Whether you would like to take scrambled, boiled, or fried eggs, you can read on to find out exactly how to pack eggs for camping for each one. Scrambled seem to be the easiest and safest way, by cracking the eggs into a zip lock bag and freezing it before it goes into your cooler for your trip.
For those who prefer to take eggs uncooked and still in their shell, the most effective way is to simply pack them in an egg holder or to improvise something similar with the use of a plastic container.
A really great tip is to take Guinea hen eggs instead of the usual chicken eggs. The reason that they are better for camping is because their shell is around three times thicker than chicken eggs, and as an added bonus they even taste richer as well.
Scrambled
To take camping scrambled eggs, you need to prepare it before your trip. Scramble as many eggs as you’d like to and add whatever you’d like – my favorite is with diced ham, shredded cheese, with salt and pepper. It’s quite simple but delicious, and you can add spring onion if you want some extra flavor.
Put the mixture into a heavy-duty zip lock bag and then place that in your freezer. Before you leave for your camping trip put it in your cooler.
At the campsite, when you’re ready to cook your scrambled eggs, fill a medium sized pot with some water and bring it to a boil. Then, submerge the zip lock bag of scrambled eggs into the boiling water. At this point, you can let the water return to a simmer and use tongs to move the bag around every now and then to help it cook evenly. Pay special attention to the center of the bag, ensuring this part cooks well too.
You should let it simmer for around 10-15 minutes, depending on how frozen the bag was. When the contents of the bag are visibly light yellow and fluffy, your scrambled eggs are ready. Be careful not to burn yourself when removing the bag from the water, and when opening the bag. Now, simply empty the contents onto a plate and enjoy!
Honestly, I think this is the easiest method to taking eggs camping, as it is quick and there’s no mess.
Boiled
Hard boiled is another great way to take eggs camping. They can last outside of a fridge for about 3-5 days, but you should always give the egg a smell before you eat it. If it smells bad or like sulfur, don’t risk it. I always like to eat my eggs on the first day of my trip, or at the latest on the second.
What’s great about this method is that there’s no risk of the eggs breaking at any point and ruining other food or worse; seeping into your gear.
Boil the eggs before the camping trip for about ten minutes, and don’t flash cool them in cold water after. Just let them air cool, and make sure that the shell remains intact as this provides an airtight seal.
Fried
I do enjoy a nice fried egg every now and then and it is the only way some people enjoy their eggs.
If you prefer to risk packing the egg raw to cook at the campsite, feel free, but I like to prepare this one beforehand as well.
I fry up an egg until both sides are well done, it’s safer not to leave the egg runny, add some salt and pepper for flavor, and then let it cool either in the fridge or just on the counter. My favorite way is to make a sandwich with the fried egg, so I grab two slices of bread and butter them. Add whatever else you’d like to your sandwich other than the fried egg, like some cheese perhaps.
Then, wrap in foil if you’d like to and place inside of a Ziploc bag.
Be sure to eat this no later than the second day of your trip.
Additional
While campers have the luxury of taking coolers along on their trips, refrigeration isn’t an option when hiking, backpacking, and trekking.
The fact is that eggs cannot last very long outside of a fridge. Exactly how long depends on a couple of things, including which part of the world you’re in. In the US, eggs are washed after they come from the farm and before they are put in stores – this is just for the appearance. This causes the eggs to last for a very brief amount of time without refrigeration.
The reason for this is that washing eggs removes their natural protective layer which helps them stay airtight. To replicate this natural protective layer, you could cover the eggs with some coconut oil or bacon grease if it is necessary for you to transport the egg this way.
I think that it is better for hikers and such to purchase dried eggs from a supermarket or sporting goods store. Mountain House Scrambled Eggs & Bacon and Backpacker’s Pantry Egg Mix are both pretty good options.
The only other decent option is to take a jar of pickled hard-boiled eggs, as they will remain preserved for quite a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep eggs safe while camping?
If you’d like to pack uncooked eggs for camping, there are great egg holders for just this. Otherwise, you could wrap each egg in newspaper and then pack them into a plastic container, but make sure they are packed well with no dead space so that they can’t move around and crack.
How long do eggs last camping?
In a cooler, eggs can last around 3-5 days. Unrefrigerated or cooled, an egg can only last 2 hours until it begins to sweat, enabling bacteria to grow.
How do you travel with eggs?
Uncooked eggs can be placed in egg holders for transport. Scrambled eggs should be placed in a zip lock bag to be cooked onsite, whereas boiled or fried eggs should be cooked at home beforehand and then packed in Ziploc bags.
How long are eggs good for in a cooler?
As long as they are kept cold, they can last for as long as a week or two. However, you need to take into consideration how every time you open your cooler you allow warm air to seep inside. Due to this, I think it is safer to estimate that eggs can last 3-5 days in a cooler.
Can you pre crack eggs for camping?
Yes, you can crack your eggs for camping beforehand and place them into a mason jar or zip lock bag and either freeze it or at least keep it cool in your fridge and then cooler.
Otherwise, if you plan on taking the eggs uncooked, it is best to ensure the shell remains intact as this will protect the egg with an airtight seal.
Do eggs need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because if eggs are not kept cool, they can begin to sweat and cause bacteria to grow. An egg can only last 2 hours otherwise.
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