Search
Close this search box.
Moab, Utah

Directory to the Top Backpacking Meal Brands

By Matt Mullins updated May 26, 2023

This comprehensive list of 16 freeze dried backpacking and dehydrated emergency meal brands includes some that you may not have heard of. While researching for this page I certainly discovered some new ones that I’m excited to try out.

All of these brands are made in the USA, which fits in with my buy local mentality. The following American made meal brands are organized by alphabetical order to avoid any bias. 

*Note to new backpackers: many of these meals show two servings per packet. I always eat both servings for dinner but my girlfriend usually eats half to 3/4 of each packet (then I eat her leftovers, haha)… Everyone’s appetite is unique both by taste and abundance.

Best Backpacking Meal Brands

1. AlpineAire

The three cheese chicken pasta is one of their most popular meals. I find that you can always make dehydrated meals even better by adding your own spices and embellishments like red pepper flakes, lemon, black pepper, and of course salt. You can find Alpine Aire here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

2. Backpacker's Pantry

Their most popular and my personal favorite Backpacker’s Pantry meal is the veggie pad thai. You can find Backpacker’s Pantry here:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

3. Good To-Go

Good To-Go boasts clean ingredients and has many gluten free and plant based options to choose from. Their most popular meal is their Thai Curry. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

4. Greenbelly Meal2Go

Greenbelly’s non cooking high energy meal bars are big with thru hikers. You’ll definitely see them on the Appalachian Trail and PCT for example. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

5. Heather's Choice

Heather’s Choice specializes in healthy and gluten free dehydrated meals. They get consistently high positive reviews. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

6. Mary Janes Farm - Outpost Backpacking Meals

Mary Janes Farm is a well known (with many books) and very busy organic farm near Moscow, Idaho. They craft organic freeze dried meals called Outpost Backpacking Meals. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at MaryJanesFarm.org

7. Mountain House

Tried and true and with many updated recipes, Mountain House has long been one of my staples while backpacking. My favorite is the Beef Stroganoff while my girlfriend’s favorite is the Chicken and Dumplings. Biscuits and Gravy is another solid choice. Remember everything can be boosted by adding spices like cayenne. Per calorie Mountain House provides one of the most economical freeze dried backpacking meals available. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

8. Next Mile Meals

Next Mile Meals makes low carb ketogenic and paleo friendly freeze dried meals. The Chicken and Broccoli is a tasty option. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

9. O Meals

Omeals makes self heating, fully cooked meals kind of like the military MRE’s I subsisted on while firefighting… but tastier. Note that these meals are convenient but do carry some cons: They’re heavier than freeze dried meals, contain fewer calories, plus the heating element gains water weight and must be carried out as trash. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

10. Outdoor Herbivore

As the name suggests, Outdoor Herbivore crafts vegetarian and vegan friendly backpacking meals. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at OutdoorHerbivore.com

11. Packit Gourmet

Packit Gourmet focuses on Keto and Paleo friendly backpacking meals. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at PackitGourmet.com

12. Patagonia Provisions

Patagonia Provisions feature organic, sustainably harvested, and fair trade dehydrated backpacking meals. Where you can find them:

 

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

13. Peak Refuel

Peak Refuel cooks up premium freeze dried backpacking meals with high protein and no fillers. You can find them here:

 

More Info/Pricing at Amazon.com

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

14. ReadyWise

ReadWise provides freeze dried backpacking meals as well as long-term survival and emergency preparation food. I’ve tried multiple ReadyWise backpacking meals and found them to be tasty and affordable. You can find them here:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon.com

15. Wild Zora

Wild Zora is a premium backpacking meal brand that caters to special dietary needs including: Paleo, AIP autoimmune protocol friendly, dairy free, gluten free, no added sugar, nut free, and soy free diets. You can find them here:


More Info/Pricing at Amazon.com

More Info/Pricing at REI.com

16. Wise Company - Emergency and Survival Food Supply

Wise Company makes long term emergency supply freeze dried meals with a shelf life of 25 years. The cost per meal is lower due to added fillers. You can find them here:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon.com

You can follow American Gear Guide on InstagramFacebook, or Pinterest.

PLEASE! I NEED HELP TO KEEP RUNNING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT’S EASY AND FREE FOR YOU TO HELP OUT! 
Sharing the best locally made gear is a passion project close to my heart and if I’ve helped you find some cool US made gear then please consider helping my site going and growing. Running this site costs me a lot of cash to use secure and speedy web servers, purchase new gear, and to contribute my personal time and effort. Thus, I need your help to cover my costs and continue providing quality free information on the latest American-made gear.
It’s easy and free to help out.

If you ever want to purchase ANYTHING from AmazonREI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse… even for dog food or toothpaste, then you can help me without costing you a single penny. If you use my links to make a purchase within 24 hrs then I will receive a tiny credit that will help my site pay its dues and continue running. So all I ask is that if you find the free info here useful and you need to make a purchase at Amazon, REI, etc. then please use the links on this site. This costs you nothing extra but will help provide myself and this website a dollar or two to help keep on trucking.

You can bookmark the following sites and each time you purchase something it will help American Gear Guide in a small but significant way. Bookmarkable links: AmazonREI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse.

 
Another way you can help is by donating any amount you choose, even $1. If you would like to donate to this site, you can use the paypal donate button below or you can do so by following the DonorBox link here (includes options for PayPal and Google Pay) and enter the donation amount of your choice. I provide this website’s information for free without annoying ads or membership fees so any donation is incredibly helpful. Thank you! 

Popular Pages:

Find the highest quality survival preparation equipment to take on any emergency.

Only our favorite gear, the top American made equipment that earns our Editor’s Choice and Best Buy Awards.

My search for the best American-made phone cases and screen protectors has ended in success. Here are the results.

Here you’ll find a lineup of the best headlamps made in the USA for camping, backpacking, running, hiking, biking, fishing, and all things in the dark. ​

Whether you’re looking for adventure sandals, flip flops for the beach or fashionable sandals for a hot summer night on the town, you’ll find awesome and affordable American made men’s and women’s sandals.

​Want the best hiking, backpacking, or work boots made in the USA for Men and Women? Here they are!

Your guide to the best water bottles, reservoirs, and hydration systems you can find.

Looking for the lightest, highest-quality, weatherproof tents available? You should look here.

My personal recommendations for the top ten EDC folding knives made in the USA. If you’re looking for men’s gift ideas, this isn’t a bad place to start.

Discover the best sleeping bags in the world, which happen to be made in Seattle, WA and San Jose, CA, USA.

The top performing water filters for backpacking and international travel.

Nothing but the lightest, the comfiest, and the most durable camping mattresses available.

Recommendations to find the best American made axes.

Find the most reliable, best engineered flashlights available.

Leatherman makes the world’s best multi-tools. I’m familiar with Gerber, Sog, and Victorinox multi-tools but none compare to Leatherman tools…
My recommendations for the best American made backpacking stoves.

Looking for the top sunglasses made in the USA? You’ve come to the right place.

My picks for the top ultralight backpacking gear.