Save money & weight with these yummy food & beverage mixes from your local grocery store that are perfect for backpacking
1. Folgers Classic Roast Coffee Singles
If there’s one thing that I crave when backpacking, it’s coffee. You can’t beat sipping on a hot cup o’ joe in the morning while relaxing and taking in the view. I’ve tried many coffee making gizmos and lots of different instant coffee crap, but one of the best cups of coffee I’ve had while backpacking comes from the most simple solution. Folgers Classic Medium Roast Coffee Singles, 19-Count Single Servings (Pack of 6)
simply rock! Identical to a tea bag, just drop your coffee bag into a cup of hot water, let it brew and in a few minutes, a real cup of quality coffee. Each of the bags comes vacuum sealed in its own foil packet for freshness, and you get a comfort from home while saving weight by no need for coffee making gadgets. As the slogan goes, “The best part of waking up (backpacking) is Folgers in your (camping) cup!”
2. Instant Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
This is one of those obvious things you might bring from the grocery store. The not so obvious thing is that I found mixing instant hot chocolate with that good ol’ cup of joe I just mentioned makes for a fantastic mocha!! It tastes so good you almost feel guilty when your buddies take a sip then immediately abondon their instant stuff.
3. Idahoan Instant Mashed Potatoes (and Gravy!)
After a long day of hiking, your tired and hungry, and your ready to eat something that is both filling and replentishes your energy. Try a big bowl of mashed potatoes. There’s lots of options for instant mashed potatoes but most require addition of milk and butter. Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, Four Cheese, 4-Ounce Package (Pack of 12)
only require water and come in single serving packets (enough for 2 people) with flavored choices like 4 cheese, roasted garlic and butter flavored.
But what good are mashed potatoes without gravy? Just pick up (or make) a small packet of powdered instant gravy in the grocery store. I make the potatoes first in my pot, then let them sit for a few minutes while I boil and mix the gravy in a pan…pour it on your potatoes and it’s like thanksgiving in the boonies!!
4. Instant Macaroni and Cheese
I don’t normally eat instant mac & cheese, but it tastes gourmet when I’m backpacking. Kraft makes singles serving cups call Kraft Easy Mac. Just pour in hot water, cover for a couple minutes and its ready – just like Cup Noodles.
5. Instant Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal is an easy solution for breakfast that tastes good, is easy to make and weighs very little, plus takes up little room in your bear canister. I like Quaker Instant Oatmeal – specifically their variety packs with fruit & cream, cinnamon, maple syrup and other flavors.
6. Jolly Ranchers
Jolly Ranchers are awesome for the trail. Easy to pop in your mouth and the slow but consistent dissolving of sugar gives you a bit of pep when hiking, and keeps your mouth moist too helping you conserve your water.
7. Fully Cooked Bacon
I found that generally, freeze dried eggs from Mountain house or other backpacking meals tend to be decent. What’s lacking is the meat. This is where Fully Cooked Bacon comes in handy. Lightweight, and no time spent cooking. Not to mention not having to deal with a big mess of scorched, greasy pans and bear-attracting bacon grease, this is an ideal backpacking breakfast companion to start your day off right!
8. Kool-aid Packets
Kool-aid makes individual serving packets of all the favorite flavors. It’s all sugar but who cares when your backpacking!
9. Top Ramen
I don’t think there is a backpacker alive that doesn’t bring top ramen (or at least consider it).
10. Your Favorite
We’d like to know what your favorite backpacking grocery store foods are. Just shoot us an comment below and post your idea!