After a day full of adventures at your new favorite destination, the last thing you want to do is cook. Get ahead of the game by throwing a few ingredients into the crockpot before you head out.
The advantages of using a crockpot are endless! The scalability alone is enough reason to explore crockpot camping recipes. You can easily scale them for the size of your group. A few extra people show up? No worries, bulk up the ingredients. A few people won’t be able to make it? Not a problem, cut the recipe in half. Or, keep it the same and store leftovers in the fridge. Crockpots range in size from 1.5 quarts, up to 8 quarts. Find a crockpot to feed your crowd.
Crockpots are known for their efficiency and time management, but an advantage that often gets overlooked is the lack of dishes it takes to make a single meal. With everything cooking inside the one pot, you gain back all the extra time you would normally spend collecting and washing dishes during the prepping and cooking phase. Time gained means more time spent in front of the campfire.
So, once you return from that hike you’ve been dreaming of, dinner will be ready and waiting. Take off your gloves, kick off your boots, and choose one of these easy camping crockpot meals perfect for cold days.
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Is there anything better on a cold day than a hot bowl of chicken and dumplings? It smells like grandma’s house, tastes like childhood, and feels like a warm hug with every spoonful. This crockpot camping recipe requires only nine ingredients that include a sweet onion and garlic. Imagine stepping into your RV after a day out and being greeted by this one.
Crockpot Pork Roast
The best thing about crockpot recipes is how easy they are. This recipe just might be the easiest of them all, so be prepared to have it come up frequently in the rotation of your recipes. With just three ingredients, it practically makes itself. Throw it all in and go about your day, it’ll be patiently waiting for you to return.
Crockpot Chili
When it comes to comfort food to warm you up from chilly weather, is there anything more fitting than chili? Once the crockpot does the heavy lifting, complete your chili by loading on your favorite toppings, use it on hot dogs and burgers, or as the anchor for a nacho bar. Versatile recipes are the best and this recipe doesn’t disappoint.
Bonus Tip: Complete all your chopping and prepping at home before hitting the road. Divide ingredients according to recipe into their own freezer storage bag and freeze them overnight. When you’re packing up the RV the next day, throw everything into a cooler and your ingredients will be waiting for you to use them whenever you’re ready instead of the other way around.
Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
Sometimes, when camping, you just don’t have the extra time on your hands for a whole lot of prep work. This recipe involves just three ingredients and requires no prep or babysitting at all. Use this balsamic chicken in tacos and burritos, over rice, in a toasted hoagie, or on buns. The options are endless and the flavor is delicious.
Co-Pilot Tacos
Take taco night to a whole new level with these Co-Pilot Tacos that use a lean boneless pork roast as its base. It only takes about five minutes to prep then about 6-8 hours to cook, so you can set it and go about your day. Once you return, the meat will be tender and flavorful and ready for you to load it into some corn tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Boondock Butternut Squash Soup
If cold weather is a problem, then soup is the solution every time. Soups are easy to prep and easy to cook. They’re perfect for cold days. Plus, they keep you warm and full at the same time. What’s not to like? If you’re a soup person, this Boondock Butternut Squash Soup will hit the spot with every bowlful – and there will definitely be more than one bowlful.
Road Warrior Ribs
Sometimes, especially on frigid days, you want a meal that’s going to stick to your bones and keep you warm through the late evening and into the night. These Road Warrior Ribs will take care of that for you. A super easy recipe that takes about 15 minutes to prep and approximately 4-8 hours to cook. A few seasonings like smoked paprika, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper make a magic sauce when combined with Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, molasses, and a few other ingredients. Have the napkins ready! It will be hard to hide the evidence of just how much the family will love this one.
Crock Pot Ravioli Casserole
Make this one with the kids in mind and watch the adults enjoy it just as much as they do. With just four ingredients, this Crock Pot Ravioli Casserole practically makes itself. It’s easy enough, as most crockpot meals are, that the kids can help pour everything in. They’re more likely to eat it if they feel like they had a hand in making it, so it’s a win/win for everyone. Feel free to add more cheese before serving. No one has ever complained about having too much cheese on their pasta.
Crockpot Apple Cobbler
Dessert counts as a meal, so it’s only fair that a dessert recipe finds its way onto this list. Crockpot Apple Cobbler will definitely warm you up on a cold day even if you choose to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. There aren’t rules when camping and calories don’t count, so help yourself to seconds or thirds.
What are some of your favorite camping crockpot meals? Find a crockpot to feed your crowd.
