Place your meat in separate plastic food storage bags of marinade and stash them in the freezer a few days before your trip. The meat will be extra flavorful since it will marinate while thawing.
Prepare plenty of easy-to-eat cold foods. Potato and pasta salads are perfect sides for camping since you don't need to heat them up. Tuna salad and chicken salad are easy to prepare. Make these salads the day before your trip to give the different flavors time to meld together.
Pack some pita bread along with your favorite sliced bread. Save the pita bread for the end of your trip, because it stays fresh longer than regular sliced bread.
Cook a few one-dish meals the day before your trip. Separate the meals into individual servings and put them in plastic food storage bags once they cool off. Chili, stews, and soups all freeze well. By putting them in individual bags, you give everyone a choice of what they want to eat, and everyone doesn't have to eat the same thing at the same time.
Chop vegetables such as peppers, onions and carrots, and store them in separate plastic food bags. They will be ready for you to use them without having to dirty any knives or cutting boards.
Pack your favorite snack foods. Healthy snack foods such as fruits and granola bars will give you energy. However, don't forget your favorite sinful snacks. Bake brownies and cookies to take with you on your trip and store them in plastic containers.
Bring plenty of canned food along, such as spaghetti, soup, corned beef hash and vegetables. Since these foods don't need to be cooled, you will save valuable space in your cooler. They are also good for a quick meal, since they generally don't need to be heated--although they may taste better when warm.
