Best Camping Freeze-Dried Food for Backpacking of 2025

Arlen Smith Avatar
Arlen Smith
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2025

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Camping freeze-dried food for backpacking is a convenient and practical solution for outdoor enthusiasts. These lightweight, compact meals are designed to be easily prepared by simply adding hot water. Packed with essential nutrients and delicious flavors, they offer a variety of options ranging from classic favorites like pasta and chili to international dishes such as Thai curry and Mexican rice. With a long shelf life and minimal storage requirements, these freeze-dried meals are the perfect companion for any backpacking adventure, providing nourishment and energy while keeping your backpack light and your taste buds satisfied.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings Cover #TOP 1
Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce Cover #TOP 2
Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles Cover #TOP 3
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Camping Freeze-Dried Food for Backpacking

#TOP 1

Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings

55165
MULTI
2 Serving Pouch
Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings Cover
Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food |2 Servings

Mountain House Dumplings is a delicious freeze-dried meal perfect for outdoor and indoor adventures, camping, and backpacking trips. Made with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, this Southern recipe contains chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumpling bites in a creamy white gravy. The meal is freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, and the pouch contains two servings. The meal is quick to prepare, requiring only hot water, and can be eaten straight from the pouch, saving you time and effort in cleaning up. The pouch is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry with you on your adventures. Lastly, the packaging is recyclable, and the meal has the longest proven shelf life in the industry, backed by a 30-year taste guarantee.

What We Like
Long shelf life
Easy preparation
No artificial ingredients
#TOP 2

Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce

55125
2 Serving Pouch
Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce Cover
Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food |2 Servings

Enjoy a delicious Italian entree with Mountain House Lasagna. This freeze-dried backpacking and camping food is made with pasta, cheese, and a rich tomato meat sauce. The freeze-drying process locks in nutrients and freshness, and there are no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors. With two servings in each pouch, it's perfect for a hungry backpacker or to share with a camping buddy. Preparation is quick and easy - just add hot water to the pouch and eat in less than 10 minutes. The pouch has a convenient, bowl-like shape for easy eating, and you can eat straight from the pouch to skip the dishes. Lightweight and portable, it's a tasty meal for camping and backpacking trips. Plus, the pouch is recyclable, reducing waste. Enjoy a delicious meal anytime, anywhere with Mountain House Lasagna.

What We Like
Delicious Italian entree
Quick and easy preparation
Lightweight and portable
#TOP 3

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles

55149
standard
2-Serving Pouch
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles Cover
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 2 Servings

Mountain House Stroganoff is a delicious freeze-dried camping and backpacking food that comes with two servings. It features tender beef, noodles, and mushrooms smothered in a rich sour cream sauce. The freeze-drying process locks in the nutrients and freshness, making it a nutritious and tasty meal for any outdoor activity. There are no artificial colors or flavors, and the pouch is lightweight and portable, making it easy to prepare and eat anywhere. The pouch has a shorter, wider, more bowl-like shape for an easier eating experience, and you can eat straight from the pouch to save on cleanup. The longest proven shelf life in the industry, backed by a 30-Year Taste Guarantee, makes it a great option for emergency food storage and survival situations.

What We Like
Quick prep
No artificial colors or flavors
Longest proven shelf life
#TOP 4

Mountain House Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich

55524
1 Serving Pouch
Mountain House Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich Cover
Mountain House Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 1 Serving

The Mountain House Ice Cream Sandwich is a delightful treat for your outdoor adventures. This freeze-dried dessert features tasty vanilla ice cream nestled between two chocolate cookies. You won’t need any refrigeration, making it perfect for camping trips or hikes, and it’s designed to avoid any mess. Enjoy it right out of the pouch—there’s no preparation required! Plus, with a two-year shelf life, you can stock up for your next expedition without worrying about spoilage. This convenient snack is ideal for those who love sweet treats on the go.

What We Like
Delicious trail snack
No mess, easy to eat
Ready to eat
Long shelf life

Mountain House Beef Stew

55145
multi
2 Serving Pouch
Mountain House Beef Stew Cover
Mountain House Beef Stew | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 2 Servings | Gluten-Free

Mountain House Stew is a delicious and nutritious freeze-dried camping and backpacking food that contains all-natural beef, potatoes, peas, and carrots. It is gluten-free, contains no artificial flavors or colors, and is certified by GFCO. With just hot water, you can have a tasty meal in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. The pouch is lightweight and portable, making it perfect for camping and backpacking trips or emergency food storage. With the longest proven shelf life in the industry, this stew is a great choice for those who want to eat well in the backcountry or in their tent.

What We Like
Nutritious and delicious
Gluten-free
Quick and easy to prepare
Lightweight and portable
Longest shelf life in the industry
#TOP 6

Mountain House Biscuits & Gravy

55453
2 Serving Pouch
Mountain House Biscuits & Gravy Cover
Mountain House Biscuits & Gravy | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food |2 Servings

Mountain House Breakfast is a delicious freeze-dried breakfast option perfect for camping, backpacking, or emergency food storage. The buttermilk biscuits and pork sausage gravy are a family-favorite and are made with no preservatives or artificial flavors. With a quick preparation time of less than 10 minutes and no cleanup, you can enjoy a hot, hearty breakfast anytime, anywhere. The lightweight and portable pouch makes it easy to pack and eat straight from the pouch, so you can skip the dishes. Additionally, the pouch is recyclable, and the product has the longest proven shelf life in the industry, backed by a 30-Year Taste Guarantee.

What We Like
Quick preparation
No preservatives
Long shelf life
#TOP 7

Mountain House Adventure Weekender Kit

0082607
Mountain House Adventure Weekender Kit Cover
Mountain House Adventure Weekender Kit | Freeze Dried Camping & Backpacking Food | 12 Servings

The Mountain House Weekender Kit is the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures. With its freeze-dried camping and backpacking food, you can enjoy delicious meals even when you're away from home. The kit includes 12 servings, providing you with plenty of food to keep you fueled throughout your trip. The package dimensions of 22.479 L x 22.479 W x 24.765 H (centimeters) make it compact and easy to carry. Made in the United States, you can trust the quality and taste of this camping equipment. Whether you're camping, hiking, or exploring the great outdoors, the Mountain House Weekender Kit is your go-to choice for convenient and delicious meals.

What We Like
Freeze-dried meals
Compact package
12 servings
#TOP 8

Mountain House Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich

55529
1 Serving Pouch
Mountain House Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Cover
Mountain House Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 1 Serving

The Mountain House Ice Cream Sandwich is a delightful treat that combines refreshing mint ice cream with chocolate chips, all nestled between two chocolate cookie wafers. This ready-to-eat dessert is freeze-dried, allowing you to enjoy it without the mess of traditional ice cream—no drips or sticky fingers! Perfect for outdoor adventures, it has a three-year shelf life, making it an ideal snack for camping, backpacking, or any time you crave something sweet. Plus, you can feel good about your choice as the packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle, helping to protect the environment.

What We Like
Delicious mint chocolate flavor
No mess, no drips
Ready to eat
Long shelf life
Recyclable packaging
#TOP 9

Mountain House Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken

55178
1 Pouch
Mountain House Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken Cover
Mountain House Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 2-Servings

Mountain House Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken is a freeze-dried backpacking & camping food with delicious meal, nothing artificial, quick prep, eat anytime anywhere, recyclable, and shelf-stable. The meal is made with tender pasta tossed with butter, parmesan, and chicken, freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness. It contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Just add hot water to the pouch or bowl and eat in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup required. It's perfect for camping & backpacking trips or emergency food storage & survival.

What We Like
Delicious meal with tender pasta tossed with butter, parmesan, and chicken
Quick prep, just add hot water and eat in less than 10 minutes
Lightweight and portable, suitable for camping, backpacking trips, or emergency food storage & survival
#TOP 10

Mountain House Chicken Fried Rice - Freeze Dried Camping Food

55168
2-Serving Pouch
Mountain House Chicken Fried Rice - Freeze Dried Camping Food Cover
Mountain House Chicken Fried Rice | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 2 Servings | Gluten-Free

Mountain House Chicken Fried Rice is a delicious camping and backpacking food that is gluten-free and made with long grain rice, chicken, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, peas, carrots, and red peppers. The freeze-drying process helps to lock in nutrients and freshness, and the pouch is easy to prepare and has a bowl-like shape for a better eating experience. It is a lightweight and portable food that can be eaten anytime and anywhere, and the packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle to reduce waste.

What We Like
Gluten-free and made with no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors
Easy to prepare and has a bowl-like shape for a better eating experience
Lightweight and portable, perfect for camping and backpacking trips
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is freeze dried food good for backpacking?

If you go backpacking, you must fuel your adventure. While car camping meals can be downright gourmet, you won't be hauling a cooler on a backpacking trip. If you're looking to travel light and sans refrigeration and still eat well, freeze-dried backpacking meals are a great option.

2. Is freeze dried camping food good?

Are they nutritious? The process of freeze drying can retain up to 90% of the nutrients, but the product will only be 20% of its original weight. That said, most freeze dried meals are packed with sodium and unrecognizable ingredients. Scientifically speaking, we'd put them into the “sorta nutritious” camp.

3. How long does freeze dried backpacking food last?

How long does freeze dried food last? Freeze dried foods are popular in the emergency preparedness world, and for good reason. Since the moisture content has been almost completely removed, these foods can last for up to 25 years when processed and packaged in certain ways.

4. How do you pack freeze dried food for backpacking?

1. Vacuum sealed bags with dehydrated food in them become "bricks" and do not pack well. 2. I should store the MH style meal in its original foil bag until right before I leave for my hike and then repackage it to save weight and space.

Editor's Notes

During our camping freeze-dried food for backpacking research, we found 24 camping freeze-dried food for backpacking products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 130,299 customer reviews through our big data system to write the camping freeze-dried food for backpacking list. We found that most customers choose camping freeze-dried food for backpacking with an average price of $7.98.

The camping freeze-dried food for backpacking are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of camping freeze-dried food for backpacking, including Mountain House and more. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Arlen Smith Avatar

Arlen Smith is a writer and a surfer who lives in Los Angeles, he runs a popular blog that focuses on surfing skills and popular surf spots around the world. He enjoys the sun, the beach and the feeling of surfing. His expertise ranges from categories such as climbing, swimming, boating and outdoor sports.