Healthy Camping Recipes Overview:
- Marinated Honey Italian Chicken
- Tomato Bun Burgers
- Make-ahead Chicken Chili
- Pancake Batter-Dipped Banana Slices
- Fruit Skewers
- Grilled Asparagus
It’s that time of year again, when gyms are packed to the rafters and everyone is doing their best with “eat more healthy foods” resolutions. This goal can be a little harder to meet when you hit the road for a camping trip, because it’s oh-so-easy to slide into a fast food joint instead of busting out your cooking skills. Luckily for you, healthy eating pairs great with camping if you know what recipes to take along in your RV rental.
Marinated Honey Italian Chicken
This delicious dish is so yummy, it will have you kissing your fingers like an Italian chef. And you can put a checkmark by your goals, as it’s a healthy alternative to fried chicken or chicken with heavy sauce.
Preparation: Rinse your chicken breasts or chicken pieces thoroughly and pat dry. Mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar and sprinkle in some Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to your liking. Place the chicken in a plastic storage bag and pour in the mixture to marinate for up to an hour.
Cooking: Brush or spray your grill with some olive oil and grill the chicken until done. Top with tomato slices, avocado or your favorite topping (can include cheese, if it’s in your eating plan). Salad or grilled vegetables are a great side dish for this meal.
Tomato Bun Burgers
Enjoy your burger without the carby bun! This recipe is a great twist on the classic burger, and so very simple. The key to culinary success – quality tomatoes and lean sirloin.
Preparation: Slice up your tomatoes in at least 1-inch thick slices. We suggest Heirloom or Beefsteak tomatoes. Cut up any onions, lettuce or other veggies you want with your meal. Then patty-up your ground sirloin.
Cooking: Cook your burgers as you normally would. Once they are complete, spread a little mayonnaise on the tomato slices and stack your burger to your liking.
The only drawback to this healthy camping recipe? Eating can be a little messy with the tomato and burger juices … so have those napkins at the ready! And for those of us that love bruschetta, try this burger with some balsamic and mozzarella. Yum!
Chicken Chili
The best thing about this healthy camping recipe is that you can prep almost the entire thing before the trip. If you run out of time beforehand, it’s a breeze to do at a campsite or in a motorhome rental. Once prepped, cooking time is only 25 minutes.
Preparation: Chop up 1 pound of chicken breasts, 1 medium onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your cooking pot and heat to medium high.
Cooking: Place chicken and olive oil in a Dutch Oven or cooking pot along with the chopped onion. Cook until the chicken is brown, then add the garlic and cook for two more minutes. Next, add 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of cumin, 2 teaspoons of oregano and any of your favorite chilis and cook for 3 minutes. Then add 28-32 ounces of chicken broth and cook for 12- 15 minutes at a light boil. Finally, add a can of your favorite chili beans and cook for 10 more minutes. Done! Serve with some chopped jalapeños for extra spice.
Healthy Camping Sides Dishes
What’s dinner without a few side dishes? Satisfy your sweet tooth or need for something savory with one of these healthy camping side dishes.
Pancake batter-dipped banana slices
Peal several medium bananas and cut into ½ inch thick slices. Whip up whole-grain pancake mix following the mix instructions. Dip banana slices into the batter and then cook over medium heat on any available saucepan. Eat as a quick, healthy treat!
Fruit skewers
Place strawberries and pineapple chunks on skewers and lightly grill. The pineapple will take twice as long to get a light char, so consider placing them on separate skewers than the berries. Eat them as a side dish or on a salad.
Grilled asparagus
Rinse the asparagus spears and cut an inch off the large ends. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for five minutes directly on the grill, turning frequently until you have a light char on the spears.
Pack for Success
When it comes to healthy eating on road trips, the key ingredient in the recipe to success is a dash of preparation. By making sure you have everything you need on hand, it will be easier to not give into temptation when you hear that fast food restaurant calling your name!
As you prep to cook food at your campsite or in your camper rental, be sure to pick up a box of large, resealable plastic storage bags and heavy-duty tin foil when shopping for supplies. The bags are wonderful for storing leftovers, as well as for marinating meats and vegetables. Foil helps with storage and is also a great cooking and warming tool. Before you even leave the house, chop up some onions, peppers, mushrooms and other favorite veggies to add flavor and substance to various recipes. Finally, make sure your grilling skewers make it into the bag. Not only are they great for making quick meals on the grill, they are also helpful for portion control.
Cheat Day
Just in case you need a cheat day in the middle of all that healthy eating, here are some fun recipes to spark some delicious inspiration:
Get Cooking, People
Being on the road doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy. Try these easy, healthy camping meals on your next RV adventure.
