Cold-Weather Backpacking Food: Calories, Rehydration, and Meal Planning
Cold weather and winter in general change how backpacking food needs to perform. Lower temperatures increase calorie demands, slow rehydration,...

Practical, season-aware dehydrated meals and trail food systems for backpacking and backcountry travel.
A growing collection of trail-focused recipes, built carefully for performance, nutrition, and packability
A vibrant rosemary-infused ratatouille with roasted veggies and tangy tomato sauce, perfect for home or dehydrated for a lightweight, flavorful backpacking gourmet dinner.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Difficulty: | Fairly difficult |
| Cost: | Fairly Low Cost |
| Category: | Trail Meals |
| Seasons: | All |
Ingredients & Servings: Easily customize your meal with our adjustable servings slider. The ingredient list dynamically updates, ensuring perfect portions for your camping adventure, whether solo or with a group.
| 1 can | Diced tomatoes, 796 ml can |
| 1 tbsp | Tomato Paste |
| 1 medium | Onion, diced |
| 4 cloves | Garlic, sliced |
| 3 tbsp | Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| 1/2 cup | Dry White Wine (or vegetable broth, or water) |
| 1 tsp | Brown Sugar |
| 1/2 tsp | Black Pepper |
| 2 tbsp | Fresh Rosemary, minced |
| 3 tbsp | Dried Basil |
| 3 leaves | Bay Leaves |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| 1 medium | Eggplant, 0.5 inch diced |
| 2 small | Zucchini, 0.5 inch diced |
| 2 medium | Bell Peppers (green, yellow, orange, or a mix), 0.5 inch diced |
| 2 cups | White Mushrooms, sliced (optional) |
| 3 tbsp | Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Dice 1 medium eggplant, 2 small zucchini, 2 medium bell peppers (green, orange, or yellow), and 2 cups white mushrooms (optional) into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss each vegetable separately with 1 tbsp olive oil (3 tbsp total) and 1/2 tsp salt. Spread evenly on baking sheets.

Roast vegetables for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly browned. Set aside to cool.
In a stainless steel saucepan, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and golden. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds.

Deglaze with 1/2 cup dry white wine (or water/vegetable broth). Add 1 can (796 ml) diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, 3 tbsp dried basil, 3 bay leaves, and 1/2 tsp salt.

Simmer for 30 minutes until thickened.

For Home Dining: Add roasted vegetables to the sauce, heat through for 5 minutes, and serve in bowls topped with fresh basil.
For Dehydration: Organize your sauce and vegetables to be placed into your dehydrator.

Spread roasted eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms (if using) on separate Cosori dehydrator trays lined with silicone mesh sheets. Spread sauce evenly on two silicone fruit leather trays with edges.

Dehydrate at 135°F (57°C) up to 15 hours, checking periodically. Remove vegetables or sauce when dry and brittle. Cool completely (30 minutes).

Portion dehydrated vegetables and sauce into separate Ziploc freezer bags with 5-gram desiccant (moisture absorbers) packets for backpacking. For long-term storage, use mason jars in a cool, dark, dry place.
Trail Rehydration: Combine 1 portion of dehydrated vegetables and sauce with 1.5 cups of hot water in a pot. Slow Simmer for 10-15 minutes until rehydrated. Serve hot.
Serving size 1 vegetarian
Per Serving
| Kcal: | 220 kcal |
| Fibers (g): | 6g |
| Sodium (mg): | 600mg |
| Carbs: | 20g |
| Sugar (g): | 8g |
| Fat: | 15g |
| Saturated fat (g): | 2g |
| Proteins: | 4g |
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Chef-Crafted Trail Food Essentials
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A former chef with 25+ years of experience, I combine my love of food and the outdoors through TrailEating. From quick trail snacks to campfire meals, my goal is to make outdoor cooking simple, memorable, and delicious.

Your Guide to Cooking Through the Seasons
Trail Eating guides you through delicious recipes and essential tips tailored to spring, summer, fall, and winter adventures. Getting out into the backcountry isn't just for summer; we have 3 more seasons to enjoy!
Discover fresh, vibrant trail meals that are easy to pack and full of flavour—perfect for energizing your journey through trails bursting with life. Think crisp vegetables, light yet satisfying wraps, and refreshing snacks for spring camping food ideas.
Whether you're trekking a scenic trail, paddling through serene waters, or camping under starry skies, our summer backpacking recipes are designed to beat the heat. Explore refreshing, fruit-packed dishes, quick-cooking meals that save stove time for seasonal meal planning.
Celebrate fall's cozy, hearty flavors with our backpacking meal ideas, featuring dishes that warm you from the inside out. From spiced soups and stews to hearty grain bowls, these trail recipes are the perfect companions for chilly camping trips.
Packed with energy and comfort, our winter camping food ideas are ideal for snowy hikes, frosty camping trips, and cozy evenings by the fire. Enjoy rich stews, high-calorie snacks, and hot drinks for backpacking meal planning in snowy, cold weather.




Preserve food & lighten your pack
Dehydrating food reduces weight, extends shelf life, and makes meal planning easier for hiking, camping, and backcountry travel. Learn the fundamentals and do it right from the start.
Understand the differences between dehydrating and freeze-drying food, and which method makes sense for backpacking and outdoor meals.
Learn what to look for in a food dehydrator, including features that matter for trail-ready meals and long-term use.
Learn the fundamentals of food preservation as they apply to dehydrated meals, shelf life, and reliable outdoor use.
Learn how to store dehydrated food properly to maintain quality, safety, and performance on the trail.
Fresh On the Trail
Explore new camping recipes, backpacking meal recipes, food preparation tips, outdoor gear reviews, and updates each week.
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Gear up for any trek with my latest trail-ready recipes. From easy hiking snacks to hearty mountain meals built for wild weather, savour bold flavours that thrive in the great outdoors.
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