Survival Chef: Campfire Edition

Real meals. Real gear. No reservations needed.

Hey fire-starters, fort-builders, and folks who know a tarp makes a fine roof; pull up a log.

So there we were, deep in the woods, three miles past where the trail ended and about six hours past when we should’ve eaten. The sun was setting, the firewood was damp, and my buddy, bless his overconfident soul, had packed a single can of beans and what he claimed was a spice blend but turned out to be crushed-up ramen seasoning. Bold move.

Naturally, dinner was…memorable. And not in the good way.

That night, between gnawing on lukewarm beans and dodging mosquitoes with attitude problems, we made a pact: no more sad campsite meals. Because if we’re going to survive out here - whether it’s a weekend trek, backyard campout with the kids, or the real deal when things go sideways - we might as well eat like kings around the fire.

Welcome to the Survival Chef: Campfire Edition.

We’re not talking gourmet here. No soufflés or ten-step marinades. Just solid, satisfying meals you can make with a few smart staples, whether you’re off-grid, hunkered down, or hanging in the garage with your emergency stash.

Let’s talk breakfast first. Because nothing flips a bad mood like a warm, filling start to your day.

Morning Glory: The Burrito You Didn’t Know You Needed

You don’t need a fridge full of fresh eggs and bacon to get a hearty breakfast. Just grab your Whole Egg Powder and Freeze-Dried Pork Sausage Crumbles. They are shelf-stable, pack light, and cook up like a dream. Mix up the egg powder with water, throw it in a skillet or mess tin, and stir in the sausage once the eggs start to set. Add some hot sauce or whatever spices you remembered to bring, and wrap the whole thing in a tortilla.

Boom: campsite breakfast burrito. It’s warm, protein-packed, and actually makes you look like you know what you’re doing.

Fast Fuel: Oats with a Twist

Now if you’re in a hurry, or feeding some tiny humans with zero patience, it’s hard to beat the classic: Ready Hour Quick Oats. But we’re not stopping at plain oatmeal. Toss in your freeze-dried strawberries or banana chips also in the stash, also shelf-stable and suddenly you’ve got a sweet, satisfying, high-fiber meal that doesn’t taste like cardboard.

This one’s kid-tested and parent-approved, whether you’re in the woods or building an indoor fort on a rainy Saturday.

Lazy Genius Dinner: Orange Chicken, No Fuss

Alright, dinner. You’re tired, maybe a little sunburned, and nobody wants to chop onions. Enter the Beyond Outdoor Meals Orange Chicken Pouch. This thing is basically a cheat code for campers. Rip it open, add hot water, wait a few, and eat. It tastes like takeout, holds up in your pack, and doesn’t require a culinary degree.

The best part? You’ll be the hero who “cooked dinner” while everyone else is still trying to figure out how to open their MRE with a rock.

The beauty of these shelf-stable options is they work wherever you are. Yes, they shine in the wilderness. But they’re also the answer when the power goes out, when dinner plans fall apart, or when you just want to feel prepared without sacrificing flavor.

You don’t need a pantry full of perishables to make real meals. You don’t need fancy gear to eat well. And you definitely don’t need reservations.

What you do need is a little creativity, a decent heat source, and a stash of the right stuff.

We’ll keep sharing tips, stories, and gear hacks to keep your belly full and your spirits up, whether you’re on the trail, in your backyard, or weathering the unexpected.

Until next time… keep it wild, keep it tasty.

Thomas Hawkins

Fellow misadventurer, campfire cook, and occasional oatmeal artist