22 Simple Backpacking Meal Ideas from Trader Joe’s

Looking for some new backpacking meals to try this summer? We’ve put together a few creative ideas from items that you can pick up from Trader Joe’s.

When meal planning for an extended backpacking trip, variety can really be the spice of life. While it’s tempting to only go with the tried and true, pack too few options and you run the real risk of mid-trip burnout. Megan is still recovering from eating Lara Bars for lunch every day on the JMT. And that was over 4 years ago!

So to mix up your backpacking meal plan, you’ll need some fresh ideas. That’s why we put together this mix and match list to help get you thinking about new ingredient combinations to take on your next backcountry adventure. Not only that but to make things simple, all these items can be purchased with just a single trip to Trader Joe’s.

While we wish this post was sponsored by Trader Joe’s, sadly it is not. We just really love shopping there. One of the reasons for that is their unexpectedly amazing selection of backpacking food, from their large assortment of nuts and dried fruits to their individual packets of coconut oil and olives. You can read all about our favorite TJ backpacking ingredients here.

But for this list, we just want to give you some inspiration. Get some new creative ideas flowing, and get you thinking about making something truly delicious out on the trail.

Do you have a favorite combo you don’t see below? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!

Backpacking Breakfast Ideas

1. Seedy, Nutty Oatmeal

Nuts & Seeds Oatmeal - An easy backpacking breakfast using oatmeal, seeds, and peanut butter

Oatmeal + Peanut Butter + Seeds

2. Very Berry Oatmeal

Very Berry Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using oatmeal and freeze dried berries from Trader Joe's

Oatmeal + Freeze Dried Blueberries + Strawberries + Raspberries

3. Tropical Oatmeal

Tropical Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using oatmeal, chia seeds, coconut and dried fruit

Oatmeal + Chia Seeds + Coconut Flakes +Freeze Dried Mango + Freeze Dried Banana

4. Banana Bread Oatmeal

Banana Bread Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using oatmeal, dried bananas, and chopped walnuts.

Oatmeal + Freeze Dried Bananas + Chopped Walnuts

5. Apple Pie Oatmeal

Apple Pie Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using cinnamon spiced oatmeal and dried apples

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal + Freeze Dried Apples

6. GORP Oatmeal

GORP Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using oatmeal, raisins, and peanut butter

Oatmeal + Raisins + Peanut Butter

7. Apples & Bananas Oatmeal

Apples & Bananas Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using cinnamon spiced oatmeal and dried fruit

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal + Freeze Dried Bananas

8. Almond Joy Oatmeal

Almond Joy Oatmeal - A simple backpacking breakfast idea using oatmeal, chia seeds, coconut and almonds, and dark chocolate

Oatmeal + Coconut + Chopped Almonds + Dark Chocolate

Backpacking Lunch & Snack Ideas

9. Peanut Butter Banana Wrap

Peanut Butter Banana Wrap - A simple backpacking lunch idea using wraps, peanut butter, coconut, and dried bananas.

Flour Tortilla + Peanut Butter + Flattened Banana + Coconut Flakes

10. Peanut Butter Apple Dippers

Peanut Butter Apple Dippers - A simple backpacking snack idea peanut butter and dried apples.

Peanut Butter + Freeze Dried Apples

11. Backpacker’s Cheese Plate

Backpacker's Cheese Plate - A simple backpacking lunch idea using crackers, cheese, olives, and summer sausage.

Summer Sausage + Babybel Cheese + Olives + Crackers

12. Chocolate Banana Wrap

Chocolate Banana Wrap - A simple backpacking lunch idea using wraps, cocoa spread, and dried bananas.

Flour Tortilla + Cocoa Almond Spread + Flattened Banana

13. Peanut Butter Banana Dippers

Peanut Butter Banana Dippers - A simple backpacking snack idea peanut butter and dried bananas.

Peanut Butter + Banana Chips

14. Pizza Hot Pocket

Pizza Hot Pocket - A simple backpacking lunch idea using pitas, cheese, and tomato paste

Pita Bread + String Cheese + Tomato Paste = Hot Pocket

Backpacking Dinner Ideas

15. Cheesy Broccoli Mac

Cheesy Broccoli Mac - an easy backpacking dinner idea using mac & cheese, dried veggies and summer sausage

Mac Cheese + Broccoli Florets + Summer Sausage

16. Pasta Carbonara

Pasta Carbonara - A simple backpacking dinner idea using pasta, bacon jerky, and cheese.

Angel Hair + Bacon Jerky + Parmesan

17. Chicken Noodles

Chicken Noodles - A simple backpacking dinner idea using noodles, chicken jerky and dried veggies

Chicken Broth + Broccoli Florets + Chicken Epic Bar + Orzo

18. Vegan Mac & Cheese

Vegan Mac and Cheese - A simple backpacking dinner idea using pasta, nutritional yeast, and sun dried tomatoes.

Macaroni + Nutritional Yeast + Sun Dried Tomatoes

19. Indian Fare Quinoa

Indian Fare Quinoa - A simple backpacking meal using Trader Joe's Indian Fare, quinoa, and pitas.

Indian Fare + Quinoa + Pitas

20. Taco Chili Cheese Mac

Taco Chili Cheese Mac and Cheese - A simple backpacking dinner idea using mac & cheese, taco seasonings, and summer sausage.

Mac Cheese + Taco Mix + Summer Sausage

21. Deconstructed Pesto One Pot Pasta

Pesto One Pot Pasta - an easy backpacking meal idea using pasta, cheese, sun dried tomatoes, olives and spices. Basil Pasta + Parmesan Cheese + Sun Dried Tomatoes + Pine Nuts + Olives + 21 Seasoning Salute