Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals for 2023

Backpacking food options have certainly evolved over the years, and thankfully so. Gone are the days when your instant mashed potatoes tasted better than your freeze-dried meal. That being said, I have come up with the best freeze-dried backpacking meals for 2023.

For many years, my backpacking meals consisted of mostly pre-portioned, dehydrated foods from the grocery store. Things like instant mashed potatoes, Stove Top Stuffing or Ramen… dry ingredients you just add water to.

I would always bring a freeze-dried or two but frankly, my Stove Top Stuffing tasted a lot better than many of the options we had back in the day. Actually, it was more like lack of options since there wasn’t much to choose from.

Fast forward to 2023 and I can honestly say that I bring more freeze-dried meals on a backpacking trip than I do other options. With all the new brands out there, it’s easy to find both calorie dense and great tasting meals.

I am probably bringing more freeze-dried because the selection has increased, and the taste and quality of the meals are at a much higher standard now. There’s more competition between more companies to produce a delicious tasting backcountry meal.

There are so many options out there nowadays, so it was pretty easy to figure out your favorites. After many nights in the backcountry sampling and exploring new brands, I have managed to come up with a top ten list of the best freeze-dried backpacking meals for 2023.

10 best freeze-dried backpacking meals for 2023

Most of the meals designed with backpackers in mind have a good amount of calories, nutrients, carbohydrates and sodium to refuel our bodies. With that said, the meals on this list are chosen for no other reason than they taste good.

Furthermore, I know that calories and carbs and protein are an important part of the refueling process; but in the end, after a long day on the trail, I just want something that tastes good.

1. Mountain House Rice and Chicken

This takes the number one spot because after a long day on the trail, nothing tastes better than this one. Even with all the new brands on the market, this is still my go to favorite. I have even tried the Peak Refuel brand rice and chicken and it just not as tasty.

The reason I love this one so much is that it tastes so good and salty. Also, I can distinguish the chicken from other ingredients and the flavor is good. I seriously buy these in bulk.

2. Peak Refuel Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli

Peak Refuel is a newer brand and boy their meals are delicious. I think as a whole this may be my new favorite brand, and yes, I have tried all their meals except for the breakfast options.

The Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli is delicious because the sauce is creamy and the broccoli tastes pretty fresh for something out of a bag. They have a variety of choices that stack up to other brands. You can get them at REI or on Amazon.

3.Good To-Go Indian Korma

Seriously, I never thought a vegetarian option would make it to the top of the list but save some space in your bear canister for this one, particularly if you are going on a long trip. It’s natural to crave a meaty or carby meal after a long day on the trail, but after many days on the trail, what are you craving? Fresh vegetables!!

While you won’t find any “fresh” vegetables per se in this one, but the taste is about as close as you can get out in the wilderness without harvesting your own food. The delicious carrots, peas and parsnips taste like something from the farmer’s market. You can get it on Amazon for a good price.

4. Mountain House Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

This one is an oldie but goodie. I don’t think they have changed the recipe from over 10 years ago for good reason…… it’s creamy and delicious. This one is perfect for those evenings you just want to carb load with creamy cheesy goodness.

I was a vegetarian for over 20 years, this was my favorite freeze-dried meal of all time. Now that I’ve had a taste of some of the non-vegetarian options this one ranks a little lower. But like my number 3 choice, there is always a place in my pack for a good tasting vegetarian meal. You can get it at REI or on Amazon.

5. Peak Refuel Beef Stroganoff

The Mountain House Beef Stroganoff used to be at the top of my list…. until I tasted this one. It’s so creamy and delicious and very flavorful. One of the many reasons I love this brand is because their meals rehydrate so well. No crunchy noodles or pasty, powdery sauce.

Also, I love this brand is because the main ingredients really shine and bring out layers of flavors for a more satisfying meal. You can get it on Amazon.

6. Backpackers Pantry Mango Sticky Rice

I am surprised there is not more hype around this one, it’s so satisfying. It works great as a meal, a side dish or even dessert or breakfast. The rice rehydrates perfectly, and the mango flavor is on point.

The flavors of mango, coconut and sesame seeds combined with the delicious sticky rice will probably make you want to buy this one in bulk as well. You can order it on Amazon.

7. Mountain House Classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

While many of the brands out there have a version of spaghetti with meat sauce, this classic is still the best. This meal is so comforting, you’d think you had an Italian Grandma in your trail camp kitchen,

So if you are looking for an option that is always delicious and as close to home cooking as you can get, this may be a good bet. While many of the freeze-dried meals out there taste somewhat like what you’d expect, this one is spot on. Click here to get it on Amazon

8. Backpackers Pantry Chana Masala

This one has been a long-time favorite of mine because the spice blend is so tasty and the meal itself is very hearty and filling even though it is vegetarian. It also rehydrates perfectly as long as you follow the instruction to a T.

Additionally, I love this one is because it makes a good backpacking lunch meal as well. You don’t need to bring out your stove to whip it up for lunch, just make it in the morning and keep it in your pack until lunch. Since it is a 2 serving package, I will usually eat half for dinner and save the rest for the next day’s lunch. Available on Amazon

9. Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings with vegetables

I remember when my brother first tried this one, he said is was the ultimate comfort food…. and I have to agree. This meal is nice and flavorful with plenty of sodium to replenish your body from all the sweating you did during the day.

Ranking as one of the heartiest meals out there, this one tastes exactly how you would expect it to. Perfect for a cold or rainy evening on the trail. You can get it at REI or Amazon.

10. Good To-Go White Bean and Kale Stew

I know, another vegetarian choice, but this one is really good too. When this brand fist came out, I wasn’t really interested in their meals. I thought it was another one of those brands that served up healthy fare at the expense of tasting like cardboard.

After sampling the mushroom risotto meal on a trip, I decided I liked it and figured I’d give the brand a try. When I saw the kale and white bean stew had over a thousand 5-star reviews, I tried it, and now I know why. This hearty meal tastes like something you’d expect to find on a Tuscan Farm or boutique restaurant. Get it on Amazon.

Choose Wisely

I didn’t go over any of the nutritional value information about these meals for good reason. You see, the brands and companies that make these products know that backpackers need calories, carbohydrates, sodium and some protein, so it’s already taken into account.

When I am out on the trail though, and it’s time to find camp and have dinner I want something that tastes good. That’s what this list of best freeze-dried backpacking meals represents.

Nothing is worse than settling into camp for dinner after a long day and have your meal taste like dirt. So, I have done the all the sampling and experimenting for you by creating this list. See you on the trail.