9 Easy Backpacking Lunch Ideas
When it comes to backpacking, it's very important to consider your lunch. Eating a satisfying and nutrient dense meal can make a significant difference in your hike from trail to camp. You don't want to bonk when you're miles away and the sun is setting.
A good backpacking lunch should be easy to carry, lightweight, filling, and provide plenty of energy-boosting nutrients.
Making lunch on the trail can be quick and easy if you use a little creativity, plan ahead, and keep some basic ingredients on hand. A simple and reliable cooking system like a Jetboil will go a long way for simplifying the cooking of these backpacking lunch ideas..
Depending on what you’re cooking and how many you’re cooking for, our stove finder can help you choose the right system for any adventure. Don’t forget the basic camp cookware. You’ll also want to have all the necessary utensils ready to stir, whip, fold, and eat these amazing backpacking lunch recipes.
Backpacking Lunch Recipes
1. Backpacker’s Pho
This Backpackers’ Pho takes five minutes to make and doesn’t sacrifice any of the traditional flavors of this well-known Vietnamese dish. The ingredients for this lunch are lightweight and can easily fit in ziplock bags, making it easy for minimalist camping. The Jetboil Flash Cooking System boils water in just over two minutes, the noodles are quick to cook, and assembling the ingredients takes no time at all.
Backpacker's Pho Recipe and Instructions
2. Beef Jerky Ramen
Ramen out in the wilderness? It’s possible and we aren’t just talking about the prepackaged kind, either. With some mushrooms, dried veggies, and jerky (a backpacker’s favorite snack) you can have ramen on the go. It’ll warm you up in the chillier months and keep you going with energizing carbs and protein.
Beef Jerky Ramen Recipe and Instructions
3. Quick Tortellini Soup
It's simple to throw together a quick tortellini soup. You can use your own chicken broth, but we recommend bouillon cubes to keep your pack light. Prep your veggies at your camp cook station or bring them from home. Make sure you have your basic seasonings like salt and pepper. And don’t forget the most important ingredient—parmesan cheese to give it a more authentic taste.
Quick Tortellini Soup Recipe and Instructions
4. Loaded Mac ‘n Cheese
This loaded Mac ‘n Cheese is as quick as your favorite boxed version, but is packed with fresh cheese and a handful of seasonings. For this meal, you’ll want to make sure you have a variety of camp spices and condiments to elevate this classic meal. You can use any type of pasta for this dish, but elbow macaroni will remind you of that classic in a box.
Loaded Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe and Instructions
5. Chi-Chi Ramen Noodles
If you’ve got some extra noodles left over from your beef jerky ramen, use the extra to make these chi-chi ramen noodles. This is an interesting take on a noodle soup and you only need three ingredients—a package of ramen noodles, doritos, and a beef stick (like a Slim Jim). It sounds like a weird combo, but believe us, it works. In 10 minutes you can make this quick ramen noodle soup.
Chi-Chi Ramen Noodles Recipe and Instructions
6. Dan Dan Noodles
Our list of backpacking lunch ideas have no shortage of noodle dishes because they are quick to boil with a number of our camp stove systems, like the MightyMo Stove. This recipe isn’t complicated, but it may require a handful of ingredients that you may not have in your normal camp condiment kit. The payoff to these extra ingredients creates a spicy Asian dish that will heat you up from the inside and out.
Dan Dan Noodles Recipe and Instructions
Dehydrated Backpacking Lunches
If you are the creative type that likes to prepare, check out our article about making just add water backpacking meals.
If you are no fuss get er' done type then pre-packaged dehydrated backpacking meals are a no-brainer. Just boil some water and add it to the package, a container, or directly into your backpacking stove.
Below are some of our favorite dehydrated backpacking meals perfect for lunch or dinner on the trail.
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.
8. Thai Curry
Full of spices, veggies, and jasmine rice, Thai Curry may seem like an unconventional easy backpacking lunch. This is a favorite among Good To-Go loyalists and won the Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Award.
9. Classic Marinara With Pasta
A fresh take on the comforting classic, Good To-Go's version includes tasty Italian tomato sauce paired with quality brown rice pasta. Simmer up a warm and satisfying meal on those cold and raw days.
More Backpacking Food Ideas
For more backpacking lunches check out our hub of backpacking lunch recipes for quick lunches 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 Dinner Ideas