Do you enjoy making backpacking meals? Purchasing bulk dried food can save you money on long hikes, and it allows control over portions, ingredients, and sodium content. Here’s a selection of Outdoor Herbivore’s instant bulk foods for DIY backpacking meals –
Instant Bulk Dried Foods by Outdoor Herbivore
Baja Black Bean Flakes
These spiced organic black beans are flaked, fully cooked, dried, and seasoned with a flavorful blend of Mexican spices. Liven up rice, couscous, and quinoa with these tasty beans, or make a bean dip. They also make a good filler for a tortilla.
Black beans, also known as black turtle beans and frijol negro, have a dense, meaty texture, making them a popular protein for vegetarian dishes. Black beans are a filling addition to trail foods due to their high dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates. Like other beans, the body can slowly digest and use these starches for a steady release of energy.
To prepare Outdoor Herbivore’s Baja black beans, add an equal amount of dried beans to hot water and reconstitute for 5 minutes. An 11 oz package makes 4 cups or eight servings of prepared beans.
Prefer plain black beans so you can add your own spices? See our organic black bean flakes which are flaked, boiled in lightly salted water, and dried.
Refried Pinto Bean Flakes (Frijoles Refritos)
These spiced organic pinto beans are flaked, fully cooked, dried, coated with sunflower oil, and seasoned with a flavorful blend of garlic and onion. Add to rice, use for filling a burrito/taco, or make as a dip.
Pinto beans are similar in nutrition to black beans, with a slightly different taste and texture. Black beans have a firmer texture and slightly earth flavor, while pinto beans have a creamier texture and nutty flavor.
To prepare Outdoor Herbivore’s refried beans, add an equal amount of dried beans to hot water and reconstitute for 5 minutes. A 16 oz package makes about 6 cups or twelve servings of prepared beans.
We also carry plain organic pinto bean flakes with no added seasoning.
Chickpea Flakes (Garbanzo Beans)
Our chickpea flakes are fully cooked in lightly salted water, dried, and flaked, making them ready to use in your dry recipes. Chickpeas are a rich source of complex carbohydrates, which the body slowly digests and uses for energy without spiking blood sugar levels. They are a popular source of vegetarian protein and are naturally gluten free.
We like to use chickpeas in rice, pasta, soups, and dip. Grind chickpeas to a fine powder to make a dry hummus or falafel mix.
To prepare Outdoor Herbivore’s dried chickpeas, add an equal amount of chickpeas to hot water and reconstitute for 3 to 5 minutes. No stove? You can also use cold water and hydrate for 10 minutes. A 16 oz package of bulk chickpeas makes 5.5 cups of prepared chickpeas.
Lentil Flakes
Our lentil flakes are fully cooked and dried, making them ready to use in your recipes. We suggest adding lentils to boost the protein and carbohydrate content of rice dishes and soups. We like to use lentils to replace ground meat in tomato sauce.
To prepare Outdoor Herbivore’s dried lentils, simply add an equal amount of lentils to hot water and reconstitute for 5 minutes. No stove? You can also use cold water and hydrate for 10 to 15 minutes. A 16 oz package of bulk green lentils makes 5 cups of prepared lentils.
Lentils, like other legumes, are a rich source of complex carbohydrates, which the body slowly digests and uses for energy without spiking blood sugar levels. They are a popular source of vegetarian protein.
Classic Hummus Mix
This chickpea hummus mix is a popular snack enjoyed with pita or tortilla for a trail lunch or late afternoon snack. It’s no surprise, as this spread mixes up quickly with water and is a rich source of calories.
Outdoor Herbivore’s classic bulk hummus powder combines pureed chickpeas, sesame, a touch of lemon, and garlic. Add a drizzle of olive oil to boost the flavor and calorie content further.
Like all other beans and legumes, chickpeas are a complex carbohydrate that the body can use steadily for energy.
Instant Brown Rice
Outdoor Herbivore’s organic instant brown rice is fully cooked and freeze-dried for speedy re-hydration. Just add to hot water and reconstitute for 10 minutes.
Brown rice is an excellent source of carbohydrates and has a higher fiber and protein content than white rice. Our rice is grown in the greater Sacramento, California area which is prized for having low levels of inorganic arsenic in the soil. Arsenic is a heavy metal of concern because it accumulates in the body from repeated consumption and can lead to cancer.
One 16 oz. package of instant rice makes 7+ cups of prepared brown rice.
Instant Tricolor Quinoa
Outdoor Herbivore’s tricolor quinoa uses golden, red, and black quinoa seed for a chewy rather than mushy texture. Our quinoa is fully cooked and dehydrated to allow for quick re-hydration within minutes in boiling water. Add your favorite veggies and sauce for a complete meal. Our favorite quinoa recipe combines freeze-dried yellow sweet corn, chopped carrots, and baja black beans.
Each 14 oz package of instant quinoa makes 6+ cups cooked.
Quinoa is an excellent source of protein and makes a good substitute for rice and couscous in hot meals. Quinoa is gluten-free.
Crisped Quinoa
Crisped or puffed quinoa is made from baked organic golden quinoa seed and has an airy and crispy texture similar to rice crispies. It’s ready to eat and works well in trail mix, cold cereals, and salads.
A 13 oz. package yields 6.5 cups of quinoa.
Crisped quinoa is a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and iron.
Instant Pasta
Outdoor Herbivore’s instant organic penne pasta is made exclusively for backpacking and travel because it’s entirely cooked, allowing it to soften within a few minutes in hot water. There’s no need to simmer or boil the pasta in a cooking pot which minimizes cleaning. Serve with your favorite sauce.
One 2 lb package makes 19 cups of prepared pasta. Reconstitute pasta for 10 minutes in hot water. As mentioned in our pasta vs. noodles article, the only pasta type we recommend for cold-soaking on the trail is one that’s been gelatinized by fully pre-cooking it first. Look for instant pasta, ramen noodles, and Moroccan couscous.
Pasta is an excellent source of carbohydrates and protein.
Asian Vegetable Mix
Our freeze-dried Asian vegetables are a colorful and flavorful blend of cabbage, broccoli, carrots, bell pepper, corn, and peas. Add these nutrient-rich vegetables to ramen noodles, rice, and other meals.
Vegetables provide vital nutrients for maintaining optimal health, such as vitamins A, C, folate, and potassium. Vegetables are also a good source of dietary fiber, important for stabilizing energy levels and passing food through your digestive system.
One 4 oz package makes 3 cups of prepared vegetables. Add an equal amount of mix to boiling water and reconstitute for 5 minutes in hot water. No stove? You can also use cold water and rest 5 to 10 minutes.
Everyday Vegetable Mix
Our freeze-dried everyday mixed vegetables are a flavorful assortment of green peas, diced carrots, sweet corn, green beans, and chopped white onion. Enhance the texture and flavor of nearly any trail meals with these colorful and nutrient-rich veggies.
One 8 oz package makes 4 cups of prepared vegetables. To prepare, add an equal amount mix to boiling water and reconstitute for 5 minutes in hot water. You can also use cold water to reconstitute.
Dried Tomato
Our organic dried tomatoes are great for adding zesty flavor to trail recipes, including soup mixes, spaghetti sauce, and pasta meals. Our 6 oz. package contains 3 cups of dried tomato which is equivalent to about 4 cups of fresh tomato. Outdoor Herbivore’s tomatoes are cut in small pieces to allow for fast rehydration in hot water.
Powdered Bulk Mixes
Peanut Butter Powder
Our bulk organic peanut butter powder contains fat calories and is meant for athletes rather than dieters. The peanut butter is made from 100% pure organic roasted ground peanuts grown in the USA. It has no added salt or sugar. 
Use this peanut butter powder to enrich soups, oats, curries, and pasta meals. You can also pre-portion a couple of ziplock baggies with the powder so they are ready to mix with water when on the trail. Add the water to the bag and knead, then cut off the bottom corner of the plastic bag and squeeze on a tortilla.
Peanuts contain a good amount of protein and are a rich source of calories. See ways ways to incorporate peanut butter on the trail.
One 16 ounce package of bulk peanut powder makes 4+ cups of prepared peanut butter.
Soy Milk Powder
This bulk soy milk is made from U.S. grown whole organic soybeans. Unlike other plant-based powdered milk, the anti-nutritional enzymes have been inactivated to allow for
improved digestion and nutrition. This soy milk powder is very soluble in either cold or hot water. It is pure soy milk without added sugars, flavors, or salt.
Enjoy this creamy milk in cereals, and other recipes where milk is required. Pack up your favorite store-bought cereal and add 2 Tbs of soy milk powder for every cup of cereal. To make the soy milk, measure 1 part soy powder to 4 parts cold or hot water and stir.
One 16 oz package makes 3/4 gallon of prepared soy milk.
Whole Egg Powder
These organic powdered pasteurized chicken eggs include both the white and yolk and no other ingredients, additives, or processing aids. Cook with boiling water to make scrambled eggs on the trail. You can also use powdered eggs in baking mixes, such as pancakes.
Many of our customers tell us they love storing the powdered eggs in places where perishable space is limited to non-existent, such as cabins, RVs, and boats.
Eggs provide an excellent source of protein. One 8 oz package of powdered whole eggs is equivalent to twenty-four large fresh eggs.
Cheese Powder
This instant organic dried cheese mix is made from pure organic cheddar cheese. It contains no additives, coloring agents, or cheap ingredient fillers. Sprinkle the dried cheese mix directly on pasta, rice, beans, flaked potato, burritos, or anything where you want added calories and cheesy goodness!
Dried cheese is an excellent source of protein, fat, and calcium. We like to add it to pasta with dried tomato and a sprinkle of turmeric and black pepper for a delicious and healthier macaroni and cheese.
Bulk Meal Mixes
Naked Freckle Burrito Mix
This mix is made with organic freeze-dried brown rice, mixed bean flakes, and spices. Eat as a burrito bowl or stuff in a tortilla. When beans are combined with a carbohydrate source like brown rice, the meal become a complete source of vegetarian protein.
Speedy Spuds Cheddar & Chive
Our loaded potato meal makes a delicious cheesy potato soup or mashed potato that is high calorie and delicious. Make yourself a cheesy potato burrito by pairing it with our refried bean flakes or make yourself a vegetarian shepherd pie casserole by pairing it with dried mushrooms or lentil flakes.
Toasted Sunburst Muesli
Instant cereal mix made with toasted oats, seeds, nuts, fruit and instant soy milk with a pinch of cane sugar. This cereal is packed with flavor and calories to get you going in the morning. Enjoy either hot or cold.
Outdoor Herbivore is here to help make your trail food preparation easier. See our website for our latest bulk dried backpacking foods.
Recipes
Need some inspiration on what to make to keep your taste buds happy and body healthy? We recommend checking out these sources:
- 17 easy backpacking meals using 3 to 4 simple ingredients by Chris Cage of Green Belly
- For an ultimate list of trail tested recipes that are delicious and nutrient-packed, see Backcountry Foodie
- 33 DIY Backpacking Recipes by Fresh off the Grid