Foodie Car Camping Must-Haves

Real cutting boards. People seem to like the flexible ones but cutting on uneven surfaces (i.e., picnic table) is a drag if your cutting board isn’t solid.

Condiments. Invest in lidded, spill-proof containers so you can bring your fancy mustards, tamari, chutney, hot sauce, etc.

Interesting spices

High-quality cooking oil. Control your cooking situation! If you need butter, bring it. Likewise with olive oil or sesame oil. (A fellow camper once handed me nearly rancid oil that was in her car camping kit for years.)

Tongs and other serviceable cooking implements. No flimsy spatulas. Silicone is great because it’s nearly inflammable.

Colander. Try a collapsible one.

Chopsticks. They’re easy to clean and appropriate for the Asian dishes you will most likely make at least once (we foodies love Asian food).

Foil. You can cook and keep things warm with it. Bring it home to recycle.

Grill basket for holding veggies over the fire, if that’s your thing.

French presses, good-quality ground coffee, and real milk/cream. We use a Nissan Vacuum Insulated Stainless-Steel Gourmet Coffee Press. A large Moka espresso pot is also a good choice.

Great red wine and good beer. Red wine doesn’t need cooling and beer doesn’t need much explanation. If you don’t drink alcohol you can still jazz it up with an exotic juice spritzer or the like.

Happy eating!

About the author
Elise Gruber is a former software project manager and SAHM who loves writing about and preparing food. On a trip to Japan, she ate five meals a day and numerous snacks, showing a nearly professional level of dedication to being a foodie. She has found it challenging to cook for a young child, but is optimistic when watching her daughter devour sushi.