How to Crush Cold Weather Camp Cooking Like A Complete Pro
Remember when we were all sweating out of our sleeping bags back in July? Well, friends, that time has passed. It’s time to welcome in the season for fall camping! Personally, this is my favorite time of the year to get outside- but it does take some getting used to. Changes in temperatures can keep you on your toes, especially when it comes to camp cooking.
To make sure your stomach doesn’t suffer on your next fall camping trip, follow along for my top tips for cold weather camp cooking…
1. Check the Weather and Plan Accordingly
This might seem like a no brainer when it comes to fall camping, but it’s got to be said. We all want to get out and enjoy the glories of fall, but if the forecast is miserable, it might be best to save your camping trip for another weekend. If there’s one day that looks particularly cold or wet, plan your camp cooking recipes accordingly. Be realistic here. You know you won’t be excited to stand out by a cookstove for an hour if it’s 40 degrees or drizzling on you. If that’s what the forecast is calling for, plan a quick meal that you can prepare in a few minutes, or better yet, cook something extra the day before that you can reheat.
2. Plan and Prep Your Food Ahead of Time
After seeing what Mother Nature has in store for your fall camping time, make a meal plan for your trip. This doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but have an idea of what you’re making for each meal. The most helpful reason to make a meal plan for your fall camping trip is: leftovers. Yum. It’s such a mystery to me why people don’t think about this more often when they’re camp cooking, but leftovers and shared ingredients between recipes are key. This saves you time and energy, and for colder weather, those are two things you’ll be wanting to preserve. If you’re going out for multiple days, plan the same lunch for two days and make it in bulk the first day. Using chickpeas for dinner? Make extra and use them for a breakfast scramble the next day.
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I always suggest prepping food ahead of time if you can, but this is especially helpful for fall camp cooking. If you’re headed out for a fall camping weekend trip, it’s possible to have pretty much everything “done” before you head out. To cut down on the amount of time you need to spend cooking out in the cold, pre-cook all those items that take more time- quinoa, rice, beans, potatoes. This little bit of extra prep time means that dinner only takes as long as you need to roast up some veggies or chop up whatever you’re serving your main protein/carbs with.
3. Bring Extra Fuel and A Lid
If you’re used to camp cooking in warm weather, you’ll be surprised by how much more fuel you’ll burn cooking in colder temps. Even for simple tasks like boiling water, lower temps really do affect the fuel efficiency of your camp cooking stove- regardless if its a whisperlite or a classic two-burner. You’ll notice the same thing happening if you’re trying to cook in a windy place. Not only is it a total pain to try and light your stove, things don’t cook as quickly. To combat the cold weather effects on your camp cooking, remember to pack a lid for your pots and pans- preferably one that actually fits. Trying to cook in the cold without a lid is a total pain in the ass. As someone who’s forgotten to pack this simple (and very overlooked item) many times on a fall camping trip, trust me here. If you’re cooking something that requires two pots or pans...you guessed it! Bring two lids.
4. Be Wary of Things That Freeze
And things that thicken or congeal when it gets cold. First off, if you’re going fall camping when it’s gonna drop below freezing at night, bring some water with you in your tent at night so you have some for your morning coffee. Keep your water container in your car too- it’s not a given that that’ll keep it from freezing but it’s a better bet than leaving things outside. Besides the obvious liquids, be smart about what kind of cooking oil you’re using. As a rule of thumb I usually only use coconut oil for my go-to camp cooking oil, but this is really important for cold weather camp cooking. Here’s why. That cute olive oil bottle? Not so cute when your oil is frozen inside your bottle and you can’t pour any out to cook your eggs in the morning. Coconut oil comes in a jar, so you can scrape out what you need with a spoon. Even when it’s frozen.
5.) Give Your Body What It Needs
Your body has to work extra hard to regulate itself when it’s in colder temperatures, so make sure you’re giving yourself the nutrients and calories you need on your fall camping trip. This is super important if you’re exerting yourself- hiking, climbing, biking, etc. You may notice that your appetite seems to increase as the weather gets colder, and that’s natural. Eating makes your body warmer and gives it more energy, so it’s normal to be more hungry in colder weather. This isn’t to say that we should just lay around and eat all day (although some days that does sound pretty cool), but keep in mind that your fall camping trip might not be the best time for a juice cleanse. There are plenty of ways to keep your body happy with healthy plant-based meals- so listen to your body and make sure you’re fueling up with good camp cooking meals. This goes for hydration too! You might not notice yourself getting as thirsty as you do in the heat of summer, but proper hydration is always a necessity. Track your water intake throughout the day with your favorite reusable water bottle and be aware of dehydration symptoms like a headache.