To say freeze drying food is popular is an understatement. It’s all anyone can think about, whether they’re planning an epic camping trip or just fantasizing about one. There are even entire blogs dedicated to freeze dried food and camping, like The Drying Guru, run by a self-described freeze drying nerd named Ethan. But which freeze dried food is best for camping? And which camping recipe relies on it? To help you find your answer, here is our pick for the best camping freeze dried food.
Read on for more information on our favorite camping freeze dried food.
Our Editor’s Best Camping Freeze Dried Food Reviews
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, enjoy shredded potatoes, scrambled eggs, crumbled pork patty, peppers, and onions for breakfast.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House meals are lightweight and portable, lightening your load when every ounce in your backpack matters. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or any outdoor adventure.
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Enjoy two servings free of artificial flavors or colors. Plus, it's also certified gluten-free by GFCO.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available.
- EASY TO STORE & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House buckets are also lightweight and easy to store. This bucket weighs 6.79 lbs. and measures 12” (L) x 10” (W) x 14.24” (H). 21 cups of water are needed to prepare all meals within. Ideal companion for your camping trips, RV excursions, and more!
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Bucket contains 15 total pouches (30 total servings), freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness: (2) Beef Stroganoff with Noodles, (3) Breakfast Skillet, (3) Chicken Fajita Bowl, (2) Granola with Milk and Blueberries, (3) Chicken Fried Rice, and (2) Spaghetti with Beef Marinara.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, enjoy pasta, cheese, and a rich tomato meat sauce.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House meals are lightweight and portable, lightening your load when every ounce in your backpack matters. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or any outdoor adventure.
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Enjoy two servings free of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- DELICIOUS MEAL! Chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dupling bites in a creamy white gravy, this soul-satisfying Southern recipe is perfect for outdoor or indoor adventures! Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness. No refrigeration needed.
- NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING - Made with no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. Pouch contains two total servings. Great for one hungry backpacker, or to share with your camping buddy.
- QUICK PREP - Just add hot water to the pouch & eat in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. The pouch has a shorter, wider, more bowl-like shape for an easier eating experience. Eat straight from the pouch and skip the dishes!
- EAT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE - Pouch is lightweight & portable providing you with a deliciously, tasty meal perfect for camping & backpacking trips! Eat well in the backcountry or in your tent. Also great for emergency food storage & survival.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycled used packaging with TerraCycle to reduce waste.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, enjoy rice, black beans, bell peppers, corn, onions, and flavorful seasonings.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House meals are lightweight and portable, lightening your load when every ounce in your backpack matters. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or any outdoor adventure.
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Enjoy two servings free of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives and certified gluten-free by GFCO.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- DELICIOUS MEAL! Tender dices of all natural beef, potatoes, peas, and carrots. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness. No refrigeration needed.
- NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS OR COLORS - Made with no artificial flavors or colors and certified gluten-free by GFCO. Pouch contains two total servings. Great for one hungry backpacker, or to share with your camping buddy.
- QUICK PREP - Just add hot water to the pouch & eat in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. The pouch has a shorter, wider, more bowl-like shape for an easier eating experience. Eat straight from the pouch and skip the dishes!
- EAT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE - Pouch is lightweight & portable providing you with a deliciously, tasty meal perfect for camping & backpacking trips! Eat well in the backcountry or in your tent. Also great for emergency food storage & survival.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycled used packaging with TerraCycle to reduce waste.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, enjoy beef, savory mushrooms, and onions in a creamy sauce.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House meals are lightweight and portable, lightening your load when every ounce in your backpack matters. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or any outdoor adventure.
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Enjoy two servings free of artificial flavors or colors.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, enjoy hot fluffy buttermilk biscuits with creamy pork sausage gravy.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House meals are lightweight and portable, lightening your load when every ounce in your backpack matters. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or any outdoor adventure.
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Enjoy two servings free of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available.
- EASY TO STORE & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House buckets are also lightweight and easy to store. This bucket weighs 5.52 lbs. and measures 12” (L) x10” (W) x12.31” (H). 18 cups of water are needed to prepare all meals in this kit. Ideal companion for your camping trips, RV excursions, and more!
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Bucket contains 12 total pouches (24 total servings), freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness: (3) Beef Stew, (3) Beef Stroganoff with Noodles, (2) Granola with Milk & Blueberries, (2) Spaghetti with Beef Marinara, and (2) Chicken Fried Rice.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food meals and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness, enjoy hearty chunks of chicken and creamy mashed potatoes seasoned with herbs and chives.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. Mountain House meals are lightweight and portable, lightening your load when every ounce in your backpack matters. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or any outdoor adventure.
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS – Mountain House meals are made with high-quality ingredients, never any fillers. Enjoy two servings free of artificial flavors or colors and certified gluten-free by GFCO.
- SHELF STABLE - With the longest proven shelf life in the industry backed by our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House is an essential addition to your emergency food supply, ensuring you're always ready for anything that comes your way.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycle used pouches with TerraCycle for free to reduce your footprint and preserve the great outdoors for fellow adventurers.
Best Camping Freeze Dried Food Buying Guide
Before choosing the best camping freeze dried food you should consider following options:
1. Meals: The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to freeze-dried food is that it comes in different forms.
You can choose from meals, snacks and beverages.
Meals are what most people are used to, and they are usually the most expensive option. These usually contain all the nutrients that you need during the day and can be heated in the usual way with hot water.
Snacks contain fewer calories but are perfect for someone who needs something to keep their energy levels up but is not planning on hiking for a long time.
Beverages are usually in powder form and contain all the water you need during the day. You simply add water and drink.
2. Portion: When buying freeze-dried food, you will usually have the option of choosing between full and half portions.
Freeze-dried food usually contains a very high level of calories and is perfect for an active lifestyle. If you are not planning on doing much physical activity then it’s better to get half portions.
3. Taste: Another thing to keep in mind when buying freeze-dried food is that the taste is not always what you would expect.
Some meals have a very strong taste, others very little. Since freeze-dried food is packed with flavors to mask the taste of the freeze-dried ingredients, we recommend trying different meals to see which one you like the most.
New brands are always coming out and what one brand tastes like might be very different from another.
If you live in an area where you can test out different brands, you should definitely do that and then buy your favorites.
4. Cost: Freeze-dried food is usually more expensive than other types of meals, but it is also more convenient and has a higher calorie count.
That makes it the perfect option for hikers and backpackers who want to minimize their time spent cooking and want to get the most calories in the least amount of time.
Compared to other hiking foods, freeze-dried food is the most expensive option.
You can find cheaper options such as beef jerky which is a great source of protein and doesn’t require any cooking, but it is also more calorically poor.
What else you should know about camping freeze dried food
1. What is camping freeze dried food?
Freeze dried food is a type of camping food that is made by freezing the food and then drying it out.
2. What are the benefits of camping freeze dried food?
The benefits of camping freeze dried food include the food’s light weight, long shelf life, and easy preparation.
3. What are some of the best camping freeze dried foods?
Some of the best camping freeze dried foods include:
-Freeze dried meats (chicken, beef, pork)
-Freeze dried vegetables (corn, green beans, peas)
-Freeze dried fruits (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
-Freeze dried yogurt
-Freeze dried ice cream
4. How do you prepare camping freeze dried food?
There is no need to prepare camping freeze dried food, as it is ready to eat as is.
5. What are some tips for eating camping freeze dried food?
Here are some tips for eating camping freeze dried food:
1. Read the instructions on the packaging carefully before you start cooking.
2. Add the appropriate amount of water to the food, using the measuring guide on the packaging.
3. Cook the food according to the instructions on the packaging.
4. Let the food cool down before you eat it.
5. Enjoy your delicious freeze dried camping food!
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best camping freeze dried food. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best camping freeze dried food will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.