Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals (according to our writers)
OUR favorite dehydrated and freeze-dried camp foods by taste, portion, and Prep
Home > Staff Picks
June 19th, 2024
We've tested more than a hundred backpacking and camping meals over thousands of nights of car camping, bikepacking, and thru-hiking. We judged dehydrated meals based foremost on flavor and texture. Then, we considered fillingness, serving size, and rehydration time.
Digestion can be an issue with some camp food, so we noted any issues. As outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to reducing waste, we also note the packaging and design features on the bag that make preparing it easier. Lastly, we take note of whether the backpacking meal is suitable for folks with food sensitivites including to gluten, nuts, vegetarians, and vegans. In all, here are the best dinners, breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for campers, backpackers, and bikepackers.
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Taste (out of 10): 10
Serving size: 6.6 oz dry (770 calories)
Fillingness: 8 (for the two-person)
Rehydration Time: 20 min
Packaging: I like that it has the water pour line printed on it
Digestion: No problems!
Food sensitivities: Gluten-free, peanut-free, tree-nut free, soy-free, pescatarian
I tested dozens of backpacking meals side-by-side for another publication, including doing blind taste tests with half a dozen non-backpackers. Backpackers and city folk agreed: the Good to Go Thai Yellow Curry was the best of them all.
Made by a former 4-star chef at a fancy New York restaurant, it tastes better than take-out. Unlike many backpacking meals, it isn't all rice. It has a generous portion of visible real vegetables in a flavorful sauce that I dream of on trail. When I cleaned up after the big taste test, I tossed the leftovers of every backpacking meal, except this one. I put it in a Ziplock and carried it home on the train to eat for dinner on real plates at home. The only downside is the re-hydration time, but it's well worth it for one of the best meals I've ever eaten outdoors.
Taste (out of 10): 9
Serving size: 4.2 oz dry (510 calories, 24g
rotein) package
Fillingness: 8.5
Rehydration Time: 15 minutes
Packaging: Rehydrates in its own package, sits upright on its own.
Digestion: Mac and Cheese is comfort food and I reserve this meal for days when I need something to go down easy
Food sensitivities: Contains Gluten and Dairy, is Vegetarian
When I am on trail I usually eat like a fancy toddler. I love mac and cheese and try to have it for one meal every trip. You can enjoy Backpacker’s Pantry Three Cheese mac and cheese as is, but my favorite thing to do with it is dress it up depending on my cravings and what I have in my food sack. I have carried beet powder and made pink mac and cheese with this on trail — adding a tablespoon or two will do the trick. I have also added dehydrated veggies like spinach, bell pepper, jalapenos, and sundried tomato. The mac and cheese base lends itself to becoming anything you need it to be.
If I had to pick one meal for the rest of my days it would be this mac and cheese because I can make it into anything else I need it to be and it is wonderful on its own.
Taste: 10 (out of 10)
Serving size: 3.4 oz dry (510 calories, 28g protein)
Fillingness: 8 (for the two-person)
Rehydration Time: 10 min
Packaging: Easy to rehydrate in the package provided, and the bottom expands to easily stay upright while you add water
Digestion: No problems to report
Food sensitivities: Gluten-free, high protein
Scrambled eggs, shredded potatoes, sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, and white pepper comprise this quick and tasty meal. It was well spiced and salted, requiring nothing extra. I used this on a number of long section hikes, including the JMT, and I looked forward to it each time. I would carefully save it on 6-day food carries, to be sure I had it as encouragement and comfort on my hardest days.
Unlike every other egg meal I’ve seen, it only requires hot water and 10 minutes to rehydrate inside its own bag, no frying pan required. It has one of the highest protein-to-weight ratios out there to fuel and replenish your body, and it’s a delicious skillet meal worthy of a tortilla to wrap it in and a cup of the best diner coffee to wash it down!
Taste (out of 10): 10
Serving size: 3.5 oz, single serving, 490 cal, 17g protein
Fillingness: 7.5, a great breakfast serving; for brunch or dinner, I would add additional protein or a side dish
Rehydration Time: 5 minutes, stir well before sealing
Packaging: Easy and smooth to open, seal worked great and package could stand upright firmly
Digestion: No issues for me, but I could see how for some folks the amount of tomatillo could feel a bit acidic and the chile irritating
Food sensitivities: Spicy, vegetarian, eggs, dairy, avocado oil
Full disclosure, I am culturally biased, or maybe simply culturally informed. Chilaquiles have been my favorite food since I can remember. Growing up in Mexico, I’ve not only been exposed to different versions of this simple yet genius combination of flavors and textures (tortilla chips, salsa, protein, cream, queso), but baked chilaquiles were my late grandmother’s best dish.
Since moving to the US though, I’ve had to let go of my chilaquiles expectations because the quality just hasn’t been there. However, when I opened the Charge Up Chilaquiles pouch, I blinked at my grandmother’s kitchen. A zesty hint of chile verde and tomatillo mixed with the warm masa of corn tortillas, and I was 7 again. Could it be that good? A cup of boiling water and 5 minutes later, that first bite tasted real enough to make me feel like I was eating straight from the oven plate. For me, the texture resembled more the oven version, with the tortilla a bit softer than the stovetop version, where the chilaquiles tortillas are crispier. It was a treat. I only wish I could’ve had seconds.
If you already like tortillas or tortilla chips, tomatillo salsa, huevos, and beans and can handle chile kicks, you might be ready for this authentically imported flavor from México.
- Gabaccia Moreno, Contributing Writer
Taste (out of 10): 10
Serving size: 4.4 oz (480+ calories; 37g protein)
Fillingness: 10 (if you wrap it in a tortilla and use condiments)
Rehydration Time: 15 minutes
Packaging: Easy to rehydrate in the package provided; not as bulky as other brands
Digestion: No issues, and I am sensitive to most freeze-dried meals
Food sensitivities: Gluten-free, high protein/keto friendly
Let’s face it, we all crave burgers after a few days out in the backcountry. This is the only meal that actually calms that craving for me! Super high protein, excellent flavor and texture. Any friends and relatives who insist on getting me gifts know getting me some of these will always make me happy.
The All-American Burger is seasoned ground beef with minced onions and cheese. It comes with packets of ketchup, mustard, mayo, and relish. I wrap it in a large tortilla and add the condiments, and it tricks me into thinking I am eating real food. The overall flavor resembles a fast food cheeseburger.
Taste (out of 10): 10
Serving size: 3.8 oz (dry) for a 2 serving, 440 calorie pouch
Fillingness: 9/10, if you eat the whole pouch
Rehydration Time: 10 minutes
Packaging: Compostable and omnidegradable (meaning it will eventually decompose in an anaerobic landfill)
Digestion: No issues (all those chia seeds are great for backcountry digestion)
Food sensitivities: Vegan and gluten free
I usually pack my own homemade oatmeal for backpacking trips — oatmeal is just oatmeal, right? Why splurge on a fancy prepacked version? Farm to Summit quickly changed my mind on that.
Oats are often a “boring but light and gets the job done” kind of camp breakfast, but the Golden Oats are decidedly scrumptious. There are some expected ingredients, like slivered almonds, but this breakfast takes both flavor and texture to the next level. Quinoa adds a nice chew to each bite, and shredded carrot and turmeric bring complexity and a touch of savory to balance the maple sugar and coconut. Loaded with chia seeds and hemp hearts, this is a hearty and delicious meal worthy of dreamy mornings in the alpine.
Taste (out of 10): 10, however I do add salt
Serving size: 6.6 oz per 2 serving pouch (dry), 820 calories
Fillingness: 10 for the 2 servings or if divided into single servings
Rehydration Time: 20 minutes
Packaging: Clear instructions and sturdy pouch for reheating.
Digestion: No issues that I’ve noticed
Food sensitivities: Gluten-free, vegan, contains walnuts, plant based
This is by far my favorite backpacking meal. Not only that, I will eat this when car camping too because it is just that good. I like to add salt and freeze dried veggies so that I can get more greens into my diet, but you can also eat it without the extras.
While backpacking to Whitney, I looked forward to this meal every night of the 5 days we were on the trail. I never once got tired of it and couldn’t wait to reconstitute the meal and dig in. I typically split the portion into two freezer bags so I have more control over the portion size, and I use a koozie for rehydrating so it takes less time. The consistency of the meal is thick and hearty with an amazing flavor. It’s hard to believe this is a dehydrated meal! I hope they never stop making this because I really don’t want to eat anything else on the trail!
Taste: (out of 10) 10/10
Serving size: 3.0 oz (dry) for a 1-serving, 370 calorie pouch
Fillingness: 8/10 - I’m satisfied eating the whole pouch without feeling stuffed
Rehydration Time: 10 minutes
Packaging: A slim, square, zip-top, cook-in pouch
Digestion: This is a “gluten-conscious” meal, which means that while its contents are gluten-free, it is made in a facility that does process gluten-containing foods. As someone who has a hard time processing gluten, I haven’t had an issue with cross-contamination and feel safe eating these; someone with Celiac disease may not.
Food sensitivities: Contains meat and dairy; gluten-free, but made in a facility that processes gluten
While I love dehydrating my own backpacking food, sometimes I really just want somebody else to do the work. That is, somebody who knows how to whip up something that tastes heavenly enough on trail to feel like a worthy splurge. Enter the good folks at family-run PackitGourmet.
Back in the day, they used to offer a breakfast delight that was a riff on that icon of Tex-Mex breakfast dishes, migas. The meal was memorable enough that I can still recall every place I ate one on the PCT. I was heartbroken, then, when it was discontinued, but delighted to discover their fantastic polenta with pork sausage in its stead. This is saying a lot, because I almost never eat meat. Here, it’s worth it for me: the well-seasoned pork crumbles provide not just a touch of protein, which I generally lack for on long trails, but also some salty, savory hits in a satisfyingly creamy, cheesy, herby cornmeal base.
I eat it as a special breakfast, usually on a day when I both have the time to savor a meal and when I know I’ll want a little pick-me-up to start the day right. I’m not too proud to swipe my grubby little fingers around the inside of the bag once I’ve finished — dirt don’t hurt, as they say, but leaving a morsel uneaten sure would.
Taste: 10/10
Serving size: 5.85 oz for 870 calories
Fillingness: 8/10
Rehydration Time: 10 minutes
Packaging: Rehydrates in its own package
Digestion: No problems
Food sensitivities: Vegan
When I hike, my taste buds and food cravings change. And what I really crave when I hike is strong flavors, lots of protein, lots of fat, and vegetables. Peak Refuel delivers all of this in their Butternut Dal Bhat.
The coconut milk adds lots of richness, the chickpeas and lentils add protein, butternut squash provides a good helping of vegetables, and it’s extremely flavorful. It’s perfectly spiced, but if you like spicy, you may want to add a little extra. Even the texture was perfect – I don’t like overcooked, soggy veggies and the butternut squash is tender but not mushy. The rice rounds it out nicely.
If I’m really hungry, I’ll top this off with some chopped peanuts for extra calories and protein. For the most part, I love hiking food, and this one is a standout.
Taste (out of 10): 9
Serving size: 1
Fillingness: Dessert filling
Rehydration Time: None
Packaging: Sturdy plastic tear-open pouch
Digestion: No issues if you’re okay with dairy
Food sensitivities: Dairy
Okay, so ice cream is definitely not a meal. However, no meal is complete without dessert, and what dessert is better than ice cream? Plus, this is a sandwich, which technically makes it more meal-like than a bowl (or pouch, in this case) of ice cream.
Astronaut Ice Cream tastes just like the classic ice cream sandwich you can buy by the dozen from the grocery store. It isn’t cold, so it’s not the same on a hot evening. But when you’re miles away from the nearest freezer, this ice cream sandwich is the best you’re going to get. The texture is admittedly a little strange, too, since it’s the same temperature as the air and crunchy when you’re expecting soft, cold, and creamy. But the flavor is spot on, and the texture is fun once you get over the fact that it’s not a bowl of ice cream.
Whenever I eat one of these for dessert, it feels special, and meals in the backcountry should feel special, including what you have for dessert.
Food For The Sole Triple Peanut Slaw
Taste: 11/10
Serving size: 1
Fillingness: 6/10 (I usually eat this as the vegetable part of a lunch that includes some form of protein and carbs)
Rehydration Time: 15 minutes
Packaging: Black packaging helps with rehydration on a sunny day. Clear window allows you to see how much water you’ve poured in.
Digestion: I find that I need to increase the rehydration time to avoid getting gassy. Since it’s cold soak, the easiest thing for me is to put water in right before I leave camp for the morning, and then it’s very well rehydrated for lunch. This meal is plant based, and maintains a nice consistency even with an extra long soak time.
Food sensitivities: Contains peanuts! Gluten free, plant based.
A few years ago I was dealing with chronic pain and inflammation that necessitated a major change in diet. I went from the typical thru-hiker diet of “Is it food? I’ll eat it!” to having a very restricted, mostly fibrous vegetable based diet. I felt great! But it was almost impossible to find backpacking meals that fit my dietary needs AND tasted good.
Enter Food For The Sole (FFTS). FFTS is heavy on the vegetables, and PACKED with flavor. I’ve tried cold soak slaws from other brands, and been severely disappointed in comparison. The Triple Peanut Slaw is sweet, salty, crunchy, and just the right amount of sour. For folks with peanut allergies, they also have other delicious flavors like the Zesty Miso Broccoli Slaw and Curried Cauliflower Salad. Finally, food that tasted good AND made me feel good!
Then the other shoe dropped. In late 2022, FFTS announced they were going out of business. Like other FFTS enthusiasts, I was heartbroken. I did the only logical thing one can do upon receiving this sort of news; I immediately went online and bought as much FFTS as I could reasonably afford at the time. I’ve been rationing it out to myself one packet at a time ever since.
Now, as I near the end of my dwindling supply, I make an appeal to the backcountry food aficionados out there. Do you love vegetables and vibrant flavors? Are you dissatisfied with the food options that are currently on the market? Have you ever thought “I could totally make something better. I should start my own backpacking food company!”? Do you want to be a hero and make the dreams come true of countless existing Food For The Sole fans?
If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, then you’re in luck. Meet Glen Van Peski, founder of the ultralight brand Gossamer Gear, author of “Take Less. Do More.” and dishwasher at the local bakery he frequents. As the primary investor, when FFTS closed, Glen ended up with the intellectual property, including recipes. His passion for FFTS is unrivaled, and he is currently on the search for a new owner, who can resurrect this well loved brand.
If you think you might be a good fit as the new owner of Food For The Sole, please reach out to Glen at glen@glenvanpeski.com.
Why you should trust us
Treeline Review writers have eaten at least a hundred different dehydrated and freeze-dried backpacking meals. In addition, Treeline Review writers have led workshops on What I eat during a thru-hike and Backpacking Nutrition and Resupply Tips. Treeline writer Melissa Spencer makes her own backpacking food and wrote our best food dehydrator for backpacking meals. Many of us have covered backpacking food for other publications. However, this guide includes all of our favorites, with meals verified by other Treeline Review writers. At Treeline Review, we want you to buy backpacking food right the first time–so you don't ever had a bad meal outdoors.
