by Purple Carrot

This article was updated June 2021.

Want to make camping while vegan as simple—and delicious—as possible? Here’s how.

Step 1: Research Your Campsite and Camping Cooking Options

You’ll need to find out if your campsite offers access to a fire, or whether you’ll have to pack a stove.

You’ll most likely be working with an open flame, so think of it like backyard grilling. Pack foods like pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa, all of which can easily be cooked by placing a pot on hot coals. We like bringing tofu steaks and veggies, too, which can be grilled on the gate.

And of course, be careful and take all necessary precautions when cooking over an open flame!

Step 2: Plan All of Your Meals

Trust us, it’s worth it to spend some time planning your meals. And you can also prepare some meals in advance, like overnight oats for breakfast or chili for dinner. Set aside some time to plan (and prep or cook) your meals, so that you can relax and enjoy your camping adventure without wondering what’s for dinner. Need ideas? Here are our favorite camping-while-vegan meal options:

Breakfast

• Coconut chia pudding with clementine & ginger
• Lemon poppy overnight oats with dried blueberries & almonds
• Peanut butter overnight oats with dried figs & cacao nibs

Snacks

• Pre-made vegan nutrition bars
• PB&J sandwich
• Blueberry lemon energy bites

Lunch

• Vegan “tuna salad” sandwiches (really chickpea and avocado)
• Vegan quesadilla or nachos with nutritional yeast, veggies, and avocado
• Warm up a batch of pre-made vegan chili

Dinner

• One-pot protein pasta
• Sweet potato and black bean tacos
• Tofu and veggie kebabs
• Onion and mushroom panini

Dessert

• Vegan graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows for s’mores
• Grilled fruit (like pineapples, peaches, and bananas)

Remember to keep leftovers in a cooler, and if you can, put the cooler in a car or a metal bear box to keep animals out.

Step 3: Grab These Must-Have Camping Supplies

We love this all-in-one cook set from REI that has everything from plates and flatware to pots, pans, and a pot gripper; but if you prefer purchasing items a la carte, here’s what we suggest:

• 1 medium to large lightweight cooking pot
• 1 medium cooking pan
• Portable grill grate that can be placed over the fire (or stove, if necessary)
• Collapsible mixing bowl
• Cooking utensils: Tongs, spatula, and spoon
• Plates, bowls, flatware, and mugs
• Large cooler
• Food storage containers
• Hot water percolator
• Water bottles
• Biodegradable cleaning liquid, sponges, and towels
• All those little things you’re bound to forget:
  • Can and bottle openers
  • Cutting board
  • Tin foil
  • Skewers for kebabs
  • Pot holder

Step 4: Pack the Vegan Food Essentials

Once you’ve planned your menu, make a list of all the food items you’ll need, from spices to cooking oil, and head to your nearest grocery store. If you skip the meal planning, here are some essentials we recommend for a vegan camping trip:

• Oatmeal
• Trail mix
• Dairy-free milk
• Dairy-free cocoa powder, tea, or coffee
• Salt and pepper
• Onion and garlic powder
• Cooking spray or oil
• Fruit
• Veggies: tomatoes, lettuce, and easy-to-grill peppers, potatoes, and squash
• Vegan condiments: mayo, mustard, and ketchup
• Canned beans and chickpeas, organic
• Veggie burgers and tofu dogs
• Nuts and seeds
• Bread-like items: Wraps, burger and dog buns, and vegan bread
• Nutritional yeast
• Vegan s’more ingredients: marshmallows, dark chocolate, and graham crackers

 Camping vegan-style is much easier than you’d think!