Best Backpacking Meals: 10 Bestselling Options Taste Tested and Ranked

Introduction

Backpacking meals have come a long way from bland, mushy noodles. Today, outdoor food brands offer everything from vegan mushroom risotto to grass-fed bison chili, with a focus on flavor, texture, and real nutrition. To find out which ones are worth carrying on your next trip, we taste tested 10 bestselling backpacking meals from 10 different brands. We scored each meal on taste alone, using a five-star system, and ranked them from best to worst. Here is what we found.

How We Ranked These Backpacking Meals

We evaluated each meal based on a single criterion: taste. Each was rehydrated according to package instructions, then tasted and scored from one star (we would not eat it again) to five stars (we would order it in a restaurant). We also noted how well each meal rehydrated, the texture of the ingredients, and the balance of flavors. While nutrition and price matter, our ranking reflects pure eating enjoyment.

The meals covered a range of dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and standard omnivore options, so there is something here for most backpackers.

Good To Go Mushroom Risotto

Good To Go Mushroom Risotto is a vegan and gluten-free meal with 410 calories and 13 grams of protein per pouch. It requires 20 minutes of rehydration. In our taste test, the risotto rehydrated perfectly, with a creamy texture that avoided the crunchiness that can affect rice-based meals. The flavor was rich and satisfying, and it earned a score of 4.25 out of 5 stars. It ultimately placed third in our ranking.

Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken

Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken is a gluten-free meal with 850 calories and 42 grams of protein. Preparation is more involved than most: you remove an oxygen absorber and a peanut butter packet, add peanut butter to the pouch, then add 1.5 cups of boiling water, stir, seal, wait 8 minutes, stir again, seal, and wait another 7 minutes. The result had an intense lime and paprika flavor that overwhelmed the other ingredients. The chicken rehydrated well, but the overall taste was not appealing. It scored 1.5 out of 5 stars and came in last place.

Farm to Summit Green Chile Mac and Cheese

Farm to Summit Green Chile Mac and Cheese requires 2 cups of boiling water, 5 minutes of rehydration, then pouring off about 1 cup of water before adding a cheddar mix packet. The result was super cheesy and comforting, like a gourmet version of classic mac and cheese, with a gentle kick from the green chilies that came through at the end. It scored 4 out of 5 stars and took second place overall.

Heather’s Choice Grass-Fed Bison Chili

Heather’s Choice Grass-Fed Bison Chili calls for 10 ounces of boiling water and 20 minutes of rehydration. It rehydrated perfectly, with a tender texture and no crunchiness. The flavor was rich and comforting, and we noted that adding shredded cheddar or crackers at camp would make it even better. It earned 3 out of 5 stars.

The bison chili is well thought out and made with quality ingredients. It is a solid choice for cold-weather trips when you want a warm, hearty meal.

Trailtopia Pesto Chicken Pasta

Trailtopia Pesto Chicken Pasta has 740 calories and 21 grams of protein. It requires about 10 minutes of rehydration. The pasta turned out bland, with a mushy texture and noodles that fell apart. The excess water diluted the pesto flavor, and the overall experience was disappointing. It scored 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings

Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings has 600 calories and 36 grams of protein. It rehydrates in about 10 minutes. The meal was creamy, hearty, and rehydrated perfectly, with a comforting flavor that reminded us of chicken pot pie. At $10.25, it is one of the less expensive meals we tested. The only downside was that the bag broke and would not reseal. It scored 3.75 out of 5 stars and ranked high in our overall list.

Pinnacle Foods Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Herbed Sausage Gravy

Pinnacle Foods Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Herbed Sausage Gravy has 770 calories and 31 grams of protein. It rehydrates in 10 to 13 minutes. The meal features crumbled jalapeno cheddar biscuits in a herbed sausage gravy. The flavor was very good, though we would have liked a bit more jalapeno heat. It scored between 3 and 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Packit Gourmet Polenta with Pork Sausage

Packit Gourmet Polenta with Pork Sausage is a gluten-conscious meal, meaning it is not made in a certified gluten-free facility but contains no gluten ingredients. It has 370 calories and 14 grams of protein and rehydrates in about 10 minutes. The polenta was creamy and flavorful, with herbed parmesan, garlic, and vegetables. However, some pieces of sausage and vegetables did not rehydrate fully and were crunchy. It scored 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Eate Foods Charge Up Chilaquiles

Eate Foods Charge Up Chilaquiles is a vegetarian meal with 490 calories and 17 grams of protein. It rehydrates in just 5 minutes, the shortest time of any meal we tested. The flavor was perfectly balanced, with well-rehydrated beans and chips that stayed slightly crunchy. It earned 4.75 out of 5 stars and was our top pick.

This meal works for breakfast or dinner and is a standout for its flavor and quick preparation.

Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo Pasta has 870 calories and 53 grams of protein, the highest protein content in our test. It rehydrates in about 10 minutes. The pasta held together well and the sauce was creamy. However, our tester did not enjoy the chicken alfredo flavor profile in general, so it scored 2.8 out of 5 stars. If you love creamy alfredo pasta, this meal may still appeal to you.

Overall Buying Advice

When choosing a backpacking meal, consider how much time you want to spend preparing it, the texture you prefer, and the flavor profile that appeals to you. Meals that rehydrate well and have balanced seasoning tend to be the most enjoyable. If you want the best taste, the Eate Foods Charge Up Chilaquiles and Farm to Summit Green Chile Mac and Cheese were our top two. For a comforting, classic flavor, the Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings is a strong choice, especially at its lower price point. If you have dietary restrictions, there are vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options available.

Ultimately, the best meal is the one that matches your personal taste and fits your trip.

Conclusion

After tasting 10 bestselling backpacking meals, we found clear winners and a few disappointments. The Eate Foods Charge Up Chilaquiles took first place for its balanced flavor and quick rehydration. The Farm to Summit Green Chile Mac and Cheese and Good To Go Mushroom Risotto rounded out the top three. At the other end, the Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken was our least favorite. We hope this ranking helps you find a meal you will look forward to eating on your next adventure.