Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Try these lunch ideas the next time you go backpacking

Backpacking is a great way to get outside, enjoy nature, and do something physical. Whether you are setting out on a short day trip or a longer trek, you will need food that will nourish you yet requires little prep. You want backpacking lunch ideas that are no-cook and still satisfying so you can refuel and get back to the trails. But you don’t want to survive on trail mix alone. So, what food items can you fill your camping backpack up with on your next trip? Read on to find out which backpacking lunch ideas we’ve found that we’re sure you’ll love.

Pitas

Store-bought pita bread is an excellent vessel for protein-filled ingredients while on the trails. Try filling pita bread with hard salami and a hard cheese like cheddar, parmesan, or gouda. Hard cheeses are best for backpacking since they have a lower moisture content than soft cheeses. Also, avoid pre-shredded cheeses since they typically have more exposure to air and moisture. Pre-sliced cheddar or individually-wrapped string cheeses travel well, too.

Related Videos

As far as salami goes, it is usually made of pork that has been fermented and dried, so it can remain stable at room temperature for long periods. You typically wouldn’t want to take regular lunch meats on backpacking trips, but salami is different. If you’re going on a short journey, pre-sliced salami will work, but for longer trips, try out salami that isn’t sliced and do it yourself when you stop for lunch. You should have a knife of some sort in your pack anyway. Mustard and mayonnaise packets travel well if you need a condiment in your pita sandwich.

Buy Now

Crackers

Crackers work well in place of bread for mini-sandwiches. You can throw a box or sleeve of crackers in your pack, and they will travel well as long as you don’t crush them. If you’re worried about breaking your crackers, put them in a plastic container that won’t destroy them in your backpack. The options for toppings are pretty much endless when it comes to cracker sandwiches. Tuna packets are a great high-protein option, and they travel well. If tuna isn’t your thing, you can get salmon or even chicken in the same style of packets. You can add mustard or mayo right to the pouch, plus a bit of salt and pepper to spice it up before spreading it on your crackers. Peanut butter on crackers is also delicious and high in protein and good fat. You can spread Nutella on crackers for a sweet snack or pile cheddar cheese and salami on them for a savory meal.

Tortillas

Tortillas are the next carb-based vessel we recommend for backpacking lunches. Tortillas can be filled with any of the ingredients we’ve already discussed and turned into a healthy meal. You can also make tortillas into a healthy breakfast with nut butter, honey packets, granola, or trail mix. Tortillas are great for a meal on the go because all you have to do is roll them up and get moving, and you can eat them with one hand most of the time.

Some tips

As a general rule, you should plan on stocking 2,500 to 4,500 calories of food per person per day, but when in doubt, pack more food than you think you’ll need without overdoing it. Food choices should be kept simple, lightweight, and portable. Also, bring nonperishable foods that can withstand hot and cold temperatures since you don’t know exactly what kind of weather conditions you will encounter. Be sure to bring foods that you like — now is not the time to test out new foods. Also, be sure to bring a mix of carbs, proteins, and fats so your diet is balanced.

Not all of the foods you bring have to be processed; consider getting nuts and seeds, hard cheeses, and a baguette. These foods are sustainable, reasonably lightweight, and can be wrapped and thrown in a camping backpack. You can also bring sturdy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, kale, snap peas, apples, or oranges. Most fruits and vegetables will stay fresh in your pack for a day or two. Bring travel-friendly salt, pepper, and any other spices you want to spice up your meals. Even hot sauce and cinnamon travel well and can spice up any dish.

Buy Now

If you plan on building a fire at some point or utilizing a heating bag, your food and drink options open up. Hot water can make mac and cheese, hot chocolate, instant rice, mashed potatoes, and so much more. Bring hot cider packets, chai tea, chicken broth, miso soup, ramen, and more. There are also convenient jet boil and solar-powered systems you can purchase if you’re really into backpacking and plan on getting your money’s worth out of such a device.

Buy Now

Use your common sense when utilizing the food you have packed. If something looks or smells bad, don’t eat it. Most of the foods above keep well, but sometimes food goes bad. The meats and cheeses we’ve suggested typically stay fresh for days at a time, but when in doubt, stay on the safe side. Nothing ruins a trip into the wild faster than food poisoning.

Editors' Recommendations

Fuel Yourself for the Trail Ahead and Avoid Hiker Hunger
A man and a woman eating snacks as they look ahead.

For a lot of day hikers, a few Clif Bars, a Snickers, and some beef jerky are considered a proper “trail lunch.” However, if you’re gearing up for an extended backcountry trek or the best hikes in the U.S., it pays to pack more carefully. Snacks and sugary treats might be your go-to for a day hike -- a bag of trail mix can be enough to motivate most people to hit the trail -- but too much of a good thing and you find yourself needing some proper food.

Hiker hunger can start off slowly. It creeps into your conversations, it turns your cheerful stroll into a plod, and soon you decide that bird song you loved waking up to now sounds shrill in your ears. There's a fine line between hunger and hanger -- or being hangry, and there's a good chance your friends will realize where you are on the scale before you do. Hiking uses a whole load of calories, and you need to keep your body properly fueled up. Here are our top tips to avoid hiker hunger on the trail.

Read more
The Best Hiking Snacks To Fuel Your Time on the Trail
best hiking snacks the preparation for tomorrow is doing your today

Warmer weather is on the horizon and it's finally time to dust off the hiking gear that’s been hibernating in the back of your closet all winter, and make some hiking snacks that will get you ready to hit the trails. From getting fresh air and exercise to enjoying scenic vistas, hiking is one of the best ways to get outdoors and enjoy nature. But, whether you're taking on one of the most physically challenging hikes in the United States or embarking on a short and simple day hike, it's important to be prepared with the right equipment -- and that includes the best hiking snacks. 

If you're keeping your hike relatively short, there's no need to reach for the dehydrated meals. What you do want are snacks that won’t spoil, don’t take up a ton of space in your backpack, and help you stay energized and feeling good all day long. That means you'll want a mix of carbohydrates and protein, both of which your body needs to perform at its best during the hike and recover properly once you're done. So, stuff your pack with these nutritious, tasty snacks (plus plenty of water, of course) and you'll be ready to hit the trail. Just remember to pack out any wrappers or other trash you brought with you! 

Read more
The Ultimate Beginner’s Backpacking Guide
Tents at the Karanga Camp.

Packing your life into a backpack and heading into the backcountry is one of the purest forms of adventure. Backpacking expeditions offer the opportunity to unplug from technology and unwind from the daily grind, all while admiring jaw-dropping natural wonders, having intimate encounters with wildlife, and seeking out epic stargazing spots. Making the leap to backpacking is a big step, even for seasoned car campers. When you’re ready to hit the backcountry, plan your first getaway with our beginner's backpacking guide.
Choosing a Destination
While you hone your skills it's good to stay within your comfort zone and choose a trip that doesn’t push your physical limits. Starting slow allows you to build confidence and work up to tackling more challenging routes. Consider your fitness level and navigational skills, along with external environmental factors like the difficulty of the terrain, seasonal temperatures, and potential for extreme weather. Start with a trail that’s easy to follow and save the bushwhacking for future trips, once you have mastered backcountry navigation.

What to Pack
When you have a few backpacking trips under your belt, you’ll have a good idea of the type of the best multipurpose gear that you like to use on the trail and whether you prefer to pack ultralight or carry a few more creature comforts. For your first few trips, we recommend following a checklist. These are seven essentials you’ll need for every backpacking trip:

Read more