Camping and backpacking freeze dried meals can be tasty and filling if you pick the right ones. End (or start) your days at camp with the best dehydrated camp meals that actually taste good.
Not only are these the best dehydrated camping meals, but they’re the best tasting and some of the best vegetarian dehydrated backpacking meals. A few are vegan, and some are also gluten-free!
While freeze dried meals are most popular among backpackers, they are also a great option for those camping at campsites. They are easy to make and filling. Dehydrated meals come in handy in a plethora of camping situations.
From camping and hiking in Grand Teton to multi-day backpacking trips, pack these for your next camping trip of any kind! After trying tons of different meals, these are on repeat on my camping menu.
The meals that have a star by them signify that these companies are some of the best on the market. From sustainable practices to locally sourced ingredients, homegrown companies to unbeatable flavors, I recommend any meals from these starred brands.
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The Best Dehydrated Meals for Backpacking & Camping
The calories and protein amounts are based on two servings (the total package).
1. Peak Refuel Butternut Dal Bhat ⭐️
- Vegan
- 870 Calories
- 23g Protein
Made with red lentils, chickpeas, rice, and butternut squash, this Peak Refuel Butternut Dal Bhat is packed with the good stuff. High in plant protein and fiber, this is a tasty and filling option on the dehydrated camp meal market.
2. Good To-Go Pad Thai ⭐️
- Pescatarian & Gluten Free
- 870 Calories
- 32g Protein
If you like Pad Thai, this Good To-Go dehydrated version is hard to beat when it comes to taste and convenience when camping. It’s made with rice noodles, wild American shrimp sauce, and peanuts. You can choose from a single or double serving of this Pad Thai making it even more convenient for a variety of campers and backpackers.
3. Mountain House Creamy Macaroni & Cheese
- Vegetarian
- 620 Calories
- 26g Protein
This mac and cheese makes a great addition to your backpack or camping dinner. While it does have a decent amount of calories and protein, eating mac and cheese by itself might get tiring (but I won’t judge, it’s a classic!). Because it’s dehydrated, don’t expect it to be as rich and creamy like mac and cheese from home, but it’s still a tasty option.
4. Backpacker’s Pantry Chana Masala
- Vegan & Gluten Free
- 620 Calories
- 21g Protein
This Chana Masala dehydrated meal is made with chickpeas, rice, coconut milk, tomato, and turmeric. Because curries have lots of yummy spices in them, I personally think they make some of the best tasting dehydrated backpacking meals.
5. Alpine Aire Mexican Style Veggie Bowl with Rice & Beans ⭐️
- Vegetarian & Gluten Free
- 550 Calories
- 21g Protein
Feeling like Mexican for dinner? Enjoy this Alpine Aire Mexican Style Veggie Bowl with Rice & Beans while camping or backpacking. It’s made with seasoned corn, peppers, beans, rice, lime, and pepperjack cheese. Hot sauce makes this one even tastier!
*They currently don’t sell the Mexican Style Veggie Bowl, but their Shakshuka is also amazing. Check it out below.
6. Mountain House Veggie Chorizo Breakfast Scramble
- Vegetarian & Gluten Free
- 580 Calories
- 28g Protein
A great freeze dried vegetarian breakfast meal is this Mountain House Veggie Chorizo Breakfast Scramble. Made with eggs, plant based chorizo crumble, peppers, and potatoes, it’s a filling way to start your day at camp. I recommend adding some hot sauce as dehydrated eggs tend to have a somewhat weird texture and hot sauce makes it all the tastier.
7. Backpacker’s Pantry Three Sisters Southwestern Quinoa & Beans
- Vegan & Gluten Free
- 470 Calories
- 18g Protein
The Three Sisters Southwestern Quinoa & Beans is made with brown rice, quinoa, corn, black beans, zucchini, and Hatch green chile. Backpacker’s Pantry can be hit or miss, but this is a tasty, lighter meal option. It is two servings, so I recommend splitting it for lunch or having one to yourself for dinner as it’s lower in calories and protein.
8. Firepot Chili Non Carne 
- Vegan & Gluten Free
- 740 Calories
- 37g Protein
Made with rice, soy based “meat,” kidney beans, onion, red pepper, garlic, chili, tomatoes, and chili spices, this is one of the best vegetarian dehydrated backpacking meals. It’s filling and it’s tasty. Along with the curry above and below, chili makes a nice freeze dried camp meal because it’s filled with yummy spices.
In Conclusion: The Best Dehydrated Camping Meals
No matter what kind of camping trip you’re embarking on, these are the best dehydrated meals for backpacking and camping. From vegetarian and vegan meals to sustainable small businesses, these are the tastiest on the market.
Skip the flavorless and chewy freeze dried meals for the options above! I’ve tried many, many dehydrated camping meals, and these eight will be repeated on my camping menu. Don’t forget to pack a camp stove, pot or Jetboil cooking system, and other camping essentials.
