These three-ingredient backpacking meals are cheap and satisfying

Backpackers are famous for our creativity when it comes to cheap and satisfying nutrition (just take a look). passenger trash food subreddit for inspiration). And when you’re starving after traveling all day, nothing beats the simplicity of a three-ingredient meal. These simple dinners have a few great qualities: they come together quickly, are low-cost, and made mostly of ingredients you can find at any normal grocery store. Pre-cooked, pouched, ready-to-eat, or dried, they make great building blocks for affordable and convenient backpacking meals. These three-ingredient backpacking meals may not be as light as freeze-dried dinners, but they’re cheap, and many don’t even require cooking.

Nachos in a Bag

A bag of flavored chips makes a salty and satisfying base for backcountry nachos. Put everything in a chip bag (no dishes!) and customize with your favorite toppings, from beans to black olives.

Cheesy Tortilla Chips + pouch pulled pork + Single-Serve Guacamole Cups

Backcountry Bangers and Mash

This British classic comfort food easily adapts to camp meals. Combine it with any vegetables you can find, freeze-dried, fresh or in pouches.

Instant Mashed Potatoes + Summer Sausage vegetable bag

Mediterranean Medley

Combine marinated olives, orzo, lemon juice, artichokes, and more to make this satisfying salad delicious.

Chickpea + Marinated Miscellaneous Tomatoes + Feta

Trail Sushi

microwavable sushi rice Or sticky rice turns it into an instant meal, or you can fire up the stove and cook up some fresh grains.

Rice + Poached Salmon + Nori Sheet

Campsite Quesadilla

It couldn’t be simpler than this. Melt the cheese on the stove for a gooey flavor.

Tortilla + cheese + refried or whole beans

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Use dry pesto mix Or pack enough fresh ingredients to make this classic and satisfying pasta.

Chicken pouch + pasta + pesto

BBQ Bowl

Think of instant grits as a comforting alternative to a slab of cornbread.

Pulled Pork Pouch + Instant Grits + Baked Beans

Make your own three-ingredient backpacking meals

The best backpacking meals are ones you’ll love in the backcountry. That said, following some basic nutrition guidelines will set you up for success. The 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein is ideal for promoting recovery after a hard day of travel. To make sure you’re getting enough calories, use a calculator that takes into account your daily mileage, pack weight, terrain, and more. Shelf-stable, ready to eat, and instantly calorically dense Foods like nuts, nut butters, jerky, and hard cheeses are good building blocks for efficient and satisfying backpacking meals.

Adding olive oil is a great way to add calories to a light meal. Flavorful additions like Knorr Sides also make great bases for a three-ingredient meal whose flavor is far more complex than its recipe suggests.