Recipes

21 Backpacking Food Ideas (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Instacart

Instacart

Last Updated: May 18, 2022

Heading off into nature with nothing but a backpack can be intimidating. If you don’t do the prep work, chances are you won’t have a good time. One of the first things you need to learn is what food to pack. Get inspired by these 21 backpacking food ideas to spend less time on prepping and more time enjoying your trip.

What food is good for backpacking?

Pack food that doesn’t take up a lot of room. Think ziplock bags and pouches instead of bulky containers.

At the same time, make sure to pack calorie-dense food. Protein bars are a go-to for hikers because they’re nourishing but compact. Meanwhile, lettuce wouldn’t be a good choice as it doesn’t have many calories for the space it would take to bring it.

Lastly, since you won’t have access to fridges and freezers, stick to shelf-stable foods. Soft cheeses (like mozzarella) and many deli meats (such as sliced ham) won’t keep well in a backpack. Choose hard, cured cheeses, canned food, dehydrated fruits, freeze-dried meals, and pantry staples.

How much food to pack for a backpacking trip

How much food you should take depends on a few factors:

  • How active you’ll be. The more active you are, the more food you should pack.
  • Your body and build. Individual hikers have different caloric needs.
  • For how long you’ll be backpacking. More days require more food.

As a general rule of thumb, backpackers should take around 2 lbs of food for every day of their trip. Make sure to split that amount between breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Hiking food ideas for breakfasts and snacks

Pack these foods to enjoy first thing in the morning.

1. Granola bars

Hand holding fitness bar.

Granola is packed with healthy fats and carbs. Buy it from the grocery store or make your own with your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruit from your local bulk section.

2. Dehydrated fruit

Easy to pack and shelf-stable, dried fruit is the perfect sweet snack and boost of energy for any outing.

3. Trail mixes

You can customize your own trail mix or buy a bag from the store. Either way, this is a convenient and classic snack to have on hand.

4. Jerky

Whether you’re going for beef jerky or vegan jerky, this snack is packed with protein.

5. Overnight oats

Mix water with rolled oats the night before for a sweet breakfast the following morning. Mix in dehydrated blueberries and top with granola for extra flavor.

6. Cheese with crackers

Hard cheeses like cheddar, aged Gouda, and parmesan are shelf-stable. Enjoy them with crackers for a salty, filling snack.

Backpacking lunch ideas—no cooking

Enjoy these low-to-no trouble meals if you don’t want to carry fuel for cooking on your trip.

1. Pepperoni and cheese sandwich

Man having his morninig meal, breakfast or lunch. Coffee in steel thermo mug and sandwich on wooden table.

Pepperoni and cheese don’t just go well on pizzas, they also make great sandwiches. Pack a few of these sandwiches in plastic bags and enjoy on the go.

2. Peanut butter and jam sandwich

The classic PB&J is great for backpacking. The peanut butter is rich in fats and protein, while the jam gives you sweet energy.

3. Hummus and falafel pita

Pack pita stuffed with hummus and falafel. This combination is delicious, healthy, and filling.

4. BBQ chicken wraps

Take advantage of store-bought chicken pouches to make a barbecue-flavored wrap for lunch.

5. Sardines and olive spread bagel

Canned sardines and olive spread are both shelf-stable. Together they make a unique combination, unexpected but perfect on a bagel.

6. Chicken salad sandwich

Swap the homemade tuna salad for store-bought chicken salad pouches. While on the trail, enjoy it over white bread.

7. Buffalo chicken sandwich

Yes, you can even pack buffalo-style chicken pouches since they don’t need to be refrigerated.

Easy backpacking meals with minimal cooking

Sometimes, a warm comforting meal is all you need to recharge your batteries on hiking trails. These recipes won’t use up all your fuel in one go.

1. Oatmeal with banana

preparing oatmeal porridge outdoors on gas burner.

You only need to add boiling water to instant oats to make them creamy. Serve with a chopped banana for a sweeter breakfast.

2. Baked beans on toast

If you packed a camping pot, use it to warm up baked beans and enjoy over toasted bread. It’s a breakfast rich in protein.

3. Instant ramen

Instant ramen is even easier to make. Just add boiling water and wait a few minutes for the noodles to cook.

4. Mac and cheese cups

Thanks to instant mac and cheese cups, you can enjoy this comfort food while out in nature. All you need is boiling water.

5. Bean and rice burrito

Rice is a great backpacking food; it’s cheap, filling, and can be made in just 5 minutes. Wrap in a tortilla with canned beans for a mess-free meal.

6. Rice, beans, and enchilada sauce

You can’t bake enchiladas on a backpacking trip, but you can add enchilada sauce to a bowl of rice and beans for the taste of it. Add shredded cheddar cheese if you want to go the extra mile.

7. Chili bowls

Use a camping pot and your fuel to cook up a hearty bowl of chili. Combine canned beans, corn, peppers, and chopped tomatoes to make this cowboy favorite.

8. Gnocchi with tomato sauce

You don’t have to use a lot of fuel to enjoy this Italian dish. Packaged gnocchi is shelf-stable and cooks in under 5 minutes. Douse in tomato sauce and top with parmesan.

Stock up on backpacking foods with grocery delivery

You don’t need to run errands all day to gather everything you need—order your groceries via Instacart. And, if you’ve forgotten to pack something essential, no sweat! Choose same-day delivery at check out to get it delivered directly to your home, vacation rental, or lodging. Choose what you want with just a few clicks and have it delivered. This way, you can spend time on the fun prep work, like choosing a trail.

Instacart

Instacart

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.

Most Recent in Recipes

How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes [7 Easy Methods]

Recipes

How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes [7 Easy Methods]

It’s no secret that mashed potatoes are a staple side dish for traditional dinners, holiday celebrations and even comfort food. But what happens when you add too much liquid and you're racing the clock to…...

Dec 13, 2023
64 Best Salad Toppings for a Delicious Meal

Planning & Prep

64 Best Salad Toppings for a Delicious Meal

Tired of eating the same old salad? It's time to mix up your salad toppings for some textural and flavor variety! Toppings like tortilla strips, croutons and nuts offer a pleasant crunch, while creamy, salty…...

Dec 2, 2023
How To Eat Cottage Cheese: 15 Easy Cottage Cheese Recipes

Recipes

How To Eat Cottage Cheese: 15 Easy Cottage Cheese Recipes

Cottage cheese is having a moment — and for good reason. It's one of those versatile and nutritious foods that can transform any recipe into a velvety smooth treat. This dairy product is made from…...

Nov 22, 2023

Free delivery or pickup on your first order of $35 or more. Sign up now! Terms apply.