Best Lightweight Backpacking Meals for Your Next Adventure


When you’re backpacking, every ounce in your pack matters—including your food. The best backpacking meals are lightweight, nutritious, easy to prepare, and, of course, delicious. Here are three tried-and-true meals that are perfect for fueling your adventures: burritos, pesto pasta, and curry.

1. Burritos: A Customizable Trail Favorite

Burritos are a versatile, filling, and easy-to-pack meal for backpacking trips. Using dehydrated ingredients keeps them lightweight while still packing plenty of flavor and protein.

Ingredients:

  • Dehydrated refried beans
  • Instant rice
  • Shelf-stable tortillas
  • Freeze-dried vegetables (peppers, onions, tomatoes)
  • Packets of hot sauce or salsa
  • Cheese (hard cheeses like cheddar last longer on the trail)

Preparation:

  1. Rehydrate beans and vegetables by adding boiling hot water and letting them sit for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Cook instant rice according to package instructions.
  3. Spread the beans, rice, and vegetables onto a tortilla, top with cheese and hot sauce, then roll it up and enjoy!

2. Pesto Pasta: A Lightweight Comfort Food

Pasta dishes are an excellent option for backpacking since they provide carbs for energy and are easy to prepare with just a pot of boiling water.

Ingredients:

  • Instant or quick-cook pasta
  • Dehydrated pesto sauce mix or pesto packets
  • Olive oil (in a small, leak-proof bottle)
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Freeze-dried or packet chicken
  • Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation:

  1. Cook the pasta in boiling water until tender.
  2. Drain most of the water, leaving a small amount to help mix in the pesto sauce.
  3. Stir in pesto mix, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and protein.
  4. Enjoy a gourmet meal under the stars!

3. Curry: A Warm, Hearty Trail Meal

Curry is a perfect lightweight backpacking meal because it’s packed with flavor and easy to make using dehydrated ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Instant rice or couscous
  • Dehydrated coconut milk powder or canned coconut milk
  • Freeze-dried vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)
  • Dehydrated lentils or chickpeas
  • Curry powder or curry paste packets
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. Rehydrate the lentils or chickpeas with hot water for about 10 minutes.
  2. Cook instant rice or couscous according to package instructions.
  3. Mix in coconut milk, curry powder, and vegetables.
  4. Stir and let simmer for a few minutes, then enjoy a warm, spicy, and satisfying meal!

Enjoy Delicious Meals on a Guided Discovery Treks Adventure

If you love great trail food but want to leave the planning and cooking to the pros, join a guided backpacking trip with Discovery Treks! Our expert guides prepare delicious, lightweight meals—including favorites like burritos, pasta, and curry—so you can focus on enjoying the adventure. Follow the link HERE to book your trip today and taste the best of the backcountry!