Trail meals are a sacred part of backcountry ventures for most folks. Here’s what I use to make a feast for a casual weekend on the trail.
If there’s one thing I learned from college, it’s how to prepare a meal that is cheap, easy, and non-perishable. Little did I expect for those late night 5-minute snacks to follow me to the hiking trails, yet they have come in handy on more than one occasion and I find myself packing them more often than not for casual weekends in the woods.
A quick note on dehydrated backpacker’s meals: It is easy to see them as a near-perfect option for backcountry cooking. They are often lighter, carry the most nutrients for their size, have zero preparation in advance and leave no dirty dishes behind. But hear me out—there are lots of options out there for the casual camper that we talk about in this article. If you’re looking to expand your backcountry palette and save a few bucks, read on!
Dried is Desirable
The dried foods aisle is your best friend if you’re looking for some calorie-dense snacks for long days outside. Dried foods are great because they are nutritious, packable, durable, and don’t leave a mess behind. An assortment of dried fruits and nuts can provide the natural sugars and proteins your body needs to power out on an adventure. This is where the old reliable trail mix makes a good candidate (plus, chocolate!). Jerky is always a welcome trail companion packed with protein, but can easily be substituted for meatless options as well. Can’t find a dehydrated version of your favorite fruit or vegetable snack? Worry not! It is incredibly easy to dehydrate your own foods at home using a dehydrator.
Instant Meals are Incredibly Underrated
That’s right. An opportunity to shamelessly devour powdered potatoes and minute rice. These just-add-water sides have come a long way over the years, and many you can find at the store now come pre-seasoned. Two of my go-to sides for a homestyle holiday meal are Idahoan mashed potatoes and Stove-Top stuffing. Mix in some dried cranberries and powder-mix gravy and you’ve got several holiday staples in one bowl.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Is it really camping if there is no dessert? It can be as simple as a hot chocolate packet, or if you’d like to get creative, backpacker’s pies are an excellent dessert to try. All you need are graham cracker crumbs mixed with a small amount of butter, canned pie filling of your choice, and some campfire-toasted marshmallows to get a pie your grandmother would be proud of.
Nothing Wrong with Packing the Goods
There is no rulebook. You don’t have to forego your favorite foods on the trail. Want to bring a rotisserie chicken backpacking? That’s what we did. Pumpkin pie? Sure, why not. The only caveat to this is if you are bringing perishables such as meat, it is best to consume them on the first day as they often take up the most space and will go bad the quickest. After all, backpacking is supposed to be an enjoyable experience! It’s simple: tasty food makes for happy campers.
