Meat is one of the most enjoyable parts of camping or RV travel. However, it may lead to more questions than any other dish that you prepare outdoors. For example, how long does meat last without refrigeration? What are the dangers of eating meat without refrigeration?
To solve these questions is bringing meat that does not need refrigeration. The following are the most common 5 meat you can eat without refrigeration.
Table of Contents
1. Canned Meats
Canned meats, such as tuna and salmon, are good camping foods because they do not need refrigeration. The only exception is if you have a can that has been punctured or dented. If this happens, the can should be thrown away. Canned meats work well for a meal-by-themselves or as a side dish.
Many pre-packaged types of meat are made with an airtight seal that prohibits bacterial growth. This means that if you do not open the can, its contents should stay fresh for a shelf life of 2-5 years, allowing you to enjoy them on your trip without needing to worry about refrigeration.
2. Curing Meat
Curing meat (ex. Bacon, prosciutto, salami, spanish chorizo, pepperoni) can be fried for breakfast, thrown into a lunch sandwich, or wrapped around anything in the evening to add flavor. Curing meat does not need refrigeration and it can last several days just sitting on a plate in your camper or tent without becoming inedible.
Curing meat is the process of preserving and flavoring meat. Curing allows you to store meat for long periods of time without spoilage.
Curing is used to make many different types of meat products such as ham, bacon, sausage, and hot dogs. Products such as ham and bacon can be stored at room temperature, but they should be kept in a moisture-free environment. Once opened, they should be resealed in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap.
3. Jerky (Dried meats)
Jerky is a good camping food because it does not need refrigeration and it is easy to store and carry. It can be eaten as-is or added to a meal.
People have been making jerky out of meat for thousands of years. Jerky can be made using many types of meats. For camping, beef is probably a good option because it has a longer shelf life.
Jerky has a very long shelf life, much longer than regular meat. It can be kept out of refrigeration for months at a time and still taste good. If you want to prepare a large amount of jerky before your camping trip, you can make it well in advance and store it until you’re ready to take it with you.
4. Summer Sausages
Summer sausage is usually a combination of pork and other meat, which does not need refrigeration. The well-being conditions of summer sausages are kept by salt in the recipe which acts as a preservative. The salt also affects the flavor and taste of summer sausages. So, no need to worry about these condiments for traveling and camping.
5. Fermented Meat
Fermented meat (ex. chorizo, salami, pepperoni) can last a long time without refrigeration. Fermented meat is a type of preserved food that has been cured or pickled with fermentation, which creates self-preserving food. While these meats may not be as shelf-stable as other processed meats because they’re soft after fermentation, they are still a viable option for those traveling in a camping or RV setting.
