Snacks and Side Dishes

Recent Snack/Side Dish Reviews

Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy

I started carrying these a few years ago, used to have freeze dried pork chops that were a real treat from typical trail food but these are just great with a cup of coffee. Of all places I happened to find a rack of these at Walmart and bought one for a week-long backpacking trip. After having for breakfast quickly realized I should have brought more. Normal breakfast during such trips is rather unfulfilling on a crispy morning over a small fire. I have also started carrying dehydrated bacon, so… Full review

Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy

This is what backpacking food should taste like! Mountain House has hit a home run with the Biscuits and Gravy, packing in much more flavor than expected, and really getting the textures spot-on. We take this meal along on pack trips, motorcycle tours, and I usually have one in my work truck for long jobs in the mountains. Adding an egg, either fired or hard-boiled, extends the meal considerably, and really gives a boost of nice protein energy. Let me start out by admitting that I am a big fan of… Full review

OMeals Smoked Cheese Bites

A trail snack that sounded much better than it tasted. Texture was also unpleasant. Taste:Generally speaking, I really like cheese, particularly smoked cheeses like Swiss, Gouda, and cheddar. While I would never expect a dehydrated cheese snack intended for backcountry use to taste the exactly same as a freshly smoked cheese, I do expect there to be a close resemblance. However, instead of smoked cheese, this snack tastes a bit more like burned cheese with plenty of salt. I asked a friend to try… Full review

Lorissa's Kitchen Premium Steak Strips

These steak strips (jerky) are tender, moist, and flavorful. Lorissa’s Kitchen premium steak strips are great for boosting protein on the trail with 10 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrate, and 80 calories per serving. The strips are made with 100% grass-fed beef with no added nitrites, MSG, preservatives or growth hormones. The texture of the jerky was good; moist, tender, and chewy. I always prefer the plain flavors of jerky products, especially on a long, high-altitude… Full review

Idahoan Premium Hash Browns

Shredded potato in a light, easy to carry dehydrated form. Used alone or with other ingredients it creates a genuine potato experience that satisfies the desire for "real" food on extended trips. You've seen plenty of folks on trail eating instant mashed potatoes. Maybe even eaten a few bags yourself. On the same rack at the store that has those pouches you may find these beauties hiding in plain sight. Nothing more than shredded potato, but your imagination is the only limit as far as what they… Full review

Organic Valley Organic Fuel Whey Protein Powder

Organic Fuel Whey Protein Powder tastes good, doesn’t have a chalky taste, and adds needed protein to my backpacking diet. I wasn’t looking for protein powder, but when Organic Fuel Whey Protein Powder, made by Organic Valley, landed on my doorstep, I discovered that I liked it. The flavor is good, it doesn’t have a chalky taste, and it adds needed protein to my backpacking diet. Protein powder is one of those products that never hit my radar. There are a few reasons. I’m an omnivore, so… Full review

Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy

Was skeptical about Mountain House until I tried this! This was the first Mountain House meal I ever tried. We ate these on a very cold morning on the Lamar River Valley Trail in Yellowstone. It was a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast that really hit the spot. It was interesting to see that they created biscuit chunks in order for everything to rehydrate evenly. Super easy to prepare—just add hot water, stir, and seal bag. To make it easier to eat, we cut the top off the bag with a knife when… Full review

Mighty Organic Original Beef Jerky

Excellent flavor and texture with minimal additives. I haven’t been a big fan of beef jerky in a while but Mighty Organic Beef Jerky changed all that. The Mighty Organic ingredient list for their jerky and meat sticks is pretty clean, while the taste and texture are excellent. With other brands, I often notice a lingering aftertaste that I assume has to do with some of the additives. Adequate protein can be a challenge to incorporate into a backpacking diet and meat products are a good way to… Full review

Redwick's Preserves Freeze-Dried Food

Redwick's Preserves is a family-owned operation that offers unique small batches of freeze dried foods that are ideal for backpacking. For people like me who make their own lightweight backpacking food, it’s exciting to find a purveyor that offers something a little different from the mainstream companies. Redwick’s Preserves is one of those rare finds. Redwick’s is a family-owned operation out of Seattle that makes all kinds of freeze-dried foods, ranging from whole steak to roasted onions. Full review