How to Pack Eggs for Camping and Backpacking – Expert Advice

Would you like to start your day with a delicious and healthy breakfast over a campfire? Here, eggs can be the favorite breakfast meal and a great source of protein at your campsite. For most of your camping trip, you must ensure that you are somehow keeping them at a 40-degree temperature or below. 

But it might be a little headache when it comes to packing and carrying them. Eggs can easily break and make a lot of mess during transport, which may cause bacteria to grow quickly. That’s why packing and carrying them wisely is mandatory. So, how do you pack eggs properly for camping? 

It is perfectly possible to pack and carry eggs on a camping trip. An easy way around these problems is to simply crack your eggs at home and transport them in a reusable bottle. This will surely lead to a great meal at camp with less mess. 

Let’s discuss some of the easiest and best ways how to pack eggs for camping without getting them spoiled:

Eggs In Different Forms and How To Pack Them Properly For Your Camping Trip

1. Whole Eggs

When it’s all about freshness and nutrition, this is your best option to carry whole uncracked eggs to your campsite and have your breakfast like as you do at your home

Pack whole eggs in a wide-mouth water bottle with a secure lid. The bottle has to be stiffened so that it can protect the delicate eggs inside. Fill the bottle with eggs as many as you can fit to prevent them from hitting each other. You can stack them on top of each other or place them side by side. 

Once you keep them properly, fill the bottle with cold water to the brim and close the cap carefully.

A rice container can be another neat trick for carrying whole eggs on your camping trip. To provide some bottom padding, line the bottom of the rice container with a 1-inch layer of rice or some soft material such as paper towels, clean cloths, or a kitchen towel.

Gently place your whole eggs into the container ensuring that there is some space between the eggs.

After placing them, fill the remaining container gaps with rice and securely close the lid.

Another option is to pack whole eggs into a durable egg holder or egg cartoon to provide an additional cushion. Place the whole eggs into the individual sections, one egg per slot.

Keep them inside your backpack or cooler by wrapping them with bubble wrap or some layers of soft clothes to prevent any additional shocks.

2. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Another option is to pack hard-boiled eggs as an alternative to raw eggs. If you like to have egg salad for your lunch, it will be a great choice and a great source of protein.

Boil your eggs the night before you go on a camping trip and let them cool down. Keep them in an airlock plastic container or a resealable bag. Remember to add padding or cushioning to prevent shocks during transport. These can help to protect the eggshells from breaking.

Also, you can simply remove the egg shells and put them into a plastic bag in the cooler with some ice packs or frozen gel packs.

The other option is to slice the hard-boiled eggs in half and remove the egg yolks if you don’t like them. Only egg whites take up less space which can be useful for taking up other snacks.

3. Powdered or Dehydrated Eggs

Powdered eggs are dehydrated forms of whole eggs which provide you the same nutritional benefits as raw eggs. They can be another good option as they are easier to carry and easier to prepare than other egg items.

You can use an airtight container, plastic bottle, or ziplock bag for easy storage and portability. Measure how many powdered eggs you will need for your camping trip. Transfer the measured powdered eggs into your chosen airtight container. Use a spoon to avoid spills and ensure the powder is distributed evenly within the container. Close the container tightly and keep it in a cool and dry place

To make your breakfast you can simply add hot or cold water according to the instructions on the packaging to rehydrate them. And it will be ready as scrambled egg. Powdered eggs are also used for french toast and baking recipes.

Dehydrated eggs are very handy for a camping trip as they can last for up to 10 years. So, you don’t have to worry about storage and shelf life.

The only downside point of powdered eggs is that the texture is not as good as fresh eggs.

4. Pre-Cracked Eggs

Another best alternative is to carry pre-cracked eggs for camping to avoid egg breaking and spilling in your backpack. It can be convenient and space-saving. Pre-cracked eggs should be used within 24 hours to ensure food safety. 

Crack the desired number of eggs. Place the whole egg or separate the yolk and whites into a mason jar, zipper bag, or water bottle ensuring there are no shell fragments. Give them a good shake and put them in the freezer the night before you go out for your camping trip. Freezing your cracked eggs before packing them is a good strategy as they remain safe until you are ready to consume them.

Pre-cracked eggs are an easier method to pack and you don’t need to worry about the egg shells breaking. You also don’t have to face the problem of picking out the shells.

At the campsite, now all you need to pour them into a hot buttered pan, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy your breakfast with scrambled eggs or an omelet instead.

5. Scrambled eggs

It is an easier and time-saving method to prepare a meal at home rather than at camp, like pre-cooking, pre-chopping, and in this case, pre-scrambling!

Scrambled eggs are easy to make. Just add a small amount of cooking oil or butter to the pan, then pour in the beaten eggs. Stir continuously until they are fully cooked and scrambled to your liking.

Before packing, try to freeze them completely. Then Transfer the cooled scrambled eggs into a container or a plastic bag. And that’s how the meal is ready to carry for your camping trip

When you want to enjoy your scrambled eggs at the campsite, it takes a little moment to reheat and ready to eat.

Additional Tips for Packing Eggs on Your Camping Trip

Use a cooler or an insulated bag

Using a cooler to pack eggs for camping is a great idea!

When you try to take raw eggs or hard-cooked eggs on your camping trip, always leave the eggs in their shells.

Pack the eggs in a cooler or an insulated bag with some ice or ice packs. Put the cooler in a shaded area and keep it closed when you’re not using it. It helps to keep the eggs at 40° F or lower. 

As long as the eggs are kept cold, they should last one to two weeks in a cooler. If you are planning a camping trip of more than 4 days, try to carry an extra cooler to store dry ice, cubed ice, block ice, crushed ice, or loose ice would be best.

Use a camping egg holder

Camping egg holders are designed to securely hold eggs in place. It protects the eggs from cracking or breaking during transportation.

Simply place the eggs inside the individual compartments for each one.

These holders will keep your eggs protected and will hold up to a dozen medium-sized eggs.

The sturdy construction of the egg holder protects the eggs while you’re on the move. With a camping egg holder, you can enjoy fresh eggs while camping without the worry of them getting damaged along the way.

Coat eggs with mineral oil/soybean oil

Coating eggs with mineral oil or soybean oil is a smart way to help preserve them for your camping trip.

Before getting out, gently coat each egg with a thin layer of mineral oil/soybean oil. To do this method you can simply use a cloth or paper towel. This creates a protective barrier that seals the eggshell. It protects the eggs from becoming spoiled by air and bacteria. Mineral oil also hardens delicate egg shells and extends their shelf life.

Make sure to put the eggs in a safe container or carton so they don’t break while traveling. With this simple preparation, you can enjoy fresh and delicious eggs throughout your camping trip without worry.

Things To Remember

• Bring only the number of eggs you need for your camping trip to minimize food waste.
• Do not leave the eggshells in open garbage. The smell of it not only attracts many wild animals but is also disrespectful to people who come after you.
• Bring a trash bag so you can gather any waste and properly dispose of it in the designated containers.
• If you want to bury eggshells, make sure to bury them deep, about 6-8 inches, and far from water. Or, you can crush them and spread them around in different spots so they break down naturally
• Follow Leave No Trace principles by leaving your campsite cleaner than you found it.

FAQs About Packing Eggs for Camping

Conclusion

If you are going on a camping trip and need some tips on how to pack eggs for camping, this article would be helpful for you.

You can prevent breakage and spoilage by using secure containers, camping egg holders, or coolers with ice packs.

Additionally, alternatives like pre-cracked eggs or powdered eggs offer convenient options for camping.

Remember to handle eggs carefully, store them properly, and follow food safety guidelines to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals while exploring the great outdoors.
With these tips, you can pack eggs confidently for your next camping adventure!