It’s time to upgrade your backpacking meals

There’s only so many times you can mix ramen, instant mashed potatoes, and tuna before it gets old. (Ask me how many times I’ve gagged at the thought of instant mashed potatoes since coming home from the AT.) Trying to get the calories, nutrients (what are those?), and easy cooking for those backpacking meals can be tough.

When I decided to take on the CDT (and any other adventures that may come up!), I knew I needed something new in my backpacking diet. Here are some trail-tested ways to spice up your backpacking meals–without carrying too much weight. Learn quick ways to upgrade your meals, best backcountry drinks, my favorite meals, and the best pre-made backpacking meal brands.

Quick ways to upgrade your backpacking meals

If you’re looking for quick and easy ways to add some flavor to your meals, always keep these in stock.

• Bare Bones Bone Broth packets: They’re single-serve broth packets that give you a boost of protein, warmth, and taste. You only have to add water. I’ve used them instead of ramen flavoring, as a drink of warm broth on a cold night, or as flavoring in other meals. I was introduced to it on the CDT and I’ve kept my food bag well-stocked with them ever since.
• Ramen toppers: Easily add veggies (which I know us hikers don’t get enough of out there!) to any meal. They’re meant for soups, ramens, but I use them anywhere I want to add a splash of green to a meal.
• Dried sauce mixes: It’s a quick way to add flavoring to anything you’re making, whether that’s noodles, couscous, mashed potatoes, or anything else. My favorites are the Basil Pesto and Creamy Garlic Alfredo.
• Olive oil: It adds flavor, cream, calories, and fat content to any meal. I usually take a mini 4oz Nalgene container full of it or you can take single-serve packets.
• Soy sauce: Because everything tastes a little better with soy sauce.

Best backcountry drinks

These aren’t necessarily additions to meals, but are still good additions to any food bag in my opinion.

• Bloom Strawberry Kiwi mix: Okay, hear me out. The idea of a greens drink mix sounds really strange to read on a backpacking site, I know. But–especially if you’re on a long trip–it’s important to add nutrients among the pop tarts, Snickers, and half-gallon challenges. I was given one of these packets and left it in my food bag for a while before I built up the courage to try it. But you know what? It’s actually quite tasty–and now they’re one of my favorite additions for long trips.
• LMNT electrolytes: Make water tasty and get a good dose of electrolytes, magnesium, and potassium all together! I’ve tried a lot of different packets, and LMNTs always win out for me based on taste, how I feel after drinking them, and price.
• Raspberry Hot Chocolate: One of my favorite mornings on the CDT was making three servings of this hot chocolate with my trail family and watching the sun rise over the Colorado mountains. Perhaps it was the moment, but it was also the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. It’s now consistently stocked at my house and in my food bag.
• Farm to Summit Lattes: Want something warm and tasty to get your morning going, but without all the work that comes from bringing your own coffee, or the sadness that comes from bad instant coffee? Here you go. You’re welcome.

My favorite backpacking meals

If you’re looking for recipes, here are my favorites:

Basil Pesto Couscous Backpacking Meal

Amanda Outside’s Basil Pesto Couscous backpacking meal is one of my absolute favorites! I’ve made it many times for weekend trips, and even on my stove at home as a regular meal (though I substitute chicken for tuna when I do). When I can’t find good sun-dried tomatoes, I’ll use the Sun-Dried Tomato Tuna.

Tortilla Wraps and Smart Bowls

All you need is a tortilla wrap and a Sunkist Smart Bowl for a freshly delicious lunch. The Smart Bowl comes in a variety of flavors, but adds a freshness to your meal that you don’t often get on trail with very little prep on your part. I’ll often pair it with a granola bar or trail mix for a few extra calories.

Pre-made backpacking meals

Working at REI, I often find people by the backpacking meals perusing the many brands. Eventually, they’ll turn to me and ask, “what’s your favorite?” The answer is simple: Peak Refuel, Greenbelly Meals, and Farm to Summit (not all of which can be found at REI).

Peak Refuel

The reason I typically dislike backpacking meals is how few calories they have. What do you mean I’m supposed to hike all day, and then only consume 300 calories for my dinner? But Peak Refuel has a great calorie count, high protein value, and doesn’t skimp on taste. These meals actually taste good and make you excited for your evening at camp.

Greenbelly Meals