Easy meal ideas for weekend backpackers!
The boyfriend and I love to hike and backpack. Fortunately for us we live in middle Georgia, a short hour-or-so drive from Blue Ridge and the start of the Appalachian Trail.
We love backpacking for the solitude, the fitness aspect, the survival skills, the people we meet, and the economy of it as a weekend getaway. Once you own your gear, it's gas and food and maybe a few other miscellaneous expenses. On that note, I have noticed that freeze dried backpacking meals can be a bit expensive. The nice ones run about 5-10 a meal, and they aren't very good. Personally I prefer fresh food. There are plenty of sites with backpacking meals, but many use expensive items like dehydrators or have ingredients that you can't get in a regular grocer (dried veggies).
So in that vein, I have decided to share some of the easiest, cheapest weekend backpacking meals that we have come up with. You only need a way to heat water for these, it can be a campfire or a cook stove. All of these items are available at your local chain grocery stores or at online vendors.
1) Spicy Tuna and Veggie Couscous
Ingredients:
10 oz box couscous (I like garlic parmesean, and Far East is a good brand)
1 Bag sundried tomatoes (usually in the deli area)
1 Sweet potato
2 Foil packs of spicy tuna
We found that this made WAY too much for us to eat in one meal, so I recommend dividing the couscous in half. I cut the sweet potatoes into thin rounds and then halved the rounds again, then I roasted them in the oven (or toaster oven) with no oil or spices until they seemed dry. I then made 2 portable potion sizes by removing and recycling all extra packaging, diving the couscous into two ziplocks, diving my sweet potato and sundried tomatoe pieces into two potions, and mixing it into the couscous portions. Then I slipped a (sealed) tuna packet into each bag. When I went to cook it, I rehydrated by following the instructions on the couscous package (using half the water, because we divided it) and then added the tuna. Meal for two nights! Cost per person/meal: About $2.50
2) NatureBox Meals!
I love box subscriptions! Recently, NatureBox began making single serve portions that require a microwave! Here's the secret though: They don't actually need a microwave! I boiled water in a kettle and poured it up to the fill line. I let it sit for about 6-7 minutes with the plastic cover sitting on top to keep the heat in. It worked perfectly! They have Italian pasta and bean, macaroni and cheese, and couscous.
The only issue with this is that you have to have a subscription. (Update, NatureBox is now available at Target!) But at $14 a month for three snacks plus shipping, it's not a huge cost if you are an outdoor person. It's also completely customizable. You get two per 'snack' so if you were to get the lowest subscriptions and fill it with single serves, that's six meals for $14.00. They also have oatmeal, tapas, hummus, and other single serves that don't need refrigeration. I would recommend adding a foil packet of chicken, tuna, ground beef, or salmon to get some extra protein for the trail. They also have a variety of snacks and dried fruit that all come in resealable bags. I love their fruit snacks and granola for breakfast on the trail. Basically NatureBox is a backpackers dream. Cost: $2.30 per meal.
3) GoPicnic.
Not as cheap as NatureBox, but if you can find them on sale or use a promotion, they're viable. They also have options for gluten free, vegan, or people with dairy allergies and such. They're basically a mix of a bunch of different shelf-stable snacks. Issues are: They create a lot of waste and they aren't big enough for dinner. More like a breakfast or light lunch. Can't beat the convinience. Cost: $4 per meal.
4) Hamburger Helper (Any type)
Horizon sells a brand of milk that doesn't require refrigeration. Use that for the milk aspect of HH, get a couple foil packets of chicken, and make according to HH directions. Makes a lot so divide in half if only serving two . Cost per person/meal: $2.00
5) Kraft Macaroni with Summer Sausage.
This one is pretty self explanatory, you don't even need milk. Just substitute EVOO for the milk while making the sauce. Follow the Kraft directions, remove casing from the sausage, slice into thin pieces. Mix together.
6) Instant Oatmeal
Just add hot water. If you get the kind with a premarked fill line, it's even easier. If you are concerned about health, buy plain and add you own cinnamon, Splenda, whatever.
7) Peanut-Butter Squeeze.
Small portions of peanut butter are overpriced. Make your own by buying peanut butter and putting it in a small ziplock. Cut the corner when ready to serve. Good with apples for lunch or breakfast.
8) Ramen tastes greats but the noodles are deep fried and the flavor packets are loaded with sodium. In the international section of your grocer or at an Asian grocer in your area, they usually sell packs of real ramen that are hand dried and much tastier. Ramen has endless varieties, so have fun building your own using your non-fried noodles as a base. I have used dried mushrooms, Bonita flakes, chicken boullion, endless spices varieties. Just top with a protein for dinner, anchovies or tuna have a lot of flavor and are cheap and easy, or just add plain chicken.
These ideas can serve as a base to get you started with your own backpacking meals. Remember to always carry out all trash when in the wilderness!
