Interesting Instant Meals for Camping
If you are going camping or backpacking then you want some healthy, tasty meals which you can eat on-the-go and without ounces of preparation.
Some of the best meals which you can pre-make and prepare at home and then just heat up on the campfire can sometimes be the tastiest. If you want something lightweight and portable then read on to find out more. The following recipes have been adjusted specifically for campers and all you do is add boiling water and away you go! These meals have been chosen as the best because they are tasty and they are a great substitute when you don’t have cooking facilities available like you would at home.
Curry Rice with Chicken and Cashews
This spicy and sleek meal is great to have for dinner while sitting round the campfire and enjoying the company and surroundings.
Ingredients: 2/3 cup instant brown rice
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed (optional)
- ¼ cup freeze dried chopped chicken
- ¼ cup chopped roasted cashews
- ¼ cup freeze dried mixed vegetables
- 1 tablespoon freeze dried onions (or 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered chicken flavor base (or bouillon granules)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1-1/2 cups water
All you need to do is mix all the ingredients together and seal them in a ziplock freezer bag, like these. The great thing about this recipe is that you can cook it in the bag in boiled water until softened or you can empty the ingredients into a bowl or a mug and pour in the boiled water and then cover and let sit for about ten minutes. Just simply let it soak and enjoy! This is a camper’s favorite and one everyone must try!
Fiesta Rice with Corn and Chicken
Both chicken and rice are a great combination, especially for campers who are on the go.
Ingredients: 2/3 cup instant brown rice
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed (optional)
- 1/3 cup freeze dried chopped chicken
- 1/2 cup freeze dried corn
- ¼ cup freeze dried chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried minced jalapeno
- 1 tablespoon freeze dried onions (or 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered chicken flavor base (or bouillon granules)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon freeze dried cilantro (or 1/8 teaspoon dried)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1-1/2 cups water
This recipe works on the same principle as the one above. All you need to do is mix everything together and seal in a ziplock bag and then add boiling water when you are ready to eat it! This is another tasty favorite which is great for a quick lunch while hiking through the mountains!
Mix and Make Your Own Instant Meals
If you want to try something different then you can mix and make your own meals. All you need is a few simple ingredients thrown together with some meat and veggies and you have a tasty meal all prepared ready to be cooked and eaten.
Use rice or couscous as the main ingredient because not only are these filling but also nutritious. Instant rice softens quicker than regular rice so make sure you use that kind rather than the traditional regular rice because you might not always have somewhere to cook it when camping. Try this instant rice from Amazon..
To add taste and more nutrition try freeze dried vegetables and freeze dried herbs. You can get them in any grocery store or even online. Have a look at these tasty ingredients which work well as snacks. Link 3. They rehydrate instantly in boiling water so you can consume them without previous preparation. Try these dried herbs which give taste to any meal and work just as well as fresh herbs.
As with all produce freeze dried meat has a date which it needs to be eaten by. Freeze dried meat although can last up to 25 years if it is in a sealed package can produce harmful bacteria if not eaten within a week once it has been opened. This is what freeze dried meat is.
All dried and freeze dried products can be mixed together with instant noodles, pasta, rice or even couscous and along with some spicy herbs you can have a tasty compact meal which is easy to prepare. Don’t be afraid to try new things but try cooking them and eating them beforehand. You don’t want to make up five meals with rice and beef, only to find it is the most disgusting thing you have ever tasted! Have fun and experiment with new flavors. Don’t forget food tastes better when eaten out of a mug by a raging campfire under the stars!