A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to hiking food. Here are some easy ways to turn an ordinary freeze-dried meal into something pretty bloody delicious.
The reason we buy freeze-dried hiking meals is pretty simple: weight and convenience. Add some boiling water, let it sit for a few minutes, and you've got yourself a meal. Easy.
But let's face it, freeze-dried meals have a bit of a reputation for not exactly being haute cuisine. They're more commonly associated with eating out of a pouch on a rock somewhere than enjoying a memorable dining experience.
But it needn't be all doom and gloom. With a little creativity and a few simple additions, there's plenty you can do to take your freeze-dried meals to another level.
So, let's talk about pimping your hiking meals.
First Up, Plant-Based Doesn't Have to Mean Vegetarian
One of the things we love doing at Hiking Food Australia is introducing Australian hikers to exciting brands and products from around the world that haven't previously been available here.
Now, importing food into Australia can be a complicated business, particularly when meat and dairy products are involved. Plant-based meals are generally a lot easier to import, which is one of the reasons we've ended up stocking the biggest range of vegan and vegetarian freeze-dried meals in Australia and New Zealand.
Don't worry, though. We're working on bringing in more meat-based meals and other products containing animal ingredients, too.
But here's the thing: just because a meal is plant-based doesn't mean you have to eat it that way.
Take the SLY Foods Bolognese Pasta, for example. It's a delicious plant-based take on a classic Italian dish. But there's absolutely nothing stopping you from adding some Back Country Cuisine freeze-dried beef mince, a little Parmesan, or some crumbled Forager Foods freeze-dried cheese.
Or perhaps you've got a Real Meals Dal Makhani. It's a lovely, rich lentil-based dish in its own right, but why not add some freeze-dried chicken, a little extra coconut milk powder, or a handful of cashews?
Suddenly you've got something quite different, and you've also increased the protein and calorie content along the way.
The point is, plant-based meals can be a fantastic starting point for all sorts of creations. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, an enthusiastic meat eater, or somewhere in between, there's no reason to overlook them.
Bulk It Up With Extra Protein
Freeze-dried hiking meals have traditionally been fairly carbohydrate-heavy. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy when you're hiking. Your body breaks them down into glucose, which helps fuel your muscles, particularly when you're tackling steep climbs or pushing through a long day on the trail.
But protein is important too, particularly for muscle repair and recovery.
And if you'd like a little more protein in your dinner, it's remarkably easy to add.
We stock ingredients like Back Country Cuisine Freeze-Dried Chicken Dices, Back Country Cuisine Beef Mince, and other protein-rich additions that can be thrown into all sorts of meals.
Think chicken in a creamy mushroom risotto, beef mince in a bolognese, or some extra meat in a hearty curry.
It's also a great way to make a meal go further.
You might start with a single-serve freeze-dried meal, add a generous helping of chicken chunks, some cheese, and perhaps a few vegetables. Before you know it, you've got a substantial dinner for one hungry hiker, or potentially enough to share between two people.
And it needn't be animal protein, either. Textured vegetable protein, lentils, nuts, and seeds can all be useful additions.
Just remember that additional freeze-dried or dehydrated ingredients will generally need extra water and rehydration time.
Give It a Bit of Crunch
Here's something you might have noticed about freeze-dried meals: once you've added water, things can get a little soft.
Sometimes the whole lot ends up with a consistency not too far removed from a bowl of hippie mush.
Nothing wrong with that, of course. But a bit of texture can make a world of difference.
Imagine you've got a Campers Pantry Spicy Mexican Beans. Why not crush up a handful of corn chips and sprinkle them over the top?
Suddenly you've got a bit of crunch, some extra flavour, and a meal that's a whole lot more interesting.
There are plenty of other possibilities, too:
-
Crispy fried shallots: Fantastic over Asian curries and noodle dishes. You could even save some of those little sachets of fried shallots from your instant Mee Goreng packets.
-
Crushed peanuts or cashews: Perfect for satay, stir-fries, and curries. Just pinch a handful from your trail mix.
-
Crackers or croutons: Crumble them over soups and stews.
-
Toasted seeds: Great over couscous, salads, and grain-based meals.
-
Corn chips: Brilliant with Mexican-style dishes, chilli con carne, or anything that could use a little crunch.
The beauty of these additions is that most weigh very little, require no cooking, and can be packed separately until you're ready to eat.
Cheese Makes Everything Better
There. We said it.
A sprinkle of Parmesan over a bolognese. Some cheddar stirred through mashed potato. A generous helping of freeze-dried cheese added to a creamy pasta dish.
You get the idea.
Cheese is also a handy way to add extra protein, fat, and calories to your dinner.
We stock options like Forager Foods freeze-dried cheese, which is particularly convenient for hiking. You can also take suitable hard cheeses on shorter trips, provided you consider storage conditions and food safety.
And remember those plant-based meals we mentioned earlier? Cheese is an easy way to turn a vegan meal into a vegetarian one, if that's your preference.
Don't Forget Your Veggies
Just because you're eating out of a pouch doesn't mean you need to forget about vegetables.
In fact, adding a few extra veggies is one of the easiest ways to make a freeze-dried meal more interesting, while also adding fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
We stock Back Country Cuisine Instant Mixed Vegetables, along with freeze-dried vegetables from Campers Pantry, including peas and cauliflower.
A handful of peas can work wonders in a creamy pasta or risotto. Some extra mixed vegetables can bulk out a curry or stew. And mushrooms, spinach, or capsicum can add another dimension to all sorts of meals.
It's also a handy way to stretch a smaller meal into something more substantial.
And because they're dehydrated or freeze-dried, you're not carrying around all the water weight of fresh vegetables.
Make it a proper feast with some sides
Sometimes the best way to pimp a freeze-dried meal isn't to change the meal itself. It's to add something alongside it.
Take a hearty stew or curry, for example. Why not serve it with some mashed potato or rice?
We stock Back Country Cuisine Instant Mashed Potato, along with options like Campers Pantry Cheesy Chive Mash and Real Meals Basmati Rice.
Mashed potato is particularly handy because it's lightweight, easy to prepare, and goes beautifully with all sorts of saucy meals.
A smaller serve of beef stew with a generous helping of mash? That's a pretty satisfying dinner.
Or perhaps you've got a curry that could use a little extra rice to soak up the sauce.
Adding sides is also a practical way to make meals go further, particularly if you're sharing food or trying to keep your hiking menu economical.
Add some extra calories
When you're hiking long distances, getting enough energy into your body is important. And sometimes the easiest way to do that is to add a little fat to your meals.
Olive oil is a great example.
A single tablespoon provides roughly 120 calories, weighs very little, and can add some lovely richness to pasta, rice, and other savoury dishes.
Other options include:
-
Coconut milk powder: Fantastic stirred through curries and Asian-inspired dishes.
-
Peanut butter: A spoonful can transform noodles into something resembling a satay.
-
Ghee: Lovely mixed into rice, dhal, or mashed potato.
-
Nuts and seeds: Add calories, flavour, and a little crunch.
-
Cheese: Because, well, cheese.
Of course, you don't need to add extra calories to every meal. But for longer or more demanding hikes, these little additions can be particularly useful.
Don't be afraid to experiment
This is where things get interesting.
Got a Thai-style curry? Try adding some coconut milk powder, crushed peanuts, and crispy shallots.
A Mexican bean dish? Throw in some corn chips, cheese, and a dash of hot sauce.
A creamy pasta? Add mushrooms, Parmesan, and a little extra black pepper.
A vegetable risotto? Some freeze-dried chicken and a drizzle of olive oil might be just the ticket.
And don't forget the little things. Chilli flakes, garlic powder, dried herbs, spice blends, and even a squeeze of lemon can make a surprising difference.
You don't need to carry an entire pantry into the wilderness. A few carefully chosen extras can go a long way.
In fact, half the fun is working out which combinations you like best.
A couple of things worth remembering
Before you start throwing everything into your meal pouch, a few practical considerations.
Firstly, not everything rehydrates at the same rate. If you're adding freeze-dried meat or dehydrated vegetables, you might need to allow a little extra water and time. Some ingredients are best rehydrated separately before being mixed into your meal.
Secondly, think about how you're packing your extras. Crunchy ingredients are best kept separate until you're ready to eat, while oils and sauces need to be packed securely.
And finally, if you're planning something particularly adventurous, give it a test run at home first. You don't want to discover your culinary experiment is a complete disaster halfway through a multi-day hike.
Make it your own
At the end of the day, there's no rule that says you have to eat a freeze-dried meal exactly as it comes out of the packet.
Some meals are fantastic just as they are. Others might benefit from a little extra protein, a bit of crunch, a side of mashed potato, or something to give them a flavour boost.
And that's half the fun.
So next time you're planning your hiking menu, have a look beyond the meals themselves. Think about what you could add, what flavours might work together, and how you could make your dinner a little more exciting.
At Hiking Food Australia, we've got a huge range of freeze-dried hiking meals, including plenty of plant-based options, along with sides, ingredients, and meal complements to help you get creative.
Because just because you're eating out of a pouch doesn't mean you can't eat bloody well.