r/WildernessBackpacking • u/CardiologistThat6375 • 15d ago
Share your backpacking recpies
Hello - I love going out in the wild and eating good, easy foods. I am not always a fan of dehydrated meals and have been trying different ones. I wanted to know if anyone else has found good meals they like.
I recently made Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese (you don't need to bring milk or butter with you; the cheese is already creamy) with pre-cooked bacon bits and diced jalapenos. It was simple and delicious, and it was super easy to hike in and cook on my little stove.
What have you made that is delicious and easy to pack in?
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u/Kitten_Mittens 15d ago
My favorite backpacking meal is dehydrated refried beans, instant rice, and cheese in tortillas. I will bring some Taco Bell sauce packets or dehydrate a small amount of salsa in my air fryer.
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u/JelmerMcGee 15d ago
That sounds awesome. Where do you get dehydrated beans? Grocery store?
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u/Kitten_Mittens 15d ago
My local natural food store has it in the bulk section, but it's also available online (Walmart and Amazon)
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u/be-human-use-tools 15d ago
Santa Fe Refried Beans, dehydrated refried beans. Usually in the aisle with the “dry soup mixes” at the grocery store. If you cook them longer they turn from a thin soup to a thicker texture. Measure out how much you want from the pouch.
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u/ChiroWhole182 15d ago
Made these cheesy BBQ veggie bites for our last backpacking trip, and they were a hit! High-calorie, light, and easy to make. Plus, my kids loved them.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked lentils (or 1 can, drained)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered ranch seasoning
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Olive oil (for air fryer)
Directions:
- Mix everything in a bowl (lentils, BBQ sauce, cheese, cream cheese, ranch, breadcrumbs, salt/pepper).
- Form small balls (about 1 inch).
- Dehydrate at 135°F for 4-5 hours or until dry and firm.
- Store in an airtight bag.
On Trail:
- Add 1/4 cup boiling water, let sit 5-10 minutes, and eat!
Super easy, packs small, and my kids kept asking for more.
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u/ffa1985 15d ago
Instant mashed dehydrated potatos are a staple because they can be used for many different recipes, especially with foraged foods. Catch a fish? Dehydrated potatos for breading and frying. Find some edible mushrooms? Add water and roll it up into gnocci.
My favorite is getting some of the better brands of instant ramen and dropping in a can of sardines oil and all along with whatever wild onions or herbs I can find. Sure the can is more of a pain to pack out than some plastic wrappers but it's worth it for a flavorful, quality meal.
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u/ChorroVon 15d ago edited 15d ago
Stuffing with a packet of chunk chicken, a bit of dehydrated turkey gravy mix, and all wrapped in a tortilla. Carbs, protein, electrolytes, and soooo tasty.
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u/towishimp 15d ago
My go to is mash potato flakes, since they're easy to cook (or even do cold in a pinch), with stuff added. Cheese, meat pouches, sauces, etc.
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u/-WhatisThat 15d ago
I like to bring a package of the Vigo Red Beans and Rice. Dead easy to prepare and a ton of tasty and filling food. I either chop up some dried sausage into it while cooking or have it along side a chunk of fire grilled steak early in the trip.
I also love dehydrated Coconut Mango Sticky Pudding. All dry ingredients that I vacuum seal up a few punches at a time. My daughters loved it for dessert on canoe trips. I used coconut sugar instead of regular sugar, chopped up a lot of dehydrated mango into it and used coconut milk powder. If you add some minute oats it also makes a great sweet breakfast to power up your day
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u/GaffTopsails 15d ago
Some fan favourites have been dried hummus - our friend used to serve smoked oysters with cream cheese on crackers. Tubes of pesto, tomatoe paste and olive tapenade are a great light weight way to spice up wraps. Fresh basil leaves are also light but give a great fresh taste to wraps. A shaker of dried red peppers can spice up a boil in the bag and weighs nothing. You can do a lot cheaply with dried mashed potatoes - much cheaper than fancy boil in the bags.
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u/RuahMot 15d ago
This is the best chocolate cake I've ever made on the trail. You can scroll to the end for the recipe. How to Make DIY Backpacking Meals You'll Love
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u/be-human-use-tools 15d ago
- Fried spam and Knorr Teriyaki noodles.
- smoked sausage bits stirred into 5-minute grits.
- Cheesy Broccoli Soup Mix, combined with rice, instant potatoes, or some other soup mix.
- dehydrated green onions, to add to anything.
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u/Scubahhh 15d ago
I’m a big fan of Huel packets: similar to freeze dried meals but with a much better nutritional profile. Each meal is only 400 calories and about $4, so I usually dress them to (Fritos, olive oil, packaged chicken, jerky, etc) and/or just eat two.
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u/Jon_Mendyk 15d ago
I've been using lil smokies sausages in things like Mac and cheese, beans and rice, Idahoan loaded mashed taters.
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u/in-jail-out-shortley 14d ago
Trader Joe’s ramen packet, peanut butter, red pepper flakes. You can add in eggs and chicken if you want.
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u/harry_chronic_jr 15d ago
/r/trailmeals