Backpacking Meals

Many of us have been there when we were starving on the trail and it’s finally time to take off our pack, unlace our boots, and get that Jetboil up and running. We take out a backpack meal and fill it with boiling water, to find out that isn’t tasty. This post is here to help!

As someone who has eaten a lot of backpacking meals, the ones I list below are my favorite foods that I get excited to eat while on the trail (and sometimes I even feel like eating at home).

I am in your shoes for those with dietary needs and understand the frustrations. I’ve been fully gluten-free since 2013, and let me tell ya… meals have come a LONG way since then. I was also fully vegan for 1 year while doing a lot of trial and error with my stomach issues. So for my vegan pals out there, I’ve also been there and tried some gross “eggs” or questionable “meat” substitutes.

Bottom Line Up Front: Heather’s Choice, Backpacker’s Pantry, and Mountain House are my go-to brands.

After I have picked which trail I am going to hike, I game plan how many days/nights I will be out there, and then I begin my meal plan prep.

Walking for miles with a heavy pack means more food. Pretty rad, right? For some people, this can be daunting when shopping for meals that are 600+ calories in a bag of dehydrated food.

You want to ensure that you eat high-calorie foods while on your trip. Try to aim between 2,500-4,500 calories a day. You will want to eat more if you are doing a more strenuous hike and higher mileage.

This post showcases my favorite gluten-free breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. Now let’s dig in!

Backpacking meal in the snow — Photo by: Caitlin

Best Backpacking Breakfasts

From being in the field in the Army to many backpacking trips…there has been a lot of trial and error with food. These are some of my favorite (and easy) outdoor breakfasts I have tailored and “perfected” over the years.

🌞 Coffee. Do I need to say more? I always go for Black Rifle Coffee Company (support a veteran-owned business & drink yummy coffee)

Flavor profile: Pure happiness in a cup

🌞 Blueberry Peach Crisp (Backpacker’s Pantry)

Calories: 540
Protein: 10g
Fats: 16g
Carbs: 92g
Flavor profile: Oats, blueberries, peaches, with cinnamon

🌞 Morning Glory Oatmeal (Heather’s Choice)

Calories: 480
Protein: 13g
Fats: 19g
Carbs: 67g
Flavor profile: Pineapple, oats, raisins, and carrots.

🌞 Summit Breakfast Scramble (Backpacker’s Pantry)

Calories: 270
Protein: 18g
Fats: 11g
Carbs: 24g
Flavor profile: Scrambled egg, red beans, cheddar cheese, and peppers

Backpacking meals, a dessert — Photo by: Caitlin

Best Backpacking Lunches

My favorite backpacking lunches, sometimes I eat breakfast for lunch, sometimes I eat dinner, eat whatever you are craving and what will fuel you.

🌲 Pad Thai (Backpacker’s Pantry)

Calories: 730
Protein: 23g
Fats: 31g
Carbs: 105g
Flavor profile: Rice noodles with a spicy peanut sauce and veggies

🌲 Drunken Noodles w/ Chicken (Backpacker’s Pantry)

Calories: 490
Protein: 27g
Fats: 3.5g
Carbs: 88g
Flavor profile: Rice noodles, chicken, veggies, all in a sweet & spicy sauce

Best Backpacking Dinners

After a long day in the sun, rain, snow, or wind, taking off your boots, throwing on some slippers (yes I bring slippers – North Face, you do not disappoint with your slipper game), and firing up the Jetboil is the best feeling.

🌜 Breakfast Skillet (Mountain House) – Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner, amIright?

Calories: 510
Protein: 28g
Fats: 24g
Carbs: 48g
Flavor profile: Everything you would want in a breakfast skillet, bacon, egg, potatoes, peppers & onions

🌜 Rice & Chicken (Mountain House)

Calories: 500
Protein: 15g
Fats: 8g
Carbs: 92g
Flavor profile: Chicken & rice w/ savory flavor

🌜 Spinach Curry w/ Chicken & Rice (Heather’s Choice)

Calories: 540
Protein: 36g
Fats: 17g
Carbs: 63g
Flavor profile: Rice, spinach, shredded chicken, w/ the perfect blend of spices

Backpacking meals breakfast option — Photo by: Caitlin

Best Backpacking Snackies

Taking time to sit down and eat an actual meal is important, however, snacks are just as important while planning backpacking meals. These are some of my favorite snacks to replenish my energy and take in more calories.

🍬 GoMacro Bar (My favs are Everlasting Joy and Prolonged Power)

🍬 Snickers or Swedish Fish (These are my go-to candies, however, check the temps…I have had some lovely chocolate explosions in my pack from the heat haha)

🍬 GU Energy Gel

🍬 HoneyStinger

🍬 Trail Mix (Trader Joe’s or Target have the best mixes if you ask me)

Backpacking meals, pad thai — Photo by: Caitlin

Best Homemade Backpacking Meals

If I have the time to make homemade meals, I will. This way I can create savory or sweet treats that are simple and snacks that I love. A mindful tip is to check the temperature before your trek. When it is hot out, hold off on foods that may spoil or melt in the heat. When it’s colder out, I will bring hard cheese and salami. Gotta love a trail charcuterie! 😛

🥫 Tortilla + Tuna Fish Packets + Hot Sauce

🥫 Tortilla + Peanut Butter

🥫 Homemade Trailmix

🥫 Dried Fruit bars

Backpacking meals, homemade — Photo by: Caitlin

FAQ Backpacking Meals

How Much Food to Pack?

I like to focus on the bulleted points below on how much food to pack. I would rather have a little more food than I may need. You never know what happens out there or if you need a higher caloric intake than you think.

Group Size: Some meals come in 2 servings, and if you and your friends want to share meals this can be a way to cut the weight
How Many Days: Will you need a meal before stepping off on the trail, what about your return meal? I check out restaurants in the area for an easy stop on the way home

What Type of Food to Take Backpacking?

Throughout this post, I have listed my favorite meals and snacks. Bringing a variety of food on the trail is the best. It is pretty typical to get cravings while you are exhausting yourself, try to bring a couple of sweets, savory snacks, chewy food, and meals that sound the best.

Examples of Foods: fresh fruits, seeds, Nutella, mini condiment packets, NUUN electrolytes, candy, extra protein sources, and whatever else you love to eat or snack on.

Equipment to warm up Backpacking meals — Photo by: Caitlin

Recommended Cutlery, Cups, Jetboils, and more!

Remember: Ounces make pounds! Opting in for ultralight gear is the way to go. You will be surprised how this can help lighten the load versus going for normal camping cooking items.

Cutlery: GSI Halulite 3 pc. Ring Cutlery

Mug: GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug

Jetboil: Jetboil Zip Camping Stove Cooking System, Carbon

Fuel Canister (for Jetboil): Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend

Cookset: GSI Outdoors Halulite Microdualist Cookset

Jetboil to cook Backpacking meals — Photo by: Caitlin

Check out more of the Best Backpacking Gear

Backpacking Meal Safety

Once you have the backpacking meals ready to go, please be mindful and also purchase bear and critter safety items. When people do not use a bear food sack or use a bear canister, bears and other critters may come into the camping areas. The more people leave their food out, the more likely they will see furry visitors in the camp areas or trial.

There are multiple different methods for backpacking meal safety. If you decide to use a bear sack, you will need paracord and the bear sack itself. The other common way to store food safely is with a bear canister. I wouldn’t recommend the canister on a backpacking trip because it is kind of obnoxious. For normal camping, these work great!

Check out these articles from REI for bear safety and how to use food safety bags/canisters.

Backpacking Meals Concluded

As you gear up for your next backpacking adventure, think of it like preparing for a foodie road trip through the wilderness! With a stash of tasty meals, snacks to keep you fueled, and a few bear safety tricks up your sleeve.

Whether you’re sticking to your favorite brands or getting creative with your cooking, don’t forget to check out those FAQs for some handy tips.

Happy Trails & Happy Munching,
Mindful PNW Travels

Backpacking Meals | Food You’ll Want to Eat!