3 Vegetarian Recipes to Fuel You on the Trail

Coconut Cashew Curry

Who says backpacking food has to be bland? Serves 2

• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup shredded carrot
• ½ cup chopped mushroom
• 2 vegetable bouillon cubes
• 2 tsp. curry powder
• 4 Tbsp. coconut milk powder
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. crushed red pepper
• ½ tsp. sugar
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 ⅔ cup water
• 1 cup instant rice
• 4 tsp. coconut oil
• ½ cup roasted cashews

At home: Combine vegetables, bouillon, curry powder, coconut milk powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, sugar, and salt in a zip-top bag. Package rice, coconut oil, and cashews separately.

In camp: Bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add rice, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes. Boil the remaining water and stir in vegetable-curry mix. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add oil. Pour curry sauce over rice, top with cashews, and serve.

Weight* 8 oz.
Protein 19 g
Calories 635

Black Bean Chili

This version is a delicious spin on the beef-based classic. Serves 2

2 vegetable bouillon cubes
2 Tbsp. tomato powder
1 cup instant black beans
1 tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. cumin
½ cup TVP (textured vegetable protein)
½ cup diced onion
½ cup diced carrot
3 cups water
4 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

At home: Combine dry ingredients, TVP, onion, and carrot in a zip-top bag. Pack oil, salt, and pepper separately.

In camp: Bring water to a boil, then empty contents of bag into pot. Stir, then simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until TVP is rehydrated to the consistency of cooked ground beef. Add oil, salt, and pepper and serve.

Weight 5 oz.
Protein 22 g
Calories 501

Mushroom Stroganoff

Chickpea noodles will fill you up after a long day. Serves 2

2 cups chickpea pasta
4 Tbsp. chopped dried mushrooms
2 Tbsp. dried mushroom powder
2 tsp. beef-flavored vegetable bouillon
2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
2 Tbsp. dried coconut milk powder
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. onion powder
3 cups water
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

At home: Combine pasta and chopped mushrooms in one zip-top bag and remaining ingredients in another. Pack oil, salt, and pepper separately.

In camp: Boil pasta and mushrooms for 7 to 10 minutes then drain and set aside, reserving 3 tablespoons of liquid. Return pasta water to the pot and add remaining ingredients, simmering until it forms a sauce thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour sauce over pasta and mushrooms and serve.

Weight 3 oz.
Protein 30 g
Calories 532