15 Easy Camping Side Dishes That Steal the Show
A great camping meal isn’t just about the main dish—side dishes are where you can sneak in color, crunch, and those “wow, who made this?” moments.
These easy camping sides are built for real outdoor cooking: minimal prep, simple gear, and forgiving cook times.
Pick two or three per trip, prep a few ingredients at home, and you’ll have a spread that feels effortless—but tastes like you planned it.
1) Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Corn
Description (20–30 words): Sweet corn turns irresistible with garlic butter and a little smoke from the fire. It’s hands-on, no-fuss, and disappears fast at any campsite.
Ingredients:
- 4 ears corn, husked
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: chili flakes, lime wedges
Instructions:
- Mix butter, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Spread on corn, wrap each ear tightly in foil.
- Cook on coals/grill 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally.
2) Campfire Parmesan Potatoes (Foil Pack)
Description (20–30 words): Crispy-edged potato slices with parmesan feel like comfort food in the woods. Add herbs and let the foil do the work—no pan scrubbing.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: rosemary, garlic powder
Instructions:
- Toss potatoes with oil, seasoning, parmesan.
- Seal in a foil packet.
- Cook 20–25 minutes over coals/grill, flipping once; open to crisp 2 minutes.
3) Smoky Skillet Green Beans
Description (20–30 words): Quick green beans sautéed with a little smoke and salt taste bright next to burgers, brats, or fish. A squeeze of lemon makes them pop.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: bacon bits, lemon
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a skillet over camp stove/fire grate.
- Add green beans, sauté 6–10 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Season and finish with lemon or bacon bits.
4) Grilled Zucchini & Pepper Planks
Description (20–30 words): This simple grill side tastes fresh, lightly charred, and summery. It’s perfect when you want something colorful that cooks while the main dish rests.
Ingredients:
- 2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise
- 1 bell pepper, thick strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Brush veggies with oil; season well.
- Grill 2–4 minutes per side until charred and tender.
- Serve warm; add extra salt if needed.
5) Classic Coleslaw (Make-Ahead)
Description (20–30 words): Cool, crunchy slaw balances smoky camp food and stays crisp when made ahead. It’s the easiest way to add a fresh bite to every plate.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag shredded coleslaw mix
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Whisk mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper.
- Toss with slaw mix.
- Chill 30 minutes (or overnight) before serving.
6) Cowboy Caviar (No-Cook Bean Salsa)
Description (20–30 words): A scoopable, zesty mix of beans, corn, and veggies that doubles as a dip. Serve with chips or spoon it beside grilled chicken.
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn (canned or thawed)
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- Lime juice, salt
- Optional: cilantro, jalapeño
Instructions:
- Combine beans, corn, tomato, onion.
- Add lime juice, salt, and optional cilantro/jalapeño.
- Let sit 10 minutes, then serve.
7) Camp Caprese Skewers
Description (20–30 words): These look fancy but take minutes: juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil in one bite. Great as a side or appetizer while the fire settles.
Ingredients:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella balls
- Basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: balsamic glaze
Instructions:
- Thread tomato, basil, mozzarella onto skewers.
- Drizzle with olive oil; season.
- Add balsamic glaze (optional) right before serving.
8) Skillet Cheesy Nacho Beans
Description (20–30 words): Warm, cheesy beans are a crowd-pleasing side that feels like a snack. They pair with tacos, hot dogs, or grilled veggies—and they’re ready fast.
Ingredients:
- 1 can pinto or black beans, drained
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- Optional: cumin, green onions
Instructions:
- Heat beans and salsa in a skillet until bubbling.
- Stir in cheese until melted.
- Top with green onions or a pinch of cumin.
9) Lemon Cucumber Salad (No-Cook)
Description (20–30 words): This crisp salad is a lifesaver on hot days. It’s refreshing, light, and cuts through rich camp food with lemony bite and clean crunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: dill, red onion
Instructions:
- Toss cucumber with oil, lemon, salt, pepper.
- Add dill/onion if using.
- Chill briefly in cooler or serve immediately.
10) Charred Broccoli with Chili-Lime
Description (20–30 words): Broccoli gets surprisingly addictive when charred and finished with lime and chili. It’s bold, simple, and a nice change from the usual camp veggies.
Ingredients:
- 1 head broccoli, florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Lime wedges
- Optional: chili powder
Instructions:
- Toss florets with oil and salt.
- Grill in a basket/foil tray 6–10 minutes, stirring once.
- Squeeze lime and dust with chili powder.
11) Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing (Make-Ahead)
Description (20–30 words): A reliable side that feeds everyone and travels well. Use bottled Italian dressing and add whatever veggies you have—this one’s forgiving and always popular.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked pasta (cooled)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 1 cup chopped veggies (pepper, cucumber, olives)
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: pepperoni, feta
Instructions:
- Mix pasta with dressing and veggies.
- Season to taste; add feta/pepperoni if desired.
- Chill and stir before serving.
12) Campfire Garlic Bread (Foil-Wrapped)
Description (20–30 words): Warm garlic bread makes any campsite dinner feel complete. Wrap it in foil, heat it near the coals, and let everyone tear off buttery pieces.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt
- Optional: parsley, parmesan
Instructions:
- Mix butter, garlic, salt, parsley/parmesan.
- Slice bread, spread butter mixture inside.
- Wrap in foil; heat 8–12 minutes, rotating once.
13) Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes (Fire-Roasted)
Description (20–30 words): Sweet potatoes roast beautifully in foil and taste amazing with simple toppings. They’re hearty enough to steal the spotlight, even next to big mains.
Ingredients:
- 4 sweet potatoes
- Butter
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: cinnamon, honey, chopped nuts
Instructions:
- Wrap sweet potatoes in foil.
- Roast in coals or on grill 35–55 minutes until soft.
- Split open and add butter and desired toppings.
14) Simple Campfire Baked Apples (Side or Dessert)
Description (20–30 words): These apples are lightly sweet, warm, and cozy—great beside breakfast-for-dinner or as a “side” that feels special. Minimal ingredients, maximum comfort.
Ingredients:
- 4 apples, cored
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Optional: raisins, granola
Instructions:
- Fill apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon (and raisins).
- Wrap in foil.
- Cook in coals 15–25 minutes until tender.
15) Tangy Three-Bean Salad (No-Cook)
Description (20–30 words): This zippy bean salad holds up for days in a cooler and tastes even better after it sits. It’s perfect for potluck-style camping weekends.
Ingredients:
- 1 can green beans, drained
- 1 can kidney beans, drained
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: diced onion
Instructions:
- Combine beans (and onion if using).
- Stir in vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper.
- Chill 30 minutes; toss again before serving.
