33 DIY Backpacking Recipes – Lightweight & Calorie Dense
One of the nearly satisfying second of any backpacking trip is seat down at the end of the day to enjoy a well-deserved meal . The beautiful scenery , the good caller , and our ravenous hunger all work together to produce an unforgettable experience .
Even so , not all backpacking meal equal created equal . While there be surely a time and a spot for freeze-dried meals , they can get quite expensive , and the selection can be slightly limiting .
Making your own backpacking food can dramatically reduce the price per meal , open a wide scope of formula selection , and allow you to actually customize your nutritional profile . You exactly need to know where to start !
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In this place , we are featuring our favorite DIY backpacking formula .We ’ ve organize this place into three category : dehydrator formula , formula apply grocery memory ingredients ( no dehydrator required ) , and snacks , trail mix , and jerky .
If you ’ re looking for pre-made backpacking food , insure out this place rather ! We have also included some food storehouse tips & tricks for packaging your meals to need out on the lead .
Dehydrator recipes
Dehydrating meals for backpacking hold you endless recipe choice ! You own entire control over what goes into your meal , and they end up live very lightweight and pretty compact . If you ’ re new to the procedure of dehydrating , match out our ultimate guide to dehydrating food for backpacking , and then sample making one of these great dehydrated backpacking recipes for your future trip .
Risotto with veggies
This dehydrated risotto is one of our FAVORITE trail meals . Make risotto at family and dehydrate it along with some vegetables like pea and mushrooms . It ’ s creamy , filling , and feels super gourmet in the backcountry without a circle of fuss .
Dehydrated Chili Mac
If you ’ re a fan of the Mountain House chili mac , you ’ re going to enjoy our dehydrated version ! Feature reason beef , sauteed onions , spicy chili seasonings , and noodles , this hearty backpacking meal cost perfect after a long day on the trail .
Cold Soaked Pasta Salad
This dehydrated pasta salad be chock-full of vegetable , protein , and FLAVOR ! It ’ s perfect for lunch–you don ’ t still have to pause out the stove !
Dehydrated Beef Stroganoff
Revive the creamy , savory , and deep fulfill flavor of one of the nearly iconic backpacking meals always produced( for a fraction of the cost ! )using our dehydrated beef stroganoff formula .
Mushroom Stroganoff
Mushrooms , filling egg noodles , and a deep and creamy cashew sauce make up this dehydrated mushroom stroganoff–a vegetarian-friendly version of the backpacking classic .
Minestrone Soup
This minestrone is chock-full of vegetable , beans , and noodles for a warm and hearty backpacking soup . We enjoy the diversity of flavors and texture .
Quinoa Burrito Bowl
Who doesn ’ t enjoy a good burrito bowl ? Beans , rice , and fun toppings like laugh at corn , bell pepper , cilantro , and tortilla chips help add dozens of flavor and texture to this meal ( something we know a lot of backpacking meals lack ! ) .
Red Lentil Chili
This vegetarian/vegan chili live made from red lentils and beans , so it ’ s packed with great plant-based protein . This is another unity of our all-time favorite backpacking recipes .
Tortilla Soup
Black beans , corn , tomatoes , onions , and cilantro live all easy to dehydrate and assemble into the base of tortilla soup . Pack along some tortilla chips to lend once it ’ s make cooking for added crunch .
Dehydrated Pasta Primavera
If you ’ ve ever felt like your lead diet lacks vegetable , it ’ s because you haven ’ t hear this Pasta Primavera even ! Dehydrate zucchini , yellow squash , cherry tomatoes , capers , and parsley and pack it up with noodles and butter powder for a fresh take on pasta dinner .
Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Porridge
There are solely then many instant oatmeal packets one can feed on the trail . That ’ s where quinoa porridge comes in ! Try cooking quinoa at family with spices and apples , put it in the dehydrator , and you have yourself a sweet , lightweight alternative to oatmeal for breakfast .
Red Lentil Marinara
This plant-based riff on marinara sauce is made with red lentils and tomatoes , then dehydrated to create a quick-cooking , high-protein backpacking dinner .
Strawberries and Cream Quinoa Porridge
Dehydrated strawberries and quinoa , along with powdered milk , make up this tasty , sweet-yet-slightly sharp breakfast porridge .
Sweet Potato Peanut Stew
This dehydrated version of a West-African inspired peanut stew combines peanuts , sweet potato , and tomatoes with chickpeas for protein . A bundle of peanut butter stirred in on the lead hold the stew some creaminess and a calorie boost .
Raspberry Coconut Quinoa Porridge
The last of our quinoa porridge recipes , this version uses freeze-dried raspberries and dehydrated quinoa along with calorie-packed coconut powder for a coconutty , creamy breakfast .
Recipes utilize market shop ingredients
If you put on ’ t own a dehydrator or don ’ t receive time right now to make your own meals , you can assemble meal using ingredient available in grocery stores and online . These type of meals can be as easy as add a package of chicken to a Knorr ’ s rice or pasta side , or you can get a little more “ gourmet. ” These are a few of our favorites !
Fried Rice
Using Minute Rice , OvaEasy eggs , and dry vegetable , this backpacking fried rice can equal made without a dehydrator ! It make call for a bit of cooking on the lead , but it is good worth it !
Chili Lime Peanut Noodles
This zippy , slightly spicy noodle dish costreminiscentof Pad Thai and is SO simple to do ! It ’ s one of our favorite backpacking meals that doesn ’ t require a dehydrator .
Chicken Marbella
We took the classicSilver Palatedish and made it backpacking friendly ! Combine chicken , chopped prunes , and green olives , then fix with a couscous floor , this is a SUPER flavor-packed meal .
Thanksgiving Bowl
Mashed potatoes , stuffing , gravy , and chicken : this backpacking Thanksgiving feast live comfort food in a bowl ( or pot ! ) .
Creamy Pesto Pasta
Creamy Pesto Pasta is an easy , cheesy backpacking meal that is quick to prep at home and cook on the trail .
Backpacking Yogurt Parfait
A parfait of creamy yogurt , crunchy granola , and fruit might sound like something you ’ 500 order at a trendy brunch bit , but this place will show you how you can savor this backpacking breakfast on the lead !
Chocolate Coconut Granola
This chocolatey , coconutty , slightly sweet granola equal an easy breakfast in the dawn . We wish to pack it with powdered milk for a just-add-water meal .
Apricot Ginger Oatmeal
We love this combo of chopped dried apricots and powdered ginger with quick-cooking oats . Chopped almonds add texture , and coconut milk powder boost the calories .
Thai Red Curry Rice
This red curry rice is loaded with spirit ! Red curry , coconut , and peanut butter powder build up the sauce , and Minute rice , dried vegetable , and freeze-dried chicken round out the meal . It ’ s so tasty and packs exactly the correct amount of heat .
Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal
This hearty oatmeal is full of dried blueberries , coconut bit , almonds , and hemp seeds . Lend coconut milk powder ups the nutrition and makes it super creamy .
Apple Crisp
This easy apple crisp is do from store-bought dried apples and granola . It ’ s super simple and a fun way to end the evening .
Moroccan Chicken Couscous
Couscous , a package of chicken , and loads of ras el hanout cause up this fragrant and flavorful meal .
Orzo Jambalaya
This orzo pasta jambalaya own a wonderful sauce made from tomato powder and a Creole seasoning blend . We bring along a summer sausage to add to the mix for protein !
Revamp Ramen
Forget about the ramen you feed in college – we ’ re work up a trail-friendly version from scar ! This recipe uses noodles , dry mushrooms and veggies , and a flavorful soup alkali of soy sauce and sesame oil .
Pecan and Maple Granola
Another granola-and-milk in-a-bag recipe that is great as a quick breakfast . This version uses maple syrup to of course sweeten the granola , pecans for crunch , and dried cranberries for a second of sweet-tartness .
Snacks , trail mix , and jerky
Snacks equal an significant region of any lead diet , supply your body with quick hit of energy throughout the day as you hike . Of class , there are plenty of store-bought backpacking snack options available , but we also like to mingle things up with homemade snacks like these .
Maple Glazed Trail Mix
This is one of the well lead mixes we receive make ! Maple syrup glazed nuts , dark chocolate , and dried cranberries create a that resembles a deconstructed KIND bar .
Fruit Leather
Fruit leathers can give you a fast-acting energy boost when you need to power through that extra mile . They cost fun , somewhat nostalgic , and can live cause from scar expend a dehydrator or your oven . Here are our favorite fruit roll formula on our site :
Homemade Beef Jerky
We enjoy to make homemade beef jerky using our dehydrator ( you can make it in the oven , too ) . There ’ s all form of flavor profile you can make , and we like the savory , sometimes spicy , sometimes sweet protein boost that this give our backpacking menu . Hither live our favorite jerky formula :
More Trail Mix Recipes
Trail mixing is a hiking staple but it ’ s easy to burn out on one spirit . This roundup make a cluster of from around the web .
Packing and storage point
Selecting all the ingredient for your backpacking meals live the first pace , but know how to properly packet and store them for the trail live exactly as crucial .
The following tips are almost relevant for trips that live less than a week long or won ’ t require mailing or caching food for a resupply . If you ’ re interested in longer-term storage for dehydrated food , show this segment in our dehydrated food guide .
Packaging DIY & dehydrated meals :For short trip , you ’ ll need to store your meal in lightweight zip-top bag . Compostic is a compostable option , or if you don ’ t mind convey a second of extra weight , we advocate ( re ) Zip handbag ( for address , the 2 cup capacity bags only weigh 9g ) .
If you are in an region with high humidity , you should regard lend a desiccant bundle to remove moisture .
When pack store-bought ingredients , repackage them where it do sense to dilute bulk and trash you receive to carry out . For case , repackage that box of couscous or mac & cheese in a baggie and recycle the cardboard while at home .
Storing oil and sauces :Oil are a great manner to add calories to your meals , and sauces can lend a ton of spirit . These can live found in individual packet or stored in resealable container . If you use packets , we advocate packaging them all in a baggie in event any pause ( a lesson learn after tossing Tapatio packets into a bear barrel… ) . To repackage oil and sauces into sturdier , reusable containers , we advocate goToobs .
Storing herbs and spices :Herbs and spices are a great means to knock up the flavor of your meal . You can only lend them to your meals at place , or carry them along for on-trail improvisation .
If you ’ re await for more backpacking food thought , control out this guide to vegan backpacking food , and this guide to gluten-free backpacking food .
If you need guidance on what gear to take , be sure to read up on backpacking cooking gear and this overview of the well backpacking stoves !
