Man, camping food. Some folks make it look like a gourmet kitchen exploded in the woods. Gear everywhere, tons of pots and pans. Me? I got tired of that circus real quick. Spent way too much time scrubbing, not enough time actually, y’know, enjoying the outdoors.
I remember this one trip, must have been years back now. I was juggling, no joke, three different pans on one of those tiny, wobbly camping stoves. Trying to cook pasta in one, sauce in another, veggies in a third. It was a nightmare. Then came the cleanup, in the dark, with cold water. That was the moment. I thought, “Nope, never again. There’s gotta be a simpler way to do this.” That’s when I really started looking into this whole single pot meal thing for camping.
My Single Pot System – No Fuss, Just Food
So, this is how I roll now. It’s pretty straightforward, honestly. The biggest thing I learned is doing a lot of the prep at home. Seriously, it’s a game changer.
- First, I actually sit down and think about what I want to eat. Sounds obvious, right? But I plan meals that are naturally suited to one pot. Think stews, chili, pasta dishes where everything can kind of meld together.
- Then, back in my kitchen, I do all the chopping. Onions, carrots, peppers, whatever. I dice ’em up, maybe even cook any meat I’m using beforehand, and pack everything in separate bags or small containers. Spices? I pre-mix those too. This cuts down massively on what I need to do at the campsite.
- Gear-wise, I just use one decent-sized pot. Mine’s about 4-quarts, fairly lightweight aluminum with a lid that fits well. That and my trusty little single-burner stove. That’s it.
- When it’s time to cook at the campsite, I get my stove fired up. If I’m using onions or garlic, I’ll sauté them a bit first with some oil. Gets the good smells going.
- Next, if I didn’t pre-cook meat, I’ll brown it. Then in go the liquids – broth, water, canned tomatoes, you name it.
- After that, I’ll add things like pasta, rice, or potatoes. Stuff that needs to simmer and absorb liquid.
- Veggies like broccoli or peas? They go in towards the end so they don’t turn into complete mush. Unless it’s something like carrots or potatoes that need longer, then they go in earlier with the liquids.
- I just give it a stir every now and then. Put the lid on. And just let it do its thing.
And the best part? The cleanup. One pot. Sometimes, if it’s just something like chili, I can just about wipe it clean with a paper towel and a bit of water. So much better than facing a mountain of dirty dishes.
What I Actually End Up Cooking
You’d be surprised at the variety. It’s not just beans every night, though I do love a good chili.
- Hearty Chili or Stew: This is a classic for a reason. Ground meat (or just beans), tomatoes, spices. Super easy and filling.
- One-Pot Pasta: I’ll often cook the pasta right in the sauce. Just add a bit more water or broth than you normally would for the sauce, bring it to a simmer, add the pasta, and cook till it’s done. Sausage and peppers pasta is a favorite.
- Quick Curries: A can of coconut milk, some curry paste, pre-cooked chicken or chickpeas, and some quick-cooking veggies like spinach or bell peppers. Done in no time.
- Rice Dishes: Think like a simple jambalaya or a pilaf. Sauté some aromatics, add rice and broth, then throw in some sausage or veggies.
Sure, it’s not always perfect. You gotta watch the heat, especially with everything in one pot. Things can stick to the bottom if you’re not careful, or if your stove has a mean hotspot. And sometimes I misjudge the liquid for rice or pasta and it ends up a bit too soupy or a tad dry. But hey, it’s camping food. It always tastes better outdoors anyway, right?
Honestly though, making the switch to mostly single pot meals for camping has been fantastic. Less faffing about with gear, less time spent over the stove and scrubbing pots, and way more time just chilling by the fire or enjoying the view. That’s what camping is all about for me. If you’re tired of the camp kitchen chaos, give it a go. You might just find you don’t miss all those extra pans one bit.
