These vegetarian and vegan camping meal ideas keep us fueled and satisfied at some of our favorites overnight music festivals. You can find us jamming at Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Australia, spending the labour day long weekend with Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington, or watching one of the greats at an outdoor venue near you!  No matter where, we’ll be grilling up a delicious healthy veggie meal and making our campground neighbors jealous.

These recipes are based on being able to cook on a double element portable gas stove or campfire stove and the ingredients can be picked up from any grocery store (handy if you are flying in or driving a long way to get to your destination). These ideas also work great if you are in a hotel or Air B&B for a long period of time and want to eat something homemade instead of eating out, again.

Breakfast

Vegan Ideas 

1. Baked Beans or Avocado– serve with fresh bread
2. Overnight Oats – Make-ahead oats (2:1 water to steel cut oats, bring to a boil for 30 seconds, then remove from heat and keep covered overnight) served with fresh or dried fruit, raisins, and seeds
3. Protein Powder Shakes – brands like Vega One are filled with nutrient dense plant-based protein and you can just add water to make a quick shake.
4. Muffins – wholewheat with fruit, or banana bread

Vegetarian Ideas 

1. Scrambled Egg Bowl – made with frozen shredded hash browns, salsa and fruit
2. Breakfast Burrito – a tortilla wrap stuffed with organic scrambled eggs, salsa, avocado, peppers, mushrooms, etc
3. Granola – served with small pots of low fat organic yogurt and a banana
4. Pancakes – try the buttermilk pancake mix and add berries or bananas
5. French Toast – bread soaked in whisked organic eggs and fried; serve with fruit, cinnamon and a miniature jar of local honey.

Nothing beats waking up to breakfast and a fresh pressed coffee prepared at your campsite

Lunch & Dinner

Vegan Meal Ideas 

1. Tomato Spaghetti or Tortellini – served with a jar of Pomodoro sauce
2. Fresh Sandwiches – fresh bread, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, red pepper, lettuce, hummus, pesto, etc. You can find single serving condiment packets from fast food restaurants.
3. PB&J – Peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches
4. Falafel Kebab – lettuce, tomato, hummus, and pan-fried chickpea falafel in tortilla wraps.
5. Veggie Burger – whole wheat buns, veggie pattie, lettuce, tomatoes, condiments
6. Veggie Hot Dogs – veggie sausage, hot dog buns, condiments, sautéed onions
7. Indian curry – sauté mixed vegetables with tinned chickpeas and a jar of curry sauce, with pita bread (or garlic Naan bread for vegetarians).
8. Asian Noodles – sauté mixed vegetables with pre-marinated tofu and quick-cook rice noodles. Look for mini soy sauce packets to bring.  Optional: add sesame seeds or peanut garnish.
9. Soups & Chili – Pick up a pack of soup or chili and enjoy with toast, toasted tortillas, or your burger buns for easy vegan sloppy joe’s
10. Salad – Choose a pre-made hearty salad at the store or mix together quinoa, chickpeas, pre-washed mixed lettuce, crunchy vegetables and a creamy or tangy dressing (add the dressing when you are ready to eat).
11. Greek Mezze Platter – raw veggies, hummus dip, baba ganoush, tortillas, and falafel.

Vegetarian Meal Ideas 

1. Pesto Pasta – noodles, a jar of pesto, and blanched broccoli, asparagus or spinach (add the veggies 2-3 mins before the noodles are ready for a one-pot meal).
2. “Camp-Fire” Nachos – multigrain chips and grated cheddar, placed in a pan with tinfoil lid covering it and cooked on low until melted. Serve with black beans, salsa, avocado and chopped tomatoes.
3. Veggie Frittada  – whisked eggs with peppers, onions, mushrooms, frozen hash browns, or other vegetables, serve with bread.
4. Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich – served with a side salad & vinaigrette
5. Quesadillas – onion, pepper & cheese with Mexican spices and salsa in tortilla wraps. Optional, add marinated jackfruit

Kitchen Utensils & Tools to Bring

• Small bottle of olive oil, salt and pepper
• French press and ground coffee or tea bags
• Bar of dark chocolate
• Nut & fruit trail mix
• Cutting board & knife
• Beer & Wine Bottle opener
• Pan & pot
• Plates & bowls & cups
• Spatula, knives, forks and spoons (you can whisk eggs with two forks)
• Cleaning sponge & small bottle of dish soap
• Dish towels & paper towels
• Tin foil, zip lock bags, and/or tupperware containers for leftovers or opened items, and garbage bags
• Cooler & Ice…  Santa, please bring me one of these Yeti Coolers
• Two burner gas stove with gas bottle & lighter.
  • Sails & Spices Tip: Gas stoves can generally be put into checked airline luggage, so long as they are clean, have been disconnected and ventilated for 24 hours, and are not traveling with the fuel source (buy your gas bottle on arrival)
• Folding chairs and small folding table

There you have it!  With a little pre-planning you’ll have your festival vegan and vegetarian meals sorted, and will certainly be the envy of the pop-tart eating guy posted up in the site beside you.

Readers, what are some of your favorite festival camping vegan meals?  Send us a note in the comments section below to share your best ideas…