Vegetarian Backpacking Meals
It’s incredibly important to keep yourself well-fed while out on an expedition. The food that you eat will act as your energy source for however many days you’re out in the wild for. If you’re not feeding yourself correctly, then fatigue will start to show and you’ll end up fighting for survival (in a worst-case scenario, of course).
Keeping your hunger at a minimum is pretty easy to do while backpacking, but if you’re a vegetarian, you’re likely to wonder whether you’re getting the nutrients and protein which your body needs. We’ve put together ten of the most amazing tasting vegetarian backpacking meals, in order to ensure that you never go hungry again!
The Best Vegetarian Meals For Backpackers
1. Ramen
Ramen dishes are incredibly easy to cook up while out in the wild, and all of the ingredients required are super light to carry around with you. It’s a win-win! Simply choose which ingredients you would like to mix into your noodles and you’ll be good to go. You can even put all leftovers into an airtight flask and have them for another meal.
2. Dehydrated Soup
You can’t go wrong with a soup meal while backpacking. Although it might not be the most exciting of meals, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of vegetarian-safe flavors which will still provide lots of taste. Our personal favorites are mushroom and pumpkin soups.
If you’re worried about carrying around lots of liquid, then purchase dehydrated soup. All that you need to do is add boiling water.
3. Curried Meals
If you’re passionate about having bold flavors while on your backpacking trip, then treat yourself to a curried meal! From curried soups to curried ramen; the possibilities are endless. The best part is that curried meals are incredibly easy to make and, due to having such a strong taste, very little ingredients are needed to make it exciting.
Pop your curried meal into a flask and then warm it up when you’re ready. Tasty.
4. Energy Bars
Although energy bars might not a substantial meal for days on end, they act perfectly as breakfast and lunch replacements when you don’t have time to cook. Energy bars are packed full of protein and all of the good stuff which keeps you feeling nourished.
Whether you want sweet cookies and cream energy bar or would prefer a nutty energy bar, you’ll be sure to find a flavor which is acquired to your taste. You can even purchase energy bars which have protein boosts in them; we recommend getting these when backpacking. You’re going to need all the energy you can get, especially if you’re on a hiking trip.
5. Dehydrated Beans
Beans, beans, good for your heart! Dehydrated beans have so many nutrients in them and you really can’t go wrong with adding a batch to your backpacking meals. Perfect for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, beans will add extra flavor to any meal. And, because they’ll be dehydrated, you can snack on them throughout the day without a care in the world.
6. Flavoured Nuts & Seeds
Just like dehydrated beans, flavored nuts and seeds are full of excellent nutrients. Mix your flavored nuts and seeds into cereal or yogurt and you’ll have a super healthy vegetarian breakfast in your hands. The great thing about carrying nuts and seeds is that they don’t need any preparation, meaning you can eat them straight out of the packet if need be!
Don’t forget to opt for flavored or spiced nuts if you prefer to have a bolder taste.
7. Fruit Smoothies
It’s important to have your five a day, even when you’re out backpacking. The easiest way to do this without spoiling fruit is by making a fruit smoothie! If you make enough and keep it cool in a flask, it’ll be good to eat for a maximum of three days. You can make whatever combination of fruit smoothie you like; from banana and strawberry to apple and melon. It’s completely up to you – just ensure that it never sits out in the sun.
8. Mushroom Risotto
If you’re a fan of mushrooms, then put your chef hat on and make a mushroom risotto before heading out on your backpacking trip. This meal is perfect for cold nights out in the wild; it’ll keep you warm inside and out. Mushroom risotto is one of the most filling meals on this guide, so if it appeals to you, then why not experiment with lots of other flavors, too?
9. Cheese Pancakes
Savory pancakes can be bought from the superstore or baked in ten minutes at home. The great thing about cheese pancakes is that they can be eaten both hot and cold, meaning if you don’t have a stove to hand, they’ll still taste just as good. Cheese pancakes can be enjoyed at any point in the day, and because they’re stackable, you can get away with packing as many as you like!
10. Vegan Jerky
Last, but by no means least, we have a meal which is perfect for those vegetarians who crave the taste of meat from time to time. Vegan jerky, also known as soy jerky, is the perfect meat substitute which surprisingly tastes very similar to the real deal. Whether you want to enjoy it as a snack or put it in a sandwich, vegan jerky is a must-have for your backpacking trip.
Top tip: When it comes to vegan jerky, you’ll either love the taste or absolutely despise it. We recommend tasting it before bulk buying; just to make sure that you’ll enjoy it while out backpacking. There’s nothing worse than ending up with meals you don’t like while fighting for survival out in the wild.
Enjoy Your Vegetarian Backpacking Meals!
With these ten meals acting as inspiration for your next backpacking trip, we promise that you’ll never grow hungry again. Eating while out in the wild should be an enjoyable experience and not one which fills you with worry!
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