One of the most popular and easy to prepare meals for backpacking is beans. Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates, making them an ideal meal choice for a camping excursion.
Plus, they are lightweight and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Here we will discuss how to cook beans while backpacking so you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal on your next outing.
The Basics
Before you begin cooking your beans, it’s important to make sure you have the right supplies. You will need a pot with a tight fitting lid, water or broth, salt, and some kind of fat such as butter or oil.
You may also want to bring some seasonings such as garlic powder or onion powder to give your beans additional flavor. Once you have all of your supplies gathered up, you’re ready to start cooking!
Soaking
The first step in cooking beans is soaking them overnight. This helps soften the outer skin of the beans so they cook faster and more evenly.
Start by placing the beans in a pot and covering them with about twice their volume in water or broth. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of dry beans and stir everything together. Let the mixture sit overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator if it’s hot outside.
Cooking
When you are ready to cook your beans, drain off any excess liquid that may remain from soaking them overnight. Place your pot on top of a heat source (such as a camp stove) and add enough water or broth so that it covers the beans by about an inch or two.
Add 1 tablespoon of fat per cup of dry beans for added flavor, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once boiling reduce heat to low and let simmer until tender (about 30 minutes). Stir occasionally during this time so that everything cooks evenly.
Serving
Once your beans are cooked through they are ready to serve! Serve them up with some rice or quinoa for a complete meal or add them into salads or chili for added protein and fiber content. They store well in airtight containers in either the refrigerator or freezer for up to one month so be sure to take advantage if you have leftovers!
Conclusion: Cooking beans while backpacking is not only easy but also delicious! With just some basic supplies like a pot with lid, water/broth, salt, fats like butter/oil and seasonings like garlic powder/onion powder you can easily have tasty bean dishes on your next camping trip! So don’t forget to pack those delicious legumes when planning out your next outdoor adventure!