What are good meals for hiking and backpacking?
Short answerGood backpacking meals are lightweight, calorie-dense, and need little or no cooking. Common options include instant oats, tortillas with nut butter, dehydrated meals, and cheese. Plan roughly the same food for each day, then adjust based on your appetite.
Choose calorie-dense foods
Hikers burn a lot of energy, so foods with more calories per ounce save weight. Nut butter, olive oil, cheese, and dried fruit are common choices for this reason. Check nutrition labels, since calorie counts can vary widely between similar products.
- Breakfast: instant oats, granola, or bagels
- Lunch: tortillas, cheese, salami, or nut butter
- Dinner: dehydrated meals or instant rice
- Snacks: trail mix, bars, and chocolate
Plan no-cook and low-cook options
Many hikers prefer foods that need only hot water or no heat at all. Cold soaking couscous or instant potatoes works for people who want to skip the stove. A small stove is still useful for coffee, tea, and hot dinners on cold nights.
Keep food safe and sealed
Pack food in sealed bags or containers to keep moisture and smells in. In areas with bears or other wildlife, store food as local rules require, often in a bear canister or hung bag. Store food away from your tent at camp every night.
Common mistakes
- Packing heavy canned food that adds weight without much energy.
- Underestimating calorie needs on long, hard days.
- Skipping a trial run with your planned meals at home.
