Happy Thanksglamping: Cooking a Traditional Thanksgiving Meal While Camping

With the impending stress of the holiday season creeping up, we could all use one more lengthy nature trip to calm our senses and remind us what we are thankful for. If you are truly lucky, you may even spend the big day out of town, away from the traffic, and next to an open fire pit. But even in the beautiful outdoors, what is Thanksgiving without the excellent company of loved ones and - of course - a splendid feast?

You don't have to sacrifice good food for good scenery (we learned that from our wonderful guest writer, Jessica, in her article about glamping gourmet recipes). Believe it or not, cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner over the open fire at a campsite is not as difficult as you may believe! The key to success is the same as with any large meal (at home or in the woods): prepare as much as possible ahead of time. Plan your meal before you leave; chop, cut, dice, and bag everything neatly before you go so that you will be organized and ready to cook once you are there. With that in mind, you can achieve an Insta-worthy smorgasbord wherever you are!

The Bird

There are two simple ways to cook your turkey using a fire pit. This article outlines both of them well. The first involves using a Dutch oven or similar cooking pot to roast the turkey on the grill of a fire pit. The second method is good if you have a large enough fire pit, since it involves burying the turkey in the ground luau-style. Both are effective (and delicious) methods -- just remember to always heed the fire safety regulations at your site! 

The Potatoes

Sweet or Russet, potatoes are very easy to cook over a campfire. Use the tinfoil method, which consists of tightly wrapping your potato in foil and leaving it to cook on the grill or directly on the coals for about thirty minutes. For an added flavor boost, cube the potatoes first and toss your favorite herbs and toppings into the foil sachet (pre-cooked bacon, butter, sprigs of parsley, salt and pepper, pre-chopped onions, olive oil, cinnamon, brown sugar, etc. depending on the type of potato). When they emerge, your potatoes will be soft and ready to eat -- or you can easily mash them if you prefer!

The Vegetables

The same tinfoil method can be used to cook your vegetables (green beans, pre-chopped onions, and pre-cooked bacon, or similar dishes). Or, you can choose to fry your vegetables using a hardy, nonstick skillet over the campfire grill. Whatever your method, it's pretty difficult to mess up a delicious veggie side dish!

The Stuffing

Who could forget the stuffing? On your turkey, in your turkey, on the side... everyone eats it differently but everyone loves it! Yes, you could precook the stuffing and bag it to bring with you. Or, if you're feeling flexible (hey, it's Thanksgiving -- give yourself a break!), just bring a store-bought box of stuffing with you. It's just as yummy and you'll enjoy it even more if you don't have to home-make it yourself!

The Pie

I think you know where this is going.... Unless you're a regular Julia Child, you probably don't make your own pie every year (if you do, then you're a cooking champion!). But for the rest of us, store-bought is just fine. Pick out your favorite pie (mine is pumpkin buried under a pile of whipped cream), pack that sucker up, and bring it with you. 

And that's it! I told you it wasn't difficult. With the help of a vinyl tablecloth, some festive tableware, and your favorite champagne, this Thanksgiving will be truly memorable. Who could say no to good food, good company, and the stunning backdrop of mother nature? 

For a fun craft and stylish table, try any of these cute DIY centerpieces!

Stay Chilly, My Friends: A Glamper's Guide to the Best Coolers

There’s no point in going glamping without delectable food and drinks to enjoy during your stay. And the key to fresh dinner ingredients and chilly bottles is… you guessed it, a good cooler.

So what are the key components of a decent ice chest? First of all, it needs to keep things… well, cool. Duh. Second, it should be sturdy enough to survive the wild outdoors (as wild as a yurt can get, at least). Third most important, it should be easy to transport -- it shouldn’t take up too much space in the car or be awkward carry. Fourth, cooler price is a major point. Last, it should be cute -- accessories are a definite plus!

With these factors in mind, I’ll reveal some of my favorite coolers and why I like them so much.

The Coolest

I mean… just look at it. It’s the mac daddy of all coolers -- the big kahuna. It has everything: a built-in blender and USB charger, Bluetooth speakers, an interior lid light, a bottle opener, a tie-down bungee cord, an accessory compartment, and it even comes with a knife, corkscrew, and some plates. The Coolest wins major bonus points for style and practicality. However, all that extra gear makes it bulky to transport and leaves a lot of room for malfunctioning motors and broken parts.

Ice Retention: ➷➷➷

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Yeti Tundra 35

Yetis are famous for being both incredibly well-insulated and durable. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from petite to downright huge, but the Tundra 35 is a good medium size. Bonus: it comes in pale blue and millennial pink (on their website) for color-conscious glampers. Downside: its durability makes it rather heavy -- so carrying it from the car to the tent might be a two-person job.

Ice Retention: ➷➷➷➷➷

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Transportability: ➷➷

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Pelican 45-Quart

The Pelican is similar to the Yeti in that it is incredibly tough and does a great job keeping your wine chilly. It also comes in a few different styles; the rolling 45-quart is my favorite because - again - transportability is sacrificed for durability, and the all-terrain wheels really help. This cooler is for the serious glamper/camper: it isn’t the cutest, but it will definitely keep your food fresh, and it’s grizzly-proof. Also cool: you can customize it with a basket that keeps your food cold but dry!

Ice Retention: ➷➷➷➷

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Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme

What this one lacks in good looks, it more than makes up for in price. And although Coleman is not a top-shelf camping brand, you get plenty of bang for your buck with the Xtreme. The wheels make it easy to transport, it’s large enough to fit everyone’s drinks and food, and it stays cold for a fair length of time. Downside: while it’s strong enough for you to sit on, it’s certainly not grizzly-proof.

Ice Retention: ➷➷➷

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Surreal Stump Cooler

This cooler brings some seriously chic style to your glampsite. Just be careful not to lose track of it, or else it might be lost in the woods forever! It's great for placing near the campfire circle so that everyone can top up during ghost stories, and it's small enough to not be constantly underfoot. However, it isn't built to last an eternity, and it offers no wheels or handles with which to transport it. It's more of a secondary cooler to keep full during peak hours, whereas your perishable foods and ice should be kept in a sturdier, colder cooler for the duration of your trip. 

Ice Retention: ➷➷

Durability: ➷➷➷

Transportability: ➷➷➷

Affordability: ➷➷➷

Style: ➷➷➷➷➷

While these are only a handful of coolers on the market (other high-performance brands include Igloo, Grizzly, and Engel), these are my top picks. Each provides different qualities depending on your personal needs. In the past, I have relied on my Coleman Xtreme because it’s affordable and gets the job done. Going into the future, however, the editor’s pick would have to go to the Pelican. No, it’s not gorgeous, but it combines great performance with maximum transportability, and you won’t have to worry about bears or any other cooler-killers. And there’s nothing a little craft paint, stencils, and decals can’t fix.

A Beginner's Guide to Glamping Kitchen Setup

       By guest, Jessica Miller

Cushy pillows, flower vases, oriental lamps and chandeliers, WiFi... let’s be real, girl. These aren’t for your survival, they’re for your enjoyment and comfort. And when properly glamping, your cooking and dining experience should be no different! Depending on the caliber of your glamping set-up, your accommodations may already come equipped with a microwave, mini fridge, and/or ceramic stovetop (this French glampsite near Tolouse thought of everything!). But even without these appliances you can still achieve your own A+ glamping kitchen.

Let’s start with the essentials. A cooler is, and always will be, your best friend. Campers and glampers alike gravitate towards Yeti coolers which are thermodynamically engineered to stay cold for everrrrrr. You can also opt for a portable mini fridge which is good primarily for keeping them brewskies (or if you’re me, cider-skies) cold. Some plug into your car while others are solar powered or battery-operated. Amazon has a variety of options and they’re all stinkin’ adorable.

When it comes to the actual cooking, you can turn up the 21st century heat with a portable, solar-powered grill or oven such as the GoSun Stove (or its older, yet shorter brother, the GoSun Sport). Long gone are the days of scraping the charred, unevenly-cooked remains of hot dog links off of a grody old frying pan. With a portable camping stove you can easily cook nearly anything you’d normally have at home. Looking at you, Thai basil stir fry.

One thing I used to overlook when packing for camping trips is food prep space and utensils. I have so many flashbacks to me camping in college, pathetically sawing a tomato with a plastic knife on a soggy paper plate in vain because I wasn’t prepared. Don’t. Be. Me. In. College. Bringing a cute little wooden fold-out table like this one is an easy way to add ambiance to your glampsite while providing you the comfort of a decent food prep space. I’m also a big advocate of cutting boards for hassle-free clean-up after each meal.

Do yourself the service of packing these kitchen wares: two sharp cutting knives, a mixing bowl, spatula, salad bowl and tossers, two cooking pots with lids, and a medium-sized no-stick frying pan. This is an expandable starter pack to get things going in your outdoor kitchen. Don’t forget to also pack some tin foil, cling wrap, and tupperware to keep leftovers tidily put away and easy to store.

Once it’s time to serve the delicious meal you (...or somebody else) prepared, this is where glamping gets serious. Presentation is all part of the experience. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to beautify your dining table out in the wild. Start by laying out a linen tablecloth, which functions as both eye candy and as a sanitary measure if you’re eating off one of the site’s picnic tables. Wood or bamboo dining sets are nature-inspired and the actual best: lightweight, durable (won’t break during the car ride), eco-savvy, stylish. Oh yeah. Compliment your dishware with matching serving bowls/platters, silverware or chopsticks, cloth napkins, and camp-friendly stemware. Glass is potentially harmful for animals and other campers, which is why REI sells these stellar stainless steel and copolyester plastic nesting wine glasses. Don’t you worry, your friends at Glamp-Ed will make sure you can enjoy a glass of wine from anywhere in the world!

Most importantly, let your individuality guide the rest of your glamping cookout arrangement: adorn the table with faerie lights and candles, put on some mood music from your portable speaker, create a centerpiece bowl full of pinecones and natural found objects. When it comes to glamping, the dinner table is a central place to unwind from the day, share stories, and enjoy a beautiful, freshly-prepared meal with your beloved fellow glampers.

Table all set? Click here for some fabulously simple and decadent glamping recipe ideas!

Gourmet Glamping: A Guide to the Best Camping Cuisine

By guest, Jessica Miller

Food may be fuel for survival, but a real glamping chef goes above and beyond. Cooking without a two-door fridge and conventional oven doesn’t mean you’ll be left roasting beans in a can (and speaking from experience, that does NOT work in real life... trust me). These gourmet camping food ideas will make you feel like you’re dining at a 5-star Michelin restaurant with a million dollar view: 360 degrees of mother nature.

Breakfast

The most important meal of the day. And after a rough morning of sleeping in while surrounded by all your favorite pillows and soft things, you’re going to want to kickstart your day with a delicious breakfast. Here are a few of my favorites:

Overnight Oats

I eat these at home, and they are the perfect candidates for a fantastic and utterly hassle-free breakfast. You can make them at home and pack them ahead of time, or bring the fixings with you and leave them in your cooler or minifridge overnight. All you need is an airtight jar, oats, seeds, fruit, milk, and anything else your heart desires. This overnight oats recipe at Hurry the Food Up will show you just how easy and customizable it is.

Pack-It-In Eggs

Omelette you finish, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a fresh omelette out in nature. Best of all, there’s a way to do it without all the fuss of keeping your eggs intact in the cooler. At home, fill a sealable bottle with pre-cracked and pre-whisked eggs. Pack it up and you’re good to go! In the morning, it’s literally as easy as 1-2-pour into your non-stick frying pan. For added gourmet factor, chop up your favorite omelette ingredients and toss them into the mix.

Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

Oh no she did not just.... Oh yes, yes she did. There’s no turning back once you’ve discovered how easy it is to make toasted cinnamon rolls over an open fire. Don’t believe me? Check out this crazy simple recipe on Delish.com

 

Lunch

For most campers, lunch is typically a mixed bag meal of sandwiches and sparse handfuls of trail mix. But for the dedicated glamper, lunch can still be a luxurious mid-day meal. Here are a few lunch glamping food ideas to get you started:

Asian Cucumber Salad

It’s all too easy to make camping a big ol’ carb fest. It makes sense; produce has a shorter life span and needs to be kept cool, while things like bread last and take less effort to store. But I like feeling healthy and energized outdoors and this salad is an effortless, refreshing, delicious solution. Soggy salad greens are a non-issue when your main ingredient is a few resilient cucumbers! See the recipe here at JoyfulHealthyEats.com. I like to toss in a handful of almond slivers for added protein.

Mac n’ Cheese

Okay, so I guess not every meal has to be Jenny Craig approved. But when it’s this easy and this tasty, exceptions can be made. LaurensLatest.com has the recipe for basic camping mac n’ cheese, but I highly recommend adding in some chopped veggies and protein to make a next-level gourmet camp meal. Your fellow glampers will thank you.

Wraps

There’s no reason to settle for sandwiches when wraps and roll-ups are just as easy, twice as healthy, and three times as pretty. Here is a curated list of wrap suggestions from Cosmo, but it’s really up to you. I like cabbage wraps with avocado, rice noodles, cucumber, shredded carrots, sesame seeds, and teriyaki tofu. Beats PB&J, doesn’t it?

 

Dinner

Get ready for endless possibilities thanks to the miracle of tin foil. These recipes can be made using a camping stove or an open flame. Bon appetit!

Paella

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that was practically made for camping. Full of flavor and endless variety, it’s hard to go wrong. Bust out your biggest frying pan and cook a family size meal in no time. This artichoke and poblano paella recipe looks killer and boasts a total cook time of just 45 minutes. Talk about posh camping food!

5-Star Hobo Packs

Don’t let the name deceive you-- hobo packs are a staple of camp-out cooking that can easily be glampified with gourmet ingredients. These flavor-filled foil packets are easily one of the best foods to take glamping. Load up tin foil boats with your favorite dinner menu items, cover, and open-flame roast to create everything from potato gratin to gnocchi to lobster scampi (now that’s some fancy camping food). It’s like a one-pot camping recipe, except better because you don’t even need the pot! It’s also great for dessert, but we’ll get to that later...

Gourmet Campfire Pizza

Maybe you’ve been hiking all day, and maybe you’ve been tanning on a pool chair by the riverbank – either way, you deserve pizza. It’s surprisingly simple (and fast) to make on a grill. I like how easily this recipe on TheBaldGourmet.com breaks it down, although my ideal toppings are soyrizo, bell peppers, onions, spinach, and mushrooms... om nom nom nom nom.

 

Dessert

No way we’re leaving this out!

Banana Boats

My friend Brad introduced these to me on a camping trip in Angeles National Forest and my life will never be the same. How easy is it to slice a banana longways in half, load it up with chocolate, marshmallows, and fruit, and toast over an open flame? Literally that easy. Get the recipe here and customize to your heart’s content.

Barbecued Apple Crisps

Remember those hobo packs? They’re as handy for dessert as they are for dinner. All you need are some oats, spices, and apples over an open flame. Let nature handle the rest! Recipe here at CookingWithJax.com.

S’mores

Here’s a philosophical quandary for you: if someone goes camping and they didn’t have s’mores, did they even really go camping? S’mores are the ultimate camping classic. Fun to make, and so dang delicious. While there’s nothing wrong with the traditional s’mores recipe, here are some exciting and simple spins for a decadent end to a sweet day.

What are some of your go-to fancy camping meals? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more glamping and camping content.

The Best Glampsites for Fall (In North America)

For North Americans, fall is a very special time of year: the days grow short and everything turns golden-orange, even the sky. The summer heat is just beginning to subside and there's a faint chill in the air. During fall, there's nothing better than cozying up with a comfortable blanket and a steaming cup of coffee to watch the leaves change color... but who says you can't camp while you do it? So, here are some of North America's best glamping locations to sit with a loved one and usher in the new fall season.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Canada

 

Pine Mountain Camp, California

 

Autocamp, California (Russian River and Santa Barbara) 

 

Tree House Vineyard, California

 

Enchanted Forest Yurt, California

 

Dunton River Camp, Colorado

 

Collective Vail, Colorado

 

El Jardin Eco Retreat, Mexico

 

Paws Up Resort, Montana

 

Posh Primitive, New York

 

Camp Orenda, New York

 

Blue Bear Mountain Camp, North Carolina

 

Camp Heaven, Oregon

 

Cypress Canopy Tours, Texas