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 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.
- 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 5.04 lbs. and measures 12” (L) x 10” (W) x 12.31” (H). 17 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 (22 total servings), freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and freshness: (4) Beef Stew, (2) Breakfast Skillet, (2) Scrambled Eggs with Bacon, and (4) Rice and Chicken.
- 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 with butter, parmesan, and chicken.
- 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, and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Enjoy mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce, with a fluffy biscuit crust.
- 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 and 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.
- AMAZING TASTE & QUALITY – If you wouldn’t eat it at home, why take it into nature? What you eat matters and we have gone to great lengths creating a flavorful just add water backpacking meal for whatever adventure you are on, whether on the mountain or at your favorite campsite.
- 100% REAL MEAT & 2X THE PROTEIN – Peak Refuel will never use TVP or any other filler in the meat we use. Our meals will always contain 100% USDA inspected meat with nearly double the amount of protein per serving than most outdoor meals on the market.
- PREMIUM FREEZE-DRIED INGREDIENTS – Our meals are premium freeze-dried which locks in important nutrients, so your meal maintains its natural texture and flavor and tastes like it came straight from your house. We only source the highest quality, non-GMO ingredients. Never any junk or artificial preservatives.
- LIGHT WEIGHT & EASY PREP –We understand that time and weight on the trail is valuable. That’s why Peak Refuel prepared meals are lightweight, require less water to cook or rehydrate, and are ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.
- MADE IN THE USA – All Peak Refuel meals are freeze-dried and packaged in the USA. If you are not satisfied with your purchase or have any other questions, contact us directly and we will make it right!
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food, and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Enjoy beef, cheese, corn tortillas, rice, beans, and enchilada sauce.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in 15 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 and 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.
- THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL ESSENTIAL: With 120 servings of entrées meals, ReadyWise Grab & Go Bucket is the perfect starting point for anyone serious about preparing for the future. Stay ready for anything, from power outages to outdoor adventures!
- STORED FOR THE FUTURE: Our bucket offers up to 25 years of shelf life, ensuring your emergency food supply stays fresh. Plus, its stackable design fits conveniently in your pantry, car, or backpack, making it ideal for long term food storage.
- ULTRA CONVENIENT: The split bucket lid is a game changer! It gives you quick access to your emergency food pouches and doubles as a tray and food holder for your servings. Just add water and enjoy a delicious premade meal! Yes, it's that easy!
- ENJOY NUTRITIOUS MEALS: Our emergency supplies offer convenience and tasty, nutrient rich options, including Cheesy Macaroni, Lasagna, Teriyaki Rice, and Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup! Perfect for travel necessities, as well as home and kitchen use.
- OUTDOOR & HOME EMERGENCY: Our meals are your new ally for backpacking supplies or easy freeze dried food storage to keep you fueled during unexpected events or satisfy your craving for a delicious meal. Prepper with READYWISE!
- BEST-TASTING COMFORT FOOD - Made in the USA since 1969, we have been cooking up your favorite comfort food, and freeze-drying them to create the best-tasting and convenient outdoor adventure meals available. Enjoy beef, vegetables, and rice in a sweet and savory Bulgogi sauce.
- EASY TO PACK & QUICK PREP - Just add water and eat straight from the pouch in 15 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, and preservatives, plus it's gluten-free and dairy-free.
- 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.