This Cooking Hack Is A Game Changer For Maximum Freshness & Flavor While Camping

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For anyone who loves cooking fun meals while camping, pulling out ingredients that don't pass the smell test can be a damper. But one hack can keep everything fresh without taking up extra space in your cooler. An at-home vacuum sealer is an easy way to preserve food, save space, and plan portions ahead. Vacuum sealing works by pulling out air (especially oxygen), which slows down bacteria growth and oxidation — food's worst enemies. The result is freshness that lasts up to five times longer (per FoodSaver) compared to conventional methods. Plus, vacuum sealing helps prevent freezer burn, which can easily ruin the texture and flavor of your meal.

For foodies, vacuum-sealing food can be a way to mimic cooking methods of some of the most prestigious restaurants to give you the absolute best flavor and texture. Many vacuum seal bags can be used for sous vide, which is essentially cooking vacuum-sealed food at a super-low temperature. The term literally means "under vacuum" in French, and it can create some of the most tender food you can imagine. The technique does require a precise measurement of temperature, so campers unfamiliar with this cooking style should consider buying something like this Sous Vide Wancle cooker on Amazon to help nail it.

Vacuum-sealing also works wonders for day-to-day food prep. TikTok creator @explorer_wanderwise creates meat and cheese stacks, separates them with parchment, and then vacuum seals them for storage. This way, they can plan meals in advance; a game-changer for hassle-free cooking while camping. It also keeps the food nicely organized in the cooler without taking up extra space. Plus, this is the perfect strategy for taking advantage of discounts. "We buy sandwich meat and cheese in bulk, mix and match combos, and prep them all at once," the creator explains. "They stay cold for days and take up almost no space."

Vacuum-sealing meals in advance cuts down on prep and cleanup time at the campsite while still saving space in your cooler. If you go the sous-vide route, you can par-cook and freeze steaks, pork chops, and grilled chicken at home to cut down on cooking time and cleanup at the campsite. Once thawed in your cooler, you have mains ready to finish in the pan or on the grill. Consider vacuum-sealing seasoned, cooked meat in advance for tacos, carnitas, or barbecue sandwiches to take up less space in the cooler. Some foods can be reheated in the bag using hot water to make cleanup even easier. Note that some veggies shouldn't be vacuum-sealed, and frozen fish should always be removed from the packaging before thawing. Always follow all rules in the manufacturer's instruction manual and double-check guides from sources like the USDA if needed.

Vacuum-sealing food not only offers a smart solution to keeping food fresh, but it's not a bad idea when camping in the wild. One crucial wildlife tip any nature enthusiast should know is to keep smells to a minimum. However, while vacuum sealing has its benefits, certain campgrounds require bear-proof food storage. But in casual camping conditions, vacuum sealing at least partially reduces the smell compared to traditional food wrap or storage.

Vacuum sealers don't have to cost an arm and a leg, either; this MuellerLiving vacuum sealer is highly recommended on the lower end. On the other hand, systems like the FoodSaver 2-in-1 series are good for foodies who tend to vac-seal a lot of food. Both are available on Amazon. Whether you're braving the world of sous vide ribeyes or just trying to keep deli meat fresh on your trip, a vacuum sealer is a game-changer for campers.