It is an excellent method to set up camp outside and enjoy nature, and it can double the enjoyment if you cook your favourite food on a firepit.
When I go camping and can not find my favourite food, I feel something is missing. I love to eat meat during my camping trip because it gives me energy.
Cooking meat over a campfire is so much fun, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way.
However, if you pack meat properly, it can save your whole camping trip. In this article, I will explain “how to pack meat for camping“.
Make sure that your meat should be packed appropriately before going on a camping trip. If it is loaded right, then your camping adventure becomes a food disaster for you.
Is Meat Healthy for Camping?
Yes, meat is healthy for camping, but only if it is eaten in limited amounts. It is a nutrient-rich meal. Meat is a rich source of protein, minerals and vitamins.
Different types of meat are edible. Chicken, beef, lamb, goat, and fish are considered healthy meats that not only affect your health but also control your appetite during a camping adventure.
How to Pack Meat for Camping? 10 Best Methods
Packing meat for camping is quite a tricky task because raw meat can spoil within two hours of being taken out of the fridge.
However, by employing specific methods, you can prevent the meat from spoiling and ensure that it stays good according to your camping cooking plan.
In this article, I have prepared a list of the best methods to pack meat for camping. I hope, by using these tips, you can carry your heart without any worries and enjoy your camping trip hassle-free.
No 1. Using a cooler
Camping is enjoyable, but you must adequately fulfill essential needs like water and food to enjoy it properly. Meat is an excellent option to carry with you. Properly packing a lump of meat is easy and necessary to enjoy its taste and avoid spoiling.
A high-quality cooler is the best way to set up a camp to carry and pack your meat. It will work as a mini fridge to keep your meat fresh and prevent it from getting spoiled.
While camping, you are far away from home and need it often. But the ice in your cooler would melt on its own, and the water would wet the meat, which can take some more time to cook. To avoid this situation, you can use airtight plastic bags.
You should already have a plan about how to keep your meat from getting spoiled throughout your camping trip. You don’t need to struggle through all the meat every time you hope to cook a little.
How Do I Choose A Cooler?
I always choose the cooler by considering the following factors.
- Durability
- Size
- Insulation
- Easy to Carry
No 2. Close cooler tightly
Always ensure that your cooler is tightly sealed so that outside air doesn’t get in. After packing the meat, if there’s any space, fill it with a towel. During your camping trip, try to avoid opening the cooler repeatedly to maintain the temperature inside.
No 3. Packing up your meat in water
You can go camping throughout the year in every season. Keep your meat packed in cool water if you plan it in summer or hot weather. You are packing your meat in cold water to avoid it getting rotted.
No 4. Using ice packs
Buy large ice packs from the market, as large icing packs are always best compared to ice cubes. And large ice packs can take more time to melt, or you can freeze them yourself.
You can freeze water in big-sized plastic bags as it is another way to keep your meat fresh and healthy. Put your frozen meat in the middle of two ice packs by packing it in plastic bags. In this way, your meat will not get moisture. And it would keep your meat safe from getting spoiled.
Always pack your coolers full of ice tightly to save your cooler from getting stale.
You should carry at least two coolers; one is just for meat, and the other must be for beverages. It will help if you put them separately. Otherwise, your meat would get stale if you opened your cooler for a beverage as water.
No 5. Wrapping meat in a foil
Aluminum foil wrapping can also be very useful and effective in this regard. Foil wrapping can also be used to pack your meat nicely and decently. It will prevent it from spoiling and protect it from the elements entering. After wrapping it in foil, you can store it on top of ice packs in the cooler.
No 6. Storing meat in a dry place
Storing your meat in a dry place can be a practical element to keep meat fresh. You can use a cool box or fridge to store your meat. Cover it adequately with plastic food wrap to avoid getting moisture, as it can rot your meat.
No 7. Protect from sunlight
Direct sunlight will spoil your meat very quickly. To avoid damaging it, try to keep it under shade and away from sunlight as much as possible. If you don’t keep it away from sunlight, it is a hundred percent certain that you will be left with stale meat.
As per the above recommendation, you should always carry your meat in a cooler, as it is a pet thing for campers because coolers are portable and easy to carry. Please avoid keeping it in sunlight as it will melt its ice soon. And if ice is melted, there is no need to put your meat in a cooler on melted ice. By doing this, your meat would be stale.
No 8. Eat your meat within two days
Eat your meat within two days after packing it. It will get unhealthy and unsafe to consume after two days of packing. You can end up with stale meat, and the taste will not remain as fresh as it should be. So, Before reaching this point, use your meat when it is fresh. Eat healthily, stay healthy and enjoy your trip with your family and friends.
No 9. Cook your meat properly
Cook your meat properly to kill any bacteria if present. You can use a meat thermometer to check whether your meat cooks correctly. The ideal temperature for meat is 75 degree Celsius. Meat should not be pink; it must be juicy and piping hot. Proper cooking will kill bacteria that cause food poisoning. The best ways of cooking meat at camping are barbecues and fried chicken.
No 10. Keep raw meat and cooked meat separate
Keep your raw meat separate from cooked meat, as raw meat can contain bacteria. Always keep them separate when packing or cooking. Putting them together may cause cross-contamination. Use different plates for them; they should also be separated from each other.
No 11. Use Tupperware Container
Use a Tupperware Container to pack meat for camping. It is an excellent option to store large items such as roast and ham for your camping trip. Even by using this, you would be okay with your meat. It would not be getting dirty or wet during a camping adventure.
No 12. Freeze meat till the last moment
If you plan to take frozen meat for camping, it’s a good idea to buy it a week in advance and freeze it thoroughly before your trip.
This way, you can prevent the meat from spoiling. On the day of your camping adventure, take the fully frozen meat out of the fridge, transfer it to the cooler, and enjoy your journey.
No 13. Check the temperature frequently
You should know the optimum temperature for storing raw meat. You can adjust it using a cooler, either decreasing or increasing the temperature. If the temperature becomes excessively high and the ice has melted, it’s advisable not to consume the meat as this could lead to spoilage.
No 14. Wash your hands
Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat to avoid bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Please wash your hands with water, and scrub them with soap for 20 seconds. Properly clean and sanitize your sink or any surface potentially touched by raw meat.
Meat is full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. If you pack it for your camping trip, you have a meal full of nutrients. It also contains iron and zinc. Meat can spoil if you do not store it properly.
Another way to enhance the life of your meat you can consume canned or freeze-dried meat. Freeze-drying could last almost ten years if you keep it properly. As suggested, use a cooler to store the meat in big plastic bags, so it remains dry, and cook it thoroughly whenever you handle uncooked and raw meat.
Final Thoughts
All these points are effective and suitable methods for packing meat for camping. You can make your camping trip more joyful by keeping certain things in your mind. You have to be careful in carrying meat, but in case of any clue of rotten meat, please avoid using it. In this situation, it is a good option not to use that as you will suffer from food poisoning, which can ruin your trip.
In case of any difficulty, please comment below, and share your reviews about your meat packing experience on your camping trips.
It is time to say goodbye and have fun with your loved ones!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Following are the frequently asked questions related to packing meat for camping.
Q 1. How do you keep meat fresh when camping?
Q 2. What kind of meat can you take camping?
1. Dehydrated chicken
2. Beef jerky
3. Bacon
4. Summer sausages
5. Canned tuna/ salmon /meat
6. Hard and dry salami
7. Dehydrated turkey
8. Boil chicken
Freezing dried meat can also be a good option, as it lasts for ten years if you store it appropriately and reasonably.
Q 3. How do you keep chicken fresh camping?
Because ice packs do not melt fast, try to pack your meat in a dry place; for this purpose, you can pack them in plastic bags. And one more thing, remember to cook it properly when you use it.
Q 4. How do you take steak camping?
Because ice packs do not melt fast, try to pack your meat in a dry place; for this purpose, you can pack them in plastic bags. And one more thing, remember to cook it properly when you use it.
Q 5. Can you cook steak over a campfire?
Q 6. Should I Precook Meat for Camping?
It also minimizes the cooking time over the campfire or stove, which can be especially useful when dealing with limited resources or adverse weather conditions. Remember to properly cool and store the precooked meat before packing it for the camping trip.