How Do I Make My Own Backpacking Meal?

By Alice Nichols

When you’re out on the trail, having a tasty and nutritious meal can make all the difference. If you’re looking to take your backpacking meals to the next level, making your own backpacking meals may be the right choice for you.

Not only is it a great way to save money on trail food, but it also gives you control over what ingredients you include in your meals. With a little preparation and creativity, you can make your own delicious and healthy backpacking meals.

Gathering Ingredients

The first step in creating your own backpacking meal is gathering ingredients that are lightweight and easy to prepare on the trail. Start with a base such as instant rice, couscous, quinoa or pasta and then add things like dehydrated vegetables, nuts, spices and herbs for flavor.

You can also add items like freeze-dried meats or dried beans for extra protein. Be sure to choose items that won’t spoil quickly and that require minimal cooking time.

Creating Recipes

Once you have all of your ingredients together, it’s time to get creative. Look online for recipes or create one of your own from scratch. Consider adding different herbs and spices for flavor, as well as dehydrated vegetables or even dried fruits for texture.

You can also add small amounts of olive oil or butter for added calories if necessary.

Packaging Your Meal

Once you have created your recipe it’s time to package it up into individual servings that are easy to transport on the trail. Use lightweight zip-top bags or vacuum sealed bags to store each serving separately; this will help keep everything fresh while you are out on the trail.

Preparing Your Meal

When it comes time to prepare your meal on the trail, there are several options available depending on how much fuel you have with you. For meals that require boiling water such as soups or pastas dishes, consider packing a small stove with fuel canisters so that you can easily heat up water without having to build a campfire every night.

Enjoying Your Meal

After all of your hard work creating the perfect backpacking meal, don’t forget to enjoy it! Take some time each night after setting up camp to sit down and enjoy a hot meal with friends before turning in for the night. These moments spent enjoying good food are some of the best memories from any backpacking trip.

Conclusion:

Making your own backpacking meals is an excellent way to save money while still enjoying delicious food during your travels. With some research into ingredients that are lightweight and easy-to-prepare on the trail plus some creativity when creating recipes, anyone can create their own great tasting mealtimes while out exploring nature.