The traditional camping foods, such as hot dogs, hamburgers and s'mores, fall outside the realm of a vegan diet. Camping foods become more of a challenge when some campers are vegans and others are not. A new twist on the old favorites allows vegan campers to enjoy meals cooked over a campfire without sacrificing their food values.
Planning
A camping menu planned out before the trip allows everyone to enjoy their favorite foods without sacrificing the vegan lifestyle. Write down the dishes you plan to serve for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with snacks to hold you over as you enjoy all of your camping activities. A grocery list based on the menu ensures that you have all of the vegan supplies necessary, especially if grocery stores are limited near the campground.
Supplies
Many vegan staples used at home also work at the campground. Vegan protein sources that work well for camping include beans, tofu, nuts and seeds. Grains can be cooked in a pot over a campfire. Fresh, dried and canned fruits and vegetables add nutrients to the vegan camping menu.
Cooking supplies needed are the same as you would use for any other camping food. Forks and grill baskets allow you to hold the food over the flame. Grill grates and cooking tripods offer more campfire cooking versatility. A cook stove allows you to cook food in skills and pots like you do at home. Pots, pans and utensils are also necessary. If you will be cooking non-vegan foods, bring pans for both so you can cook them at the same time.
Breakfast Foods
A hearty breakfast gives you energy to explore and handle all of your camping activities. Oatmeal, vegan pancakes, granola and cereal are possible options for breakfast. Fresh fruit rounds out the meal for more nutrients and energy. Soy milk, coffee or tea work well as the morning beverage.
Lunch and Dinner Foods
Vegetables are simple to grill, making them an option for camping. Chop your favorite vegetables and toss them with oil and your favorite seasonings before grilling them. Rice or other grains work well as a side dish. With a camp stove, you have the option of preparing tofu as a source of protein for the vegetables and rice.
In place of grilled meats, veggie burgers or other meat alternatives can be grilled. Keep them separated from other meat products during the grilling and serving process to avoid cross-contamination.
Your favorite vegan soup or chili recipe is an option around the campfire. Mix together the ingredients in a large pot and cook it on the camp stove or over the campfire.
A pot on a camp stove or campfire also allows you to cook pasta as the base for a vegan camping dish. Your favorite sauces and vegetables finish off the dish. If you are camping with others who aren't vegan, they can cook their own meat to add to their servings of the pasta.
Vegan Camping Snacks
Fresh fruits and vegetables offer a healthy camping snack that keeps you going through the day. Dried fruit works well if you do a lot of hiking or plan to stay for an extended period of time. For a more substantial snack, combine the dried fruit with nuts, seeds and other dried foods for a trail mix. Your favorite vegan baked goods made ahead of time offer a snack option once you arrive.
A vegan version of s'mores allows you to indulge in the classic camping snack. You'll need vegan marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers to replicate all components of s'mores. If you cannot find vegan graham crackers, try baking your own before you leave on the camping trip.
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