A good freeze-dried meal is something to look forward to after a day of adventure in the great outdoors. Advances in dehydrating and freeze-drying mean they not only taste better than ever but are full of nutrition too. Look through the ingredients to see real meat and veg rather than artificial additives. There are some great vegan and gluten-free options now too so no one needs to compromise when it comes to refueling when hiking, climbing, or kayaking.
Preparation couldn’t be easier and usually involves adding boiling water to the pouch they come in. These freeze-dried meals usually have long shelf lives - up to 30 years! - and can be eaten straight from the pouch. Here are the meals we would recommend.
Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef
Nothing artificial and good for 30 years
Freeze-dried to lock in freshness, this chili has no artificial flavor or preservatives, just spicy chili sauce with beef, macaroni noodles, onion, and beans. Each pouch contains two servings and is easy to prep by adding hot water. No refrigeration or dishes required. Comes with a 30-year taste guarantee so it’s perfect for emergency food storage as well as backpacking.
Backpacker's Pantry Three Sisters Stew
Protein-packed meals with natural ingredients
Made from premium freeze-dried and dehydrated veg, this nutritious stew is vegan, gluten-free and has 14 grams of protein. There are two servings per pouch and a shelf life of 10 years. The stew contains brown rice and quinoa topped with zucchini, corn, and black beans. Simply add 600ml of boiling water and the olive oil packet into the pouch, stir well, seal and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
Peak Refuel
Meaty meal made in the USA
Containing 100% real meat, this meal is loaded with protein and important nutrients, locked in through the freeze-drying process. Preps in 10 minutes by adding boiling water to the pouch. Made in the USA, the high-quality ingredients mean you don’t have to compromise on taste when on the trail.
NOMAD NUTRITION Irish Shepherd's Pie
Nutritious and delicious vegan meal
Using a new dehydration method called REVdry to lock in 99% of nutrients and vitamins, this meal retains twice the nutrients of other brands, according to the manufacturers. It has a 36-month shelf life and is gluten, palm oil, nut, and dairy-free as well as vegan. Add boiling water to the bag and seal for 10 minutes.
Bottom line
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Just add water to create a delicious, filling meal with the best freeze-dried camping food. They come into their own when backpacking when you need to refuel with the minimum of hassle. There’s no compromise on taste and a warming meal is great for lifting everyone’s spirit after a day of activity. The freeze-dried meal we recommend is the delicious Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef. It’s easy to prepare and very filling but manages to pack in plenty of mouth-watering flavors and no unwanted artificial additives.
For a vegan alternative, the NOMAD NUTRITION Irish Shepherd’s Pie comes highly recommended. This range is packed with plant-based protein and nutritious ingredients and tastes great. Expect meat-eaters to cast envious glances at your meal!
