Delicious, easy-to-prepare products to pack when you go camping

Going camping soon? Amazing—we love getting outside, sleeping under the stars and enjoying some delicious meals around a fire. Some people are highly skilled at cooking meals on a camping grill or over open flames while others are still learning (or a little unsure of where to start). If you’re the latter, don’t worry—VG Meats is here to help.

Here are some delicious yet incredibly easy-to-prepare items to add to your camping weekend shopping list. If you have any questions or would like personalized recommendations from our butchers in Simcoe or Stoney Creek, just ask! We’d be glad to help.

What to pack in your cooler

We recommend chilling your cooler before packing it, or at last bringing it to room temperature—never pack a cooler that just came out of a hot garage! Include plenty of ice packs and keep it closed except when grabbing items at mealtimes. Eat items that *must* be refrigerated first to avoid spoilage. Keep your beverages in a separate cooler, since you’ll be opening and closing that one more often—this separation of food vs beverages can help you keep food colder for longer. A hard shell cooler with an airtight lid is best (or an electric cooler, if you’re plugging in at a campsite with power).

Here are some delicious local products from VG Meats to add to your shopping list:

• Smoked beef sausages (because they’re already cooked, you just need to heat and serve)
• Smoked pork chops (also cooked—just heat and enjoy!)
• All beef hot dogs (easy to prepare on a grill or over a fire, or serve with canned beans)
• BBQ pulled chicken (another fully cooked product, you can pack this frozen, let it thaw in the cooler, warm it up in a pan and make sandwiches)
• Chicken stir fry (toss it into a pot or pan, heat and serve—you can make instant rice on the side if you have a small pot with a lid)
• Southwest marinated beef short ribs (pack them frozen, let thaw in the cooler, then cook over a grill when ready to enjoy)
• Prepared beef chili (pack frozen, heat in a pot on your grill or fire, then enjoy in a mug or camping bowl)
• Hard boiled eggs (perfect for a hit of protein in the morning or as an afternoon snack).
• If you have a frying pan or griddle, be sure to bring bacon, breakfast sausages and raw eggs as well!

What to pack in your dry goods bag

Your dry goods bag is probably bursting with pantry staples and convenient snacks, but don’t forget these great items from VG Meats.

• Bayfield Provisions Granola (great as a snack or breakfast option)
• A great spice blend for adding flavour to meat and vegetables
• A delicious vinaigrette for simple salads or marinating meat (chill once opened)
• Some condiments to add the finishing touch to any meal

You’ll also want to include the usual dry goods (cereal, bread and other baked goods, peanut butter, instant coffee, canned beans, etc) and cooler items (milk, cheese, butter, fruit, vegetables, jam) as well as drinking water and snacks. 

Get outside and have fun!

Summer isn’t over yet, so get out there and enjoy it! Camping is a great way to create memories while getting some fresh air and soaking in the beautiful natural landscape here in Ontario. Whether you stay close to home or head north, there are some amazing spots to pitch your tent (or set up a camping trailer).

Thanks for shopping local and supporting regenerative food in your community. If you’d like help finding any of these products online or in store, please contact us. We’d be glad to assist you.