Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the world of backpacking cuisine. As you prepare for an unforgettable journey into nature’s wonders, let’s not forget about the most essential fuel for your travels: food. While backpacking can be a thrilling experience, it can also be challenging to find and prepare meals while on-the-go. Fear not, fellow adventurers.
We’re here to share some of the most mouthwatering and easy-to-prepare backpacking recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and keep you energized for the journey ahead.
Spicy One Pot Jambalaya with Orzo
This hearty one pot Jambalaya with Orzo is a Backpacker’s dream come true, offering a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will leave you feeling full and content on the trail. The combination of orzo pasta, dehydrated vegetables, summer sausage, tomato powder, and Cajun seasoning creates a dish that is not only easy to prepare but also simple to clean up after.
What’s more, the level of heat can be tailored to individual taste preferences, making it an excellent option for backpackers seeking a quick and satisfying meal on the go.
Backpacking Pasta Primavera
This Backpacking Pasta Primavera is a standout meal that brings the flavors of spring to life on the trail. A vibrant medley of zucchini, summer squash, and juicy tomatoes creates a satisfying and nutritious package that’s sure to please even the most discerning backpacker. The addition of tangy capers and creamy butter powder adds a delightful depth of flavor, making this dehydrated pasta primavera an excellent choice for anyone seeking to boost their veggie intake on the go.
Backpacker’s Hummus Bowl
For backpackers seeking a no-fuss, quick, and easy lunch solution on the go, the Backpacker’s Hummus Bowl is an excellent choice. This recipe relies on powdered hummus mix that simply requires the addition of water and oil to prepare. To elevate the dish, add your preferred toppings such as sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, or a blend of spices for added depth of flavor. For dipping, opt for sturdy pretzel sticks, crackers, or dried veggie chips that can withstand the rigors of backpacking.
This convenient and versatile option is sure to please even the most discerning palate on the trail.
Backpacker’s Apple Crisp
When venturing into the great outdoors, there’s nothing like rewarding your weary self with a sweet treat that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. Backpacker’s Apple Crisp fits the bill, boasting a unique blend of freeze-dried apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, granola, and walnuts. This delightful dessert provides a warm and cozy respite from a long day of hiking, its comforting flavors transporting you to a state of pure bliss.
What’s more, this scrumptious treat is remarkably affordable, with each serving costing around $2 and weighing in at just 52 ounces. For backpackers on a budget, Backpacker’s Apple Crisp represents the perfect compromise between indulgence and practicality – a delicious dessert that won’t break the bank or weigh you down.
Moroccan Chicken Couscous
The Moroccan Chicken Couscous is a culinary delight that embodies the rich flavors of Moroccan cuisine. A harmonious blend of apricots, almonds, and ras el hanout creates a truly unique taste experience. With its speedy cooking time of just 5 minutes, this one-pot wonder surpasses many prepackaged meals in convenience.
As a lightweight, calorie-dense, and shelf-stable option, it’s an exemplary choice for backpackers seeking a delectable and easy meal on the trail, requiring minimal fuss and no compromise on flavor.
Pecan and Maple Granola
Pecan and Maple Granola offers an irresistible combination of flavors, textures, and convenience as a breakfast option for backpackers. This scrumptious recipe, comprising toasted oats, crunchy pecans, and rich maple syrup, is designed to tantalize taste buds when paired with water and powdered milk, it transforms into a quick, easy, and satisfying meal on the go.
The best part: The granola can be prepared in advance using nonperishable ingredients, making it an ideal choice for backpacking trips. As it emerges crunchy and fulfilling, Pecan and Maple Granola proves to be a fantastic way to kick-start your day on the trail.
Dehydrated Chili Mac
Combining the convenience of backpacking recipes with the bold flavors of chili mac, this dehydrated dish is a trailblazer’s dream come true. A blend of ground beef, pasta, kidney beans, and spices yields a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for fueling long hikes and camping trips. By dehydrating the mixture, we reduce its weight and increase its shelf life, making it an ideal choice for extended backpacking trips.
Simply rehydrate with water on the trail, and you’ll be enjoying a delicious and filling meal in no time.
Backpacking Yogurt Parfait
For backpackers seeking a hassle-free breakfast solution, the Backpacking Yogurt Parfait is an ideal choice. This no-cook delight brings together freeze-dried yogurt, dried fruit, and crunchy granola in perfect harmony, offering a creamy, sweet, and satisfying meal on the go. Weighing in at a mere 144 calories per ounce, it’s an excellent source of energy to kick-start your day, especially when you’re short on time or resources.
Thai Red Curry Rice with Peanut Coconut Sauce
This hearty backpacking meal combines the bold flavors of Thai red curry powder, powdered coconut milk, and PB2 powdered peanut butter to create a rich and creamy sauce. When paired with minute rice, dried veggies, and freeze-dried chicken, this dish is not only filling but also surprisingly easy to prepare in the backcountry. By offering a well-rounded balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fats, this meal is an excellent choice for replenishing energy after a long day on the trails.
The Thai Red Curry Rice with Peanut Coconut Sauce is a standout option that will leave you feeling satisfied and ready for your next adventure.
Ramen Bomb
The Ramen Bomb is an innovative backpacking meal that seamlessly blends instant noodles, instant mashed potatoes, and optional protein sources to create a harmonious culinary experience. This versatile recipe can be savored hot or cold, making it an ideal choice for backpackers facing varying weather conditions. The simplicity of its preparation is another major advantage, as it only requires a few minutes of hydration time.
When combined with its satisfying flavor profile and nutritional value, the Ramen Bomb emerges as a go-to option for backpackers seeking a quick yet fulfilling meal on the trail.
Quinoa Burrito Bowl
A staple in many outdoor enthusiasts’ backpacking menus, the Quinoa Burrito Bowl boasts an impressive array of nutritious ingredients including quinoa, black beans, bell peppers, corn, and cilantro. This flavorful meal’s high calorie and protein content make it an ideal choice for replenishing energy stores after a long day on the trail. The dehydrated version is remarkably easy to prepare in camp, requiring only rehydration with hot water – a convenience that backpackers will surely appreciate.
Quinoa Chili
For outdoor enthusiasts, a satisfying and nourishing meal is essential to fuel their adventures. Quinoa Chili, a vegan and gluten-free recipe, is an excellent option that not only pleases the palate but also provides a boost of protein-packed goodness. This lightweight and hearty dish is perfect for backpackers on-the-go, requiring minimal prep time and effort. The recipe’s simplicity and versatits make it an ideal choice for long trips.
With quinoa, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, spices, corn, and beans as its core ingredients, this chili can be easily dehydrated and packed in airtight containers. Simply rehydrate with water on the trail, and indulge in a flavorful and nutritious meal that will keep you going throughout your journey.
Tuna Couscous Bowl
For backpackers seeking a satisfying and flavorful meal option, look no further than the Tuna Couscous Bowl. This delectable dish is surprisingly quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Combining wholesome couscous with protein-rich tuna, tangy mayo, and sweet relish, this meal checks all the boxes – delicious, affordable, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
With just a few simple steps – cooking the couscous, mixing in the tuna and condiments – you’ll be enjoying a hearty and wholesome meal on the trail in no time, leaving behind the mundane world of freeze-dried options.
Backcountry Fried Rice
On backpacking trips, a warm, comforting bowl of Backcountry Fried Rice can be a game-changer. This recipe delivers the rich flavors and filling qualities of a food-court-style fried rice without requiring any specialized gear or cooking techniques. By relying on readily available store-bought ingredients, you’ll save time and space in your pack while still satisfying your hunger with a meal that’s both lightweight and calorie-dense. The best part is.
Dehydrated Risotto
While venturing into the great outdoors, it’s not always easy to maintain a taste of home. One way to bridge that gap is by dehydrating homemade risotto, transforming it into a lightweight and delicious meal option for backpacking adventures. The process begins by preparing the risotto at home, which requires minimal effort. Once complete, the mixture is then dehydrated, making it possible to rehydrate with boiling water whenever hunger strikes.
To add even more value to this convenient dish, consider incorporating dehydrated vegetables into the recipe, providing a boost of essential nutrients for the active traveler.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
This delectable Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta recipe is a trail favorite among backpackers due to its ease of preparation and bold flavor profile. The homemade pesto sauce is crafted with the perfect blend of dried basil, garlic powder, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, adding a rich depth to the dish. Upon reaching camp, simply rehydrate the pasta and sun-dried tomatoes, then finish the meal by incorporating the pesto sauce.
This versatile recipe can be enjoyed hot or as a cold soak dinner, making it an ideal choice for backpackers. Additionally, gluten-free enthusiasts can easily adapt this recipe using chickpea pasta, making it accessible to all. With its convenient and satisfying nature, the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is sure to become a staple in any backpacker’s culinary arsenal.
Backpacker’s Blueberry Crisp
This sweet treat, the Backpacker’s Blueberry Crisp, is an ideal dessert to bring along on backpacking trips due to its light weight and ease of preparation. The recipe requires just a few basic ingredients, including freeze-dried blueberries and granola, making it a great morale-booster for weary hikers.
What’s particularly appealing about this dessert is the flexibility to customize it to your taste by substituting the blueberries with other freeze-dried fruits and selecting your preferred type of granola. This simple yet satisfying treat is sure to brighten up even the most challenging days on the trail, providing a welcome respite from the rigors of backpacking.
Nut Butter Morning Oats
For outdoor enthusiasts, a hearty and protein-packed breakfast is essential to fuel up for the day’s adventures. The Nut Butter Morning Oats recipe fits the bill, offering a whopping 23 grams of protein and 66 grams of complex carbohydrates per serving, making it an excellent muscle fuel source. Moreover, its 13 grams of fiber provide a significant boost to dietary fiber intake.
This backpacking breakfast staple is incredibly easy to prepare and can be tailored to personal taste by experimenting with various nut butter options. Whether you’re a hiker or backpacker, the Nut Butter Morning Oats recipe provides a satisfying and nutritious start to your day on the trail.
Modern Hardtack
Modern Hardtack offers a dependable and thrifty solution for backpackers seeking a compact yet satisfying meal. This straightforward recipe combines flour, water, and salt to produce a dense, calorie-rich biscuit that’s rich in vitamins and salt. While its simplicity allows for endless customization options—from herbs and spices to dried ingredients—it’s essential to note that adding extra components may compromise the shelf life.
The end result is a hardy, rock-solid treat that requires a liquid accompaniment to soften its texture, which can be challenging on the teeth. As such, Modern Hardtack serves as a pragmatic and nourishing choice for adventurers looking for a budget-friendly and resilient food source.
Backcountry Carbonara
Savoring the great outdoors just got a whole lot tastier with Backcountry Carbonara, a game-changing one-pot meal that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. This ingenious recipe combines angel hair pasta, powdered cheese and eggs, and a surprising twist – crunchy Trader Joe’s Sweet & Spicy Bacon Jerky – for a dish that’s both quick-cooking and fuel-efficient.
With only a handful of ingredients and a cooking time of under 10 minutes, this Italian-inspired masterpiece is the perfect companion for your next backpacking adventure.
Backpacker BBQ Sliders with Meat Shredz
Indulge in the flavors of the wilderness with Backpacker BBQ Sliders, a mouthwatering recipe that’s perfect for backpacking, camping, or even a quick meal at home. By combining dehydrated pulled pork and Meat Shredz – made from 100% real meat, free from preservatives and rehydrating effortlessly with water, broth, or sauce – you’ll create sliders that rival slow-cooked BBQ in both taste and convenience.
Whether you’re fueling up for an outdoor adventure or satisfying a craving on the go, this recipe is sure to be a hit among carnivores.
Dehydrated Hash Brown Potatoes
When it comes to backpacking meals, Dehydrated Hash Brown Potatoes offer a unique combination of convenience and versatility. Requiring minimal effort to rehydrate and cook, they can seamlessly integrate into breakfast recipes, potato casseroles, or even camping meals. What’s more, their compact nature makes them an ideal choice for long-term food storage; in fact, 3 jars can store up to 8 pounds of fresh potatoes, providing a substantial supply for any emergency or outdoor adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or simply looking to stockpile your pantry, Dehydrated Hash Brown Potatoes are an essential addition to your culinary arsenal.
