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Mouth-Watering Camping Foods

When it comes to backpacking and camping, besides clean water, the most important thing you need is food. If you are planning on primitive camping (not car or luxury camping) then you don't want to bring a heavy a cooler full of of cold meat, ice, and canned goods. You want to pack light, easy-to-prepare, and fulfilling food. How do you do that without sacrificing the taste though? Dehydrated food isn't as bland as it once was, and the options today are unlimited. Options ranging meat, turkey, chicken, meatless, rice, pasta, vegan, organic, and desserts there is something dehydrated for everyone! 

Your pack doesn't have to consist fully of dehydrated meals though. By adding tuna or other meat pouches, instant oatmeal or grits, coffee, and nuts of some sort and you will not go hungry on your hiking adventure. One of my favorite backpacking foods is ramen noodles with fried Spam. It's filling, and actually tastes pretty good. Its also really cheap so we don't break our budget on a few days worth of food. 


  • Mountain House is a U.S. based company that has been supplying backpackers and even our military for almost fifty years! They are experts in dehydrated food, and the tastiness of the food shows their expertise! They offer breakfast, dinner, desserts, as well as side dishes. Scrambled eggs, granola with blueberries, and breakfast skillets will be sure to start off your morning right. Follow that with Lasagna or Chicken Teriyaki for dinner. Finally, forget the traditional smores, and try out an Ice Cream Sandwich or an Apple Crisp around the late night fire for a well deserved sweet treat! 


  • Backpacker's Pantry is another titan in the dehydrated pouch game, these guys manufacture in the foothills of Boulder, CO. Their nutrient-rich lightweight meals are specifically designed for those crashing in sleeping bags. Advertised as gourmet food for adventurers, it lives up to the billing. With all of the preference options listed above, Backpacker's Pantry offers something for everyone. Organic options, as well as meals feeding up to 10 people are available online. From Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry to Veggie Beef Stew the light weight meals can fit in your pack, ready to add boiling water whenever you are hungry. 

  • Good-To-Go is relatively new to the dehydrated meal scene, Good To-Go was founded in Maine by husband and wife duo Jennifer Scism and David Koorits. Camping and cooking were the pillars of their relationship, and now they’re spreading the love. Jennifer, as an accomplished chef (she beat Mario Batalia on Iron Chef and is the co-owner of the Greenwich Village-based restaurant Annisa), knows what she’s doing. Meals like Thai Curry, and Classic Marinara with Penne are sure to make you feel like you are 5 star dining, even when you are miles away from modern society. 

  • MaryJane's Farm is an organic farm of nearly 30 years. MaryJane Butters fell in love with the outdoors after serving as a forest fire lookout in Idaho. Paradise Farm, her Idaho sanctuary, was featured in a 1995 National Geographic issue about organic farming. Her backpacking pouches are an organic alternative to other mainstream options. Black Bean Hummus and Organic Brownies are definitely a treat when backpacking! 

  • Alpine Aire Foods "Hike far. Breathe deep. Eat well.” says the bottom of Alpine Aire Foods’ pouches. The company has been around since the late ‘70s and offers meatless, beef, chicken, turkey, vegan and gluten free entrees straight from Rocklin, California. Wild Thyme Turkey and Turkey with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy are making my mouth water right now! 


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