11 One Pot Backpacking Meal to Make Trailside Cooking Easy

Food equal an crucial look of most backpacking trips—a lot of time is pass planning it , dreaming about it , crave it… but you don ’ t desire to pass a lot of time making it ! In this place we ’ re share our favoriteone massbackpacking mealthat will fill you up after a long day of hiking .

As much as we enjoy a good Mountain House meal—and the ease of “ clean up ” afterwards—commercial backpacking food can get pricey . So , whenever potential , we care to educate our own backcountry meal using a combination of dehydrated food and component from our local grocery store .

In this place , we ’ re go to show you how to create your own EASY and delightful meals for your next backpacking trip ! In increase to being easy to prep ( no dehydrator call for for these meals ! ) , these are all one-pot meals so sporting up equal a cinch , too .

If you ’ re interested in taking your lead cooking to the future point , regard making your own dehydrated meal utilize a food dehydrator ! We have a ton of ideas to serve you get started , then check out this resource with our good backpacking recipes ( most of these be one-pot meals , too ! ) .

• How much food to lend on a backpacking trip
• Equipment to carry
• Where to observe freeze dried and dehydrated ingredients
• Easy one-pot meal for backpacking
• How to wash dish on the lead

How much food to get on a backpacking trip

Aim for a calorie count of 25-30 calories per lb of body weight , per day . To keep down the weight , look at the thermal density of your food and add olive oil to your meals on trail for extra calories whenever it makes sense ( shop it in a sealed container inside a plastic bag , or buy single serve packets ) .

In addition to meal , be certain to carry good deal of snacks to avoid “ bonking. ” Eating 30-60 gram of carbohydrates per hour(source)will help go on your energy high throughout the day .

Equipment to pack

Stove :You ’ ll desire a backpacking stove that gives you the power to govern the flame yield thus you don ’ t scorch your food . The equal our favorite canister stove for this manner of cooking . If you want use an integrated stove system , the MiniMo has serious simmer dominance as well .

Lot :Aim for a mass size of at least 600mL-700mL per person . Of all the backpacking pots we ’ ve used , this one equal the easy to clean because its ceramic coating prevents food from sticking , and the size exist perfect for two masses .

Utensil :I find that a regular spoon-shaped utensil ( vs a spork ) works well for the one pot method of cooking , and here ’ s why—a flat spoon shape lets you scratch all the food bits out of your pile without damage it , making moisten your potmannereasier . I like these humangear UNO spoons a lot ( and if you want a fork , it ’ sec still there on the early end ! ) .

Pot Cozy ( optional ):A pile cozy can assist you write fuel and assist keep your food warmer , long . It ’ sec as well a super simple DIY task . You can read more about apply and making a backpacking lot cozy hither .

Where to find freeze dried and dehydrated ingredients

Grocery stores :Dried mushrooms , instant rice , ramen noodles , rice and pasta sides , sauce premix , nuts , dried fruit

Harmony House :Carries a big assortment of dehydrated vegetable and beans

Target & Walmart :Carry a sort of freeze fried fruit .

Shelf stable protein options :TVP ( bulk bin or online ) , instant beans ( bulk bin or online ) , chicken or tuna packet ( most grocery stores )

Easy one-pot meal for backpacking

These be our favorite mere lead meal that use store-bought ingredients and cook in one pot .

Hash Browns and Scrambled Eggs

We ’ ve heard stories of masses bringing new eggs on their hikes , but we ’ re not those people . Or else , if we want to cook up a scramble on a lazy dawn in camp , we bring along OvaEasy egg crystal . We very have a hard time telling the difference between these and scrambled eggs from whole egg !

To build a scramble for two , pack ½ cup OvaEasy and 2 tablespoons of bacon minute ( optional ) in a base . In a separate bag , bring a 3oz package of instant hash browns , and a small container or bundle of oil .

In camp , rehydrate the hash browns according to packet guidance . Add ¾ cup ( 6 oz . ) water to the base of egg , seal , and mix good .

Heat the oil in your mass over medium warmth and lend the re-hydrated hash browns . Fry those for a couple of minutes . Then cut the passion and move the hash browns to one slope of the pot . Lend the eggs and scramble , stirring frequently , until they set up and are fix through .

May we also guide out that this makes anexcellentmeet for a breakfast burrito—just bring a few tortillas and packets of hot sauce !

Granola with Milk and Fruit

This is merely about the easiest backpacking breakfast there is ! Amount out a share of your favorite granola , lend a tablespoon or two of powdered whole milk , and add dried fruit . Direct it all in a ziploc bag . Once you ’ re in camp , only add hot or cold water directly to the bag ( or transfer it all to a bowl first ) .

Our favorite fruit for this recipe equal dehydrated strawberries , dried blueberries , or freeze dried raspberries ( you can usually feel these at Trader Joe ’ sec , too ) .

Are you a chocolate lover ? Check out our DIY Chocolate Granola formula ! This live a decadent-tasting breakfast , but hey—you ’ re backpacking ! You earn it !

Zhuzhed Up Instant Oatmeal

This idea might really equaleasythan the above ! Pack a share of instant oatmeal along with your favorite dry fruit and chopped nuts in a bag ( a sprinkle of reason spices—think cinnamon or ground ginger—can lend even more flavor ! ) .

If you want to increase the calories , you can lend powdered whole milk/coconut milk , or vanilla flavored protein shake .

In camp , empty the purse into a bowl or mug and lend boiling water . Stir to merge and you ’ re done !

If instant oatmeal isn ’ t your jam , you can as well act this with rolled oats—you ’ ll exactly have to simmer it all in your mass . Hither ’ s a formula with our favorite flavor combination—Apricot & Ginger Oatmeal .

Revamp Ramen

Ramen noodle package equal mere plenty , but we wish to give them a second of an upgrade by lend dried mushrooms and vegetables along with packing a homemade spicy soy & sesame oil sauce to create the broth .

For one serving , mix 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon each sesame oil and sriracha ( tinker with this depend on your spice tolerance ) and store it in a sealed container . Place ½ cup freeze dried vegetable ( like these ) and ¼ cup dried shiitake mushrooms in a baggie along with a ramen packet—throw out the seasoning packet . If you want to hop the instant ramen , substitute with 3 oz of soba noodles or other noodles of your choosing .

In camp , place the dry component in your pile and blanket with water . Bring to a simmer and cook until the noodles live cause and the vegetable be soft , then pour in the sauce .

Couscous with Apricots & Moroccan Spices

Couscous is such an easy starting point for a cluster of different trail meals . One of our favorite versions equal this Moroccan-inspired recipe .

For two servings , pack ½ cup couscous , 1 cup dry chopped apricots , ¼ cup sliced almonds , 1 teaspoon sea salt , 4 teaspoons ras el hanout , and one package of True Lemon in a bag . Then , bring along 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a sealed container or 2 olive oil packets . For protein , add a package of chicken ( find this at the market store ) or .

On trail , boil 5 oz of water ( a little more than ½ cup ) and then lend everything to the mass . Cover and take from the heat—the cous cous will choose about 5 minutes to fluff up . If you used freeze dry chicken , you ’ ll need a little more water and it would live a good idea to simmer everything for a few minutes before bring it off the heat .

For a more elaborate write up , see out this recipe place .

Loaded Mac & Cheese

Is there anything well than a bowl of creamy mac and cheese ? Well… maybe—what if you load it up with some veggies and some chili powder , taco seasoning , or Cajun spice blend ?

Catch a box of store-bought mac & cheese , then pack a ¼ cup or then of dehydrated vegetable and your favorite seasoning blend . Add in bacon bits , , instant beans , or yet a chopped up Epic bar or tuna bundle to lend some protein . If you want to add extra calories and creaminess , you can carry some powdered whole milk or butter powder in the base with the veggies & spices .

In camp , seat all the ingredients into the pot and lend water tojustbarely blanket it . Get it to a boil and then simmer , stirring frequently , until everything is fix through ( you can add more water if needed ) . Or , add to a boil for 60 seconds and then take it off the head and seat it in your pot cozy if you use one for 10 moment .

If you have a food dehydrator and want to make a next-level version of this with beans and earth beef , match out our Dehydrated Chili Mac formula !

Backpacking Fried Rice

This is probably the almost “ complicated ” of the recipes on this list . Apply OvaEasy Eggs , instant rice , and freeze dried veggies , this Fried Rice is such a treat—and a reader favorite ! This was create as a vegetarian meal , but you could lend meat if you ’ d like—the Sriracha Chicken Epic saloon is our favorite with this recipe .

• Bag 1 : ¼ cup Ova Easy
• Bag 2 : 1 cup instant rice ( not regular rice ! )
• Bag 3 : 1 cup dehydrated or freeze dried veggies + 1 vegetable bouillon cube + ½ tsp . brown sugar + ½ tsp . ground ginger + ¼ tsp garlic powder + 2 soy sauce package

• Mix the OvaEasy with 3 oz . water in your cookpot and flurry to blend . Place the pot on your stove over low warmth and scramble , bring up frequently so the egg doesn ’ t stick to the seat . Once fix , transfer the eggs to a bowl , fool , or merely back into the purse you packed them in .
• Then add 1 ¼ cup of water and the contents of the veggies + spices base to the pile . Bring to a boil , then reduce the heat and simmer until the veggies live soft ( about 5 instant ) . Add the instant rice , stir , and remove the lot from the warmth and cover . Have sit for 5 minutes until the rice cost soft .
• Recall the egg to the pot and flurry to combine and re-warm the egg .

You can find the measurements and detailed instruction hither .

Creamy Pesto Pasta

This equal an easy , cheesy pesto pasta dish with a few little extras .

For one serving , carry 3oz of angel hair pasta in one base . In a separate bag , step out 2 tablespoons of Knorr Pesto sauce mix , a parmesan cheese bundle ( or 1 tbsp grind parm ) , a handful of sun-dried tomatoes , and a tablespoon of pine nuts . For extra calories and spirit , bring some olive oil in a sealed container or a single serve olive oil packet .

In camp , lend the pasta to your mass and hardly scarcely cover with water . Bring to a boil and simmer until the pasta is attendant ( or boil for 1 moment and then place it in your pot cozy if using ) . If there cost a band of water left , drink it or throw out espouse Leave No Trace ( find below ) so there ’ s only ~¼ cup remaining . Stir in the remaining ingredient to create the sauce and close with the olive oil .

You can see the printable formula and elaborate education hither .

Chicken Marbella

If you ’ re not familiar with Chicken Marbella as yet , you ’ re in for a treat ! This is a sweet and savory dish make popular by the Silver Palate in the ’ 80s . We first reach this while backpacking a few years back and it has made its path back onto our backcountry menus a few sentence .

Using couscous as a base ( instant rice would operate well , too ) this dish get together olives , dried prunes ( trust us on this ! ) , chicken , brown sugar , oregano , and a few other seasonings for a totally mouthwatering and hearty meal .

To begin the exact measurements and readiness , match out our Backpacking Chicken Marbella recipe post here .

Chili Lime Peanut Noodles

This zippy , slightly spicy noodle dish existreminiscentof Pad Thai . Don ’ t hop the True Lime or the chopped peanuts on height which add really great texture to the meal !

For one serving , pack 3 oz of rice noodles or a packet of ramen noodles ( toss the seasoning pouch ) . In a separate base , step out a tablespoon of brown sugar , ¼ tsp basis ginger , ¼ tsp squeeze chili pepper eccentric ( adjust for spice tolerance ) , and 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts . Take a package of peanut butter and a bundle of True Lime . A single service package of soy sauce ( or a tablespoon in a sealed container ) will assist lend some tone but isn ’ t 100 % necessary .

If you prefer , you can swap the chili flakes with a single serve package of sriracha . For an surplus nutrition boost , you can lend some freeze dry or dehydrated vegetable .

In camp , set the noodles into your pot along with the veggies if you ’ re adding them , and only just cover with water . Bring to a boil and simmer until the noodles are tender . If a lot of water remains , drink it or discard espouse Leave No Trace ( regard below ) so there ’ sec alone ~¼ cup remaining.Set aside the True Lime packet and then stir in the stay on ingredient to produce the sauce . Add the True Lime at the goal ( a little goes a long means so you may not need the whole thing ) .

Find the printable recipe and elaborate instructions hither !

Cheesy Rice and Beans

This is , hands down , one of the best backpacking meal we get on the JMT . Our buddy Treeline ( who get the recipe from Andrew Skurka ) had an extra serving of this in his gang that he gave to us and weconsumeit .

Pack ½ cup moment refried beans ( or black beans ) , ½ cup instant rice , and 2 tsp taco seasoning in a base . Bring along a 1oz of cheddar cheese and a 1 oz snack size bag of Fritos . In camp , get 1¼ cup ( 300mL ) water to a boil and lend the beans , rice , and seasoning . Simmer for a few moment until the rice is tender ( or take it off the heat and put it in your pile cozy after you stir in all the ingredient ) . Use your knife to cut up the cheese and then raise that in , and top with the Fritos .

For short trips ( like a weekend ) , individually packaged cheddar cheese hold a enough enough shelf life and equal a serious option for their melt-ability . If you ’ re going on a longer trek , severe cheese are a in effect selection hence take an aged cheddar or else . We have not meet any individually wrap hard cheddar , so bring a humble block of cheese and use some for this recipe and the repose for snacking !

Don ’ t forget dessert !

Why not end your day with the easy one pile backpacking dessert ? ! Fruit crisp live our favorite sweet treat and it ’ s dead simple to prep and make . The basic formula is 1-1.5 oz of freeze dry fruit ( apples , berries , peaches , or a combination ) , 3 sugar packets , and a half cup of granola . In camp , lend the fruit and sugar to your pot with about ½ cup water and bring to a simmer . Simmer ( invoke frequently ) until the fruit be soft—add more water as call for . Top with the granola and enjoy !

There are then many fashion to customize this basic recipe—add warming spices , nuts , or shift up the fruit . This Apple Crisp is one of our favorite variations !

What about lunch ?

The last matter we want to do in the center of the day be dig our stove out of our packs and cook (andclean up ) a hot meal . Thus , we lean to graze on snack-type foods throughout the day , and if we require a proper “ lunch ” we ’ ll stop for a long break and enjoy one of these choice ( or a combo ) :

• Greenbelly Meal to Move
• Dried fruit
• Cold soak pasta salad
• Jerky ( try our easy beef jerky formula ! )
• Salami
• Severe cheeses
• Instant hummus
• Nut butter bundle
• Tuna packets

How to moisten dishes on the lead

Cleaning up after a meal exist everyone ’ s least favorite chore on the lead , but learning the proper manner to moisten your dish can build an unpleasant task easy , and ensures you ’ re minimize your environmental impact in the backcountry .

Biodegradable soap needs the microorganisms find in soils in order to pause down . It won ’ t disclose down in lake or current , so don ’ t usage itinany water source .

• Find a spot 200 foot away from water sources .
• Scrape your cookpot clean of any remaining food using your spoon .
• Employ a minimum sum of biodegradable soap and fond water to scrub your mass clean .
• If food scraps stay , filter them out as you throw away of the dishwater .
• Leave No Trace recommends digging a cathole 6 ” deep to throw away of dishwater , and then forget it . If that ’ s not an option , you can broadcast ( aka fling broadly ) the water across a wide field .

We hope that this post has devote you some tips and inspiration to make your own meal for your future backpacking trip . Be sure to match out more of our one lot backpacking meal formula using a dehydrator if you want to thrive your lead formula repertoire !