Trail Cooking: 35 Essential Ingredients

When I started hiking, the basic foods for backpacking trips were pasta, rice, and canned foods such as fish in tomato sauce or stewed meat. Nowadays, the variety of ingredients for trail cooking is truly impressive. By mixing and matching them, you can create lightweight backpacking meals that taste just as good as restaurant dishes.

Trail Cooking Ingredients

Here is a list of 35 essential ingredients that I use to create my recipes:

Dairy and Eggs:

1. Egg powder – made from whole eggs, it can be used to replace eggs in recipes, and works well in baking mixes and for making scrambled eggs.

2. Whole Milk Powder – A staple for trail cooking, ideal for cereals, fish chowders, or creamy pasta sauces.

3. Freeze-Dried Cheese – does not require refrigeration and can be stored for years, which makes it an ideal companion for on-the-go trips. Cheddar, Red Leicester, Parmesan and Mozzarella are some of varieties to choose from.

4. Ghee – High-calorie clarified butter that lasts for months. Perfect for frying or adding extra richness to meals.

Recipe ideas:

Peach Cobbler Smoothie
3 Cheese Mashed Potatoes with Kabanos Sausages

Grains and Grain Products:

5. Rice – A reliable energy source and great base for a satisfying backpacking meal.

6. Bulgur – Nutritious, pre-cooked whole wheat, rich in fiber and minerals.

7. Couscous – A quick-cooking alternative to rice and pasta.

8. Quinoa – nutty and earthy, quinoa is a healthy and very versatile product. It can be eaten on its own as a side dish or can be added to soups, salads, baked goods and even desserts. It also makes a great breakfast cereal or porridge mixed with dried fruit, milk, and nuts.

9. Instant Oats – most popular as a breakfast meal, quick oats can also be used in a variety of other backpacking recipes such as soups, stews, breads or desserts.

Recipe ideas:

Bulgur Chili
Quinoa, Lentil and Kale Stew
Moroccan Spiced Tuna Couscous
5 Backpacking Oatmeal Variations

Pasta and Noodles

10. Ramen Noodles – a mainstay of outdoor cooking. Forget the seasoning packet they come with and make your own healthy ramen. As alternative, look for curly Japanese ramen without seasoning packets.

11. Pasta – comes in wide range of shapes from small ears to large tubes. Mix it with dried meat, fish, vegetables and creamy sauces for gourmet backpacking meals.

12. Udon Noodles – a type of Japanese wheat flour noodle. Can be used in soups or main meals.

13. Soba Noodles – made from buckwheat and some wheat flour. Pure buckwheat soba can also be found — it’s stronger in flavor and really delicious, and of course, gluten-free.

Recipe ideas:

Jerky Ramen
Good Old Mac N Cheese
Udon Miso
Soba and Veggie Stir Fry

Beans and Lentils

14. Dehydrated Beans – an excellent source of low fat protein and dietary fiber. Whether making chili, soup, stew, or other dishes, just put dehydrated beans directly into your cooking dish, and they are ready in 10-15 minutes!

15. Dried Lentils – a good source of minerals, fiber, and protein. If you’re looking for a healthy staple that will fill you up and fuel you through your day, dried legumes are a great choice.

Fruits, Vegetables and Mushrooms

16. Freeze Dried Fruits – Apples, peaches, pineapples, mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, and more.

17. Freeze Dried Vegetables – makes a crunchy and delicious snack or can be mixed in soup, chili, rice or pasta dishes.

18. Fruit and Veg Powders – Fruits and vegetables bring color, flavor, taste and nutrition to any meal. Their powdered form makes them very convenient to store, pack and use on-the-go.

19. Dried Mushrooms – an essential hiker’s pantry. Even just a small amount of dried mushrooms can add enormous flavor to a backpacking meals. They’re terrific in everything from soups to pancakes.

20. Instant Mashed Potatoes – a great base for a satisfying backpacking meal. Goes well with minced meat, sausages, vegetables and brown gravy sauce.

Recipe ideas:

Blueberry Chocolate Smoothie
Pancakes with Mushrooms
Creamy Mushroom Soup

Meat and Seafood

Freeze-dried meat and fish are pricey but worth it for saving weight and cooking time.

21. Freeze Dried Diced Chicken – rehydrates better than home dried chicken or turkey. Can be used in soups, stews and curries.

22. Freeze Dried Diced Beef – a perfect addition to any backpacking meal. Delicious in chili, pasta or in vegetable stew.

23. Freeze Dried or Dehydrated Ground Beef – a great option for trail cooking. It goes well with instant mashed potatoes, rice, polenta and pasta dishes.

24. Dried Seafood – as shrimp, mussels and imitation crabmeat are wonderful, delightful to eat and easy to make at home. They rehydrate quickly in hot water and have the taste and feel of real seafood.

Recipe ideas:

Tomato Seafood Chowder
Honolulu Curry
Unstuffed Peppers

Condiments and Seasonings

25. Brown Gravy Mix – Enhances the flavor of meats, potatoes, and vegetables.

26. Pesto – A fresh, herby sauce made from basil, garlic, nuts, and cheese. It’s perfect with pasta and gnocchi.

27. Teriyaki – A sweet, umami-rich Japanese sauce for Asian dishes.

28. Soy Sauce – a condiment made from a fermented paste of soybeans. Soy sauce can vary wildly in color, flavor and texture. Some popular varieties that you might find in grocery stores are: light, dark, low sodium, and tamari.

29. Peanut Butter – High-calorie and versatile; use as a spread or in spicy noodles and oatmeal.

30. Miso Paste – a salty paste made from a mixture of soybeans, rice or barley. It’s super versatile and works well in soups, as a rub for meat and as a sauce thickener.

31. Curry Powder – a spice mix of widely varying composition based on South Asian cuisine. It’s perfect for dishes like soups, stews and curries.

32. Thai Curry Paste – comes in 3 varieties: yellow, red and green. Available in supermarkets, Asian stores and online.

33. Wasabi Powder – the dried form of Japanese horseradish. Can be used in fish dishes, mashed potatoes and sauces.

34. Mexican Seasoning – adds authentic flavor to Mexican dishes. Use for rice, quinoa, bulgur, and potato dishes.

35. Coconut Milk (Cream) Powder – a delicious dairy-free alternative for those who are lactose intolerant. Coconut milk powder is also a great base for exotic curries and other South Asian dishes. It can be found in supermarkets, health food stores and online.