As a kid, I have horrifying memories of backpacking food. On a trip in California, my dad insisted we eat old bags of chili mac. My mom once tried to rehydrate freeze-dried chicken breast, resulting in the driest dinner known to man.
Thankfully, in the last decade or so, backpacking brands have made huge improvements. These days, small, boutique brands serve up dishes with premium ingredients like wild boar, Thai basil, duck confit, and more. If you’re a foodie who isn’t willing to make sacrifices in the backcountry, you’ve got plenty of choices.
On a recent week-long backpacking trip in Oregon, I tested meals from a variety of cottage brands that use top-tier ingredients. All of the meals were prepared in the standard “add boiling water, stir, and wait” method. I typically find that when backpacking meals say they serve two, they really only serve one, and I ate them as such. Here were the favorites that I’d bring on trail again.
Best Breakfast: Stowaway Gourmet Spiced Creamy Oatmeal
My grandpa 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, rich meal; with 11 g of fat (thanks to the coconut milk), it was quite filling.
The texture was the perfect balance between runny and thick, and the spices were a nice touch. Pear isn’t really a strong flavor (I think apple would’ve been a better choice), but they did add fiber, always a necessary addition in the backcountry. As someone who is lactose intolerant, I appreciated finding such a substantial vegan breakfast option.
Price: $14. Calories per pouch: 588.
Best Pasta: Pinnacle Foods Italian Sausage & Zesty Tomato Sauce
A pasta with some kind of meat and red sauce is a classic backpacking meal, but Pinnacle Foods does it better. With garlic, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and fennel, this one packs a flavor punch. There’s plenty of pork sausage for protein (38 g of it), and the pasta is just the right al dente texture. The red bell pepper in the sauce adds a welcome dose of veggies and distinguishes it from your standard red sauce. If you prefer a white sauce, the brand’s Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta is also delicious.
Price: $18. Calories per pouch: 840.
Best No-Boil Meal: Farm to Summit Apple Coconut Buckwheat Granola
Lunch while backpacking has always been tricky for me. I don’t want to bring out my stove and wait for a meal to rehydrate, but I can’t solely subsist on bars and energy chews. Farm to Summit’s Apple Coconut Buckwheat Granola is the perfect solution. You just pour cold water in and stir, and then munch away.
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 g) and protein (18g). Best of all, it uses oat milk, so it’s great for vegans and lactose-avoiders like me. I ate this on my 26-mile day while backpacking in Oregon, and it kept me going strong.
Price: $9. Calories per pouch: 600.
Best Flavor: Trail Goods Co. Stir-Fried Beef Noodles
Flavor fatigue on the trail is real. Eventually, all your bars, snacks, and meals start to taste the same. That’s why Trail Goods Co.’s beef stir-fry stood out. It was deeply and satisfyingly savory, with soy, ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. The Asian flavors were a breath of fresh air after dining on pasta and granola for several days.
It also doesn’t skimp on the ground beef; there seemed to be more beef than noodles in the pouch! I also appreciated that it filled me up without making me feel heavy. I ate it for lunch, and then got back on trail without feeling any gas or bloating.
Price: $17. Calories per pouch: 840.
Best Splurge: Luxefly Basecamp Filet Mignon Beef Stroganoff
I had perhaps my worst day on the trail when I decided to have this meal for dinner: I had blisters, had gotten lost, and had hiked through several hours of rain. Luxefly Basecamp’s fancy take on beef stroganoff restored my soul. The cremini and shiitake mushrooms added a wonderful earthiness and still had a nice texture. Unlike other beef stroganoffs, they hadn’t disintegrated.
The beef itself was a tad chewy, but kind of in a good way: It felt like I was having a big ol’ chunk of meat at a steakhouse. The Parmesan on top added a boost of umami as well. I finished the entire meal and was tempted to lick the inside of the pouch for any last morsels.
Price: $28. Calories per pouch: 610.
What About Price?
Obviously, these meals don’t come cheap, but most of them aren’t too outrageous. Even the cheapest brands these days, like Backpacker’s Pantry and Mountain House, cost $10-13 per meal. For a few extra dollars, you do really get a massive upgrade in quality, taste, and texture.
Spending $28 on a filet mignon backpacking meal isn’t something I’d do regularly. However, I’ve learned not to underestimate the mental boost that a meal like that can provide. A good dinner after a long day of hard hiking can do wonders for your mood.
If I were going on another long trip, I’d bring one filet mignon meal and save it for when the inevitable point of the low trip came. Food is fuel, but it’s also comfort, and that can sometimes be priceless.
