7 Best Freeze-Dried Meals for Camping, Tested and Reviewed by an Avid Camper

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Best Freeze-Dried Meals Overall

Backpacker's Pantry

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After trying dozens of trail meals from over 10 different brands, I’ve found that Backpacker’s Pantry produces the best value for the adventurer. With most entrees costing about $11 and containing more than 500 calories, Backpacker’s Pantry meals are a great bang for your buck.

There are a variety of recipes that suit many diets, including vegan diets, and account for all of the major allergens. Backpacker’s Pantry also has an explicit high-calorie collection designed for intense, multi-day excursions.

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I tried three meals from Backpacker’s Pantry: The fettuccine chicken alfredo, fiesta beef and vegetable bowl, and lasagna. All three were up to par in terms of taste and texture. I didn’t experience any unusual crunching (common with chicken and beef) or otherwise unsavory textures.

The soaking time is a bit long for my liking—15 minutes compared to other brands that have soaking times of 10 minutes or less—but 5 minutes is a measly price to pay for a warm, tasty, nutritious, and filling meal. Backpacker’s Pantry meals are lightweight for the calorie content, generally weighing between 4 and 5 ounces for more than 500 calories per pouch.

Best of all, Backpacker’s Pantry strongly emphasizes sustainability and regenerative practices. The brand produces all of its meals in a Colorado-based headquarters that is 100% solar-powered and prevents nearly 128,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. Their meals range from $7-13 per package.

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Most Accessible Freeze-Dried Meals

Mountain House Adventure Meals

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Mountain House is a staple in the outdoor industry and a household name among outdoorsy people. You can find Mountain House Adventure Meals in almost every retailer that sells outdoor goods, including Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Academy and some grocery stores, which is why it’s my top pick for most accessible freeze-dried meals. As someone living on the road full-time, it’s important to me that I can quickly stop into a store on my route and grab some backpacking meals, rather than rely on online orders.

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Preparation is quick, with most meals requiring less than 10 minutes of soaking, and the packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle. I love that Mountain House has a 30-year proven taste guarantee—they’re one of the only trail meal companies that has been in business long enough to prove a shelf life of such a length.

Adventurers can choose from dozens of recipes boasting some of the best seasoning and flavors across brands in my experience. I particularly like the beef lasagna, chicken and rice, beef stroganoff, and breakfast scramble. I’ve also heard great things about the freeze-dried ice cream sandwich, though I haven’t tried it myself yet.

Mountain House meals boast an excellent calorie-to-weight ratio. Some entrees weigh as little as 3.5 ounces yet contain more than 430 calories. They contain sufficient protein, averaging around 40 grams per pouch, and are very high in sodium (reaching nearly 70 percent of the daily recommended value in some cases). Depending on the weather conditions you’re hiking in, all that sodium can be a positive attribute, but is a callout for individuals watching their sodium intake.

If you’re an adventurer who prioritizes whole-food ingredients and avoids inflammatory or high-glycemic foods, note that some Mountain House recipes contain seed oils or palm oil, and many recipes contain maltodextrin and/or cornstarch. Mountain House meals range from $4-12 per package.

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Most Healthy Freeze-Dried Meals

Firepot Foods

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Firepot Foods are dehydrated, not freeze-fried, which makes them slightly different from other options in this guide. Firepot opted for dehydration over freeze-drying because they believe it helps maintain the full flavor of food and creates richer textures upon rehydrating.

After trying Firepot Foods, I wholeheartedly concur. I tried the smoky tomato paella, and it was easily one of the best trail meals I have ever tasted. In fact, it’s one of the few meals that I didn’t feel the need to add seasoning. The texture was slightly unexpected: It was reminiscent of steel-cut oats instead of rice, but it wasn’t bad. Overall, it tasted and felt much fresher than other camping meals.

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To boot, Firepot Foods meals do not contain artificial ingredients or additives. Every meal’s ingredients list contains whole foods only; you won’t find palm oil, corn starch, maltodextrin, gums, or emulsifiers in Firepot pouches.

Each pouch also contains ample calories, ranging from 500 to 700, though the protein count is relatively low in many of the recipes. The paella, for example, has just 16 grams of protein per 620 calories. Still, I found the meal to be extremely satiating. I was actually unable to finish the pouch, which is unusual for me.

One thing to note is that Firepot meals tend to require substantially more water than other options. The paella requires 2.5 cups of water compared to the ¾ cup to 1.5 cups required for meals from many other brands. This may not seem like a big difference, but when you consider the weight of water for your overall pack weight—or the need to filter from natural sources—a lower water requirement for food is better. You can purchase Firepot Foods ranging from $12-14.50 per package.

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Best Freeze-Dried Meals for Backpacking

Peak Refuel

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If you are simply looking for high-calorie, filling trail food, look no further than Peak Refuel. These meals have the highest average calorie count I have ever encountered in all my years of trail experience and product testing: 803 calories per pouch.

Not only that, but Peak Refuel meals have an average weight of just 5.4 ounces. That’s the best calorie-to-weight ratio I’ve come across in my research and testing. Plus, they require less than 10 ounces of water on average and take 10 minutes or less to rehydrate. All that said, the pouches themselves are on the larger side despite being lightweight. They’re durable, though, so you shouldn’t have a problem folding them up to fit in your pack.

I’ve tried several Peak Refuel meals; my two favorites are the chicken pesto pasta and sweet pork and rice. The flavors are rich and the texture is palatable. I also tried the biscuits and sausage gravy, which I didn’t love. It was just kind of mushy, but I’d be willing to bet that’s the case for most rehydrated biscuits.

The taste guarantee is comparatively low—just five years—but unless you’re storing these for an emergency situation, it’s unlikely you’ll have them for that long.

At $8-16 per package, I found Peak Refuel meals to be the best bang for a backpacker’s buck. They taste good, are high in calories and contain sufficient protein and sodium to keep your body going strong on the trail.

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Tastiest Freeze-Dried Meals

Trailtopia

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While I’ve had a banger of a freeze-dried meal from almost every brand, Trailtopia is the brand that, in my opinion, consistently produces the best flavors and textures. I’ve tried several entrees from the brand: beef stew, beef stroganoff, pesto pasta, chili mac, and jambalaya.

The jambalaya, of course, is not comparable to what my dad makes back home in Louisiana, but I thought it was still tasty (a significant thing to say for a girl from Creole country). The other meals—judging from a less biased position—were spot-on. I would eat the beef stroganoff on a normal day; on a trail day, it’s heaven in a waterproof pouch.

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Importantly, not just the taste is great, but the texture is, too. With Trailtopia, I rarely run into a crunchy bit of beef or an uncooked piece of pasta: Follow the instructions on the pouch and you’ll have an undeniably yummy backcountry meal.

Trailtopia meals are available in single-serving and double-serving packages. For multi-day adventures, I recommend scooping up the double-serving pouches. For most people, less than 500 calories is insufficient to refuel after a trail day.

My only big callout about Trailtopia meals is that many of them require more water than meals from other brands do. For the double-serving pouches, expect to need two cups or more of water. If carrying all of your water, this will increase your pack weight; if filtering, it’ll increase filtering time compared to other meals. The Trailtopia meals range from $4-13 per pouch.

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Best Vegetarian Freeze-Dried Meals

Good-to-Go

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For simple, tasty dehydrated meals with plenty of vegetarian options, try Good-to-Go foods. These pouches are convenient for the backcountry and contain only whole-food ingredients: no artificial additives, colors, flavors, or otherwise artificial ingredients.

The packages are small and relatively lightweight, weighing in at about four ounces for single-serving pouches and six to seven ounces for double-serving pouches. Notably, the pouches are much flatter than those from some other brands, making it easy to slide these into smaller pockets in your pack.

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If you’re heading out on a weekend trip, pick up a Weekender bundle, which includes two entrees and one breakfast for about $24. It’s a great deal for overnight backpacking trips, though you’ll likely need more food for trips that are particularly intense or hot. Otherwise, prices typically range from $6-12 per package.

The ingredients in all of the meals are minimal, featuring whole foods like quinoa, vegetables and various spices. I found that they needed a bit more seasoning, but that’s not unusual for someone who grew up eating spicy southern food.

Vegetarians will find several options to choose from, and Good-to-Go also makes a few options suitable for vegan, pescatarian and carnivore diets.

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Best Organic Freeze-Dried Meals

Wild Zora

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Wild Zora is a woman-owned brand based in Loveland, Colorado, specializing in organic trail meals with no artificial ingredients. Almost every ingredient used across recipes is certified organic, with exceptions mainly being spices. Many of the recipes are also paleo and autoimmune protocol (AIP)-friendly.

One of my favorite characteristics of Wild Zora entrees is that they require minimal water: Most pouches only need ¾ of a cup. This is great news for hikers who are conscious of their pack weight and those who plan to filter water on trails.

I tried the harvest beef and herb roasted chicken quinoa meals, and I really loved how fresh and light they were. They’re quite low in calories for a trail meal (less than 400 per pouch), but they’d make for an excellent option in the morning or if you’re having tummy troubles but still need to get some calories down. Despite being lower in calories, these pouches still have about 20 grams of protein and about 400 milligrams of sodium (with some variation among flavors, of course).

The pouches themselves are very packable, with a net weight of just three ounces and a flat-lay design. At $8-12 per pouch, Wild Zora meals are an excellent option for trail-goers who want something light on the stomach, easy to pack, and made from wholesome ingredients.

What to Look for When Buying Freeze-Dried Meals

Choosing camping and backpacking meals is more about choosing what tastes good. If you’re putting in hours of trail time, your body needs replenishment via calories, macronutrients (carbs, fats, and protein), and micronutrients (especially sodium). Registered dietitian Michelle Routhenstein at Entirely Nourished shared some thoughts with us to help you choose the best freeze-dried meals for your adventures.

Calorie Content

Calorie needs increase with any physical activity, but trail recreation can send your calorie needs skyrocketing, especially if you’re out moving all day and plan to move continuously for multiple days.

While calorie needs are individual, Rothenstein says you can calculate your calorie needs based on factors like age, gender, weight, activity level, and duration of their outdoor adventure. In general, the more you weigh and the longer/more intense the activity, the more calories you will need.

Look for backpacking meals with a very high calorie content (more than 600 calories per pouch) if you plan on getting most of your nutrition from those meals. You can get away with lower-calorie options if you’re supplementing throughout the day with snacks, such as fruit, jerky, nuts, candy, or energy bars.

Macronutrient Ratio

“For long-haul endurance activities, complex carbohydrates are most important for sustained energy,” Rothenstein says, “with moderate amounts of protein for muscle repair and fats for calorie-dense fuel.”

Freeze-dried meals that you plan to eat after a day of trail activities will ideally contain upward of 60 grams of carbs and at least 30 grams of protein.

Sodium Content

Sodium needs increase during prolonged physical activity, especially in hot weather, Rothenstein says, and it’s critical to consume enough sodium to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.

“The amount of sodium suitable for you depends on factors like high blood pressure or salt sensitivity,” she notes, as well as your sweat rate and sodium losses. The only way to know for sure how much sodium you need is to do a two-part sweat test (measure sodium loss through a patch or similar method, and measure water loss by weighing yourself before and after physical activity).

Since that’s kind of a significant undertaking, it’s okay to estimate your sodium needs. In general, it’s a good idea to aim for at least 500 milligrams of sodium per liter of water while hiking, and get more from your meals. In other words: Don’t be afraid of the salt in backpacking foods, unless you’re watching your sodium intake for medical reasons. If that’s the case, talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you.

Other Nutritional Considerations

When choosing camping or backpacking meals, it’s crucial to consider factors beyond basic nutrition, Rothenstein says. This means looking at factors like allergens, sensitivities, taste preferences, and dietary preferences.

Digestive upset is not uncommon on trails, especially when it’s really hot outside, so it’s important to choose meals with ingredients that agree with your stomach. Otherwise, you may struggle to get (and keep) calories down, which can leave you feeling weak and fatigued—not ideal on a multi-day outing.

Package Weight

Package weight is a concern for multi-day trips. For a single overnighter, it’s not a big deal, but you’ll want to keep your pack weight as low as possible in any case. Make sure to look at the net weight on each pouch and add the total to your pack weight.

Package Durability

Pouches should be durable and ideally waterproof. You don’t want them to puncture if you happen to fall on trail, or tear if they’re rubbing against other items in your pack.

Preparation Instructions

The majority of backpacking meals are prepared in the exact same way: Boil water, pour it into the pouch, stir, and let it soak. There is some variation in total soaking time, but that’s the gist. Some brands offer cold-soak meals, which would allow you to reduce your pack weight by leaving the stove and fuel canister behind. If you’re willing to eat cold meals at camp, it’s an option.

Why You Should Trust Us

Not only did I try meals from every brand featured on this list, but I’m actual hiker trash, so I know what my fellow hiker trash friends are looking for in a camp meal. I’m a full-time traveler and I absolutely love spending days and nights in the backcountry—not without a good meal, though.

In addition to trying these meals and rating them against a multi-point methodology, I also got insights from a registered dietitian about what to look for in trail meals. On top of that, I’m a professional gear reviewer with seven years of gear-testing experience, and it’s my personal mission to help consumers like me find the best products for their needs.

For this piece, I also consulted with registered dietitian Michelle Routhenstein at Entirely Nourished to discuss nutrition needs for backcountry adventure.

Other Freeze-Dried Meals We Tested and Researched

In addition to the seven best freeze-dried meals detailed above, I also tested several other options and researched even more. Here’s a look at the competition.

AlpineAire

I tried two AlpineAire meals: The chilaquiles verdes and Mexican-style grilled chicken bowl with beans. Both tasted okay, but weren’t my favorite. The packages are slightly bulkier than those from other brands, making them a bit harder to pack down. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth noting for ultralight hikers.

4Patriots

I haven’t tried 4Patriots’ camping or emergency meals, but I have heard good things. In my case, I didn’t try them because I live in a campervan full-time and it’s complicated to receive packages. So, I pick up what I can find in brick-and-mortar stores. For other full-time travelers, 4Patriots meals may not be accessible. From what I can see online, 4Patriots foods aren’t available as singular pouches: You have to buy a “survival kit” ranging from 72 hours to three months worth of food.

Next Mile Meals

Next Mile Meals specializes in keto backcountry meals, an excellent option for outdoor enthusiasts on a low-carb diet. Currently, the meals are only available online and not in any retail stores. The menu is still relatively small, featuring a handful of breakfast and lunch/dinner options. They’re a bit pricey for the calorie content, averaging about $15 for about 500 calories. That’s not too far off from what’s normal in this space, but there are more cost-efficient options if you’re looking for the most calories for your buck. That said, they are generally high in protein for the calorie count.

Wild Edge

Another keto-friendly backcountry meal option, Wild Edge manufactures high-calorie, low-carb dehydrated foods. The recipes are unique, including entrees like Cuban Picadillo with Wild Bison and Sesame Ginger Wild Boar. They are indeed high in calories, with most packs containing more than 600 calories and more than 40 grams of protein. It shows in the pricing: Most entrees cost nearly $17, making these some of the most expensive backcountry meals available.

Pinnacle Foods

Meals from Pinnacle Foods cost a straightforward $17 per pouch and contain 700 or more calories per pouch, except for the breakfast scramble, which contains 550. While expensive, these entrees have more calories and protein than similarly priced options.

Packit Gourmet

If your need for gourmet food doesn’t disappear in the backcountry, Packit Gourmet should be on your shopping list. Packit produces unique trail meals like pizza margherita (BYO tortillas), curry mango chicken salad, and Tuscan beef stew and Italian polenta. Many of the meals can be cold-soaked or rehydrated with boiling water. For most, BYO sides are recommended for the full experience.

Dozens of Freeze-Dried Meals Taste-Tested

With so many camping and trail meal options available, how’s a person to choose? Here’s how I did it.

Years of Travel and Trail Experience

I’ve been traveling, hiking, and camping extensively for many years. As of this writing, I live in a campervan full-time and regularly hit the trails by foot or on two wheels. I’ve eaten various—maybe too many—freeze-dried and dehydrated camp meals over years of adventures.

Dedicated Testing Period

In addition to years of trail and camping experience under my belt, I dedicated an entire month to trying freeze-dried and dehydrated meals specifically for this guide. I ate them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during various conditions and in dozens of places. Each time I boiled water and tore open a pouch, I rated each meal against various criteria, including:

• Taste and texture
• Nutrition (calories, protein, carbs, fats, sodium, ingredients)
• Ease of preparation
• Soaking time
• Package weight and size
• Weight-to-calorie ratio
• Package durability (is it waterproof and puncture-proof?)
• Sustainability (recyclable packaging, manufacturing processes, etc.)
• Cleanup, if any

I also connected with registered dietitian Michelle Routhenstein at Entirely Nourished to discuss nutrition needs for backcountry adventure.

FAQ

What is the longest lasting freeze dried meal?

All freeze-dried or dehydrated meals last for at least several years. From my research, the longest-lasting—based on a taste guarantee—are Mountain House Adventure Meals. Mountain House backs their meals with an impressive 30-year taste guarantee. 4Patriots comes in a close second with a 25-year taste guarantee.

What are the disadvantages of freeze-dried food?

Freeze-dried food has few functional drawbacks: It lasts a long time, is great for backcountry exploring, and excellent to have on-hand in case of emergencies. One major drawback is that freeze-dried food doesn’t taste as good as freshly prepared food. Sometimes, the textures can feel off. Some brands may use artificial ingredients and additives to improve tastes and textures, but in my experience, freeze-dried food is often “cleaner” than a lot of what lines shelves at grocery stores.

What brand of freeze-dried food is the best?

After taste-testing more than 10 brands of freeze-dried food, my personal favorite for tasty meals is Trailtopia. From a health standpoint, Good-to-Go, Wild Zora, and Firepot Foods boast the “cleanest” ingredients labels and are free from artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives, major allergens, and inflammatory ingredients.