Updated 08/05/2026

These freeze-dried backpacking meals are my favorites for their flavor and nutrition – and their lack of preservatives or additives.

After more than seven years of making all my own backpacking meals (and co-writing a dehydrated meal cookbook), I decided to branch out and try freeze-dried meals from a few companies — and discovered some new favorites. Having been a firm holdout in the “I’d rather make my own” camp for a long time, this is quite a switch for me. I can say that I am now a believer in convenience… if you can find meals that you look forward to. A bonus is that I spend less time on meal prep and have more time to relax. And hike.

What I Look for in Freeze-dried Meals

Preference for Homestyle Options: What I like when I’m backpacking varies from what I eat at home, where I tend to choose healthy meals with plenty of vegetables. On the trail, I prefer simple, hearty homestyle dishes that are rich and creamy. I also avoid spicy foods while backpacking, which affects me differently than when I’m at home. For these reasons, meals like beef stroganoff, biscuits and gravy, and chicken alfredo tend to be my preferred options.

Nutritional Needs: To maintain my energy on the trail, I look for meals containing between 600 and 900 calories with a good balance of protein and carbohydrates. When meals fall short of this, I find myself waking up hungry in the night and lacking energy the next day. While individual needs vary, this is the range that works best for me.

Ingredients Matter: One of my main considerations when selecting freeze-dried meals is the absence of preservatives and additives. I find these ingredients to be not only less healthy but they also have an off-putting flavor that makes it difficult for me to want to eat the meal, and that’s no fun on a backpacking trip.

Pinnacle Foods

This is by far my favorite brand for backpacking food. It’s also expensive, at $16-18 per meal – and in my opinion, totally worth every penny. Pinnacle Foods’ meals range from 690 to 850 calories each, and they don’t contain any preservatives or other additives – just real food. Each package is one serving, although if you have a smaller appetite, you may be able to split them in half to make two servings out of one package. I look forward to these meals every time I take them on trips and have no trouble finishing them – something that used to be a struggle for me.

See my full review of Pinnacle Foods meals

Roasted Chicken and White Cheddar Biscuit Dumplings

This is one of my favorite meals when I’m backpacking. Its creamy herbed sauce complements the chicken and dumplings well without being too heavy – and I love that carrots and green beans are included for flavor and extra nutrition.

• calories: 700 | protein: 54g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $17.49

View at Pinnacle Foods   View at Garage Grown Gear

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta

Penne pasta is combined with spinach and sun dried tomatoes and a garlic cream sauce (yum!). Pinnacle Foods meals have chunks of real chicken, not the tasteless cubes of chicken typically found in freeze-dried meals.

• calories: 860 | protein: 77g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $17.99

Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Herbed Sausage Gravy

Wow. I’ve had biscuits and gravy many times and made it myself at home, and this version competes with them all. I like to have this as a dinner since it’s so filling but it’s also a good choice as a breakfast before a long day of hiking.

• calories: 800 | protein: 30g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $16.49

View at Pinnacle Foods    View at Garage Grown Gear

Jambalaya with Blackened Chicken, Cajun Sausage, Rice, and Bell Peppers

Jambalaya isn’t a typical freeze-dried meal flavor, and this one delivers a surprisingly tasty take on the classic dish. The blackened chicken and sausage pair well with roasted peppers, and the spice blend is spot on for capturing the classic flavors of Jambalaya. While there is a slight amount of heat, it’s kept to a minimum, which is my preference for backpacking meals. I highly recommend this meal!

• calories: 690 | protein: 44g
• my rating: 4.8 out of 5
• price: $17.49

Bowl & Kettle

Bowl & Kettle takes a noticeably elevated approach to backpacking meals with unique recipes, quality ingredients, and bold flavors that stand out from most freeze-dried options. I was impressed by the depth of flavor and generous portions, with each meal providing just the right amount of food and calories for a backpacking trip. If you’re looking to move beyond the usual backpacking menu, these meals are a delicious change of pace.

See my full review of Bowl & Kettle meals

Chicken Tikka Masala

The Chicken Tikka Masala has a deep, well-balanced flavor that’s rich without being heavy. The chicken comes in sizable chunks with a nice grilled flavor, and the yellow basmati rice rehydrated fully. It wasn’t as spicy as I expected, but the spices are nicely layered, creating a complex and satisfying meal. The water amount listed on the package worked well, giving the curry a saucy consistency without being soupy.

• calories: 860 | protein: 47g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $16.95

Mexican Street Corn Grits

The Mexican Street Corn Grits have a well-rounded, smoky flavor that’s slightly spicy but not overwhelming. The grits rehydrated well and created a creamy, smooth base for the roasted poblanos, corn, tomatoes, and mushrooms. A small amount of cheese adds richness without dominating, and the herbs enhance the flavor profile. The water amount listed on the package was just right, giving the grits a creamy, saucy consistency without being watery.

• calories: 723 | protein: 31g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $13.95

Crawfish Étouffée

The Crawfish Étouffée delivers a rich, authentic Creole-style flavor with plenty of depth. It’s flavorful without feeling heavy or overly thick. The crawfish pieces are a good size, so you notice them and they don’t get lost in the mix of other ingredients. The water amount listed on the package was just right, giving the meal a saucy consistency without being soupy. The only downside for me was that I found it a bit too spicy after adding the herb packet, even without the hot sauce. But if you like spicy food, this one is definitely a great option!

• calories: 630 | protein: 16g
• my rating: 4.9 out of 5
• price: $15.95

Peak Refuel

Another favorite brand is Peak Refuel, whose meal variety aligns well with the types of food I prefer on outdoor trips. The flavors are consistently good, and I find the slightly higher price ($13.95–$15.95) justified compared to more common brands. Although all their meals are labeled as two servings, I usually eat both servings as one. Calories for the full package range from 700 to 950, with 35 to 50 grams of protein.

See my full review of Peak Refuel meals

Chicken Alfredo Pasta

This is my favorite meal from Peak Refuel… the combination of noodles, chicken, and alfredo sauce is a true winner that I look forward to every time. It’s creamy and cheesy (but not too much), and it’s rich and filling without making me feel like I overdid it. Yum!

• calories: 870 | protein: 53g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $13.99

View at Peak Refuel    View at REI

Beef Stroganoff

The Beef Stroganoff meal fulfills my craving for homestyle food on outdoor adventure trips, and the sour cream gives it a great flavor. Rich and creamy, but not heavy on the stomach. The beef tastes like real beef, which isn’t always the case in freeze-dried meals.

• calories: 810 | protein: 46g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $14.99

View at Peak Refuel   View at REI

Homestyle Chicken & Rice

The Homestyle Chicken meal has big chunks of carrots and mushrooms in a sour cream sauce with rice. Mmm! I would be content to include this meal on every backpacking trip.

• calories: 740 | protein: 37g
• my rating: 5 out of 5
• price: $13.99

View at Peak Refuel    View at REI

Breakfast Skillet

The most substantial quantity of any of the meals I tried from Peak Refuel is the Breakfast Skillet. For me, half of this meal is still a lot of food for breakfast. When splitting this meal in half, boost the calories by bring a flour tortilla, a stick of cheese, and a packet of salsa for an outstanding breakfast burrito.

• calories: 540 | protein: 31g
• my rating: 4 out of 5
• price: $14.99

View at Peak Refuel    View at REI

Mountain House

Although a classic choice for many backpackers, I hesitated before trying Mountain House meals. After sampling nine different options, I found several that I genuinely like and will use on future trips. The cost ($11.99 to $12.99 per meal) is lower than most other brands. Calories range from 400 to 700 per two servings, and the meals contain no preservatives or additives. I typically eat the entire meal as one serving since the amount of calories in two servings is a bit lower in most of their meals compared to the options from Pinnacle Foods or Peak Refuel.

See my full review of Mountain House meals

Beef Stew

Tasting Notes: The Mountain House Beef Stew is a classic homestyle meal that reminds me of the hearty Midwestern cooking I grew up with. The flavor is spot on, just like I remember homemade beef stew tasting. The beef rehydrated well, there are plenty of vegetables, and the thick, savory gravy-like sauce gives it a satisfying texture without being watery. It is on the light side as far as calories and protein, so I’d definitely need to eat the full meal and not split it in half.

Final Thoughts: This meal will be coming with me on a lot of future trips.

• calories: 420 | protein: 20g
• my rating: 4.8 out of 5
• price: $12.49

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Chicken and Dumplings

One of Mountain House’s staples, this meal delivered true comfort food. The sauce was thick and creamy, with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a nice mix of carrots and peas. Everything rehydrated perfectly, and the flavor felt authentically homestyle. The balance between meat, dumplings, and vegetables was just right. A standout option — definitely something I’d pack again for cold nights or long days.

• calories: 600 | protein: 36g
• my rating: 4.8 out of 5
• price: $11.99

View at Mountain House    View at REI

Korean Inspired Beef

This new meal from Mountain House has a pleasantly mild, bulgogi-style flavor—just enough to hint at Korean cuisine without being overpowering. The spice level was low (around 2/5), and the combination of rice, beef, and vegetables was well balanced and rehydrated evenly. A good change of pace. I’d definitely bring this one again for variety.

• calories: 580 | protein: 22g
• my rating: 4.5 out of 5
• price: $11.99

Beef Lasagna

I love pasta, and this meal really delivered on classic lasagna flavor. Everything rehydrated well, including the beef, and there was plenty of pasta and meat in a rich, cheesy tomato sauce. It is a bit low in calories for a backpacking dinner, so I’d recommend eating the whole package yourself to feel satisfied. Yum! I’ll definitely add this one to my backpacking meal rotation.

• calories: 440 | protein: 22g
• my rating: 4.5 out of 5
• price: $11.99

View at Mountain House  View at REI

Pasta Primavera

A great vegetarian option, this Pasta Primavera meal rehydrated well, and the spiral pasta held up nicely — it wasn’t too thin or mushy like in some other meals. The sauce was creamy with a slightly cheesy flavor, though not as strong as I expected. I liked the mix of vegetables, especially the peas, zucchini, and bell peppers, and small bits of broccoli, though there wasn’t much cauliflower. The overall taste was very mild but enjoyable, and I think it could benefit from a little salt and pepper. Lighter on calories and protein compared to other meals, but still satisfying. Would definitely have again.

• calories: 440 | protein: 16g
• my rating: 4 out of 5
• price: $10.99

Kung Pao Chicken

I love Chinese food, and Kung Pao is a favorite so I was interested to try this meal from Mountain House. There are large chunks of chicken, plenty of rice, and smaller bits of red bell peppers and zucchini. The flavor has just the right amount of spiciness, but if you are sensitive to spicy hot foods, this might not be for you. I tend to avoid spicy food for backpacking, but this one wasn’t too much for me. Overall, I really liked the flavor and would bring this meal on trips again.

• calories: 580 | protein: 32g
• my rating: 4 out of 5
• price: $11.99

Backpacker’s Pantry

Since 1971, Backpacker’s Pantry has offered a wide range of freeze-dried meals, including options for breakfast and dessert. Their meals stand out for featuring noticeable herbs and vegetables, making them generally healthier than many other brands I’ve tried. Although the packages are labeled as two servings, I find they are better suited as single meals on the trail. Prices typically range from $9.99 to $12.99 per meal.

See my full review of Backpacker’s Pantry meals

Beef Bolognese

The Beef Bolognese has a nice Italian flavor with small bits of veggies throughout. It has a mild kick — enough to notice but not overwhelming at all. I liked the balance of beef with the vegetables and pasta, all of which rehydrated well. Overall, a satisfying dinner option that I would choose again.

• 480 calories | 28g protein
• My rating: 4.2 out of 5
• Price: $12.99

View at Backpacker’s Pantry    View at REI

Drunken Noodles with Chicken

Drunken Noodles with Chicken leans veggie-heavy, with a nicely balanced sauce that’s not too salty or sweet. It’s a lighter meal, good for when you want something less rich, yet contains plenty of chicken for protein. It rehydrated well and felt fresh thanks to all the vegetables.

• 490 calories | 27g protein
• My rating: 3.9 out of 5
• Price: $12.99

View at Backpacker’s Pantry   View at REI

White Bean, Chicken & Hatch Green Chile Stew

The White Bean, Chicken & Green Chile Stew tastes like a mild chicken chili with a subtle green chile flavor. It’s mildly spicy and might be on the edge if you are sensitive to heat in a meal, which I tend to be when I’m backpacking but it wasn’t too spicy for me. The beans and chicken rehydrated well, and the flavor was hearty and filling. This meal would pair well with tortilla chips, Fritos, or would be good wrapped in a tortilla.

• 540 calories | 46g protein
• My rating: 4 out of 5
• Price: $12.99

View at Backpacker’s Pantry   View at REI

Pad Thai (vegan)

Pad Thai was one of the more calorie-dense options with a flavor that is tangy and lightly spicy, with noticeable lime flavor. I especially liked the packet of peanuts that added a satisfying crunch. The rehydration was perfect, and it had lots of red bell peppers and herbs throughout. It’s not the easiest to split in advance if you want to make this two separate servings due to the included peanut butter packet, but it’s a solid, filling vegan option.

• 760 calories | 24g protein
• My rating: 4.2 out of 5
• Price: $9.99

View at Backpacker’s Pantry   View at REI

RecPak Ultralight Meal Replacement

RecPak is a high-calorie meal replacement powder. Just add water, shake, and drink — an easy, portable, no-cook solution for fueling long days outdoors. I’ve found RecPak to be a practical solution for getting enough calories without needing a stove: before I start a long hike with my loaded pack, I add water and keep the pouch in my pack’s side pocket. I can sip it on the move, without needing to stop as often to refuel – and it’s easy on my stomach. It’s especially well-suited for backpacking, helping me stay energized on long, demanding hikes so I can arrive at camp feeling refreshed instead of wiped out.

See my full review of RecPak Ultralight Meal Replacement

• 700 calories | 43g protein
• My rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Price: $12.99

View at RecPak     View at Garage Grown Gear

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