Dehydrated Food Packs For Camping

What Type Of Meals Are Included In The Camp Food Range

The camp food range at Anaconda covers all main meal times, along with treats and snacks. Camping is meant to be fun for most of us, not a test of survival skills, and dehydrated meals and other dehydrated food will dramatically improve your staying power between meals.

The Back Country dehydrated meals choices at Anaconda include honey soy chicken, spaghetti bolognaise, carbonara, cooked breakfast, apple pie and a whole lot more. The dehydrated meals are seasoned and spiced ready to be enjoyed, and are the smart food storage solution for hikers and campers.

The 8 Best Dehydrated Meals For Camping

Category: Food

When it comes to camp eats it used to be that you had to choose between good food or easy food. A nice steak is great, but you have to have the ability to keep it cold prior to cooking, the proper grill, an accurate meat thermometer, and the patience to cook it. Plus, you have to find an animal, kill it, clean it, and cut it up. To avoid all that work, youre stuck with canned goods or MREs that are barely digestible. Well, now theres a solution to this conundrum thats both easy and surprisingly tasty: Dehydrated food.

Dehydrated food has become an art over the years. It now goes long past freeze-dried eggs that practically make you ill or tough-as-nails beef jerky. You can get rich beef stews, pudding, and even vegetables that practically taste fresh-picked with just the addition of a little water. You can also get flavorless, dried out, unpalatable sludge. So that you only find the manufacturers with dehydrated sundries that you want to eat, are easy to pack, and give you plenty of nutrients and calories for energy, weve got the 8 best dehydrated camping food brands around.

Best Ingredients Full Delicious Flavor

We choose all our ingredients very carefully, cook it like you do , and then package our food in premium packaging so that when you’re in the backcountry, you know Mountain House will not fail you. Lightweight, portable and absolutely delicious, just add water and savor every epic adventure.

• NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS

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Patagonia Provisions Venison Links

Since their introduction to the Hawaiian islands back in the late 1800s, axis deer populations have grown rapidly. So much so, in fact, that their numbers now seriously threaten the fragile ecosystem of native plants and animals on the islands. Lucky for us, the folks at Maui Nui Venison have made a business out of managing this invasive species through humane harvesting, and their efforts are now being supported by none other than Patagonia Provisions. The collaboration yielded these delicious smoked sausage links, which are lightly seasoned with juniper, black pepper, and mustard seed to create a snack that tastes as good as it feels to eat. If youre looking to upgrade your standard hard meat and cheese snack options, this is by far our favorite alternative available.

Bewell Expedition Food: Chicken Tikka Masala

Price: £6.49Meals Tested: Veg chilli con carne, strawberries with custard, chicken tikkaVital Stats: 180g / 700kcal / 3.9kcal per gram / 8 mins chicken tikka masalaBest for: Expeditions, backpacking, wild campingKey attributes: Big portion sizes, high calorie count, easy-to-use pouch

Used and endorsed by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British-based company BeWell Expedition Food supplies a range of free-dried meals, ready-to-eat wet meals, 24-hour ration packs and energy products all emblazoned with a headshot of the legendary explorer looking suitably rugged and adventurous. The freeze-dried meals use the standard approach of rip open pouch, add water, stir, seal, wait, and eat and serve up a high-calorie content to fuel your adventures, although they are a tad heavier than ideal.

Outdoors Magic Taste Test: The vegetarian chilli con carne is a hearty hot meal with a slightly spicy kick to it, an excellent helping of kidney beans and rice, and a large portion size that is guaranteed to fill a hole, while the 180g strawberries with custard provides a similarly massive portion of very sweet dessert with a whopping 784kcal. The chicken tikka masala provides a similarly big portion with a decent spicy flavour. Personally I didnt find the BeWell Expedition Food meals the tastiest on test, but if youve got a big appetite they might just be the right option for you.

Get the latest price at:

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Q: Can You Eat Dehydrated Food Without Water

A: In short, yes, BUT there’s not a lot of reason to do so. Given that the food is dehydrated, it will search for water. You can add that water ahead of time, or it will take it from your body, and you’ll end up quite parched and drinking as much water as you would have used to rehydrate the food in the first place.

The 6 Best Dehydrated Camping Meals For Your Pack

At some point out on the trail, food just becomes fuel, and you lose count of the number of tortillas youve eaten. Try as we might to change it up , eventually never wanting to see a tortilla again becomes a completely healthy and understandable mental state to find yourself in. The same goes for our old friend the bagel, and the metric ton of trail mix weve inhaled over the past few years. Our solution: Treat yourself every now and then to some next-level dehydrated camping meals.

• Next-Level Dehydrated Snacks

Weve been testing, tasting, and loving a wide variety of dehydrated options this year, and decided to share a few of our top picks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also have a few of our favorite pre-packaged backpack-stable snacks to throw some extra flavor and variety in your regular camping food rotation.

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Option : Dehydrating And Assembling Meals

Using a food dehydrator to dry your own ingredients will open up a world of variety where your culinary imagination is the limit. Dehydrating can be a lot of fun for those who enjoy cooking, but making your own meals and lightweight snacks doesnt have to be complicated. Start with the basics, like raw fruits and vegetables, and add to your repertoire from there.

tools you may need to dehydrate and assemble your own backpacking meals.

Backpackers Pantry Peanut Butter & Raisin Oatmeal

Like Lazarus, this package of peanut-infused oatmeal awesomeness defied extinction, rose again and remains trail favorite with backpackers

Specifications

This yummy all-natural concoction is so good, its a wonder that it was ever discontinued. After enough long-time customers requested it Backpackers Pantry brought it back and suffice to say it will never go away again. Made with all-natural peanut butter, organic oats, organic raisins and organic cane sugar, its a high-protein, dairy-free, vegan hot cereal that is perfect any time of the day. Just squeeze in the packet of creamy peanut butter, pour in a cup of hot water and you have a tasty breakfast in about a minute. Each packet serves up 550 calories with 42g of carbohydrates, 16g of protein, 20g of fat and 340mg of sodium.

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Major Benefits Of Freeze

All of the advantages of using freeze-dry meals in the wild have to do with convenience. With a few freeze dry food packs in your backpack you wont have to worry about hunting for food and cooking your food once youve arrived at your campsite. Plus, most food packs today are lightweight and wont take up too much space in your backpack.

Another great feature is their long shelf life. You can order a whole packet of your favorite freeze dry food products years in advance of your hiking treks and they will still be good.

By the way, its a great idea to include a few backpacking freeze-dried food packets in your first-aid kit. In a survival scenario, freeze-dried food packs offer a reliable way to keep your energy up. While a clean source of water should be your top priority, freeze-dry foods can significantly boost your energy levels and stave off hunger.

Add Veggies And Fruits

This is where making your own freeze-dried meals really pays off. You can omit any veggies that you hate and put in the veggies you actually like.

Dont skimp on the fruits and veggies! I know that they dont have a lot of calories per weight, but they are crucial for antioxidants and vitamins. How are you supposed to recover from a long day of hiking if you dont have nutrients???

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Dehydrated Food From Dutchware

Our dehydrated and freeze-dried camping food conveniently comes in packets with the number of servings on it. Theyre light, so you dont have to worry about a lot of extra weight. We have many different meat, fruit and vegetable options, allowing you to eat many different meals while youre on your trip.

With all these food options, youll never feel like youre eating the same meal every day.

Are They Nutritious

The process of freeze drying can retain up to 90% of the nutrients, but the product will only be 20% of its original weight. That said, most freeze dried meals are packed with sodium and unrecognizable ingredients. Scientifically speaking, wed put them into the sorta nutritious camp. Freeze dried meals will still do a better job providing a balanced meal when compared to most hiker dinner options, like ramen or instant potatoes. Certain brands, such as and Good To-Go, use all recognizable ingredients or “real food,” which is a step in the right direction in our opinion.

Eating a hearty meal, like Mountain House – Chicken & Dumplings, at the end of the day replenishes much-needed calories and provides protein to help your muscles recover.

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How To Make Jerky

Solely Organic Mango Halves

When we pick snacks for energy outdoors, calories are often the driving factor. That, and convenience. Wed be lying if we said we didnt keep a bag of gummy worms within arms reach at all times out on the trail, which is why were big fans of Solely dried fruit as a sweet-tooth alternative from time to time. Their organic mango halves are our favorite option this year by far. Each serving packs about 130 calories of fast energy thanks to the mangos natural sugar, which means youre looking at just shy of 800 calories in every 8-ounce bag. They also pack a decent amount of potassium, so youll be stocking up on electrolytes while you snack to help keep muscle cramps at bay while you hike, bike, or paddle throughout the day.

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Curried Cashew Couscous Recipe

At home: Thaw, steam, and dehydrate frozen peas or other vegetables at 135°F for 4-6 hours.

Add to a gallon-size Ziploc:

• 25 g dried vegetables

• 75 g couscous

• 1 Tbsp coconut milk powder

• ½-1 tsp curry powder

• 1 chicken bouillon cube or powder

• ½ tsp dried cilantro

Combine in separate snack-size bag:

• 40 g golden raisins

• 35 g cashews

• oil or butter

  Makes: 1 serving

On the Trail: Boil about 1 ½ c water, then turn your stove off. Add couscous mixture to pot and stir to combine. Put the lid on your pot and place it in a cozy .Wait about 10-15 minutes to make sure everything gets thoroughly rehydrated. Then, stir it up and check and see if a little more water or time is needed. When all the water is absorbed and its ready to eat, add nut butter and/or oil or butter to add flavor and creamy texture. Top with golden raisins and cashews. Enjoy!

Notes: Cashews are an excellent source of fat and contain some protein, but If youd like to add meat for more protein, freeze-dried or dehydrated chicken or beef taste great with this curry too.

Storage Bags For Diy Trail Meals

Backpacking meals like those from Mountain House are in foil-lined bags. These are sealed to keep out oxygen and humidity. However, you can probably get by with using regular zip bags for packaging your DIY meals.

For longer trips, or high-humidity situations, youll want to seal your meals. Consider getting a vacuum sealer like this one. Alternatively, you can get foil-lined Ziplock bags. They arent air-tight, but should be okay for most trips of 4+ weeks.

*Many hikers like to put each meal in its own pouch. This makes it easy to portion out meals and prevents you from overeating. But you can also store your meals in bulk and just measure them out before preparing on the trail.

Just add water and you can prepare your meal inside the foil-lined zip bag.

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Talus Thai Tom Yum Soup Recipe

This soup is excellent for those days when youre cold, feeling under the weather, or need a lighter meal. The broth infused with lemongrass, ginger, lime leaves, and thai chilies is delicious, warming, and sinus clearing. It can even help soothe an upset stomach and kick start sluggish digestion.

At home: Dehydrate a small amount of sliced mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and chopped onion at 135°F for 4-6 hours.

Add to a gallon-size Ziploc:

• 25 g dried shrimp

• 1-2 Tbsp dried mushrooms

• 85 g instant white rice

  Makes: 1 serving

On the Trail: Boil about 3 c water, then turn your stove off. Add all ingredients and stir to combine. Put the lid on your pot and place it in a cozy. Wait about 10-15 minutes to make sure everything gets thoroughly rehydrated. When the rice and vegetables are soft, the soup is ready. There should be plenty of fragrant liquid broth to sip and enjoy.

Notes: Though the bouillon cubes are high in sodium, they make a great hot pick-me-up spicy drink on cold, rainy days. If youre backpacking, youre likely sweating a lot anyway, so a little salt can be good for the body. If you like this recipe, you might also like tom ka . Tom ka paste is available online or in Asian markets and can be combined with dried chicken, coconut milk powder, vegetables, and instant rice, similar to this recipe.

How To Assemble Your Own Freeze Dried Meals

You will basically just be adding each of the ingredients into trail-friendly packaging. However, you will need to do a lot of math. You should tally the calories/fat/protein of each ingredient you add, and also consider your micronutrient needs .

But the basic steps of making your own trail meals from freeze dried ingredients is easy. Just follow these steps.

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Produce That Needs Special Attention

• Apples, Pears, and Bananas – Some fruit turns brown when exposed to air, but browning can easily be prevented by using a very sharp knife and dipping/brushing the cut fruit in lemon juice before drying

• Leafy Greens – Steaming or blanching leafy greens before the dehydration process will help ensure you get all of the vitamins and minerals from the greens.

• Mushrooms – You may rinse the dirt from mushrooms, but make sure to dry them off with a paper towel before the dehydration process begins to preserve their natural color. They may get darker after dehydrating, but also really tasty.

• Blueberries –To allow blueberries to dry properly, submerge them in boiling water for 15 to 30 seconds to crack their skin and then quickly pull them out. A fine metal strainer makes this easy.

• Low-Acid Vegetables and Fruits – Some foods like beets and potatoes, taste better if you steam or saute them before dehydrating If you wouldnt eat something raw, cook it first to make it more palatable .

Shelf Life And Emergency Preparedness

A meals shelf life denotes the amount of time that it retains its flavor, nutrition, and edibility. Looking at the brands above, the shelf lives vary from 1 to 30 years, depending on the preservation method and type/amount of preservatives used. This information is easy to find on the packaging or manufacturer website. To guarantee their shelf life, backcountry meals should be stored fully sealed in a cool and dry environment .

Most backcountry enthusiasts are buying for their next adventure, meaning that shelf life shouldnt be a concern for most. But backpacking food, as it turns out, is also ideal for emergency preparednessit takes up less space on your shelves than canned goods , lasts for a long time, and is easy to prepare. For stocking up in case of an emergency , the shelf life is a specification worth considering. And if food storage is your main intent, we do recommend buying in bulk. Companies like Mountain House offer their meals in cans and even buckets, which will take up significantly less space and save on both packaging and money.

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Backpacker Beef Noodle Soup Recipe

• 1 block ramen noodles

• About 25 g low sodium natural jerky

  Makes: 1 serving

On the Trail: Boil about 2 ½ c water, then turn your stove off. Add everything to the pot and stir to combine. Put the lid on your pot and place it in a cozy. Wait about 10-15 minutes to make sure everything gets thoroughly rehydrated. Then check and see if a little more water or time is needed. There should be a little extra liquid for soup-like consistency. Stir, and if desired, add a bit of oil, butter, or hot sauce. Enjoy!

Notes: To make this meal feel more gourmet pack a teaspoon or more of sesame seeds in a small bag and sprinkle them over the noodles after cooking.