I Tried 27 Backpacking Meals and While Some Were Gross, Many Were Delightful

There are three types of campers out there: the glampers, the campsite tent-type, and the backpackers. Of the three, the backpackers have it the hardest when it comes to dinner.

I’m a seasoned campsite camper (glamping is often beyond my budget), and I love cooking some hash browns, bacon, and eggs over an open fire (one time I even made butternut squash risotto from scratch over nothing but flaming logs. Four hours later, it tasted REALLY good). But if you’re a backpacker or backwoods camping sort, well, you’re more like Legolas and Aragorn when they search for Merry and Pippin: “Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light.” No cast iron skillet, no perishable ingredients, no logs. Sad! But it doesn’t have to be.

While you can grab a box of mac and cheese or instant rice and some bagged beans (they’re actually quite good!) and call it a day, there’s also a whole market of freeze-dried backpacking meals out there. Just boil some water in a backpacking stove, add it to the package, stir, let it sit for a few minutes, and dinner’s ready. But are any of them, well, good? I sacrificed my stomach for you, oh brave, fearless backpackers, to find rehydrate-able backpacking meals that are a far cry from the mealy, mushy backpacking meals of yore (as in, I actually relished eating them).

The Tests

• Taste Test: I tried each backpacking meal, following the instructions to make it per the packaging. I evaluated the taste and texture.
• Cooking Test: I noted how easy the backpacking meal was to make, and if the instructions were clear. 

What We Learned

Time and Water Amount Were Open to Interpretation 

Some recipes called for a scant amount of water—the Peak Refuel Beef Stroganoff, while delicious, was on the crunchy side when made with the 10.5 ounces of water the pouch instructions called for. I would’ve upped the amount of water a bit (probably by 1/4 cup), and let it sit a smidge longer to encourage further hydration. But other meals, like the Packit Gourmet Texas State Fair Chili, called for more water—1.5 cups—leaving results runny and wan. While it’s good to follow instructions for best results, sometimes you live and learn (to use less/more water). Oh, and letting your food soak longer is never a bad thing. 

Bring Salt 

Nearly every meal I tried was in dire need of salt—the exceptions being our winners, more or less (the Packit Gourmet Texas State Fair Chili and a few others required a pinch or two). But it was the Good-to-Go Double Chicken Gumbo that really stood out for this trait—it was SPICY but flavorless, and it was only when I grabbed a generous pinch of salt and heavily seasoned it that it became palatable. If left unsalted, this would be a very, very sad meal, so I recommend adding a few ounces of weight to your backpack and bringing along a baggie (or tiny tin) of salt. 

Don’t Expect Perfection 

While the best meals I ate were truly heads above the worst, they weren’t perfect. It’s the nature of backpacking food, really—a freeze-dried or dehydrated meal that you rehydrate with water is bound to have a few lingering crunchy bits. It’s when the whole meal is off (bland, watery or pasty, totally crunchy, slimy, etc.) that you’re in for a sad dinner. 

Backpacking Meals Were Really Easy to Make 

Freeze-dried or dehydrated backpacking meals are meant to be lightweight and easy to make—just add water, stir, and steep, and your meal will be on the proverbial table in 10 to 20 minutes. And of the 27 pouches I tried, all of them followed that formula to a tee. The hardest part was waiting for the water to boil and for the meal to rehydrate, and fighting the temptation to open the bag and take a peek at its progress.

Protein Content and Calorie Count Were Important 

While flavor and texture are key players in a good pouch of backpacking food, another thing to take into consideration is protein and calorie count. If you’re hiking miles and miles a day, you’re going to want a meal that can help your body recover and refuel. According to Brierley Horton, M.S., R.D., the calorie count varies from person to person. "For the average man—who is moderately active to quite active—aim for 2,600 to 3,000 calories a day. For women, it's slightly less (but not far off!): aim for 2,000 to 2,400 calories," she says. "Keep in mind that these targets are on those days that you are most active—they're not meant for your more sedentary days. And also, depending on your hike, your calorie needs will vary: if you're doing 10-plus miles of varying steepness you're going to burn far more calories than when you hike a few miles of rolling hills."

In addition to looking at calorie count, protein is something to consider when choosing a meal, since it helps you maintain muscle even if the meal's calorie count is less than desired. Horton says, "The American College of Sports Medicine recommends eating 0.5 to 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day if you're trying to build muscle or maintain it when you're very active. So for a 180-pound person, that's about 98 to 139 grams of protein a day. And for a 140-pound person that's around 76 to 108 grams each day."

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Backpacking Meal

There are no strict guidelines when it comes to flavor and seasoning—some pouches just taste better than others, and whether or not you like a meal can also come down to personal taste. For example, I wasn’t a fan of the GOOD TO-GO Indian Vegetable Korma (I didn’t like the overwhelming carrot and parsnip flavors) but my husband thought it was pretty good. One thing you can look for is serving size (if you’re looking to get more bang for your buck) and calorie and protein count. You want a meal that’s filling and won’t leave you hungry and swooning an hour later. Some meals did have crunchy bits left after steeping, but letting them soak a little longer often mitigated this.

The Best Backpacking Meals

The Best Chicken and Rice Backpacking Meal

PEAK REFUEL Cheesy Chicken Broccoli

$14 at Amazon $6 at REI

What we liked: Creamy, cheesy, and with perfectly cooked grains of rice—this meal was like a warm hug after a long day outdoors. It was perfectly seasoned, and the texture of the chicken, broccoli, and rice was quite nice—there was a bit of bite (not mere mush), but it wasn’t crunchy and under-hydrated. I also loooooved that there were actual gobs of cheese that pulled up nice and stringy with each sporkful. It’s also decent in terms of calories and protein, and the portions were generous. 

What we didn’t like: I would’ve liked more broccoli—more semi-bright pops of veg in a sea of delicious beige. It’s also a bit high in sodium.

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 550
• Protein per serving: 26 grams
• Sodium per serving: 540 milligrams

Another Great Chicken and Rice Backpacking Meal

Backpacker's Pantry Risotto with Chicken

$22 at Walmart $13 at REI $13 at Backcountry.com

What we liked: This meal was PACKED with chicken, which had a decent texture overall (though a tiny bit dry). The herby rice was savory and rehydrated nicely, and it was overall a tasty, filling meal. 

What we didn’t like: With risotto in the title, I expected a creamy dish with some cheese perhaps, but this was more like a pot of instant rice made with chicken stock. It was good, but it wasn’t risotto. It also needed salt, and the calories and protein are a little skimpy. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 290
• Protein per serving: 15 grams
• Sodium per serving: 670 milligrams

The Best Chicken Grain Bowl Backpacking Meal

Wild Zora Herb Roasted Chicken Quinoa Bowl

$23 at Amazon $10 at REI

What we liked: While yes, quinoa is a seed and not a grain, you get the gist. I’m not a massive quinoa fan, but this herby, warm, and savory meal was quite delicious. The texture was also spot-on—it was neither soggy nor crunchy, with the little quinoa orbs providing a pleasant pop and crunch. 

What we didn’t like: While I liked this dish overall, the carrots did overwhelm the flavor in some bites. I also wished the chicken was in bigger pieces and that there was more of it—as it was, it was barely perceptible. It’s also pretty pricey for a single-serving meal. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 1
• Calories per serving: 550
• Protein per serving: 26 grams
• Sodium per serving: 410 milligrams

The Best Chicken Curry Backpacking Meal

Peak Refuel Chicken Coconut Curry

$15 at Amazon View on REI

What we liked: This was a rich, warming, and filling bag of curry. I loved the sweetness and nuttiness imparted by the coconut milk, and that the rice was perfectly cooked—neither crunchy nor mushy. The chicken was decent, if a little bit dry, but that’s not uncommon in freeze-dried meals. 

What we didn’t like: The carrots were squelchy, spongy, and oddly tangy—I wasn’t a fan and ate around them (though to be fair, I am not big on cooked carrots in general, so take this with a grain of salt). 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 430
• Protein per serving: 22 grams
• Sodium per serving: 480 milligrams

Another Great Chicken Curry Backpacking Meal

Bighorn Mountain Food The Best Butter Chicken and Rice

$18 at Amazon

What we liked: This warmly spiced curry had just the right amount of salt—a rarity in the realm of backpacking food (though if you’re watching your sodium intake, be warned: it’s a massive amount). The rice was tender but not mushy, and there was a pleasant little kick of heat to the curry. The chicken was a little dry, but hey, that seems par for the course with backpacking food. It’s also super filling. 

What we didn’t like: I wish there was something green in this, maybe some spinach or broccoli. There was a faint ketchup-like flavor that I didn’t dig. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 355
• Protein per serving: 18 grams
• Sodium per serving: 1160 milligrams

The Best Chicken and Pasta Backpacking Meal

Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Pasta

$15 at Amazon View on REI

What we liked: Let me tell you, a bag of this after a long day of hiking is bliss. You can’t go wrong with cheesy pasta! The penne ziti was al dente and the silky, cheesy pesto that coated it was downright yum. Half of the bag filled me up fast. 

What we didn’t like: The chicken was a bit crunchy, so I might let it soak for a little longer than suggested.

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 460
• Protein per serving: 22 grams
• Sodium per serving: 450 milligrams

The Best Southwestern-Style Chicken Backpacking Meal

PackIt Gourmet Big'Un Burrito w/ Fajita Chicken

$14 at Amazon

What we liked: With loads of spice (cumin and chili powder dominating), black beans, corn, spinach, cheddar, and rice, this was a flavorful hash that sang wrapped in a flour tortilla (though, what wouldn’t sing wrapped in a flour tortilla?). Said tortilla isn’t included, but they are generally light and shelf-stable. It was a filling meal for one. 

What we didn’t like: I shared some of this with my husband, and when I saw his plate later, he had pushed aside a good amount of black beans, which were a bit crunchy. While this meal claims to have chicken, it was truly indiscernible. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 1
• Calories per serving: 380
• Protein per serving: 25 grams
• Sodium per serving: 490 milligrams
  

The Best Beef Backpacking Meal

Peak Refuel Beef Stroganoff

$15 at Amazon $15 at REI

What we liked: This stroganoff actually had the tang of sour cream, with a creamy sauce swaddling egg noodles, mushrooms, and beef. And the beef (while a tad dry) was tasty—many other beef or red meat dishes had a greasy, burger-like taste that was off-putting. It’s also quite filling, though you still might be tempted to gobble the whole thing up yourself. 

What we didn’t like: The instructions called for 10.5 ounces of water, which I found led to crunchier, less-hydrated results than I would’ve liked. I also would’ve liked some more noodles and mushrooms. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 400
• Protein per serving: 20 grams
• Sodium per serving: 470 milligrams

The Best Beef Chili Backpacking Meal

Packit Gourmet Texas State Fair Chili

View on Amazon View on Packitgourmet.com

What we liked: Protein-packed, filling, and with a slew of warming spices (I detected chili powder and cumin), this was a decent chili once I augmented it with a pinch of salt. It came with a little bag of tortilla chips and a packet of hot sauce, which was just such a lovely (and tasty) touch. 

What we didn’t like: It was a bit watery when made with the given amount of water, and the beans were a little crunchy. It also benefitted from some salt (though the sodium content is quite high already). It’s also pretty pricey for a single-serving. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 1
• Calories per serving: 680
• Protein per serving: 39 grams
• Sodium per serving: 1510 milligrams

The Best Plant-Based Curry Backpacking Meal

Nomad Nutrition Caribbean Curry

$14 $12 at Amazon $16 at Walmart $14 at REI

What we liked: This flavorful curry was loaded with carrots—like, it was mostly carrots with a few errant pieces of broccoli thrown in for good measure. But the seasoning was warm, with a hint of sweetness from the coconut milk, and the quinoa was perfectly cooked and nutty.

What we didn’t like: I would’ve liked more additions that weren’t just carrots, and the dish needed a smidge more salt. It’s also quite pricey for a single-serving meal.

Key Specs

• Serving size: 1
• Calories per serving: 500
• Protein per serving: 11 grams
• Sodium per serving: 290 milligrams

The Best Plant-Based Rice Bowl Backpacking Meal

GOOD TO-GO Cuban Rice Bowl

$10 at Amazon $16 at REI

What we liked: Have you ever had those tortilla chips dusted in lime powder (or whatever it is)? That’s what this tasted like—and I liked it. The tang of lime brightened the dish, which was more of a soup than a rice bowl. The servings were quite ample, and it was overall filling. 

What we didn’t like: Like most backpacking meals, it needed salt. I also would’ve cut back a smidge on the water, to make it less soupy. And it’s on the pricier side.

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 540
• Protein per serving: 15 grams
• Sodium per serving: 580 milligrams

The Best Plant-Based Pasta Backpacking Meal

BigHorn Mountain Food Vegetarian Rich and Creamy Mushroom Pasta

$18 at Amazon

What we liked: This is basically beef stroganoff sans beef. The spiral noodles caught the creamy, tangy, mushroom-laden sauce ensuring a flavorful bite with every sporkful. I appreciated the texture of the pasta—not too soft nor crunchy—and the liberal amount of mushrooms. Note: This is not vegan, but it is vegetarian. 

What we didn’t like: My husband was reading the bag and asked “What is Chablis?” and for a moment I thought he was butchering the pronunciation of Chanterelle (this is a mushroom pasta after all). But no, it does indeed include Chablis (a white wine), which sounds nice, but I think it might have been what gave the dish a faint unpleasant bitter aftertaste. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 330
• Protein per serving: 16 grams
• Sodium per serving: 600 milligrams

The Best Breakfast Backpacking Meal

Heather's Choice Morning Glory Oatmeal

View on Amazon View on REI

What we liked: Morning Glory muffins pack carrots, pineapple, raisins, and a whole lotta spice into one tasty treat—and this oatmeal does the same. I’m by no means a person who gets excited about oatmeal (I’m more of a savory breakfast gal), but on a crisp morning in the woods, I’d be very excited to tuck into this. It’s loaded with pineapple and raisin and even shreds of carrots and gets a nutty boost from toasted pecans. 

What we didn’t like: It was a little soupy at first but congealed to an appropriate oatmeal texture after I let it sit with the bag open for a minute or two. 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 1
• Calories per serving: 380
• Protein per serving: 25 grams
• Sodium per serving: 490 milligrams

The Best Backpacking Dessert

Peak Refuel Peach Cobbler

$12 at Amazon View on REI

What we liked: Before I get into the pros, I have an important PSA: If you’re imagining the peach crumble your grandmother used to serve you with a twinkle in her eye, this ain’t it. It’s too unsightly for that (don’t look too closely when you eat it, just stick your spoon into the bag and then into your mouth). But! It’s actually quite tasty for an instant dessert and will hit the sugar craving you might have after a day of subsisting on beef jerky and trail mix. It’s got crunchy bits of crumble, luscious cinnamon and nutmeg spiked gloop, and bits of peaches. My husband said it was “weirdly good” as he ran away with the bag after I’d had my taste.

What we didn’t like: Like pie filling, it’s gloopy, and it’s gloppy. The peaches are a little leathery, too. But the flavor is really nice! 

Key Specs

• Serving size: 2
• Calories per serving: 340
• Protein per serving: 6 grams
• Sodium per serving: 280 milligrams
  

The Competition

Also Not Bad

• Next Mile Meals Buffalo Ranch Chicken: This meal, which consists of shredded chicken and a few ribbons of bell pepper, is for anyone who really wants to pack in the protein (57 grams per serving). I found the chicken a bit dry, and the ranch and buffalo flavors were mild, so if you want more buffalo flavor, I suggest packing some packets of Frank’s, too. And since I’m not on a keto diet, I would probably pack this along with some instant rice or mac and cheese, to make it more than just a bag of shredded chicken. 
• Gastro Gnome Montana Beef Shepherd's Pie: This skewed a bit too carroty for my taste (I should note that I’m not a huge fan of cooked carrots, so I am biased). That said, it was basically like mashed-up shepherd's pie, with fluffy mashed potatoes, bits of beef, and some peas for color. 
• Good To-Go Double Chicken Gumbo: With salt, this became much more palatable, though it was still a bit on the runny side for my taste. I liked the visible chunks of okra, but the gumbo was rather spicy and the meat had the texture of pencil erasers. 
• Good To-Go Indian Vegetable Korma: While I found the carrot and parsnips overwhelming in this, my husband quite liked it. The sauce was creamy and heavily spiced (the cinnamon and cloves stood out), though it did need salt. 
• Nomad Nutrition Hungarian Goulash: Another “not bad, but not great” offering, I found the chunky, thick texture of the sauce a bit off-putting, though the paprika flavor shone through and was pleasant. 
• Patagonia Provisions Black Bean Soup: While I quite liked this simple but flavorful soup, it seems to be discontinued—bummer.
• Packit Gourmet Skillet Biscuits and Sausage Gravy: While a little bit more involved than most backpacking meals (there are lots of separate packets, and it’s best cooked in a backpacking skillet), the biscuits are flaky and tender, and the sausage gravy has a nice peppery kick and smooth, creamy texture. It’s also super filling. Sadly, this meal seems to be discontinued.
• Bushka's Kitchen Lentil Lunch: With a simple list of ingredients, this lentil salad was surprisingly flavorful—pops of apple! A zing of vinegar! The herbaceousness of dill! I was also surprised how well it hydrated, given it’s made with room temp water instead of boiling H2O—this also makes it a great “on the trail” lunch, or a lowlift dinner if you’re really feeling pooped. It also has a decent calorie and protein content for a plant-based meal. Unfortunately, the brand seems to have gone out of business.
• Bushka’s Kitchen Entrées Hunter's Pie With Ground Venison: I quite liked the kick of black pepper this had, and the ground venison, while a tad dry, was pleasantly meaty (without tasting like grease). This is also LOADED with peas—it was mostly peas, to be honest, which brought it down a notch. The potatoes were nearly all dissolved, save for a few grainy chunks. Sadly, the brand seems to have gone out of business.

Not Recommended 

• AlpineAire Foods Forever Young Mac & Cheese: This watery mac and cheese featured the puzzling addition of peas, carrots, and corn. The noodles in our packet were ultra-slim macaroni (not the rotini pictured in the promo images) that were a little on the soft side, and I would’ve liked more cheesy flavor. I’d go with a package of Annie’s or instant ramen over this. It's also out of stock online.
• AlpineAire Foods Spicy Pasta Bolognese: The tomato sauce was quite sweet, the noodles soggy, and the texture of the sauce was just too pasty and thick to eat without gagging slightly. 
• Mountain House Classic Beef Stroganoff: Oh where to start: the greasy beef crumbles? Or the gloopy sauce? No matter, both made this dish shudder-worthy upon each bite. 
• Next Mile Meals Italian Beef Marinara: This was a bit disappointing since there was no pasta, and “marinara” was a very loose term for the watery sauce that the ground beef swam in. The big hunks of cheese were good, though. 

FAQs

How much food should I bring for a two-day backpacking trip?

According to REI’s backpacking guide, plan on packing “about 2,500 to 4,500 calories of food per person per day.” While this is a good starting point, it’s best to consider your weight, physique, and how strenuous your backpacking trip will be when calculating your food needs (e.g. if you’re scaling mountains at a good clip, you might want to pack more food). Also, make sure to keep hydrated—while lugging lots of water along with you might be impractical, you could invest in a portable water filtration system; eating water-rich items can also help.

What do I need to make backpacking food?

Since backpacking trips require light packing, lightweight cooking gear, like a stove, is essential—one of our favorites weighs a mere seven ounces. A small pot and/or skillet, some fuel, some lightweight utensils, and a filtration device are also essential to cook backpacking meals (many of them require boiling water). 

Why We're the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor at Serious Eats. 
• Before this, she tested equipment and ingredients for America’s Test Kitchen. She's worked as a journalist and has done stints as a cook and bartender. 
• She's an avid camper and has eaten many a backpacking meal.
• For this review, she broke out her backpacking stove and cooked up 27 different freeze-dried meals, noting how easy they were to prepare and what the final taste and texture were like. She enlisted the help of her husband to get insight, who begrudgingly ate through the meals with her.
• We had a Registered Dietician, Brierley Horton, M.S., R.D., fact-check this article to make sure any nutrition or health-related claims were correct.