Recipes
Need some inspiration for killing a serious backcountry chocolate craving? Look no farther, you've clicked into a chocoholic's dream.
Need to kill your chocolate craving? Use these recipes to get your chocolate fix in the backcountry.
Don't be afraid of cooking this superfood in the backcountry.
Jimmy Kennedy of Cabot Cheese shares four scrumptious camp-friendly, cheese-centric delicacies that will surely satisfy. Plus: Watch our how-to video about making a cheese wax candle.
Try these camp-friendly breakfast recipes using summer sausage and salami. They're delicious ways to add protein to your trail menu--and finish an opened serving of sausage before it begins to spoil.
Gourmet Southwestern salad, perfect for that light afternoon meal.
Super quick and full of flavor. Perfect for a fast and easy meal.
Black beans and a heaping dose of flavor make for tasty, fiber- and protein-rich meals
Serve a 5-star meal that matches the scenery.
Tired of the same old weekend loops? Looking to create memories your grandkids will talk about? In this how-and-where guide, we serve up 15 extraordinary escapes that will shatter your expectations of "normal." From adventure moviemaking to canyoneering, we'll take you places you've never been—but will long to visit again soon.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even desert recipes that are easy and tasty campground meals.
Grab some dehydrated veggies, a little salsa, and some beef jerky for these tasty Fajitas.
Three backcountry cooking tips that will guarantee easy and tasty meals
Your favorite desert as a kid goes trail-side.
Some quick-cooking rice and a handful of vegetables makes this a healthy trail lunch.
A bit of frozen chorizo extends your backcountry options.
If you're camping with kids, this pizza is a must make.
Boil-in-the-bag rice and beef jerky make this recipe a snap.
Make a double batch of this at home. Have it for dinner with your family then dehydrate half for your next few backpacking trips.
Pack light and eat well with these two dinner options.
Brown rice becomes a yummy desert with this easy recipe.
Think apple pie and lime cranberry flavors!
Enjoy comfort sweets that complement any autumn campfire meal.
Get a hearty dose of fruit and vegetables right on the trail.
Bring a little Thanksgiving right to the trail with this easy backcountry pie recipe.
Pack your collapsible chopsticks and dig into this delicious Asian cuisine.
Get a dose of veggies on the trail with these DIY summer rolls.
Protein-rich and flavor-packed noodles for the trail.
Gourmet breakfast served in your sleeping bag
Traditional oats with energy-packed surprises
Warm your belly with these hearty dishes.
For a hearty vegetable stew, make this easy Farmer's Mash recipe in less than 10 minutes.
This gourmet chicken pot pie is an easy recipe for a warm and filling backcountry dinner.
Power up the trail with these healthy energy bombs.
Make hard-boiled eggs without even boiling water. Plus: Why a marshmallow Peep has never climbed Everest
When life hands you a lemon, make lemon bars, then go hiking.
Everyone's favorite breakfast staple doesn't necessarily require a stove.
We review their new recipe book
Ultimate Camp Cooking. Plus: their easy-cook Dill Salmon recipe.
Lads and lasses, stuff your gobs with these tasty treats.
Dress up your fresh caught trout with this delicious wild berry compote.
New research shows spinach makes your muscles work more efficiently, so power up with this savory dish.
Try this quick and easy fish recipe.
Take your fire-side fish skills to the next level with this savory salmon recipe.
Dig into a backcountry fish feast with these easy-prep, sure-to-wow dishes.
Spoil your love in the backcountry with this fruit-forward winter cocktail.
Say goodbye to Jose and say hello to these tasty tequilas you won't want to miss.
Switch things up with these twists on the classic treat.
You can bake this yummy treat even at altitude, and you and your mates will be fighting over the last crumbs.
10 reinventions of trailworn dinner recipes. Plus some easy breakfast and dessert options.
Overall top-scorer: This wallet-saver meal is super easy to make but packs dynamite flavor.
BACKPACKER readers submitted scores of simple, delicious recipes. Here are 21 taste-tested favorites.
Switch things up with this easy twist on a classic staple.
Just because you're 10 miles into the wilderness doesn't mean you should miss out on holiday drinks.
Ring in the New Year with this twist on the classic champagne cocktail featuring pomegranate and brown sugar.
Can't decide on just one cocktail for your adventure? Put together a mobile backcountry bar kit.
Fill up with this savory and surprising dish.
Check out these delicious one-pot dishes.
A double dose of chocolate and cayenne pepper will keep your taste buds hopping this winter.
A hearty, creamy soup that will fill you up in the backcountry.
Red quinoa adds a nutty kick to savory herbs and veggies
A double dose of chocolate and cayenne pepper will keep your taste buds hopping this winter.
A double dose of chocolate and cayenne pepper will keep your taste buds hopping this winter.
Instant sweet potatoes and mini marshmallows make this a unique twist on pizza.
These filling flapjacks have a pleasant crunch and natural sweetness.
Take a break from gels with these fruity and peanut-buttery pick-me-ups.
Despite their eponymous appearance, these rich cookies taste divine.
A yummy desert or breakfast cooked over the campfire.
If you prefer a flask to a cocktail in the backcountry, give these fine Scotches a chance to warm you from the inside out this winter.
Fuel up with these belly-warming meals.
After testing 23 canned craft beers from across the country, we narrowed it down to our top choices--simply the best craft canned beers for backpacking.
Climb higher, live longer, and eat better, o.k.
be better, with these skills.
For your next backcountry lunch, don't just munch on an energy bar. Try one of these tasty options.
A top-ranked dessert in the 2004 REI/BACKPACKER Camp Cook-Off
May 2000 readers' favorite
March 1982 readers' favorite
First-place entrée winner of the 2004 REI/BACKPACKER Camp Cook-Off
Temper our recipe for Earthworm Patty Supremes with a little Drunken Choc-Berry Fondue. Plus, other recipes and cooking skills.
Box wine is back in a big--and quaffable-- way. Here are our favorites for the trail.
Learn to make the classic cold weather cocktail and get a primer on a new version that's sure to impress your tent-mates
Warm up with this recipe for apple cider with a kick.
Toasting to the day of your birth in the backcountry isn't complete without a proper dessert. Or three.
Don't forget these essentials when you're headed into the cold.
Use these tips to plan perfect winter camping meals.
The gear, techniques, and recipes you need to whip up five-star meals in cold climes
Warm up with these tasty backcountry winter cocktails!
Try these 6 kitchen tips, excerpted from BACKPACKER'S new book,
Campsite Cooking: Cookware, Cuisine, and Cleaning Up. Plus, cold-weather tips from the pros.
Fast, filling, and yummy macaroni and cheese is comfort food wherever you pitch your tent.
And if prepared properly, it'll be quite tasty and good for you, too.
Plus: Pesto Pasta with a Kick recipe
It tastes delish. (Yes, really.)
Part rum, part minty-goodness. This one will help you hold on to the last warm days of the year in style.
Add rich, cheesy flair to your backcountry fare.
Wow your campmates with this restaurant-worthy appetizer.
Cheese and beer make this a camp favorite.
Our resident imbibing expert takes on the Spanish staple...and adds a twist.
In a tip of the hat to this universal noodle, here are two sweet breakfast and dessert ramen recipes.
Last call for submissions for the 2011 Readers' Choice Contest! Plus: Three easy recipes for flat trail bread, tortilla sunrise, and a fruit smoothie
Last call for submissions for the 2011 Readers' Choice Contest! Plus: Three easy recipes for flat trail bread, tortilla sunrise, and a fruit smoothie
Stuck in a ramen rut? Are your camp recipes ultralight but ultra boring? Does your food bag weigh more than you do? Our expert chefs solve these problems and more, with tips, recipes, and gear picks for 10 flood-flummoxed hikers.
A simple tuna salad gets a nutritional punch with the addition of bean sprouts.
If your backpacking menu excludes anything fresh, read on for a few helpful tips.
Bring some spice to backcountry cooking with this easy, flavorful curry recipe.
Backcountry cooking doesn't have to mean bland.
Fast food leads to fast crashes trailside.
A decadent pasta dish built for the backcountry.
Cook for a group...with style.
Breakfast for two, any time of the day.
Prevent fresh food spoilage on the trail with these tips.
An easy, year-round homemade snack.
Staying warm does require extra calories when hiking in the winter.
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love this on-trail Cherry Cobbler.
A gourmet meal designed for the backcountry.
Packing the kitchen for a weekend away? We'll help you pare down.
Punch up boring noodles with ginger and garlic.
Break out of the boring one-pot routine.
Boost your on-trail protein intake with this tasty dish.
Easy ways to take protein on the trail without involving meat or overly fortified energy bars.
What's more American than apple pie? Apple pie baked over a campfire of course.
Enter your favorite trail recipe for a chance to have it published in the January 2011 issue of Backpacker Magazine.
...Baked in a soda can!
Fill up on these protein-rich meals.
This gourmet dish combines dehydrated ground beef, fresh cherry tomatoes, and arepa flour for a protein-filled meal.
Chicken, cheese, and avocado–what more do you need?
Spice up your backcountry menu with this flavorful and satisfying Asian staple.
In 20 minutes, you can have Asian in the backcountry.
Spice up ramen noodles with this easy Thai dish.
Just like at home, there's clean-up to do after every meal in the backcountry. Here's how to get your dishes clean.
Suffer no more: instant cheesecake for the backcountry.
Your pre-trip shopping just got a whole lot easier.
Take the hassle out of menu planning with these fast meals.
Cheese spread, bars, drinks, trail mixes–there's more variety than ever in trail snacks.
Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don't leave camp without inhaling one of these tasty options.
A fork, knife, and spoon for the green and ultralight crowd.
The four Herbal Oats granola bar varieties are all-natural, preservative-free, and delicious.
Pots for the masses–and the ages.
Give yourself a flavor-rich protein boost with this update on a classic.
This sweet and savory sandwich is a staff favorite.
The best instant coffee ever
Kids will love this dessert.
Dress up any meal with these condiments.
The perfect solo cookset
Clif makes wine? Yup, and good wine at that.
Double your trail miles–or just boost your energy–with protein-rich snacks.
This satisfying whole grain is filling, fiber-rich, and ready in less than five minutes.
With couscous, beans, and veggies this is a complete, and tasty, trail meal.
Salmon jerky and curry powder are key to this hearty dish.
Party of two? Your cookware is ready.
We taste-tested a stack of your recipe submissions–everything from pasta to pub food. These four winners emerged as the best of the bunch.
A spicy Asian dinner with satisfying crunch.
A simple dish from two thru-hikers.
Think the classic campfire treat can't be beat?
Classic, pubworthy flavor for camp.
Fresh pasta in less than five minutes.
Bring takeout to the trail with these flavorful Asian noodle dishes.
Turn fall's harvest into healthy, energy-packed treats.
For authentic takeout on the trail, try this spicy Pad Thai.
Craving something Asian on your next trek, but don't want to put in a lot of effort? Try this easy Pad Thai.
These recipes are fortified with extra warmth and calories for winter camping.
From beer pancakes to on-the-go tiramisu, our resident Trail Chef will have your mouth watering in no time.
Transform boring old instant potatoes into spicy, hearty meals.
We'll show you how to be the ultimate trail chef in no time with these tips.
Just because you're in the backcountry doesn't mean you don't need cookware. Here, some essentials to make you king of trail kitchen.
From cocktails to coffee, these recipes and tips will keep you quaffed no matter what.
Need to recharge with something tasty? These savory snacks will do just that.
Finish your meal off right with these treats for the trail.
Whip up a four start meal with these trail side recipes.
Start the day right with these out-of-the-ordinary breakfast treats.
These potato cakes are heavy on the carbs–and taste.
Spice up boring potatoes with some summer sausage, brown sugar, and tomatoes in this Italian-inspired dish.
The wasabi adds a kick to instant potatoes, while the salmon is a perfect protein source.
Batter up for these trail-ready pancakes.
From toppings to cleanup, these four tips will enhance the perfect lazy-morning camp breakfast.
This gluten-free variation on the traditional recipe serves up superlight cakes.
Reason #57 to love a good brew: The carbonation in beer makes for extra-fluffy flapjacks.
Flavor-infuse your lunch menu with these pesto tuna, ham, Gouda & apple, and spicy chicken salad recipes.
P&J is for amateurs. This spiced up sandwich is just what your taste buds need on the trail.
Take your ol' ham and cheese up a notch with this concoction.
Take your tuna to the next level with this gourmet sandwich.
Easy, lightweight recipes. Plus quick ways to stay full and happy without hauling extra weight.
Meal-by-meal tips to please the whole family
Scenario: The camp cupboard is bare, but the fridge is full of leftovers. Solution: These tasty dumplings.
Scenario: You want to eat gourmet, but only have 10 minutes to shop. Solution: This pasta dish featuring salami and diced
2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes.
Scenario: No grocery in sight, only a gas-station convenience store
Solution? This tasty Ramen meal
From dumplings to pasta, check out these three recipes for on-the-go goodness.
We want your stories! Your photos! Your best trips and tips and all-time favorite gear! For this special edition of our Readers' Choice Awards, we're using your best stuff to create our January 2010 issue.
Put this meal on the menu for any trip: It's easy-prep trail food that will wow every palate.
With under five minutes of prep time needed, these apples will please anyone.
It doesn't get easier than fruit, pudding and boiling water for this simple dessert.
These simple cookies are perfect for the trial.
We're serving up gourmet grub from America's top cook. Here Mark Fischer, head chef of Six89 in Carbondale, CO.
Freshly grated Parmesan with your fire-side spaghetti dinner? That's not a problem with this easy to clean, full-featured mess kit
Find water anywhere, make a fire in five minutes, learn secrets for battling mosquitoes, and more.
We'll show you how to be ready to the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up!
Want to be a better hiker? Look no further. Our comprehensive guide is packed with the backcountry secrets that separate average campers from true wilderness experts.
Upgrade your trail menu–and lower your carbon footprint–with farmers' market fare.
These 4 red-hot recipes will warm you faster than any campfire.
4 Japanese meals adapted–and enhanced–for the trail
Want to hike farther, explore tougher terrain, and carry big loads without bonking? To achieve your biggest backcountry goals, you have to change how you eat.
4 hook-and-cook dinners just waiting to be caught
3 tasty, filling trailside finds that could save dinner–even your life.
You're lost, hungry, and starting to shiver: Time to play squirrel.
Not sure how to eat right on the trail? You're in luck. We've taken the liberty of coming up with the perfect plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—for just about every situation. So break out your inner chef and get cooking. You'll be eating like royalty in no time.
GORP is great...for a snack. Backpacker offers some pointers on keeping your energy up while on the trail.
The trail-staple GORP gets a face lift with these reader-submitted recipes
When cooking in the backcountry, don't leave home without...
Protein helps hikers regulate their metabolism, repair tired muscle, and boost their immune system.
Restaurant-quality dining on the trail. Choose from Mushroom and Tomato Orzo with Pesto or Chicken Posole Wraps for your next campfire dinner.
Unwind after a long hike chilé fondue, French bread bruchetta, or an Asian peanut dip
Spice up your oatmeal with lemony blueberry sauce. Or go for camp-side blueberry pancakes--topped by more blueberry sauce.
Avoid the Pop-Tart rut with Backpacker's seven-day, two-person shopping and menu list.
Eat for energy minus the meat with this three-day, two-person meal plan.
A three-day, two-person menu and shopping list for those who go camping to escape the rigors of everyday life--including the kitchen.
From cashew-ginger chicken to fruited scones, tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for the trail and the campsite.
What to eat when you're one person spending one day on the trail and looking to travel light
4 steamy drinks to spice up your after-dinner stargazing
Banish blah food with this 3-day guide to quick, delicious meals.
A naturopath's top 5 remedies for common backpacking injuries.
4 easy recipes that will warm your whole body.
Four trailworthy variations on favorite regional recipes
Enhance bland backpacking food with an ultralight spice kit including everything from curry to soy sauce.
Stuff yourself with this camp-style version of a traditional Mexican stew.
Pack your fishing rod; these biscuits go perfectly with fresh-caught trout or catfish.
A simple twist packs protein into this down-home favorite.
Enjoy this hardy and healthy Mexican soup at home or in camp
Four new recipes for belly-warming campfire drinks
Make your romantic weekend in the backcountry extra special by inventing your own dessert. Use these versatile starters from your pantry: piecrusts, pudding, and maple syrup.
Sweeten up your next overnight trip with any of these 4 dessert recipes
Four hearty, ready-in-a-flash bread recipes
Cooking tips and recipes for easy backcountry meals
You really want more granola? Get your carbs in a tasty, new way.
Add four low-carb recipes to your trail cookbook
Quick and simple crepe recipes for any meal
The best gorp, breakfast, entree, and dessert recipes from our cooking contest: 200 contestants, eight finalists, one culinary king
The One-Pan Gourmet shows how to eat like a king.
This classic snack offers more then just a tasty treat for backpackers.
Liven up your purified water.
We tortured 51 trail snacks and staples to pick the longest lasting foods for backpacking.
No refrigerator, no problem, says this cooking instructor. Here's her secret to making every meal better.
When illness or injury strikes, the medicine you need is in the plants alongside the trail and at your feet.
These crunchy, easy-to-prepare side dishes will make your hiking buddies green with envy.
Camping without stove or fire gains you freedom, flexibility, simplicity, and compactness, and sometimes a lighter load.
Some trailworthy soups can even help you heal.
With a little creativity, dairy-wary hikers can find tasty and satisfying alternatives to cheese.
Create tasty trail meals like fish chowder, lasagna, and seafood with pasta.
From "good old raisins and peanuts" to trail mixes spiced with hot peppers, Michigan cherries, beer nuts, and dried carrots, the ultimate backwoods snack comes your way, courtesy of Backpacker readers.
This vegetarian burger recipe will suit your palate and clean-up the environment.
Rice takes on the flavor of whatever you add to it, so no wonder it's such a tasty, versatile trail food.
When it comes to punching up a bland menu,there's a whole world of flakes, granules, and sprinkles waiting to be tried.
Eggs on the trail, stoveless oatmeal, and other breakfast miracles from readers.
By themselves, noodles are just plain bland. Add the proper topping, though, and dinner takes on a whole new flavor.
That's essentially what the outdoors is, so use those cold temps to carry tasty foods that wouldn't stand a chance in summer.
Tofu has been much maligned, but the simple truth is that it's tasty, nutritious, and an ideal trail food.
It's tasty, nutritious, and will survive being crammed in a pack. Might pasta be the perfect trail food?
Cooking tips from readers.
How to make dreamy drinks and crispy chicken in camp, and lots of other trail-tested cooking tips from readers.
Rather than tearing open an envelope, wouldn't you rather slice and dice something fresh?
Time it right and you can harvest fresh greens every day of your trip.
Boil, pour, stir, eat. Camp food doesn't get any easier than this.
Wrap your dinner in a tortilla and you've got an appetizing and tidy way to satisfy those hunger pangs.
Fearless campers sacrifice their taste buds to determine which instant breakfast is best.
Stock these 25 essentials for grab-it-and-go meals.
These spices add zest to bland camp meals.
Spice is the variety of life, so add ground pepper, ginger, and other taste bud tinglers to your camp meals.
Here's how to make your morning cup of joe the best in camp.
Just because you're in the woods doesn't mean you have to sacrifice dessert. Here are a few recipes for tasty end-of-the-meal treats that'll satisfy anyone's sweet tooth.
