Are you gearing up for a backpacking adventure and planning upcoming expedition foods? Your search for the best tasting backpacking meals ends here. Keeping in mind calories, shelf life, and protein, we've curated a selection of flavorful options.
These meals ensure convenience but also cater to those looking for wholesome pantry meals during long expeditions. It's important to bring dry ingredients that are shelf stable unlike fresh produce. Things like fresh avocado and diced tomatoes only make your weight ratio higher and go bad before you can even eat them.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into a carefully chosen list of essential dehydrated foods designed to enhance your outdoor experience. No backpacking stove required. From renowned dehydrated food brands to innovative snacks like our Beef Jerky Crisps, you'll discover everything you need for a nourishing camping adventure. Whether you're preparing for next mile meals or freeze-dried backpacking snacks on the trail, these will be your ultimate go-to.
1. Heather’s Choice Spinach Curry with Chicken and Rice
Embark on a culinary journey with Heather’s Choice Spinach Curry with Chicken and Rice—an excellent dehydrated camping food. This lightweight option combines the flavors of spinach, curry, and tender chicken, delivering a taste of home in the wilderness.
Shop: Spinach Curry with Chicken and Rice - $14.95
2. Firepot Porcini Mushroom Risotto
For a gourmet touch to your outdoor meals, try Firepot Porcini Mushroom Risotto. This dehydrated camping food boasts rich flavors of porcini mushrooms and creamy risotto, providing a lightweight and satisfying option for campers seeking both convenience and indulgence.
Shop: Firepot Porcini Mushroom Risotto - $15.65
3. Backpacker’s Pantry Vegetable Lasagna
A fantastic dehydrated camping food, Backpacker’s Pantry Vegetable Lasagna, offers a flavorful and hearty option for outdoor enthusiasts with extra vegetables. With a mix of wholesome dehydrated vegetables and pasta in a lightweight package, it ensures a quick and satisfying meal on the trail.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Vegetable Lasagna - $9.95
4. Backpacker’s Pantry Mushroom Stroganoff
Indulge in Backpacker’s Pantry Mushroom Stroganoff, a top dehydrated camping food known for its delicious blend of mushrooms and creamy stroganoff sauce. Its lightweight and compact design, coupled with quick rehydration, make it a convenient and satisfying option for campers.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Mushroom Stroganoff - $9.99
5. Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken
Experience the bold flavors of Pad Thai with the convenience of lightweight, dehydrated ingredients. Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken ensures a satisfying and nutritionally balanced option for outdoor enthusiasts, making it a go-to choice for a flavorful and convenient meal on the trail.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken - $12.99
6. Backpacker’s Pantry Three Cheese Mac n Cheese
For a taste of classic macaroni and cheese with a twist, try Backpacker’s Pantry Three Cheese Mac n Cheese. Its lightweight packaging and quick rehydration process make it a convenient and tasty option for campers seeking a satisfying meal on the go.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Three Cheese Mac n Cheese - $12.00
7. Backpacker’s Pantry Summit Breakfast Scramble
Kickstart your day with Backpacker’s Pantry Summit Breakfast Scramble—a perfect dehydrated meal for a camping breakfast. Add boiling water, and you'll have a delicious morning treat with fresh eggs, red beans, cheddar cheese, and peppers. One of our favorite tasty meals for the morning.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Summit Breakfast Scramble - $10.95
8. Backpacker’s Pantry Three Bean Veggie Stew
Similar to other options, Backpacker's Pantry Three Bean Veggie Stew is an excellent dehydrated meal for camping, offering a nutrient-rich combination of beans and vegetables. Its lightweight design and easy preparation with hot water ensure a flavorful and satisfying camping meal, catering to various dietary preferences with its vegetarian and vegan-friendly composition.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Three Bean Veggie Stew - $9.95
9. People's Choice Beef Jerky Crisps
Introducing People’s Choice Beef Jerky Crisps—a uniquely dehydrated snack ideal for camping. These crisps offer a satisfyingly crispy texture, a convenient twist on traditional jerky. Made with high-quality, 100% American Beef, they are lightly salted and rich in protein, ensuring a flavorful and nutritious bite for your next hiking adventure. Plus, they’re super nutrient dense and include only 3 simples ingredients: beef, water, and salt. With 40g protein per package, they’ll keep those hunger pains at bay during the long hiking adventures.
Shop: People’s Choice Beef Jerky Crisps - $6.99
10. Backpacker’s Pantry Cuban Coconut Black Beans and Rice
Whether you’re car camping or hitting the trails, this bean and rice meal is just right. Packed with nutrients, the Cuban Coconut Black Beans & Rice from Backpacker’s Pantry is an ideal dehydrated meal for camping. Its lightweight nature, ease of preparation with hot water, and flavorful combination of black beans, rice, and coconut make it a nutritious and satisfying option for your outdoor excursions.
Shop: Backpacker’s Pantry Cuban Coconut Black Beans and Rice - $9.95
11. Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Pasta
This is one of our personal favorites on this list. Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Pasta not only tastes like a delicious homemade Italian dinner, but it is also incredibly nutritious. Utilizing solely high-quality, freeze-dried, all-natural components that retain their form, flavor, and nutritional benefits, this product provides 43 grams of protein, 15% of your daily iron, and 35% of your daily calcium. The dehydration process is simple. Just add 2/3 cups of water to replenish your energy and prepare for the next phase of your adventure.
Shop: Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Pasta - $13.99
12. Peak Refuel Butternut Dal Bhat
Crafted with a blend of robust, nourishing spices combined with lentils, chickpeas, and butternut squash, the Butternut Dal Bhat by Peak Refuel delivers delightful Nepali flavors that will leave you longing for more on every trail.
Shop: Peak Refuel Butternut Dal Bhat - $13.95
13. Peak Refuel Thai Chicken Coconut Curry
Is there a backcountry delight surpassing curry? Doubtful. Offering a blend of protein and delectable richness, the Thai Chicken Coconut Curry proves to be an excellent selection for any trail expedition. Warm and comforting, it’ll serve you as a delicious and nutritious meal that will keep you trekking away.
Shop: Peak Refuel Thai Chicken Coconut Curry - $13.95
14. AlpineAire Foods 3-Cheese Sausage Lasagna
Indulge in the flavorful AlpineAire Foods 3-Cheese Sausage Lasagna for a cheesy backcountry treat. Its quick preparation, and features a combination of Romano, parmesan, and Monterey cheeses, complemented by peppery sausage and red sauce. Packed with essential nutrients, this dehydrated meal is an ideal refueling option after a challenging day on the trail, guaranteeing maximum flavor through the use of quality, fresh ingredients.
Shop: AlpineAire Foods 3-Cheese Sausage Lasagna - $14.99
15. AlpineAire Foods Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken
Savor the adventure with AlpineAire Foods' Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken, a quick and tasty freeze-dried meats option for your next backpacking journey. The fresh and zesty pasta, combined with grilled chicken and vibrant vegetables, ensures a flavorful mile meal on the trail.
Shop: AlpineAire Foods Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken - $13.95
16. AlpineAire Foods Forever Young Mac & Cheese
Who doesn’t love a good classic mac and cheese? Energize your trail expeditions with this creamy and cheesy childhood favorite that provides stick-to-your-ribs goodness, enhanced with the addition of vegetables.
Shop: AlpineAire Foods Forever Young Mac & Cheese - $9.95
17. Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings
For a comforting experience during your backcountry meals, and some extra protein, indulge in the heartwarming Southern Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings. Tender chicken, dried vegetables, and airy dumpling bites in a luscious white gravy make this a soul-satisfying choice for both outdoor and indoor adventures.
Shop: Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings - $10.25
18. Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef
Cap off your day of adventure with a fulfilling freeze-dried spin on the classic mac and cheese. Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef is a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare option that has become a fan favorite among backpackers.
Shop: Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef - $10.95
19. Mountain House Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Okay… we like mac and cheese here. So what? We’re just giving you options. Whichever mac you decide on– you can’t go wrong. Just add water to the pouch and you’re good to go in less than 10 minutes.
Shop: Mountain House Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - $10.25
20. Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy
One of our favorite camp recipes is biscuits and gravy. Indulge in a satisfying meal on the trail or in your tent with Mountain House Biscuits & Gravy. Enjoy hot, fluffy buttermilk biscuits paired with creamy pork sausage gravy, creating a hearty and beloved breakfast for the whole family. This meal will make you feel right at home.
Shop: Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy - $9.75
21. Mountain House Beef Stroganoff
Savor the goodness of tender beef, flavorful onions, and mushrooms harmoniously combined in a savory cream sauce atop a bed of egg noodles. Mountain House Beef Stroganoff is freeze-dried for convenience, requiring only water to prepare in under 10 minutes—perfect for long backpacking trips and ensuring minimal dehydrated weight.
Shop: Mountain House Beef Stroganoff - $10.95
22. Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Enjoy a delectable Italian entree with this freeze-dried pasta and cheese in a rich tomato meat sauce—no refrigeration needed. Free from artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors, the pouch contains two servings, making it convenient for solo backpackers or sharing with a camping buddy. Prepare in under 10 minutes with hot water. Lightweight and portable, it's an ideal meal for camping, backpacking, emergency food storage, or survival.
Shop: Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce - $9.13
23. Mountain House Pasta Primavera
Filled with zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, red and yellow peppers, green peas, and spiral macaroni in a parmesan cheese sauce, it’s hard to find a more delicious freeze-dried meal to take with you backpacking or camping. Similar to the others, just add water and you’re dinner is ready to go in less than 10 minutes.
Shop: Mountain House Pasta Primavera - $10.25
24. Patagonia Provisions Organic Black Bean Soup
Indulge in the robust flavors of the Southwest with Patagonia Provisions Organic Black Bean Soup. Ready in just 10 minutes, this pantry meal of dehydrated organic black beans, vegetables, and tantalizing spices ensures a quick and satisfying culinary experience on your next camping or hiking expedition.
Shop: Patagonia Provisions Organic Black Bean Soup - $7.50
25. Pack it Gourmet Santa Fe Corn Pudding
Add a touch of Santa Fe sublime to your adventure food with Pack it Gourmet's Santa Fe Corn Pudding. This dehydrated "soufflé" combines fire-roasted whole kernel and cream-style sweet corn, cheddar-jack cheese, green chile peppers, and southwestern spices for a delicious and dehydrated backpacking meal.
Shop: Pack it Gourmet Santa Fe Corn Pudding - $10.99
26. Pack it Gourmet Dottie's Chicken And Dumplings
Experience the epitome of Southern home cooking with Pack it Gourmet's Dottie's Chicken And Dumplings. Crafted from a beloved family recipe, this dish features seasoned roasted chicken, sweet carrots, green peas, and Southern-style dumplings immersed in a luscious chicken broth-based gravy.
Shop: Pack it Gourmet Dottie's Chicken And Dumplings - $13.99
27. Pack it Gourmet Mom's Banana Puddin'
A beloved Southern dessert, Banana Puddin' serves as a light and refreshing conclusion to a day. This rendition requires no cooking, with a cool-water-prep approach. Loaded with genuine bananas embraced by a velvety vanilla custard, sweet vanilla cake croutons, and toasted unsweetened coconut. Paid with extra dried fruit and you'll find yourself savoring every last bit of this delicious flavor!
Shop: Pack it Gourmet Mom’s Banana Puddin’ - $10.99
Bottom Line
When backpacking, if you don't want to pack weight or bring a camping stove with you, these are quick, easy, delicious meal solutions. Fuel your next mile or hiking expedition with these delectable freeze-dried ingredients, ensuring your hiking food is not only convenient but also packed with flavor and vegetable protein. These carefully selected dehydrated backpacking means guarantee a varied and enjoyable menu, enhancing your outdoor experience while considering food safety.
Don't forget to include our Beef Jerky Crisps for that satisfying crunch—40g of protein per bag will keep you fueled for the next mile. You can also take a look at the rest of the delicious and protein packed Beef Jerky we offer, coming in many different cuts and flavors. We’re confident we have a delectable snack for everyone on your next trip. Happy camping and bon appétit!
