6 Ways to Make Your Backpacking Meals Taste Better
When I first started backpacking, I packed the same pre-packaged backpacking meals for every trip. I got pretty tired of Mountain House meals, and started looking for other options for backpacking meals.
In the last five years, I’ve backpacked thousands of miles and have eaten tons of meals outdoors. I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks for making my meals taste better, and I hope this blog post helps you do the same!
For a full guide on eating in the backcountry, including information on cooking systems, food storage, meal ideas, and meal plans, click here.
Think beyond traditional pre-packaged backpacking meals.
While I love a few of the pre-packaged backpacking meals (like Mountain House lasagna), some of my favorite backpacking meals have been ones I’ve created on my own or bought from the grocery store.
You can bulk buy freeze dried ingredients or use grocery store items to make your own meals that can be cooked in a pot or simply heated with boiling water.Add seasoning and condiments.
Make sure you have a seasonings bag with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings that are relevant to your food choices.
For me— Hello Taco Bell Sauce.
You can also get mini sized bottles of items if you’re on a group trip, or if one particular type of sauce is most important to you. A girl I met on the JMT was carrying a mini Siracha sauce.Add powdered butter.
As a Mac and Cheese enthusiast, I found myself eating a lot of it while backpacking. When I was searching for ways to add calories and taste to my meals I stumbled upon powdered butter, and man is it a game changer! I add it to almost everything.
Add dehydrated veggies.
Dehydrated veggies are a great thing to add to a variety of meals. Adding veggies to my meals helps satisfy my cravings for fresh foods.
Add dehydrated milk.
Dehydrated milk is another way to make the consistency of your meals a little thicker and richer. I add it to my pastas, soups, oatmeals, and hot chocolate in the evening!
Don’t be afraid if it looks gross or you wouldn’t eat it in real life.
When you’re outside hiking all day, burning lots of calories, and you’re constantly daydreaming of food you don’t have access to, you’ll be much more willing and eager to eat strange combinations of things. Being willing to think outside the box and try new combinations will lead you to discovering some unique trail meals that you truly do love.
