Best Camping Freeze-Dried Food of 2025

"I was thrilled to try the beef stroganoff from Mountain House, as it's one of my favorites. Preparing it was a breeze; I just added hot water and waited. The result? Thick, creamy goodness that tasted fantastic, with prominent flavors of mushrooms, onions, and beef. I polished off the whole bag and plan to buy it again!"

"I pulled out a freeze-dried meal I bought a while back, expecting it to be a total flop due to extreme storage conditions. To my surprise, it was really good! The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the seasoning was just right—not too salty. I ended up eating the entire portion and would definitely purchase this again for camping or emergencies."

"While I didn't measure the water, I found the flavor quite impressive for a freeze-dried meal. However, the portion felt small, and I was still hungry after finishing it. If I have to eat two bags, I might as well order something better. Still, it’s a decent option for travel or emergencies."

"On a recent father/son camping trip, my son exclaimed, 'tastes just like Olive Garden!' while enjoying this meal by the campfire. I recommend starting with a little less water than you think you need for the best results."

"This is hands down my favorite backpacking meal! Although the meat didn't completely absorb the water, which surprised me, I actually enjoyed the unique texture. The taste was simply a 10/10! I suggest using a bit less water to avoid a soupy consistency."

"I purchased the 'Mountain House, Beef Lasagna' for long-term food storage. While it was quite tasty, I found it to be more suited for one person rather than two. Despite its unappealing appearance, the flavor was solid enough for me to rate it 4 stars!"

"I was thrilled to find these freeze-dried strawberries! They’re excellent on my yogurt in the morning. Even though I haven’t rehydrated them yet, the sweet and tangy flavor is just perfect. Plus, the fact that they come in a can ensures long shelf life is a great bonus!"

"After researching freeze-dried fruit, I discovered that Augason Farms offers the best quality and price for strawberries. They are absolutely delicious and come in big pieces. I usually don’t take the time to review products, but these strawberries deserve it!"

"I found the can difficult to open, which might be an issue for some. But once I got in, the strawberries were fantastic! The price per ounce is unbeatable, and I really appreciate how serious they are about long-term freshness."

"After a long day of hiking, Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings was the perfect comfort meal. Just add boiling water, wait a few minutes, and enjoy a hearty, flavorful dish. It truly felt like a home-cooked meal outdoors. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this freeze-dried food, and it's now a must-have for my camping trips!"

"Living in south Florida, I've faced hurricanes without power for days. These meals are a vital part of my survival kit—just add hot water, and they’re ready to eat! They taste delicious and are easy to prepare. I really appreciate having something to look forward to during a hurricane, even if they are a bit pricey and salty!"

"I had a bit of trouble getting the right amount of water for this meal, but overall, it tasted really good. It’s easy to make, and I think it could serve as a satisfying meal or two light portions. I can see why this company is successful, and I plan on buying more!"

"This is hands down the best shelf stable beef stew I've ever tried! It's hearty and delicious, especially while camping. Being able to boil water, add it to a pouch, and enjoy a meal that tastes like home cooking in the wilderness is amazing. It’s a bit pricey, but the 30+ year shelf life makes it worthwhile. I love this stuff!"

"I always bring this beef stew on my camping trips. It truly tastes like a home-cooked meal, even when I’m far from home. The portion is generous, packed with flavor and nutrients for my long hikes. The freeze-dried packaging makes it super easy to carry and prepare. A fantastic choice for quality trail food!"

"I bought this for future emergencies. The packaging is sturdy and I've used this brand before, finding it to be quite tasty. It’s great to have on hand!"

"I bought this for a 50-mile hike, and I found it super lightweight, easy to prepare, and delicious!"

"I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of Mountain House's Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo. Even without enhancements, it would have been satisfying. However, I do think it's a bit pricey!"

"I decided to try the Mountain House meals, and I’m glad I did! The Fettuccine Alfredo is quite tasty and fills you up. Just add boiling water, and it’s ready to eat!"

"I recently tried Mountain House Chicken Teriyaki with Rice on a camping trip, and it was a fantastic choice! After a long day of hiking, I was craving something flavorful and filling, and this meal hit the spot perfectly. The chicken was tender, and the teriyaki sauce provided a delightful sweetness that complemented the rice well. Sharing it with friends made it even better; we all agreed it felt hearty and satisfying—definitely more enjoyable than typical trail food. Plus, it's gluten-free, which was great for our group. I'll definitely add this to my future camping meals!"

"I had never tried dehydrated meals before, but on my recent hiking trip, I decided to give it a go. It was very tasty! I followed the instructions for adding water, but it came out a bit watery. Next time, I’ll try using less water. Overall, it’s an easy, quick dinner that tastes good and is healthy. I love that it can be stored for about 25 years and still tastes good!"

"I've found Mountain House meals to be easy to store and prepare. All the flavors I’ve tried have been great. While I might worry about them turning to dust if not packed well for backpacking, I trust that backpackers know how to handle that. It’s very lightweight and takes up little space for the calories, just add hot water, stir, and the meal is ready before my tent is even up. It's also perfect for long-term planners on a budget. Just don’t forget about water!"

"I recently tried the Mountain House Chicken Fajita Bowl while camping, and it was a great change of pace from my usual meals. Just like the other options, it was super easy to prepare—add hot water, wait a few minutes, and I'm good to go. The flavor was fantastic! The spices provided a nice kick, and the chicken mixed well with the rice and veggies. It felt like a hearty meal that hit the spot after a day of hiking. If you're looking to mix things up in your camping menu, this bowl is a perfect choice!"

"This was my first experience with what people call 'astronaut food', and I found it to be surprisingly good. It is a bit pricey, but you do get two servings. Honestly, I ate it all by myself! I used slightly less water than recommended, and letting it sit a bit longer really improved the texture. It was very easy to prepare on my backpacking trip, and the fajita meat was surprisingly good—not too spicy! I highly recommend it; you won't be disappointed!"

"I keep a few dozen of these on hand for emergencies. Living in a fire-prone area, there are times when I lack power or access to stores. Having a good supply of easy-to-make food is comforting. I like the Mountain House brand; all their meals are tasty and enough to make me feel full for a day. I even cook them in my sun oven when there's no power. I just pour the contents and the required amount of water in a pot and let the sun heat it up for an hour. They always turn out perfect!"

"I recently took the Mountain House Chicken Fried Rice on my last camping trip, and it was an absolute hit! After a long day of hiking, I was looking forward to a warm, filling meal, and this freeze-dried option exceeded my expectations. Preparation was a breeze—just add hot water, wait a few minutes, and voilà! The rice rehydrated beautifully, and the chicken pieces were surprisingly tender. Eating this around the campfire felt like a cozy home-cooked meal. I appreciate that it's gluten-free, making it a great option for various dietary needs. I'll definitely be packing this for my future adventures!"

"I've had various emergency rations, and these are actually the best tasting. I bought this as a test. Upon making it, both ease of preparation and taste impressed me, leading me to order one month’s worth. They are good for 30 years."

"This is not something I would normally order for myself, but I was so surprised at the flavor! You definitely don't have to add any seasonings. I was looking for foods like this to have on hand in case of emergency, but I figured I better taste it first before stocking up. It is absolutely delicious! It would easily feed 2+ people."

"I took this Mountain House weekend kit on a remote camping trip last summer. No duds in the bunch - everything was actually edible, which is saying something for freeze-dried meals. My only real issue? The water measurements and sitting times seem more like suggestions than rules. I had to play it by ear - some meals needed extra time, while others ended up a bit soupy. Solid choice for weekend camping trips."

"These meals are perfect for my Scout when they go backpacking. They pack small and light, and taste great once prepared - all you need is water and heat."

"Ordered the 12 meal kit. The food quality and taste are pretty good, better than I expected. The bags and cooking instructions worked well. I like the product, although the price is high for what it is."