DIY Backpacking Food

Try to carry lightweight food for a backpacking trip.

Backpackers need not rely on store-bought freeze dried food. Many associate camping with eating not-so-appetizing pre-packaged food. However, with a little creativity you can create delicious menus that are inexpensive for your camping trip. Plan ahead to create delicious entrees and snacks to carry with you. Generally, try to bring foods that are non-perishable, nutritious, lightweight and not messy.

Things You'll Need

• Dehydrator
• Plastic zip-lock bags
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Spices
• Powdered sugar
• Camp stove
• Camping cooking equipment
• Considerations

Instructions

1. What kind of food you bring depends on a number of considerations. Consider how long you will be backpacking and plan accordingly. This will determine whether or not you can bring perishable items. Also consider whether you can build a camp fire while backpacking or if you need to bring a camp stove. It is imperative to know whether you will have access to clean water; you may have to carry your own water.

2. Weight may be the primary consideration for campers. Dry food weighs less than regular food, as food consists of 50 to 90 percent water, according to the book Trail Food: Drying and Cooking Food for Backpacking and Paddling. A dehydrated meal can fit into one’s pocket essentially.

   You can make your own dehydrated food at home with an electric dehydrating machine. Wash vegetables and fruits that you will dehydrate, remove all seeds. Thinly slice fruits and vegetables. Dehydrate the food on a rack at 135 degrees Fahrenheit until leathery or brittle, according to Trails.com. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables should be dusted before storing to prevent sticking. Use powder sugar for fruits. Dehydrated fruits, vegetables and meats can be stored in a plastic zip-lock bag or plastic container with a tight lid.

3. 

   Consider whether you can build a campfire while backpacking.

   Soup mix

   Prepare your own dehydrated soup mix. Dehydrate the vegetables of your choice and separate them. You may also want to add dried noodles or instant rice. Dust the vegetables with spices to give flavor and to prevent from sticking.

   Trial mix

   Prepare your own trial mix with nuts and dried fruit. Chose your favorite dried fruits, for example cranberries, cherries, raisins, currants ,apricots.

4. Tips for cooking

   If you bring perishable food, eat perishable items first. Prepare sauces in advance to carry with you. Keep meats and chicken on ice in aluminum foil packets which you can use to cook. Chop garlic, onions and vegetables at home. Also, combine spices at home before packing for your backpacking trip, according to the Chicago Tribune.

   Equipment

   Don’t forget the necessary equipment to cook. You may need a camp stove. Bring a pot, pan and utensils. The most important tool for backpacking is a knife.

References

• Trials: How to dehydrate food for backpacking
• Chicago Tribune: Backpack gourmet

Resources

• Backpacker Magazine: Food