Food is very important when you are going on a backpacking trip. Food is not readily available in the wilderness. There are no stores where you can conveniently get food. I highly recommend the backpacking food kits below since they are very delicious and nutritious. They should help people replenish their energy while on a backpacking trip. The meals are very easy to prepare and cook which makes them perfect for the outdoors.
Best Backpacking Food Kits – Quick Chart
Best Breakfast Foods For Backpacking
| Backpacking Food Kits | Weight | Type | Count | How To Prepare |
| 1. NongShim Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup | 3 lbs for 20 | Ramen or soup | 20 | Boil water then add ramen |
| 2. Quaker Instant Oatmeal Variety Pack | 5 lbs total | Oatmeal | 48 | Add hot water and stir |
| 3. Quaker Instant Grits Variety Pack | 3.6 lbs total | Grits | 48 | Add hot water and stir |
| 4. OvaEasy Powdered Whole Eggs | 10.4 oz total | Powdered eggs | 3 | Add cold water and mix with powdered egg. Cook like you would cook an egg. |
| 5. WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker | 1 lbs | Espresso or coffee maker | 1 | Fill the filter with coffee grounds, add hot water then pump. |
Best Lunch And Dinner Foods For Backpacking
| Backpacking Food Kits | Weight | Type | Count | How To Prepare |
| 6. Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce | 8.8 oz | Freeze dried meal | 1 | Add hot water |
| 7. StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water | 2 lbs total | Tuna in water | 24 | Ready to eat |
| 8. Palisade Pineapple Mango | 4.8 oz | Freeze dried paleo meal | 1 | Pour water, preferably hot water |
| 9. Karen’s Naturals Hot Just Veggies | 3.2 oz | Vegetables | 1 | Add water |
| 10. Greenbelly Backpacking Meals | 5.6 oz | Food bars | 1 | Ready to eat, just open and eat |
Best Snacks And Quick Energy Boost Foods
| Backpacking Food Kits | Weight | Type | Count | How To Prepare |
| 11. Jack Links Beef Jerky | 16 oz | Beef Jerky | Lots | Ready to eat |
| 12. Amazon Brand – Happy Belly Nuts, Chocolate & Dried Fruit Trail Mix | 3 lbs | Trail mix | Lots | Ready to eat |
| 13. Power Crunch High Protein Energy Snack | 3 lbs | Protein bar | 20 | Ready to eat |
| 14. Power Up Trail Mix, Mega Omega Trail Mix | 14.1 oz | Trail mix | Lots | Ready to eat |
| 15. Raw Superfoods Trail Mix | 1.25 lbs | Trail mix | Lots | Ready to eat |
How To Choose A Backpacking Meal Kit
Types Of Food Kits
Fresh Foods
We do not have a luxury of a refrigerator and a cooler will often be too heavy to bring. Even with a cooler, ice is very heavy. There is just no way to keep foods fresh while backpacking in the wilderness. We will have at least 1 or maybe 2 days at most. So if you are bringing fresh foods, keep this in mind.
Day Hiking Foods
This type of food can be trail mix, beef jerky, dried fruits and so on. These are the foods that you will usually see when people go on a day hike. They will either bring beef jerkies, trail mix or dried fruits. These foods are good for backpacking also.
Ready To Eat Meal Kits / Freeze Dried Foods
A lot of backpackers will often bring ready to eat meal kits that are freeze dried. Most of the time, all you have to do is boil some water and you can eat these meal kits. You can also bring dried foods like oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, powdered eggs, powdered milk and so on.
Instant Foods
You can also bring instant foods like ramen, soups, instant mash potatoes, instant rice and so on. This is a great option and you will have plenty of choices to choose from. There are just a lot of instant foods that are available online.
Canned Foods
Canned foods are very good also but the problem with this is that canned goods are often very heavy. Each canned good can weigh more than a pound. There are some very good and tasty canned foods that you can bring like SPAM, sardines, soups, chili, pork and beans and so on.
Things To Think About
Calories
Calories are the energy that we get by eating foods and drinking beverages. This is also the energy that the body uses for physical activities. It is advisable that we consume the same amount of calories that we use for backpacking. We should eat more if possible. Calories allow us to perform physical activities throughout the day and this is a very important information if we are going backpacking.
Number Of Days Backpacking
We have to eat throughout the backpacking trip. In order to plan for the foods that you are going to bring, you must figure out the number of days that you are going backpacking. I’ve seen people go car camping with barely any food and they ended up very hungry and not enjoying the camping trip. You must bring enough food for the whole backpacking trip that you are going to do.
Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner
In order to plan how much foods, you will need. It is important to separate them. You will need food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do not skip lunch. You should bring enough foods to eat three times a day. You will feel sluggish and weak if you miss one.
Availability Of Water
You will have to think about water also. You will need water to boil water, and cook the foods that you are going to bring. Without water, you will not be able to cook the foods. You have to check out the trail and figure out where you are going to get water for your foods. Look for rivers, lakes and so on.
Stove And Fuel
In order to cook the foods, you will need to bring a backpacking stove and fuel for that stove. Your backpack has a limited amount of space. You cannot carry a lot of weight also. You have to plan the stove and fuel that you are going to use. Make sure that you have enough fuel for the duration of your backpacking trip.
Other Backpacking Things We Need To Consider
Weight
You are not just going to bring food kits. You will also bring stoves, fuel, cookware, tableware and so on. All of these will have a weight and all of the weight will add up. You have to make sure that you can carry the weight that you are going to bring. The more weight you carry, the more energy you will use. So plan wisely and accordingly.
Nutrition
We need energy to walk and we need energy to keep our emotions up. If we are too hungry, we become too fatigue and we become very irritable or aggravated. Food is very good for the body and at the same time, it allows us to replenish our energies. We need to bring nutritious foods. We cannot just bring any foods like chocolate, candy or any junk food. We cannot just bring beer although beer or alcohol is often a good idea to have while on a backpacking trip. We have to plan our nutrition for the backpacking trip then we can have miscellaneous foods like junk foods and alcohol.
Taste
The taste of the food matters a lot. We just do not want to force ourselves to eat something that does not taste good even though we are backpacking. We all want to eat delicious foods. It is the same anywhere we go. We can go backpacking, on a restaurant, picnic or even at home. We all want delicious foods.
Preparation
Preparation of the food is also something we need to consider. We all don’t want to cut up potatoes, mix vegetables, cut onions, garlic and so on while in a backpacking trip. We just something ready as soon as possible so we can continue enjoying the outdoors. We need to make sure that the food preparation is something easy and not very complicated.
Cookware Needed
Certain foods may require certain types of cookware. You may need to boil water, you may need to cook it in closed lid pot for some time, you even need a microwave which is not possible in the outdoors. So always check what type of cookware you will need to be able to cook or prepare the food.
Resealable Plastic Bags
There are many cases when you cannot finish all of the foods. You may want to save them for a later time. You will have problems carrying the foods since they may leak out of the container. It is always a good idea to carry resealable plastic bags in case you want to save some of the foods for later consumption.
Best Backpacking Food Kits
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Best Breakfast Foods For Backpacking
1. NongShim Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup
Weight: 3 lbs for 20
Type: Ramen or soup
Count: 20
How To Prepare: Boil water then add ramen
Feature Summary: Soft and chewy noodles combined with the spicy beef broth, fulfilling yet simple meal that is easy to make
Short Review: I really like this ramen flavor and I often see people bring ramen or soup on a backpacking trip. The flavor is amazing and I love eating this during the morning. One of the very best things I ever ordered in a while. This is very affordable and does not cost much. This is practically less than one dollar per pack. This remarkable item is one of the best that can be obtained at this time and it is easy to see why just by reading the positive customer reviews. This is amazing and precisely what I hoped it would be. This is very easy to cook and provides a lot of energy and nutrition.
2. Quaker Instant Oatmeal Variety Pack
Weight: 5 lbs total
Type: Oatmeal
Count: Single serving packets – 48
How To Prepare: Add hot water and stir
Feature Summary: Oatmeal is ready to eat only 90 seconds later, provides a good source of fiber to support a healthy digestive system
Short Review: This is a great tasting instant oatmeal. This has been one of the very best items I have purchased in a while and it has been a great experience. This item is one of the best and most flavorful that is on the market right now this is the reason why I am joyful I discovered it. This oatmeal is very easy to prepare and this tastes very good. This is also very inexpensive. You will get a lot of nutrition just by eating one packet of this oatmeal.
3. Quaker Instant Grits Variety Pack
Weight: 3.6 lbs total
Type: Grits
Count: Single serving packets – 48
How To Prepare: Add hot water and stir
Feature Summary: Excellent source of iron and good source of calcium, easy to make and ready in minutes
Short Review: This is a great item to eat in the morning. Lots of people prefer grits in the morning and this is very delicious. You just add hot water, stir and you will have a delicious meal while in the wilderness. The price tag is very affordable and it can provide nutrition and energy while in the outdoors which are the reasons why a lot of people give this a good review. This is very lightweight and very compact. You only have to bring a couple of packets. You don’t need to bring the whole box. The company who made this item is really popular. This is one of the best that you can find online and this has exceeded my expectations.
4. OvaEasy Powdered Whole Eggs
Weight: 10.4 oz total
Type: Powdered eggs
Count: 3
How To Prepare: Add cold water and mix with powdered egg. Cook like you would cook an egg.
Feature Summary: 100% all-natural with no preservatives or chemicals, pure egg ingredients
Short Review: By simply examining the positive customer testimonials, I am aware that this backpacking meal kit is astounding. This powdered egg is the closest thing that I came across that tasted like eggs. If you really want eggs while in the wilderness then this is a good choice. This tastes good and fills me up rather well. Very portable because of the compact design makes this item very outdoor friendly. This item is extremely budget friendly and also quite delicious. I have tasted numerous backpacking powdered eggs in the past but this one is the most flavorful that I have ever tasted.
5. WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
Weight: 1 lbs
Type: Espresso or coffee maker
Count: NA
How To Prepare: Fill the filter with coffee grounds, add hot water then pump.
Feature Summary: Newly patented pumping system and no battery/electric need, stable pressure is created during extraction for unparalleled coffee
Short Review: This is currently one of the best ways you can make a cup of coffee or espresso while in the outdoors. A lot of people including me, love coffee. Most of us need to have coffee in the morning. I have been making use of this item for a long time and I love it. This is a lot more inexpensive compared to the other espresso makers for backpacking that are in the Internet. I have been using this and I feel it is an amazing one that will last for a long time. What I like concerning this is that this is completely what I expected and it has all the features that I hoped for.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking winter jackets – backpacking lanterns – backpacking kettles – backpacking sleeping bag liners – backpacking survival blankets |
Best Lunch And Dinner Foods For Backpacking
1. Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Weight: 8.8 oz
Type: Freeze dried meal
Good For A Number Of People: 1
How To Prepare: Add hot water
Feature Summary: Fully cooked meals give you that same home-cooked, fresh flavor from the kitchen, lightweight and easy to prepare
Short Review: Mountain House is one of the most popular companies when it comes to backpacking meal kits. This is very delicious and I love it. This is extremely high quality and has continued to impress lots of men and women. This is more than likely one of the finest that you will find which explains why this has a great deal of positive consumer reviews. Ideal meal kit to have for backpacking that tastes very well. There are other flavors to choose from as well but this is the one that I like the most. The weight is very light which makes this outdoor friendly as well. This is very compact which is great because we have more room in our backpack.
2. StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water
Weight: 2 lbs total
Type: Tuna in water
Good For A Number Of People: 24
How To Prepare: Ready to eat
Feature Summary: Excellent source of protein, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, flavor fresh pouch preserves freshness and eliminates mess
Short Review: Tuna is really what a lot of thru hikers and backpackers prefer to eat. This is an incredibly nice item that is very delicious. I eat this at home also and use this to create tuna salad. I have acquired other items from this company and they have always been of the utmost high quality. I typically recommend that men and women check out this item mainly because the price tag is pretty affordable. You’re going to be joyful getting this item considering that this is very delicious and very nutritious. This is precisely what I expected and what I needed for backpacking purposes.
3. Palisade Pineapple Mango
Weight: 4.8 oz
Type: Freeze dried paleo meal
Good For A Number Of People: 1
How To Prepare: Pour water, preferably hot water
Feature Summary: Improved packaging, 2 year shelf life, shorter, wider pouch that is easier to eat from
Short Review: I have been testing a great deal of backpacking food kits, and this is one of the best. This brings lots of nutrition and calories whenever I am in a backpacking trip. This has lots of positive customer feedback because this is very delicious and amazing. This is one of the best that is available right now and I find this item to be incredibly flavorful. This arrived far sooner than expected and one of the best that you can get at this time. This is a great item and the selling price is very low. This is very easy to prepare as well.
4. Karen’s Naturals Hot Just Veggies
Weight: 3.2 oz
Type: Vegetables
Good For A Number Of People: 1
How To Prepare: Add water
Feature Summary: fruit and veggies are grown on farms, ranches and orchards, 100% natural and additive free
Short Review: This amazing backpacking meal kit will surprise you. This is an incredibly good and the vegetables tastes great. For the price that you get this for, this far exceeds my expectations. This is a great choice for people who love to eat vegetables. This is delicious and flavorful. It no secret why I am extremely impressed with this item. Delicious vegetables that people can bring on their backpacking trip. This is great for the outdoors and easy to prepare. The weight of this freeze dried meal kit is very light.
5. Greenbelly Backpacking Meals
Weight: 5.6 oz
Type: Food bars
Good For A Number Of People: 1 person per packet
How To Prepare: Ready to eat, just open and eat
Feature Summary: No stove, no dishes, no mess – just tear open and eat, formulated by a French trained culinary chef
Short Review: I am frequently amazed due to the fact this backpacking meal kit is really delicious. There are a great deal of men and women that found this item to be nutritious and flavorful. I really like that most of us can get this item at a pretty low selling price. This item has been one of the best purchases I have done in a while. This meal bag is very popular. This is great for day hikers as well. This is a great deal better than I expected. There are a large amount of people that really like this item for the reason that this is very delicious has continued to please large amounts of hikers and backpackers.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking ice picks – backpacking bear food containers – camping lanterns – hiking boots – trifold wallets for men – gertrude’s nose hike – anthony’s nose hike |
Best Snacks Or Foods For Quick Energy Boost
1. Jack Links Beef Jerky
Weight: 16 oz
Type: Beef Jerky
Good For A Number Of People: Lots
How To Prepare: Ready to eat
Feature Summary: Savory, delicious jerky is perfectly seasoned with soy, ginger, and a little onion, stay full and focused with this food
Short Review: This backpacking food kit is excellent and I really like it. Beef jerky is one of the best foods that we can bring for backpacking purposes. I have tried many beef jerkies and I have always come back to this one because this can provide nutrition and energy. This tastes a lot better than the others. I cannot stop eating this once I started. There are plenty of people that love this item considering that this is exceptionally high quality and this received a good amount of good feedback. This is well worth the price tag. There is not much to say concerning a simple item.
2. Amazon Brand – Happy Belly Nuts, Chocolate & Dried Fruit Trail Mix
Weight: 3 lbs
Type: Trail mix
Good For A Number Of People: Lots
How To Prepare: Ready to eat
Feature Summary: Blend of crunchy, chewy, salty, and sweet, stand-up, resealable bag helps ensure maximum deliciousness
Short Review: I really like this trail mix. The inexpensive price is what I like about this item. I often put this in a small resealable bag. I don’t bring all of this in one trip. I most likely bring half a pound or a pound at most. The simple fact is that this is really good and very delicious. There are a great deal of items that have an incredibly affordable price tag but this one is also very delicious. I hope you take the time to look at the various ingredients of this item since they are very good. This provides energy and nutrition and you can certainly see that for yourself by checking out the positive consumer reviews.
3. Power Crunch High Protein Energy Snack
Weight: 3 lbs
Type: Protein bar
Good For A Number Of People: 20
How To Prepare: Ready to eat
Feature Summary: Sustained hunger satisfaction without any heaviness, high-protein, low sugar creme-filled wafer cookie
Short Review: I am loving this fantastic protein bar. This has got to be one of the best tasting protein bars that I have ever tasted. This provides a lot of energy and nutrition as well. This is very lightweight and easy to carry. This has a considerable amount of positive customer feedback that you should read them to fully know this item that you are thinking about getting. The company who created this is amazing and I know you will love this protein bar as well. There are a large amount of things I love concerning this protein bar but I love the taste the most. This is a very good food to have for hiking and backpacking purposes. This is a little bit expensive though.
4. Power Up Trail Mix, Mega Omega Trail Mix
Weight: 14.1 oz
Type: Trail mix
Good For A Number Of People: Lots
How To Prepare: Ready to eat
Feature Summary: Made from only the best, most premium whole nuts, dried fruit and seeds, does not contain sulfites, or other preservatives
Short Review: This trail mix for backpacking that I have listed is marvelous. I can only say excellent things concerning this item simply because I have no problems about it. This is an amazing trail mix that is very delicious. I am incredibly impressed. I am so impressed that I highly recommend this item to everyone I know. This is extremely affordable and easy to purchase again simply because it is now obtainable on the web. This item is very nutritious and delicious at the same time. One of the best trail mix for backpacking that I have ever tried.
5. Raw Superfoods Trail Mix
Weight: 1.25 lbs
Type: Trail mix
Good For A Number Of People: Lots
How To Prepare: Ready to eat
Feature Summary: Made from all-natural, non-GMO raw ingredients with no further processing
Short Review: This trail mix has a lot of ingredients that are very flavorful and nutritious. This is absolutely worth obtaining as this can provide nutrition and energy while in the outdoors. This is very affordable and easy to consume. This item is certain to please. I love mine. You will like yours. This is very easy to bring for camping, hiking and for backpacking adventures. Out of all the items online that I’ve gone through, this trail mix is one of the most delicious foods I have eaten. Judging by the customer reviews, a lot of people feel the same way too.