The Ten BEST Dehydrated Meals for your next Backcountry Camping Trip
When heading out into the backcountry, with the mandatory requirement of carrying everything you need on your back, saving weight is the name of the game. And one of the easiest ways to cut weight out offer pack is not carrying extra water in the form of food. Although MRE (meal’s ready-to eat) have a long standing reputation of being bland flavourless pouches of barely edible food… in the past several years that has changed a lot.
There are seemingly infinite options for dehydrated meals with every dietary restriction and flavour preference represented. Over the past near-decade I have spent hundreds (maybe nearing that 1,000 night mark) of nights in there backcountry trying as many of these meals as possible so you don’t have to. Because there is nothing more disappointing after a long day of hiking, carrying 50lbs on your back than taking the first bite of your $15 dehydrated meal just to find that is tastes awful.
ps if you purchase 8 or more backpacking meals at REI you will automatically have a 10% discount. Since most of these meals last between 10 and 25 years - this is a great way to save a little bit of money as these meals add up very quickly.
So here are ten meals that cook in-pouch (just add boiling water) that I have personally tried, bought and will continue picking up for future backpacking trips.
Note: this does not include meals that require in-pot cooking, breakfasts or desserts - I will weigh in on those another time!
My top ten backpacking meals
10. Heather's Choice Spinach Curry with Chicken and Rice
I recently found Heaht’er choice and love that they come in single serving options for those of us not looking for a 1,000 calorie lunch while hiking. This meal was simple and delicious (great for those with more sensitive stomachs). The cook time on this is a little bit longer than most, I would recommend putting it inside of your jacket to keep it (and you) warm - I find sometimes after like 12-15 minute mark of rehydration that food can start to get a little chilly. I love the simple, natural ingredient list - nothing that I could not pronounce or find at the grocery store. You may want to stir this half way through as the herbs tended to sit along the bottom.
Cook time : 20 minutes
Water required : 11oz
Servings per container : 1
Net weight : 4 oz
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 540
Fat : 17g
Protein: 36g
Carbohydrates : 63g
Sugar : 4g
Sodium : 1110mg
Dietary notes :
Gluten Free, contains dairy
9. Backpacker’s Pantry - lasagne (vegetarian or chicken)
The flavour on these meals is amazing. But one of my favourite things about the chicken version is that is comes in a one person meal - which is rare in the MRE world. I typically use the one serving meals for my lunches on the trail as I find two serving meals take me a very long time to eat and the volume extremely uncomfortable to hike with in my stomach.
Cook time : 15 minutes
Water required : 480ml (chicken : 300ml)
Servings per container : 2 (vegetarian) 1 (chicken)
Net weight : 7oz (chicken : unknown)
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 680 (chicken : 370)
Fat : 16g (chicken : 10g)
Protein: 38g (chicken : 22g)
Carbohydrates : 97g (chicken : 49g)
Sugar : 22g (chicken : 13g)
Sodium : 1760mg (chicken : 1110mg)
Dietary notes :
Vegetarian contains: Milk, Soy, Egg and Wheat
Chicken contains : Milk, Egg and Wheat
8. PEAK REFUEL - Chicken Pesto Pasta
As a disclaimer: I have only tried this email once. But it was such a great experience that I know I will order it again and again - most likely when sharing with friends. It boasts a creamy pesto sauce, chunks of white meat chicken and herbaceous pesto but at a whopping 920 calories I don’t know if I could ever finish this in one sitting.
Cook time : 10 minutes
Water required : 5oz
Servings per container : 2
Net weight : 5.71 oz
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 920
Fat : 64g
Protein: 23g
Carbohydrates : 42g
Sugar : 4g
Sodium : 900mg
Dietary notes :
Contains – Milk, Wheat
7. AlpineAire foods - Three Cheese Lasagne (Rustic Three Cheese Sausage Lasagna)
The second lasagne on the list, what can I say - I am a pasta fan. I love the size and shape of the noodles used in this version(they are small, flat squiggles) but simultaneously the best and worse part of the AlpineAire Lasagne is that the cheese they use will stick to your spoon - which is one of the reasons I upgraded to a silicone tipped spoon. Just ensure if you are camping somewhere that bear bins are requires that your spoon fits inside.
Cook time : 10-12 Minutes
Water required : 16oz
Servings per container : 2.5 (pork : 2)
Net weight : 5.12oz
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 625 (pork : 800)
Fat : 12.5g (pork : 39g)
Protein: 32.5g (pork : 44g)
Carbohydrates : 110g (pork : 70g)
Sugar : 20g (pork : 18g)
Sodium : 1050mg (pork : 1880mg)
Dietary notes :
Contains : Milk, Soy, Wheat
6. Backpacker's Pantry - Mushroom Stroganoff (with or without beef)
I am a mushroom fan and a stroganoff fan and of all of the brands the Backpacker’s Pantry is, in my opinion, the best. It is is salty with a very strong mushroom flavour. I don’t have a personal preference flavour wise between the beef and the vegetarian which just speaks to how great of a meal this is.
Cook time : 15 minutes
Water required : 480ml (beef : 300ml)
Servings per container : 2 (vegetarian) 1 (beef)
Net weight : 5.4oz (beef: unknown)
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 590 (beef : 320)
Fat : 12g (beef : 7g)
Protein: 22g (beef : 17g)
Carbohydrates : 97g (beef : 45g)
Sugar : 12g (beef : 6g)
Sodium : 1580mg (beef : 880mg)
Dietary notes :
Contains: Milk, Egg and Wheat
5. AlpineAire Foods - Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken
One of the things I love about AlpineAire is how many vegetables they add into their meals. This is no exception. I have tried every dehydrated Pasta Primavera available in Canada and the US and this is by far my favourite.
Cook time : 10-12 minutes
Water required : 14oz
Servings per container : 2
Net weight : 5.8oz
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 660
Fat : 20g
Protein: 48g
Carbohydrates : 76g
Sugar : 16g
Sodium : 1420mg
Dietary notes :
Vegetarian
Contains: Milk, Egg and Wheat
4. AlpineAire Foods - Forever Young Mac & Cheese
There was a summer where this was the only meal I would at. I would add in extra veggies, packets of tuna, or Patagonia Provisions Salmon. It is extremely calorically dense - perfect after a own day of carrying. heavy backpack around - and a delicious mild, easy to eat flavour profile. I could eat this any time without complaint. If you have a sensitive stomach - try this one.
Cook time : 10-12 minutes
Water required : 16oz
Servings per container : 2
Net weight : 7oz
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 800
Fat : 24g
Protein: 34g
Carbohydrates : 112g
Sugar : 14g
Sodium : 2560mg
Dietary notes :
Vegetarian
Contains: Milk, Egg and Wheat
3. Firepot - Porcini Mushroom Risotto
I have been on the hunt for the best backpacking risotto for years (and if anyone tries to chime in with Good-To-Go I swear to god you have never had risotto in your entire life) - this is it. A close second is the Happy Yak version (unfortunately that version needs to be cooked in a pot so it was not included in this list). Filled with delicious and healthy ingredients - no fillers - I will be ordering more from Firepot after trying this meal.
Cook time : 15 minutes
Water required : 520ml
Servings per container : 2
Net weight : 6.3 ounces
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 770
Fat : 12g
Protein: 19g
Carbohydrates : 155g
Sugar : 7g
Sodium : 1130mg
Dietary notes :
Vegan, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, No Palm Oil
2. PEAK REFUEL - Butternut Dal Bhat
A newcomer the the backpacking meal game this calorically dense and quick to cook meal is my current go-to when splitting meals with friends. It is slightly lower on the protein side but full of great flavour - this is a meal you will want to eat. This is also my friend Jenny’s favourite meal and recommended by my ACMG Mountain Guide friend, Mark - so it must be great.
Cook time : 10 minutes
Water required : 236ml
Servings per container : 2
Net Weight : 5.85 oz
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 870
Fat : 43g
Protein: 23g
Carbohydrates : 105g
Sugar : 2g
Sodium : 1320g
Dietary notes :
Vegan
Contains – Soy, Tree Nut (coconut)
1. Backpacker’s Pantry - Pad Thai (with or without chicken*)
Quite possibly my all time favourite mean (and, if my inbox in any indication, a generally shared sentiment) this meal cooks really nicely and has a deep flavour pallet with a richness form the peanut butter, spice from the cayenne and then the bright lime cutting through it. I personally prefer the vegetarian version and if I am looking for extra calories will back in an additional small peanut butter packet to add in - adding 200 calories of protein and fat and making it a more savoury meal.
Cook time : 15 minutes
Water required : 540ml (chicken : 480ml)
Servings per container : 2
Net Weight : 6.2oz (chicken : 7.3 oz)
Per pouch nutrients
Calories : 930 (chicken : 870)
Fat : 33g (chicken : 34g)
Protein: 40g (chicken : 44g)
Carbohydrates : 131g (chicken : 110g)
Sugar : 29g (chicken : 24g)
Sodium : 1550mg (chicken : 1450mg)
Dietary notes :
With Chicken - Gluten-Free
Without Chicken - Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free
CONTAINS: Peanuts and Soy
Camp Kitchen Essentials
Stove + pot
I switched from the MSR Pocket Rocket to the JetBoil Stash stove in 2020. They are both incredibly small, portable, lightweight options. Neither have a self ignite (they require a lighter or matches). However when I realized that the grooves on the inside of the lid of the stash secure a small fuel canister I was sold. Everything is compact togther - no need to purchase a separate pot, no rattling parts in my backpack. I have used this for nearly two years and this stove makes perfect sense for me!
Spoon
Unless there is a reason you need a fork (ie long noodles, pho, ramen) this will be the ONLY camping spoon you will ever need. It has a long handle so your hands do not get dirty even when you dig DEEP into the bag, and the silicone tip not only does not puncture the bag if you accidentally stir too hard, but also ensures you get every last bite of your food!
Bear Bin
I use the BearVault brand bear foot storage when backcountry camping. Both for bear but also because sometimes a pesky marmot, pine Martin or porcupine may want to see what snacks I am packing along. You can check out my full Bear Safety Guide here - but I find bins easier to use properly than hanging bags. The two sizes I use are linked below. The smaller I use when solo camping or with one person for one night. The larger is for anything longer than 2 nights, or more than one night with a friend.
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
