{"id":136,"date":"2022-01-05T12:24:15","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T17:24:15","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-02-16T13:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:34:39","slug":"best-freeze-dried-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleverhiker.com\/backpacking\/best-freeze-dried-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Backpacking Freeze Dried & Dehydrated Meals of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sometimes the best backpacking meals are the easiest ones. For that measure alone, dehydrated and freeze-dried meals are the best. They are essentially zero-prep: add boiled water and wait a few minutes. These brands have worked their recipes over to be more than just calories; they are downright tasty and flavorful. The tradeoff for the convenience and ease is usually price and texture. Dehydrated meals cost more per calorie than assembling your own entrees or dehydrating your own meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ideas on making your own backpacking meals, check out our Lightweight Backpacking Food Guide<\/a>. And if you fancy yourself an outdoor gourmand, we have Backpacking Meal Recipes & Food Dehydration Tips<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Gotta love PEAK REFUEL \u2013 Thai Chicken Coconut Curry. – Photo Credit: Heather Eldridge (CleverHiker.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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#1. Best Dehydrated Backpacking Meal Overall<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"peak<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The <\/strong><\/a>Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto<\/a><\/strong> is satisfying and packed with replenishing ingredients. We’ve eaten this for 50 dinners in the backcountry,<\/strong> and it’s still our favorite after all that time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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VIEW AT REI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Quick Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every pouch was evaluated for flavor, texture, and overall “yum.” We also factored in rehydration time, price per calorie, ingredient quality, dietary accommodations, and variety of cuisines. We regularly update this list every time we stuff our faces in the backcountry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Breakfast Overall:<\/strong> Mountain House Breakfast Skillet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Dinner Overall:<\/strong> Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Most Calories in a Pouch:<\/strong> Peak Refuel Biscuits & Gravy <\/a>(1100 cal)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Cold-Soak Meal: <\/strong>Packit Gourmet Southwest Corn & Black Bean Salad<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Chocolate Dessert:<\/strong> Backpacker’s Pantry Dark Chocolate Cheesecake<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Fruity Dessert: <\/strong>Trailtopia Triple Berry Crisp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best When Craving Veggies:<\/strong> Farm to Summit Thai Red Curry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Protein-Rich Meal:<\/strong> Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo Pasta<\/a> (53g protein)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Comfort Meal:<\/strong> Packit Gourmet Dottie’s Chicken & Dumplings<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Budget Dinner:<\/strong> Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Real-Food Texture:<\/strong> GOOD TO-GO Thai Curry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best For Spice Lovers:<\/strong> Nomad Nutrition Kathmandu Curry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Best Mac & Cheese: <\/strong>Farm to Summit Green Chile Mac<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Review<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Backpackers-sharing-a-Mountain-House-breakfast-at-sunrise\"
Meals from Mountain House are typically more affordable than many other brands. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Best Backpacking Meal Brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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V = Vegetarian, GF = Gluten free, DF = Dairy free<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"stock\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t

\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBackpacker’s Pantry\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t

Best Selection<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice Range:\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$4-13\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Rehydrate Time:\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t15 min\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTop Pick:\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPad Thai\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView at REI<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView at Amazon<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Pros<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t