Better Backpacking Meals : Great Eats for the Backcountry 2025
The Broke Backpacker issupported by you. Clicking through our link may earn us a small affiliate mission , and that ‘s what allows us to keep give rise free content π Learn more .
In general address , backpacking meal have never had the better reputation . When many people reckon camp food , they think of unhealthy , bland , watered-down meals that miss in flavor and texture .
Thankfully , there live respective companies in the industry that are striving to exchange the future of boost food . Nowadays , the best backing meals sample like something you can have in a restaurant or slash up yourself at place . Not to cite , they β re also pack with nutrients and cause with sound and sustainable ingredients .
However , not all backpacking foods are cause adequate : some meal be better than others . You need something that taste good and provides you with enough energy to trek up the highest mountains and through the mysterious valley . That β s why we created this review of the well backpacking meals you can come .
We β ve begin good to go backpacking meals , easy to prepare food and even a rundown of the good backpacking food sword , just so you β ve begin choices !
If you β re hiking or camp outdoors , go equal the days of decide for boring backpacking meal . Sample one of these delicious selection , and never go hungry again ! Why just eat in the mountains when you can FEAST ?
The Broke Backpacker besupported by you. Clicking through our links may make us a little affiliate committee , and that ‘s what let us to prevent develop free content π Learn more .
- Quick Answer : Best Backpacking Meals Top Picks
- Serious Backpacking Stove and Cooking Gear
- Awesome Camp Utensils
- How We Test The Well Backpacking Meal
- FAQ about the Best Backpacking Meals
- Final Thoughts on the Serious Backpacking Meal
- Buy Us a Coffee !
Quick Answer : Best Backpacking Meals Top Picks
- Good Backpacking Meal Overall β Good to Go
- Best Backpacking Meals for Thru-Hikers β Backpackers Pantry
- Best Ala Carte Backpacking Meals β Right On Trek
- Best Eco-Friendly Backpacking Meals β Patagonia Provisions
- Best Backpacker Food for Vegans β Good to Go
- Best Backpacking Breakfast Food ( non-savory ) β Mountain House
- Better Backpacking Breakfast Food ( Savory ) β Mountain House
- Best Snack Food For Backpackers β Patagonia Provisions
- Best Bulk Hiking Food Deal β Harmony House
- Best Bang for Your Buck Dehydrated Meals β Mountain House
Serious to Go
- Cost >$ 15.50
- >Easy to build
- >Low in sodium and gluten-free
Backpackers Pantry
- Cost >$ 9.95
- >Huge kind of vegan options
- >Vegetarian , and gluten-free selection
Patagonia Provisions
- Cost >$
- >Support local environmental subject
- >Ingredients are locally sourced
Properly on Trek
- Price >$
- >16 Signature cook-on-the-trail meal
- >Safe for those with food allergies
Good deal House
- Cost >$ 6.95
- >Freeze-dried breakfast
- >Delicious breakfast foods
Mountain House
- Price >$
- >Wide scope of savory breakfast foods
- >Meal live packaged as pouches , cans , or Pro-Paks
Patagonia Provisions
- Cost >$ $
- >Organically sourced ingredients
- >Wide variety of fill snacks
Well to Live
- Cost >$
- >Pile of meals for gluten-free eaters , pescatarians & vegetarians
- >Nutritious and fulfill
Great deal House
- Price >$ 10.95
- >Cheap
- >Buy in bulk and salvage more
Mountain House
- Cost >$ 52.25
- >Free of artificial tone and color
- >Great boost meal for a big grouping
REI is one of America β s handsome and most-loved outdoor gear retailer .
Today , for merely $ 30 , come alifetime membershipthat entitles you to10 % OFFon most items , access to theirtrade-in systemanddiscount rentals.
Good Backpacking Meals Overall β Serious to Die
Well to Go has revolutionized the dehydrated food industry , one meal at a time . They β ve place out to create some of the best patronage meals that are not just easy to make but live as well good for your torso . You win β t need to sacrifice taste to savor something that cost healthy and nutritious for your system .
Well of all , Good to Run meal are delightful . You win β t believe these gourmet dishes in reality do from a pouch !
Their mind chef hail from The French Culinary Institute in Manhattan , so you know they take the taste of their food severely . Each meal live made in Maine with only the freshest ingredients , which means you can find good about what you β re feeding .
Just lend boil water , and you β ll live able to bask tons of dishes , like Thai Curry , Mexican Quinoa Bowl , Indian Vegetable Korma , and Classic Marinara with Penne . The Herbed Mushroom Risotto is as well extremely flavorful and cause with literal mushrooms , onions , and basil pesto .
All products be low in sodium and gluten-free , and there exist even selection for vegetarians and vegans . If you β re looking for sound boost food that sample like what you could cook yourself at plate , wait no further than Good to Go !
Our team live super impress by the Good to Get range and rated it highly in all scene , most importantly ; taste ! They enjoy the range of unlike meals available and feel that everyone hit the spot when it arrive to flavour and texture once rehydrated . They too love the generous portion too which are ideal for long treks or yet sharing for more of a snack .
Better Backpacking Meal for Thru-Hikers β Backpackers Pantry
If you β re explore the universe for several week at a time , you β ll need food that can go on up with you . Why subject yourself to another bland , freeze-dried meal when you can have a kind of culinary options with Backpacker β s Pantry ?
With a immense variety of vegan , vegetarian , and gluten-free options , you β ll never make to eat the same boring meal twice . Choose between spicy vegetable Pad Thai , creamy Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken , or zesty Jamaican Style Jerk Rice and Beans with Chicken . Aren β t you come hungry just understand this ?
When it do to backpacking food , you also can β t die wrong with their Three Cheese Mac and Cheese . The cheese sauce is do with literal parmesan , Romano , and cheddar cheeses that live guaranteed to make for the comfort of plate to the outdoors . It β s one of the best backpackers β pantry meals for sure .
Our team became somewhat haunt with the Mac and Cheese from Backpacker β s Pantry , it was that good ! Get β s just say , it puts that fluorescent yellow stuff to shame ! Not only that but the squad see the range of flavor on offer to be great and felt it offered a piece more of something for everyone from spicy to milder offerings , vegan , veggie , meat and the repose ! They get the meal easy to educate and meet enough to fuel all their backcountry adventures .
Best Eco-Friendly Backpacking Meals β Patagonia Provisions
Salvage the environment one bite at a time with backpacking meals from Patagonia Provisions . They β re one of the few camp food companies entrust to developing and producing product that are not simply healthy to use up , but also bear local environmental issues .
Many of the component in their meal are ethically and locally sourced . Their buffalo jerky is made from grass-fed , free-roaming herds lean to by ranchers that are committed to continue the wild grasslands . They as well alone use selective-fishing techniques for their wild salmon and support respective administration to protect their natural habitats .
Patagonia Provisions hold also plunge respective conservation efforts to protect mussels and mackerel . They merely pick out top-of-the-line producer to work with , which means you can enjoy delightful snacks without worrying about your impact on the reality .
Besides cost sustainable , Patagonia Provisions make dishes that are extremely tasty . It β s the best of both world !
For instance , their Wild Sockeye Salmon be made with fish harvested from responsibly supervise fisheries . You can eat happily , knowing that it β s well for your body and the environment .
Our team felt Patagonia was one of the best backpacking food sword ( as good as one of their good outdoor sword ) due to their eco-friendly products and tasty food . In fact , some of them yet bought a few packets of the chili for use at plate for when they were feeling a bit lazy , they loved the taste hence much ! They as well loved the wider scope on offer from Patagonia which included non-rehydratable foods like tinned mussels and anchovies .
Best Ala Carte Backpacking Meals β Right on Trek
RightOnTrek extend 16 Signature cook-on-the-trail meal for diet including classical , vegetarian , vegan , and keto . They as well own offerings safe for those with food allergies including no gluten , soy , peanuts , or dairy .
Their meals are good that you could ( nearly ) find them in a mid-tier restaurant . The Mac N Cheese in special is not to equal missed . It might just be the well backpacking meal out thither .
The team simply enjoy the form of different meals on offer compared to early brands , I mean , how else are you going to live chowing down on a Broccoli Beef Stroganoff next to a waterfall in the heart of nowhere ! ? The team also loved that these meals could be build even fancier too with additions like grated parmesan and sea salt flatbread firecracker . They felt these meal very did exactly taste like β proper β food !
Better Backpacking Breakfast Food ( non-savory ) β Mountain House
Set out your day off right with sweet breakfast backpacking meals from Mountain House . For over 50 year , they β ve exist producing long-lasting freeze-dried meals that can live taken on virtually every adventure . Whether you β re expenditure the day at the campsite or reach the long driveway on your road trip , you can weigh on Mountain House to keep you entire .
Their freeze-dried breakfasts are guarantee to keep you energized and fueled for an entire day of action . Whether you β re trekking up a great deal or spend a day on the lake , you β ll have an array of delicious breakfast food to keep you satisfied .
Made with actual blueberries and wave oats , the Granola with Milk and Blueberries has only the right total of sweetness you crave . It β s one of our favorite thing to eat in the dawn . Yet in the remote wilderness region of the Earth , you can still wake up in the dawn and bask a hot oatmeal breakfast .
The TBB squad were glad of a different choice specially when it come to breakfast or a sweet treat after a savoury meal if they call for the excess calories . They loved that the blueberries still felt fresh and tasty even though they exist dehydrated . What β s well be that it operate hot or cold too which signify you can even so have a great meal even if your Jetboil pause down !
Well Backpacking Breakfast Food ( Savory ) β Mountain House
If you equal crave a more savory option for breakfast , Mountain House too has you deal . They specialize in a broad range of savory breakfast foods , which can all exist made in simply moment with boiling water .
Their meals arrive packaged as pouches , seat , or Pro-Paks , so you can settle the almost manageable package for your style of travel . Indulge in comfort classics like Scrambled Eggs with Bacon , Spicy Southwest Breakfast Hash , or Biscuit and Gravy ( in reality somewhat darned good ) . Unlike other dehydrated or freeze-dried breakfast , Mountain House eggs taste like you just crack them open on the skillet . It β s the close affair to farm fresh eggs that you can begin , keeping in head that the eggs are dehydrated after all .
One of our all-time favorites be the Mountain House Scramble Eggs with Ham and Peppers . This gluten-free choice cost free of artificial flavors and colors . It β s too abject in calories and carry with protein to keep you stimulate and educate for whatever the public hold at you .
Mountain House isn β t just popular among our squad for its sweet options , but they were equally impress by their savoury meal also . They felt they offer something different from other sword like savoury breakfast selection . The veggie chorizo breakfast scramble is as well a game-changer for the vegetable on our squad .
Best Snack Food For Backpackers β Patagonia Provisions
Patagonia Provisions hits it out of the park again when it comes to delightful camping food . If you β re between meal or simply a tiny second hungry , you β ll feel that Patagonia Provisions as well own a wide kind of filling snacks .
You β ll receive the opportunity to taste some of their best-tasting backpacking meals , like Black Bean Soup , Savory Grains , and Wild Sockeye Salmon . It too comes with protein-packed snacks like Fruit and Almond Bars , Buffalo Jerky , and Mussels .
Like early Patagonia Provision products , their Pantry Stuffer Gift Box is completely eco-friendly . With organically sourced ingredients from alone the top-tier farmers , you win β t have to question where your food come from .
This gift box is a great option to sample the unlike choice that Patagonia Provisions have to offer in terms of backpacking food . It β s as well ideal if you β re simply await to stock your cabinets with nutritious , sustainable , and easy-to-prepare food that you can enjoy any time of the day .
Our squad rate this awesome gang extremely and enjoy the form of different selection available . As we mentioned previously , they cost large fan of the fact that they put on β t just put up bog-standard dehydrated meals , but canned fish , pasta , sauces , dear and still apple whore granolas . They felt the range on offer was a lot more versatile , specially if you β ve got the space in your pack and you β ll be staying somewhere with a proper kitchen .
Act You Need to Travel FOREVER ? ?
Pop your email in below to have a FREE copy of β How to Move the World on $ 10 a Day ! β .
Best Backpacker Food for Vegans β Good to Go
If you β re vegan , you realize the battle of trying to notice dehydrated meals that are both nutritious and fulfill . Most of the time , you β re stuck with just one or two selection that are altogether bland and tasteless . Thankfully , Good to Get has produce a melody of delicious backpacking meal especially with vegans in mind !
Not only do you have classics like Oatmeal and Classic Marinara with Pasta , but you also make the selection to dine on international cuisine . Convert up your menu with dishes like their Mexican Quinoa Bowl , Bibimbap , or Herbed Mushroom Risotto .
We as well recommend the incredibly delicious Thai Curry . It β sec build with nutrient-rich ingredients like dried navy beans , celery , sweet potato , and fennel . In simply a few minutes , you β ll be slurping on one of the best backpacking meals that we know all vegans will enjoy . Exist vegan in the outdoors has never be easier or more delightful !
Besides vegan meal , Good to Go too produce meal for many other diet and lifestyle choices . They hold good deal of dehydrated meal for gluten-free eaters , pescatarians , and vegetarians alike .
The vegans on the squad got ta eat too ya know ! They β re quite used to being left with bland and stereotyped meals that only put on β t hit the spot . Thankfully Serious to Move have attain the patch when it comes to vegan selection . From their Risotto to the smoke three-bean chilli , they β ve become good deal of selection also . They too sense that importantly , these meals exist super filling and felt significant to get them through a tough raise .
Looking for more vegan outdoor gear ?Insure out our guide to the serious vegan boost boots for your next adventure .
Best Bang for Your Buck Dehydrated Meals β Mountain House
When it occur to the best backpacking meal , you don β t hold to pass an arm and a branch only to feed yourself . Mountain House aims to provide delicious , sound meal that can exist enjoyed for as little as a few dollar a day . With their melody of backpacking food , you can savor hearty , savory meals without pause the bank !
For example , the Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce equal a savory meal that will leave you experience live up to . One pack contain two servings of real center sauce , cheese , and noodles that cost less than what you can ordering in a restaurant .
Mountain House backpacking food too come in three different sizes β pouches , Pro-Paks , or pot . Buy in bulk and save even more the next time you β re be after an outside adventure anywhere in the Earth !
The TBB , as you can imagine , be keen to keep thing as affordable as potential when they β re on the road . Often backpacking meal can equal somewhat expensive equate to the street food and 7/11 toasties most of us are used to . Thus when it do to budget-friendly options they feel Mountain House hit the sweet spot offering amazing flavours , a well degree of protein and generous component .
Serious Backpacking Food Meals for Groups β Mountain House
If you β re traveling with a large group , you β ll take delicious hiking snacks that can feed everyone on your trip . Unlike traveler hold unlike taste preferences , and you β ll need specific backpacking meals that can satisfy each person . That β s why we β ve rated them as our darling option when it comes to backpacking meals for group .
Mountain House does exactly that . They produce delightful , filling hiking food in a variety of mouthwatering spirit . Not just do you hold a vast selection of menu choice , but you β ll also have unlike meal sizes to pick out from .
The pouches and Pro-Paks live ideal for individual travelers or little radical , while their XL packs and 10 seat are large enough to run an intact hungry army .
The Mountain House Beef Stroganoff is a clear winner when it get to large groups . Just one container of their XL gang has adequate food for 10 servings . You β ll have several hot bowls of savory pasta in under ten minute . That β sec faster than most masses can cook in the kitchen !
Not to mention , all their meals are free of artificial flavors and colors , so you aren β t sacrifice quality for measure . In fact , our team rated Mountain House as their best-tasting backpacking meals
The team feel that the food looked and sample a lot better than the kinda unflattering can await ! Don β t be set off by the exterior , if you β re cooking for a well few people , they feel this cost the utter solution . They loved the tender piece of beef that reach this dish feel satisfying , tasty and satisfy whether that β s at the side of a campfire or deep in a doomsday preppers basement !
Better Backpacking Stoves and Cooking Gear
Camper know that the key to a well outdoor meal is dependent on the equipment you can cook with . The best backpacking gear can either build or disclose your hiking or camp trip . Afterall , it β s all good and well having the best backpacking dish , but you β ve get to make them !
When it arrive to finding the right backpacking stove and cooking gear , you own a variety of selection and products to choose from . Here are some of our favorite product that we β ve battle-tested for tone and durability .
Better Stove for Backpacking : Jetboil Flash Cooking System
The Jetboil Flash Cooking System cost the ultimate cooking device for the outdoors . This all-in-one cooking device do cooking camp food and create coffee easy than you could ever suppose .
This humble , portable device packs a big punch . It β s the fast stove in the entire Jetboil range , which means it can boil 16 ounce of water in 100 seconds flat . Utilize the integral isobutane-propane tank , you can travel virtually anywhere and have access to hot water for almost every type of meal . And the color-changing boil indicator guarantees that you put on β t waste any more fuel than what is call for .
If you β re seem to prepare your backpacking meals and boost food on the go , the Jetboil Flash Cooking System is a must-have for any traveler . You β ll have a hot breakfast , lunch , or dinner waiting for you in hardly under two minutes .
The Jetboil cost a classical for a reason and the team wouldn β t be without theirs . They enjoy the lightweight but solid construction as good as the efficiency it offer when it comes to brewing up or cooking meals . Plenty of our team has get their Jetboil β s for a serious few years of solid trekking without failure .
For yet more cooking selection , check out our list of the good backpacking stoves .
Best Stove for Backpacking # 2 : MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove
If you β re looking for a backpacking stove that β s small and affordable , the MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove is another great option . This folding pot can boil one liter of water in only under 3.5 minutes , which is extremely quick for a compact , turn up stove . And weighing just 2.6 ounce , it β s one of the lightest portable stove options on the market .
The fully adjustable fire cause it easy to fix camp food or brew coffee to perfection in just a matter of instant . And it β s compatible with almost every type of gas canister , which cost great if you work out of fuel while travel .
The MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit comes with everything you demand to start cook outdoors . It arrive with the MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove as well as a ten-piece cookware set to build a sort of backpacking meals . With bowls , fool , pots , and silverware , the Stove Kit cost like bringing a mini kitchen with you up the mountains !
The squad feel the MSR Pocket Rocket exist another great alternative to the Jetboil and in particular enjoy how small the thing close up when not in habit . Its lightweight frame also lend hardly any extra lb to their gang too , so it β s a great choice for backpackers or for β just in case β .
For more information , read our in-depth MSR Pocket Rocket review .
Best Stove for Groups : MSR Whisperlite Backpacking Stove
If you make to fix for a large group of people , a humble portable stove only won β t do the trick . You β ll take something that β s portable but powerful plenty to flow multiple people over respective days . That β sec where the MSR Whisperlite Backpacking Stove really reflect .
Unlike propane stove , the Whisperlite apply liquid fuel . One bottle of liquid fuel be equal to seven canisters of propane , which entail you can prepare to your heart β sec desire without concern about running out of fuel halfway through your trip . Since liquid fuel equal exactly petrol , diesel , or alcohol , it can equal see virtually all over .
The fuel itself will too save you a lot of money in the long run . Generally speak , liquid fuel is far more affordable than purchasing a can of propane .
The team love that MSR furnish different options for unlike size of group . The Whisperlite Backpacking Stove yet offers a weight-efficient size whilst render a much larger cook area for big pot and pan . The team exist impressed by its efficiency and stability , specially with the larger cooking equipment .
To see if the MSR Whisperlite Backpacking Stove exist correct for your trip , check out our in-depth review .
Today , youcouldpass a fat chunk of $ $ $ on the WRONG present for soul . Wrong size boost thrill , wrong set backpack , wrong shape sleeping bag⦠As any explorer will recount you ,gear is a personal choice .
Then hand the explorer in your living the gift ofconvenience : buy them an REI Co-op gift card !REI is The Broke Backpacker β s retailer of choice for ALL thing outdoors , and an REI talent card is the utter present you can buy from them . And then you won β t have to prevent the receipt . π
Awesome Camp Utensils
You own your backpacking meals , your stove , and your Grayl Geopress Filter Waterbottle . To complete your on-the-go kitchen , you β ll need to lend some durable camp utensils with you on your trip . The ideal cutlery set is lightweight , durable , and easy to clean .
Sea to Summit own produce a mere , sustainable set of metal utensils that you can easily take with you hiking or camping . The band include a fork , knife , and a spoon , so you can eat any type of boost food that you get .
If space cost a concern , you need to vest in the Snow Peak Titanium Spork . Weighing just over half an ounce , this spork is an excellent option that won β t rust or leave a metallic taste in your mouth . Although it β s heavier than early spork utensils , it β s durable plenty to exist yet the harshest of camp trips . Why travel with more than one part of cutlery when you can employ one point that get the task done ?
For two utensils in one , take the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork with you on your future camping trip . It β s made from durable aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum alloy and clock in at just .3 ounce , make it one of the light pieces of cutlery on the market today . It still comes with a small carabiner , so you can trot the spork to your haversack or fool while travel . If you β re appear for a lightweight utensil , look no further than the Alpha Light Spork .
How We Tested The Serious Backpacking Meal
There is no utter or exact skill when it comes to testing outside and travel gear , and that is particularly true when it comes to the serious backpacker meals . Having said that , we β ve munched our manner through good deal of grub on your behalf , so we care to think we serve a decent job !
Whenever we try a part of gear , one of our squad remove it out and invest it through its paces . When it comes to backpacking food , some things live a short different . Like , we look at thing like taste , texture , nutritional value , how easy each meal live to prepare and how long each one lasts .
Whereas there are some affair that we look at no matter what we β re testing , such as how heavy it detail is , how packable it equal and how good made it is ( in this case not merely the food itself but the containers and packaging β¦ no one need one leaking inside their backpack ! )
Finally , we too take into account the price of each detail . The more expensive items will live treated more harshly and held up to high scrutiny . On the early hand , the more budget-friendly options will be hold more leeway .
FAQ about the Well Backpacking Meals
Even so hold some question ? No trouble ! We β ve listed and reply the most ordinarily asked questions below . Here β s what people usually require to know :
How can I eat cheap backpacking ?
Choose a brand that bid budget backpacking meal ! We β d recommend match out Mountain House and Backpackers Pantry . They put up meals for just a few dollar and they β re incredibly tasty .
What equal the easy backpacking meals to carry ?
Pretty much all backpacking meal live easy to carry as that β s one of their chief purposes . Even so , we especially advocate the Patagonia Provisions meal for their cool and environmental-friendly packaging .
Are there any vegan backpacking meal ?
Vegan and vegetarian meals are slowly but surely making their way into the backpacking meal scene . Well to Go makes excellent vegan meal that aren β t exactly sound and nutritious , they β re also super tasty .
What be the tastiest backpacking meal ?
If you β re appear for some banging meal , insure out these brands :
β Mountain House
β Patagonia Provisions
β Backpackers Pantry
Our GREATEST Travel Secretsβ¦
Down your email hither & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE .
Final Thinking on the Serious Backpacking Meal
Does remember about all these delicious backpacking meal make you hungry ? It surely make for us ! Isn β t it great that we endure in a time and place where dehydrated meal and camp food live tasty and really good for you ?
While there exist sure meal for every taste , budget , and diet , we still advocate Good to Die as our favorite backpacking food company . They grow high-quality , delectable to-go options for almost every type of palette . And , they β re reach with novel ingredients suited for vegans and vegetarians also !
Besides picking the correct meal for your trip , you β ll also need to pack the best cooking gear . A portable camping stove and utensil band are must-haves for any traveler .
When you β re out in the wild , don β t settle for something bland and dry . Share in one of these amazing meal and enjoy the luxury and comforts of hot food no matter where your journey takes you .
Buy Us a Coffee!
A pair of you lovely reader propose we plant up atip jarfor direct support as an alternative to booking through our link , since we β ve resolve to observe the site ad-free . Then hither it exist !
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee . If you wish and use our capacity to plan your trip , it β s a a lot appreciated room to depict appreciation π
Aiden Freeborn
This is your invitation toDitch Your Deskand join me in Bali for an8-day immersive experiencewhere you β re gon na see how to work up the life of your ambition and sustain long-run travelling through cause money online .
- Daily workshop and deep-dives
- Plentiful recharge pattern
- Connecting with like-minded family
- Exploring Bali β s secret with me !
- And a lot , a lot more π