10 Delicious Backpacking Dinner Ideas
Setting up camp and cooking dinner is one of the best parts of a day on the trail backpacking. It's a time to relax, hang out, and recharge for the next day. Consider it a reward. After all, you've earned it.
Cooking in the backcountry can be simple and easy when you have the right gear and ingredients. You don't have to bring a lot and you can still keep your pack light. Here's some basic items you'll want to bring:
Camping Stove
Camping Cookware
Camping Utensils
Recipe ingredients
Spices
Condiments
Olive oil
Powdered milk
Below are several backpacking dinner ideas our experts recommend for their flavor, nutrition, and ease to make.
Recommended Backpacking Dinner Recipes
1. Chef Dan's Rockin Moroccan Couscous Recipe
Combine couscous with Moroccan spices and you have an easy-to-make dinner in the backcountry. You’ll need some condiments and spices, but it’s not a problem if you're prepared.
We recommend using the MiniMo Cooking System and a cooking pot with lid for this dish.
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2. Campfire Pizza in a Pot Recipe
This campfire pizza-inspired dish is something that you can whip up together in a single pot. Using couscous as a substitute for the dough, this is a fun casserole and pizza hybrid.
Bring shelf-stable pepperoni and some string cheese for mozzarella. This is another meal you’ll want some extra spices like oregano and basil. Make things a little easier by using an Italian seasoning blend versus separate spices.
The Flash Cooking System is perfect for boiling water and cooking couscous. Once your couscous is ready, just toss in the rest of the ingredients.
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3. Thai Trout Recipe
This Thai Trout recipe combines flavor with protein. Combine it with instant rice for a well rounded meal. It is one of our most unique backpacking dinner recipes and slightly more involved than other backpacking dinners, but we think it's worth it.
Make sure you understand the laws and rules of the area for catching and keeping trout before making this recipe.
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4. Sesame Chicken Recipe
Are you craving some comfort takeout on the trails? This Sesame Chicken recipe will transport your favorite local Chinese restaurant meal to the backcountry. This healthy meal is a sweet and savory mix of protein-rich chicken, nutrient-dense cauliflower, and a sesame marinade that brings it all together.
Don’t forget your Ceramic Cook Pot to pair with your MiniMo Cooking System to make this takeout-inspired meal.
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5. Keto Chili Recipe
This Keto Chili works for low-carbers and carb fiends alike. It doesn’t matter if you get your energy from carbohydrates or prefer to get your energy from protein and fats, this recipe is adaptable to anyone’s food preferences.
Need some extra carbs on the trail? Pair this with instant rice, couscous, or even cornbread.
If you're car or raft camping, this recipe works especially well with the Genesis Stove—an ultra-compact standalone stove that can be coupled with other Jetboil cooking systems.
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6. Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken and Artichokes Recipe
Pasta is a favorite backpacking dinner. You just need to boil noodles and add your preferred proteins, seasonings, and whatever extras of your choice.
This Chicken and Artichoke pasta dish brings Italian-inspired cuisine to the backcountry.
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7. Chorizo & Wild Mushroom Sicily Risotto Recipe
Chorizo and Risotto aren't common ingredients that most think of for the backcountry, but this recipe will wow you and your backpacking buddies.
It's the perfect combination of flavor and nutrition for a filling dinner at camp after a long day on the trail.
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Easy Just-Add-Water Backpacking Dinners
If you get to camp late, or are ultralight backpacking, dehydrated backpacking meals are a quick way to make a delicious dinner that provides nutrition and energy for recovery. It's no secret that at Jetboil we're fans of just-add-water meals.
Below are some of our favorite dehydrated backpacking meals from our friends at Good To-Go:
8. Thai Curry
This is a delicious spicy yellow coconut curry with vegetables and Jasmine rice. Thai chiles give it the right amount of heat balanced with coconut milk, lemongrass and tamarind.
7. Herbed Mushroom Risotto
This dehydrated risotto was prepped with caramelized onions, white wine, and basil—all the necessities for an Italian classic. Boil water, let it sit for 20 minutes, and stir until thick.
10. Classic Marinara with Pasta
Marinara with pasta is a classic dinner you can never go wrong with. This just add water meal features Italian tomato sauce with brown rice pasta combined with traditional Italian spices like basil, oregano and thyme.
Relax After a Long Day - You've Earned it
Whether you opt for one-pot wonders or dehydrated meals, these dishes will provide you with the energy and sustenance needed to fuel your adventures without weighing down your backpack.
Embrace the freedom of the open trail, and let your culinary adventures ignite a sense of exploration and appreciation for the world around you. Happy backpacking and bon appétit!
More Backpacking Food Ideas
For more backpacking dinners check out our hub of backpacking dinner recipes for meals that are perfect after a long day on the trail.
Need some more inspiration? Combine some of these meals with our 13 Smart Backpacking Food Ideas for delicious, nutritious, and lightweight backpacking meals.
If you are looking for meals for other times of the day we have you covered with these additional meal ideas and recipes:
Backpacking Breakfast Ideas
Backpacking Snack Ideas
Backpacking Lunch Ideas