On the checklist of critical backpacking essentials, fuel is pretty important. But how do we make food last the whole trip and still be edible (and tasty)? With the latest in freeze-drying and dehydrating technology, we can have our chili and eat it, too. The best modern instant meals are made with real ingredients you can pronounce, are easy to prep with nothing more than boiling water on your favorite camp stove, and don’t weigh too much. Most importantly, though? They actually taste pretty darn good.
These aren’t the MREs (those ready-to-eat army rations that hardly passed as “food”) that your grandpappy took camping back during the Carter administration. No, these relatively healthy dehydrated meals are lightweight, nutrient-rich, and won’t leave you with gut rot after two days on the trail. Keep reading to discover the best backpacking meals you can bring on your next camping trip (and don’t forget the extra-long spoon for eating straight out of the bag!).
Best variety: Mountain House
As one of the OG backpacking meal brands, Mountain House’s catalog runs deep with the best selection of flavors, cuisines, and meal types. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, Paleo, or willing to eat just about anything, there is something here for every taste bud. We’ve taste-tested almost everything in its catalog, and it’s all [chef’s kiss]! A few new standout meals include the Chicken Tikka Masala and Kung Pao Chicken . They’re bold, savory, and super-filling. Plus, most are ready to eat in about 12 minutes, and they keep on the shelf of your “backpacker gear bunker” for decades.
Best gluten-free: Backpacker’s Pantry
Another OG in the dehydrated backpacking meal space, Backpacker’s Pantry has been a go-to favorite of ours for years. We especially love that the brand makes it easy to shop by food sensitivity. That includes everything from vegan and vegetarian to soy- and nut-free options, and every category has dozens of great-tasting choices to pick from. Our favorite, though? The gluten-free options, in particular, including three all-new meals: Fiesta Beef & Veggie Bowl , White Bean, Chicken and Green Chile Stew , and the Drunken Noodles with Chicken . The latter is an amazing Thai staple that tastes way better than any “bag meal” should!
Best vegan: ZENB
ZENB doesn’t make traditional, hearty, “stick-to-your-ribs”-style backpacker meals. Instead, the brand’s catalog includes a wide variety of plant-based eats, from savory ramen and gourmet pasta sides to just-add-water pasta bowls that are perfect for eating on the go. Every option is 100% vegan and gluten-free, making these a great choice for a wide variety of food preferences and sensitivities. The best part? The pea-based pasta is packed with protein to keep you seriously fueled up in the backcountry.
Most convenient: Omeals
Omeals offer a novel take on traditional backpacker meals: No stove required. The food is tucked away in a separate packet within the cooking bag. Just add water. Once the liquid touches the included heating pad, a chemical reaction heats up a tasty meal in less than five minutes. Although it is a touch heavier than other bag meals because of the added heating pad and utensils, Omeals makes up for the weight with convenience. Most options last for about two years in the package. And don’t worry about using filtered water to set off the heating pad — coffee, beer, tea, or even saltwater will do just fine.
Best tasting: Good To-Go
Out of all the dehydrated bag meals out there, Good To-Go is one of the most popular brands, which isn’t a surprise considering the chef behind the brand comes with a long list of accolades. Co-founder Jennifer Scism owned one of the top restaurants in New York City and led the first team to beat Iron Chef Mario Batali. After moving to Maine with her husband and returning to her love of the outdoors, the couple launched Good To-Go with the goal of changing how people eat on the go. With up to a four-year shelf life and lab-tested, gluten-free ingredients, the flavor and texture of these meals outrank all other bag options. You can cook right in the bag and save yourself the dishes. The Buy at Amazon is one of our favorites.
Best Paleo: Paleo Meals To Go/Wild Zora
Started by mother-and-son duo Dawn Anderson and Ty Soukup in 2013 as an alternative to the mainstream bag meals, Paleo Meals To Go provides gluten-, grain-, milk-, and soy-free options that meet the requirements of many dietary restrictions. A recent acquisition matches Paleo Meals To Go with Wild Zora Foods and the larger brand’s dehydrated meat and veggie snacks. The collaboration now has the resources to source grass-fed, sustainably raised meat in freeze-dried form for the new cook-in-a-bag offerings.
Most customizable: Packit Gourmet
Packit Gourmet allows you to choose how you prepare your meal. The ingredients are packaged separately, maintaining freshness. You can let your inner chef run wild and add in other freeze-dried ingredients from the company’s General Grocery store, or, if it’s been a long day, just pour in the water and eat. Try the Texas State Fair Chili — it tastes and looks like a fresh batch.
Best organic: MaryJanesFarm
MaryJane Butters fell in love with the outdoors while serving as a forest fire lookout. After winding up on a five-acre farm in Moscow, Idaho, she’s built a substantial business around organic food. Just one MaryJanesFarm product has 1.5 serving pouches of organic goodness you can take into the backcountry. All the ingredients are organic and last for about two years in the package. Cook right in the bag. Pair the Bare Burrito with your own corn tortilla chips for a good intro to the brand.
Best premium: Patagonia Provisions
Patagonia makes just about everything else you need to go outside, so why not dip a foot into food prep as well? Ready-to-eat meat snacks like jerky and salmon keep you energized for hiking and playing, and the dehydrated meals fill you up at the end of the day. The Organic Black Bean Soup is a wonderful option. Try adding some hot sauce or burrito condiments, or pack it all into a wrap to add a few more calories. It’s important to note that Patagonia’s meals are cook-in-a-pot instead of boil-in-a-bag, so you will need some basic equipment.
What are dehydrated backpacking meals?
Dehydrating food helps extend the shelf life of meats, fruits, vegetables, and just about anything edible, really, for a long time. You can dehydrate your own food at home or buy prepackaged meals — often called “backpacker meals” or “backpacking meals” — like those we recommend above. Dehydrating food allows you to stock up on items when they’re on sale or stock up in case of emergencies, and know that you’ll always have ready-to-eat foods for years to come.
