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Backpacking Stove
Dinner

Cheap Backpacking Meals from the Grocery Store

Fuel your next trail adventure without breaking the bank. Simple, hearty meals using everyday grocery store ingredients for your backpacking stove.

Community rating
Added September 4, 2026
Source: the-hungry-hiker.com
Cheap Backpacking Meals from the Grocery Store
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • •0.5 cup Rolled oats
  • •2 tbsp Hemp hearts, chia seeds, flaxseed mix
  • •0.25 cup Chopped almonds
  • •optional Freeze-dried fruit
  • •1 container Powdered dry whole milk
  • •1 packet Carnation Breakfast Essentials drink mix
  • •0.5 cup Dry powdered whole milk
  • •0.25 cup Powdered peanut butter
  • •0.5 cup Freeze-dried berries
  • •0.5 cup Granola
  • •2 tbsp Chopped pecans
  • •1 packet Sugar
  • •1 tbsp Coconut oil
  • •0.5 cup Instant mashed potatoes
  • •0.5 cup Stove Top stuffing
  • •1 tbsp Powdered gravy
  • •1 tbsp Pepitas
  • •1 tbsp Chopped pecans
  • •1 pouch Pre-cooked white chicken breast
  • •0.5 cup Fried onions
  • •1 portion Ramen noodles
  • •1 packet Olive oil
  • •1 packet Peanut butter
  • •1 packet Soy sauce
  • •1 packet Honey
  • •1 tbsp Crushed peanuts

Equipment

  • • Backpacking stove
  • • Reusables, such as containers and bags
  • • Food cozy

Instructions

  1. 1Combine dry rolled oats, seeds, and nuts at home in a bag.
  2. 2Add boiling water to the dry mixture and stir.
  3. 3Let sit for 10 mins and then add rehydrated milk before consuming.
  4. 4Mix the breakfast shake ingredients in a bag; add water to drink.
  5. 5For berry cobbler, combine dry ingredients; add boiling water and let sit for 10 mins.
  6. 6Mix components for mac and cheese with boiling water, then stir in BBQ ingredients.
  7. 7Add ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner in a bag; mix with boiling water and let hydrate before adding meat and onions.
  8. 8Prepare Backcountry Pad Thai by soaking ramen with boiling water, add seasonings and proteins, then enjoy.

Camp tips

  • • Use shelf-stable products for convenience on the trail.
  • • Pre-portion snacks and ingredients to save time.
  • • Choose hard cheeses for warmer weather and soft cheeses for cooler weather.

Planning a trip? Open the Trip Planner — your saved favorite meals can be pulled into the generated menu.

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