Good Backpacking Dinners

[scatman]

I found this resource to be very helpful. I plan on building my meals based off this guide: http://blackwoodspress.com/blog/16547/ultralight-backpacking-meal-plan/

I think it seems like a lot of food, but high caloric intake is important from what I gather, so a hearty breakfast, multiple snacks, and good dinners help replenish calories last during 10-15 mile starches.

I like it. On my recent backpacking trip in Yellowstone I lost 7 lbs in nine days and I carried in just a touch over 2 lbs of food per day.

 

[Brad Gaddis]

If you're going to do Mountain Houses (that's what I do) you'll get the best deal by buying the #10 cans. They come with 10 cups of dehydrated food. We do 2 cups in a freezer bag, which means we get 5 meals out of one can. When on sale they'll go for as low as 14.99. The more pricey ones are as much as $33. I haven't been able to beat this method for cost. If you're just feeding yourself cost may not be your #1 priority so ignore this. When I go I'm usually outfitting a gaggle of teenagers as well.

I'm definitely going to remember this! Just spent $400 on Mountain House to feed 15 scouts for 4 nights. Good thing I get reimbursed.

 

[Bob]

wow ....... 2 lbs day!! I figure 1.25 per day........ I call it Bob's weight loss program though.....I can lose a couple pounds on a week long trip that way, never seem to be hungry though. Food weight is individual though, it's about what you need , not what the other guy has.....

 

[Bob]

This year I discovered spam in foil pouches. I bring along a piece of foil, wrap real good, put a good flat rock in the middle of your fire and when hot place foiled spam on rock or in coals. Cook until a little crispy add some cheese, cook a bit longer. Put it between a flat bagel top with mustard and mayo packets. Seriously... it's to die for when your backpacking. I wouldn't touch the stuff at home.

But do you really know what a Spam animal is ?????

 

[scatman]

wow ....... 2 lbs day!! I figure 1.25 per day........ I call it Bob's weight loss program though.....I can lose a couple pounds on a week long trip that way, never seem to be hungry though. Food weight is individual though, it's about what you need , not what the other guy has.....

Yeah, I know I eat a lot. I was known as "Burger Boy" in my younger days. It is the only way to keep me going.

 

[jentzschman]

This is going to be very difficult for me for an upcoming trip. Have not hammered out exactly how long, but at the most 9 days. Most likely I guess about 7-8 days. I am hoping to get food to under 2 lb per day for sure as that is a lot of weight. Granted, after the first few days it will not be nearly as bad, but still.

 

[scatman]

This is going to be very difficult for me for an upcoming trip. Have not hammered out exactly how long, but at the most 9 days. Most likely I guess about 7-8 days. I am hoping to get food to under 2 lb per day for sure as that is a lot of weight. Granted, after the first few days it will not be nearly as bad, but still.

Just keep the first couple days at a lower mileage then increase as your pack lightens up

 

[jentzschman]

Just keep the first couple days at a lower mileage then increase as your pack lightens up

Ya, that is one option as well. I will have to see how the other party members feel about this but I can see it being a very good idea. Thank you.

 

[Opi]

But do you really know what a Spam animal is ?????

Spiced Pig

The labeled ingredients in the classic variety of Spam are chopped pork shoulder meat, with ham meat added, salt, water, modified potato starch as a binder, sugar, and sodium nitrite as a preservative.


Spam is a brand of canned precooked meat products made by Hormel Foods Corporation. The name itself means spiced ham. It was first introduced in 1937 and gained popularity worldwide after its use during World War II. By 2003, Spam was sold in 41 countries on six continents and trademarked in over 100 countries. In 2007, the seven billionth can of Spam was sold.

 

[Bob]

Yah ........ but how much salt and sodium nitrate ????? Not saying they don't sell a lot, they do. Just better stuff to eat..than spam. I ate a bunch when a kid.... but now ....No...

 

[Opi]

@Bob your paranoid. My daily diet is mostly lean protein, fruit, vegies, some cheeses, nuts and whole grains. I work out and run 4 -5 days a week and do a lot of hiking. I rarely eat or buy that type of processed foods.
I'm also a chef Lol. And after hiking 20 plus miles through Gods country I can have a fried spam sandwich. I've put worse things in my body then that in the past.
Just look at the sodium content in a package of Mountain House. 1950 grams of sodium in a package of Chili Mac. Spam 790mg per 2oz serving. (eat 2 servings)
I don't ever eat snickers either but when I'm on the trail I do. When I'm on the trail my diet goes out the window pretty much. But I do bring a lot of cheese (I do live in Wisconsin), home made jerky and dried fruits, unsalted nuts, steelcut oats, honey, nido and protein isolate. And then mix in a bunch of other unhealthy stuff.
Look I wood not take this type of meal with me on an extended trip but for an overnighter or long weekend trip. Maybe have it twice a year I think we'll live. and really it does taste pretty good.

 

[gnwatts]

Spam?

 

[Opi]

That's funny!

Ok here's a better one.

Backcountry pizza!
Buy the premade small pizza crust like 3 to a pack
Need to find pizza sauce in plastic pouch or 1 crushed tomato and some Italian herbs
1 package peperoni slices
1 package shredded Mexican cheese
1 plastic container of black olive
maybe some onion or other chopped up veggies
Wrap in foil really good
Place in hot coals
Enjoy!

And for Dessert

Oreo pudding crumble!
1 small package no cook pudding - any flavor you want - I like chocolate
1/4 Nido
8oz cool water
mix and let stand as long as you can
top with package of Oreo cookies
Then eat it already!

 

[dreamlessleep]

Lunch- i stole this from my brother and love it...croissant, pepperoni, cucumber, and jalapeno cream cheese. it packs quite nicely and it tastes really good! Some use a bagel instead of the croissant.

I'm totally stealing this lunch idea. That sounds great for the 1st day of a backpack or a day hike.

 

[dreamlessleep]

Honestly, by the end of the day, I'm typically pretty wiped and don't want to mess around with involved dinners. That means prepackaged backpacker meals. Not my favorite, but expedient.