Camping-friendly main dish for 30 people - ideas?

[Anonymous]

I need a main dish idea that can survive 24 hours in a cooler and then be cooked over a camp stove or fire pit, without being so much of a hassle that I can't socialize. I tried to get everybody to commit to one menu so we could all bring a share (like, 6 people bring 8 burgers each) but it's not going to be that organized. There's a reasonable chance this will be the only main dish.

Give me your ideas, please!

[Anonymous]

Frozen chili. Pack it frozen with dry ice. Empty it into a big pot over a grill or campfire. Bring unopened cheeses, sour cream (frozen), and avocados (chop on site). Serve with fritos and tortillas.

[Anonymous]

Hot dogs

[Anonymous]

Hot dogs

[Anonymous]

Hot dogs

[Anonymous]

Taco bar - you can even brown up the meat in advance and reheat it in a large pot. Then just pack soft tortillas, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

[Anonymous]

Hot dogs or other sausages. Steaks. Basically, quick cooking meats that aren't salmonella risks (so no pork chops, chicken thighs).

Chili. Cook it at home, cool it down, put it in zip lock bags in the cooler. Bring a big pot with you and put the pot on the grill/fire pit. Bring paper bowls to serve it!

[Anonymous]

We've done burritos assembled at home and heated over the campfire, tomato feta pasta (can cook pasta at home if that's easier), pesto pasta, burgers and dogs with corn on the cob and veggie skewers. All of these have been popular with adults and kids.

Editorial comment: with 30 people, you need a system-either you are on your own for every meal or a system for who is bringing what. We usually have a family assigned to provide a meal to the whole group (or two families if we have a ton of people). Who are these people who are showing up not knowing if there will be a main dish for dinner?!

[Anonymous]

Former camp counselor here.

Not chili for that many people, you’d need multiple coolers just for the chili.

Hot dogs with individual bags of chips.

[Anonymous]

Hot dogs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taco bar - you can even brown up the meat in advance and reheat it in a large pot. Then just pack soft tortillas, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

A camp favorite version of this (although not the most healthy) is tacos in a bag. Put the meat and fixings in a bag of Fritos or Doritosch, break up the chips, and eat directly from the bag. That eliminates having a dish to wash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former camp counselor here.

Not chili for that many people, you’d need multiple coolers just for the chili.

Hot dogs with individual bags of chips.

And multiple bathrooms!!!

[Anonymous]

I used to organize our camping meals for a cub scouts pack. Usually 25-35 people.

Dutch oven options:
Chili - you'll need a couple of dutch ovens. Bring pre-cooked baked potatoes, wrapped in foil, and reheat around the campfire.
Sloppy joes - pre-cook, heat over charcoal
Shredded BBQ pork or chicken - pre-cook

Grilled hot dogs or skinless/boneless chicken thighs also work.

Big bags of green salad.

Corn on the cob, wrapped in foil with butter & salt - heat around the campfire or on a bed of charcoal.

Bring a whole watermelon and have someone slice it into wedges on site.

Pre-made potato salad is always a hit.

And, of course, large amounts of s'mores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taco bar - you can even brown up the meat in advance and reheat it in a large pot. Then just pack soft tortillas, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

A camp favorite version of this (although not the most healthy) is tacos in a bag. Put the meat and fixings in a bag of Fritos or Doritosch, break up the chips, and eat directly from the bag. That eliminates having a dish to wash.

+1 (or 30 dishes)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taco bar - you can even brown up the meat in advance and reheat it in a large pot. Then just pack soft tortillas, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

A camp favorite version of this (although not the most healthy) is tacos in a bag. Put the meat and fixings in a bag of Fritos or Doritosch, break up the chips, and eat directly from the bag. That eliminates having a dish to wash.

That's called Frito Pie.