Oats + Raisins + Dried Blackberries + Cinnamon + Chia Seeds + Milk Powder
Freezer bag cooking is a convenient way of preparing meals in the backcountry. The process starts at home where dried ingredients are assembled and pre-portioned into freezer bags, usually at home before you leave. Recipes range from the simple to the complex, but the process of cooking is the same.
When it is mealtime, you just add hot water to the bag, zip it up, drop it into a cozy to keep it warm and wait a few minutes for everything to heat up. You then can eat directly from the bag and throw it into your trash when you are done. It couldn't be any easier.
Freezer bag cooking has a loyal following, but not everyone is on board with this way of cooking. We break down the pros and the cons so you can decide for yourself.
1. Easy to prepare - just boil water and mix in
2. Inexpensive - make meals yourself
3. Clean - little to no dishes or cleanup since you eat out of your cooking vessel
4. Yummy - ideal for real foodies looking for more customizable gourmet meals
1. Planning - need to plan ahead, organize and source which takes time
2. Quality - not great for hard-to-cook items that might not thoroughly cook in the bag and need more consistent heat from a stove
3. Health? There are some concerns with adding hot water to a plastic bag
To help get you started with freezer bag cooking, we've compiled 13 of our favorite recipes. Nom nom.
A traditional porridge breakfast with Quinoa replacing the oats. Quinoa cooks as quickly as oats and has a pleasant nutty flavor. Source: Trail Cooking
Add 1 cup near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients. Start stirring and keep stirring for a minute. Let sit in a cozy tightly sealed for 5 minutes. It will thicken up considerably as it cools.
View the full recipe at trailcooking.com.
The bacon and cheese make this a savory dish. A nice change from the typically sweet breakfast options. Great for when you want something different than oatmeal. Source: Trail Cooking
Dice the cheese up, add to the freezer bag of ingredients. Add in 1 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 5 minutes or until cool enough to eat.
View the full recipe at trailcooking.com.
Load up on carbs first thing in the morning with a breakfast version of rice pudding.
Add 3/4 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 10 minutes or until the rice is softened. Use a cozy to help the rice cook more thoroughly.
The tried and true version of oatmeal for breakfast. Change it up by swapping the raisins with dehydrated fruit and adding in other flavors such a peanut butter powder, coconut, cocoa powder or instant espresso.
Add 1/2 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 5-8 minutes or until the oats are softened.
A creamy treat to fill your belly after a long day of hiking. Substitute couscous or instant brown rice for a subtle change in flavor.
Add 1 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 15 – 20 minutes. Season with olive oil if desired.
Apricots and almonds add a twist to this chicken and couscous dish.
Add 1 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 10 minutes. Add an olive oil packet for more fat and calories. Fluff with a fork or spoon and enjoy!
View the full recipe at freshoffthegrid.com.
A tasty meal packed with protein that has cheese fan Fritos.
Add 1 1/4 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 15 minutes in a cozy if possible. Dice up the cheese. Stir rice to fluff up and fold in both the cheese and Fritos.
View the full recipe on Andrew Skurka's blog.
Liven up your mashed potatoes with cheese and sausages in this backpacking version of everyone's favorite comfort food.
Add 2/3 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Add cheese and sausages before eating.
Add some vegetables to your diet with this light and refreshing meal that uses couscous as a base.
Add 1 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 10 minutes in a cozy if possible. Add an olive oil packet or foil pack chicken or fish.
View the full recipe at mountainbakerexperience.com.
Ramen noodles are the staple of a thru-hikers diet. Spice up these fast-cooking noodles with some protein-rich cheese and bacon.
Mix seasonings and store separately. Add 2/3 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the ramen noodles and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Drain off the water, mix in seasonings and eat.
View the full recipe at rokslide.com.
Stuff yourself with this creative take on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Great for fall camping when you need a warm and filling meal at the end of the day.
Add 1 cup of near boiling water to rehydrate the freezer bag ingredients and stir well. Seal the bag tightly and let sit for 5-10 minutes in a cozy if possible. Add chicken, top with craisins and season with olive oil.
View the full recipe at theoutbound.com.
Chocolate tastes good no matter how you eat --even when it is cooked in a bag. This gooey goodness will put into a food coma you won't forget.
Add 1/4 cup of near boiling water to a freezer bag with the dry milk and chocolate chips. Melt the chocolate by dipping the bag in simmering water, then mix in the rest of the ingredients.
View the full recipe at backpackingmastery.com.
Finish off your meal with this sweet treat. Substitute dried apples with cinnamon for a seasonal change.
Add 1½ cups near boiling water to the cherries and sugar. Seal well and put in a cozy for 15 minutes. Divide into personal mugs and sprinkle granola topping over each bowl.
To download a PDF with all 13 recipes listed in this post, click here.
By Kelly Hodgkins: Kelly is a full-time backpacking guru. She can be found on New Hampshire and Maine trails, leading group backpacking trips, trail running or alpine skiing.
About Greenbelly: After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail.
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