravy, multitasking
  • Instructions: Brown beef in oil, remove. Cook noodles in 2 cups water + bouillon. When almost done, add mushrooms. Make slurry with flour + water, add to pot to thicken. Stir in sour cream powder and beef. Season to taste.

4. Backpacker's Pizza

  • Ingredients: Tortillas or pita bread, tomato sauce (small can or packet), mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, dried oregano
  • Skills: Heat control (no burning!), pan management
  • Instructions: Heat pan on low-medium. Place tortilla in dry pan, spread sauce, add toppings. Cover with lid or foil. Cook 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and bottom crisps. Fold in half like quesadilla.

5. Thai Peanut Noodles

  • Ingredients: 8 oz rice noodles, peanut butter (2 tbsp), soy sauce, sriracha, lime juice (packet), garlic powder, pre-cooked chicken
  • Skills: Sauce making, flavor balancing
  • Instructions: Cook noodles, drain (save 1/4 cup water). Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, lime, garlic with reserved pasta water to make sauce. Toss noodles with sauce and chicken. Adjust spice to taste.
Camp Stove Desserts

1. Skillet Brownie

  • Ingredients: Brownie mix (just add water kind), oil, chocolate chips
  • Skills: Low heat cooking, patience (don't burn the bottom!)
  • Instructions: Mix brownie batter per instructions. Oil small pan well. Pour in batter. Cook covered on LOWEST heat 15-20 minutes. Check with toothpick - should come out with moist crumbs. Let cool 5 minutes before cutting.

2. Pan-Fried Apple Crisp

  • Ingredients: 2 apples (sliced), 1/4 cup granola, 2 tbsp brown sugar, cinnamon, butter
  • Skills: Sautéing fruit, caramelizing
  • Instructions: Melt butter in pan. Add sliced apples, cook 5 min. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon, cook until soft. Top with granola, cover 2 min to warm. Serve warm!

3. Campfire Pudding Cake

  • Ingredients: Instant pudding mix, pound cake (pre-made), berries or banana
  • Skills: Mixing, layering, presentation
  • Instructions: Make instant pudding with cold water (shake in container). Cube pound cake. Layer in cup: cake, pudding, fruit. Repeat. Chill if possible or eat immediately.

4. Fried Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas

  • Ingredients: Flour tortillas, butter, cinnamon sugar mix, chocolate chips (optional)
  • Skills: Frying, temperature control
  • Instructions: Melt butter in pan. Fry tortilla 30 seconds per side until crispy. Immediately sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Add chocolate chips while hot. Fold in quarters.

?? Challenge Tip: Advanced recipes require practice! Try making these at home first to build your skills. At camp, older scouts can mentor younger scouts while cooking together.Shopping List Essentials

Basics to Bring:

  • Fuel: Isobutane-propane canister for your stove
  • Water: At least 2 liters per person per day
  • Seasonings: Small containers of salt, pepper, garlic powder, hot sauce
  • Oil/Butter: Small bottle of olive oil or butter packets
  • Utensils: Spork, pocket knife, pot gripper
  • Cleanup: Biodegradable soap, small sponge, trash bags
  • Safety: Matches or lighter (backup for igniter)
  • ?? Meal Planning Tips:Plan 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, plus snacks per day
  • Mix freeze-dried meals (easy) with simple recipes (more filling, cheaper)
  • Older scouts: Challenge yourself with 1-2 advanced recipes per trip
  • Test your meals at home before the camping trip!
  • Pack food in zip-lock bags organized by meal
  • Bring extra - growing scouts are always hungry!

Remember: The best camping meal is the one YOU enjoy eating! Don't be afraid to get creative.