Who says you can’t have a salad on the trail? Salads are perfect for lunch because they are refreshing and light. But light doesn’t mean wimpy. The following no-cook (add cold water) backpacking meals are calorie-dense and loaded with complex carbohydrates. This refreshing variety will satisfy the pickiest palate—from salads loaded with crisp veggies and plump fruits to spiced taco and bean salads. If you need extra calories, you can easily turn any of these meals into a delicious wrap for additional carbohydrate energy!
If you’re vegan, you’re in luck—these salads are entirely plant-based.
Made with freeze-dried broccoli, slivered almonds, flaked chickpeas, sweet cranberries, and plump raisins marinated in a zesty vinaigrette.
Profile: Tangy
A cold stir-fry of vegetables, including cabbage, broccoli, peas, carrots, and peanuts marinated in a ginger sesame vinaigrette.
Profile: Gingery Warm
Baked red quinoa crisps with tangy, clean flavors of lemony herbed veggies tossed with thinly sliced almonds.
Love Peas? This protein-packed salad features a generous amount of freeze-dried organic sweet peas, flaked veggies, and walnuts in a dairy-free ranch dressing.
Profile: Creamy & Sweet
Crisped quinoa, freeze-dried sweet corn, and spiced black bean flakes. This one hits the spot and is one of our personal favorites.
Profile: Medium Spicy
A refreshing fruit and lentil trail salad for those lazy, hot summer days. Made with precooked flaked US-grown lentils, sunflower seeds, apple chunks, and sweet cranberries in a zesty vinaigrette.
Profile: Zesty Sweet
Cabbage, flaked black beans, crisped quinoa, and mango chunks marinated in a citrus lime Mojo sauce. Guaranteed to satisfy.
This powerhouse salad will fill you up! Made with freeze-dried organic Granny Smith apple chunks, raisins, sunflower seeds, and walnuts in a creamy dressing.
Profile: Creamy & Fruity
Garbanzo beans, walnuts, carrots, and diced celery in a dairy-free creamy dill sauce. This one makes a quick trail-side lunch when paired with crackers/flatbread.
Profile: Herby
A blend of seasonings tossed with yellow sweet corn, sunflower seeds, flaked black beans & bell peppers. Works well as a tortilla taco.
Profile: Mildly Spicy
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