As a child, I have terrible memories of backpacking meals. On a trip to California, my dad insisted we eat old bags of Chili Mac. My mom once tried to rehydrate freeze-dried chicken breasts, resulting in the driest dinner known to man.
Thankfully, backpacking brands have made huge improvements over the past decade. These days, smaller, boutique brands serve dishes featuring premium ingredients like wild boar, Thai basil, duck confit and more. If you’re a foodie and aren’t willing to make sacrifices in the backcountry, you have plenty of options.
On a recent week-long backpacking trip in Oregon, I tested a variety of cottage brands of food that use top-tier ingredients. All meals were prepared with the standard “add boiling water, stir and wait” method. I usually find that when backpacking meals say they serve two, they really only serve one, and I ate them just like that. Here were the favorites I’d bring back to the trail.
Best Breakfast: Stowaway Gourmet Spicy Creamy Oatmeal
My grandfather used to say that oatmeal is a “stick to your ribs” kind of food, and Stowaway Gourmet’s version is even more so. This vegan breakfast is made with steel-cut oats, coconut milk, and pears. The result is a hearty, hearty meal; With 11 grams of fat (thanks to the coconut milk), it was quite filling.
The texture was a perfect balance between thin and thick, and the spices had a nice touch. The pears don’t really have a strong flavor (I think apple would have been a better choice), but they added fiber, which is always a necessary addition in the backcountry. As someone who is lactose intolerant, I appreciated having such a substantial vegan breakfast option.
Price: $14. Calories per bag: 588.
Best Pasta: Pinnacle Foods Italian Sausage and Flavorful Tomato Sauce
Pasta with some type of meat and red sauce is a classic backpacking meal, but Pinnacle Foods Is it better? With garlic, parsley, oregano, rosemary and fennel, it packs a flavor punch. The pork sausage is plentiful for protein (38 grams), and the pasta has a perfect al dente texture. The red bell pepper in the sauce adds a welcome dose of veggies and makes it different from your standard red sauce. If you prefer white sauce, try the brand Creamy tuscan chicken with penne pasta It is also delicious.
Price: $18. Calories per bag: 840.
Best No-Boil Meal: Farm to Summit Apple Coconut Buckwheat Granola
Eating lunch while backpacking has always been difficult for me. I don’t want to bring my stove out and wait for food to rehydrate, but I can’t rely solely on bars and energy chews. Farm to Summit’s Apple Coconut Buckwheat Granola Is the perfect solution. You just add cold water to it, stir, and then eat.
The granola has a lovely crunchy texture, and the buckwheat, almonds, and hemp hearts mean you’re getting a good balance of both carbs (92 grams) and protein (18 grams). The best part is that it uses oat milk, so it’s great for vegans and those avoiding lactose like me. I ate this on my 26 mile day while backpacking in Oregon and it kept me strong.
Price: $9. Calories per bag: 600.
Best Tasting: Trail Goods Company Stir-Fried Beef Noodles
Taste fatigue on the trail is real. Eventually, all your bars, snacks, and meals start to taste the same. That’s why Trail Goods Company’s Beef Stir-Fry stood out. With soy, ginger, rice vinegar and sesame oil it was deeply and satisfyingly flavourful. The Asian flavors were a breath of fresh air after days of eating pasta and granola.
It doesn’t skimp on the ground beef either; It looked like there was more beef in the bag than noodles! I also appreciated that it left me satiated without making me feel heavy. I ate it for lunch, and then came back on the trip without any gas or bloating.
Price: $17. Calories per bag: 840.
Best Splurge: Luxefly Basecamp Filet Mignon Beef Stroganoff
Probably my worst day on the trail was when I decided to have this meal for dinner: I had blisters, was lost, and had spent several hours hiking through the rain. Luxfly Basecamp This fancy take on beef stroganoff restored my soul. The cremini and shiitake mushrooms added a wonderful earthy flavor and still had a nice texture. Unlike other beef stroganoffs, they did not disintegrate.
The beef itself was a little chewy, but in a good way: it felt like I was eating a big piece of meat at a steakhouse. The Parmesan on top also boosted the umami. I finished the entire meal and was tempted to lick the last bite inside the bag.
Price: $28. Calories per bag: 610.
What about the price?
Obviously, these meals don’t come cheap, but most of them aren’t too expensive either. Even the cheapest brands like Backpacker Pantry and Mountain House cost $10-13 per meal these days. For a few extra dollars, you really get a huge upgrade in quality, flavor, and texture.
Spending $28 on a filet mignon backpacking meal is not something I would do regularly. However, I’ve learned not to underestimate the mental boost that food can provide. A good dinner can do wonders for your mood after a hard day’s hiking.
If I were going on a longer trip, I would bring a filet mignon meal and save it for when the inevitable point of a short trip comes. Food is fuel, but it’s also comfort, and that can be priceless sometimes.
