Use This Helpful Camping Hack To Keep Meat Cold And Fresh For Longer Before Cooking It

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Unless you're relying solely on canned or shelf-stable foods, one of the trickiest parts of cooking at camp is keeping meat safe until it's time to hit the skillet. In fact, the FDA recommends that refrigerated foods be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for safety. While some might use an RV fridge or splurge on an electric cooler, like this awesome car camping upgrade from Costco, a cooler filled with ice is a tried-and-true method. And one hack to keep meat fresh and cold for longer is simple: freeze it before packing.

As TikTok creator Sarah Borgen (@exploreborgen) explains, "This hack is great especially if you're not able to replenish your ice over the time you're at your campsite." Borgen also recommends using something like these Stasher storage bags from Amazon. Not only does this reduce the trash you'll have to pack out when you leave, but it prevents leaking. Anyone who has opened a cooler to find soggy packaging knows how quickly raw chicken or ground beef can go from safe to questionable — and you definitely don't want those juices getting on anything else as the meat thaws.

For sandwich lovers, TIkTok creator @explorer_wanderwise suggests prepping cold cuts and cheese in vacuum-sealed packs with parchment paper, then freezing. "They stay cold for days and take up almost no space," she shared. Not only will frozen meat thaw slowly in the cooler until you're ready to use it, it also acts like an additional ice block, lowering the overall temperature inside the cooler. This helps campers make the most of limited space while keeping everything nice and chilled. Pro tip: consider separating items you'll use first in one cooler with the rest in a second cooler for longer camping trips. 

A good cooler is one of the best camping gifts for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. But a few other accessories can make packing it tidier and more effective. While packing frozen items adds extra cooling power, most coolers still need some extra help. To avoid the slushy mess melting ice creates, some campers suggest using ice packs or something like these FlexiFreeze cooler cubes you can get on Amazon. They work just like ice cubes, but they're reusable and won't melt down into "cooler soup." Freezing water bottles also works, and you can drink the water after it melts. Just leave some space at the top of the bottle, since water expands when it freezes.

For extra-cold temps, some campers swear by using salt to make ice last longer on camping trips. To skip the mess of salting ice directly, campers can make their own reusable salted water ice packs using old water bottles and juice containers. Some people may prefer buying premade ice packs, but this hack saves money, space, and prevents a slushy mess. Plus, you're repurposing plastic waste, which is a win for the environment too.

Keeping the lid closed as much as possible is also key to retaining your cooler's chill. Each time it's opened, warm air sneaks in and chips away at your cold storage. Placement matters too. Tucking frozen meat against the cooler's side or bottom helps keep the cold where it's needed most, while leaving drinks and ready-to-eat snacks near the top reduces how often you need to dig around. And always remember: Once thawed, ground meats, chicken, and fish should be cooked within a day or two to stay safe. For fresh beef and pork cuts, you typically have a three to five day window.