We all need food to survive, that’s a given. Especially with off-grid activities, we may need more food or have to be better prepared before we head out. But how do you go about all that?
In what follows, I’ll take you through the three P’s for off-grid food: Planning, Preparing, and Packing. As a bonus, I’ll share some of our favorite meals and tips for success.
PLANNING
Planning food for any off-grid adventure comes down to some pretty simple concepts: how long are you going to be out, and how many people are going. When you figure out the total number of days, you can plan on at least three meals a day (we like to have backup options available) plus snacks.
I know this sounds like really basic stuff, but you’d be surprised by how many times people get tunnel vision on one particular meal and forget entirely about snacks or a different meal. It happens, so planning it out ahead of time means you won’t be going hungry. On top of that, having different snack options helps. I’m not a huge snacker generally, but my kids sure are, so having snacks helps ease the in-between-meal issues.
Okay, so you know how many meals you need, but how do you really start planning those meals? We try to keep things pretty well-rounded (think fruits and vegetables sides) and take into account any allergies (Because, duh) and individual likes or wants. Having meals that people really enjoy at the end of a long day can be a real morale boost.
After you have a list of ideas, you need to think about what can travel well and how easy it is to prepare in camp or along the way. Some meals would be amazing going off-grid, but they would be a pain in the butt to cook with limited resources. Keeping the meals simple but tasty is our tried-and-true method. Also, you can’t go wrong with treats at the end of the day. Who wouldn’t want to end their day with a little brownie or cookie, right?
PREPARING
The topic of preparing the food can be taken a couple of different ways, but I’m thinking prepping it before you leave, and even cooking it while you’re out. Both are applicable and should be addressed for trips.
Preparing food before the trip, to me, is getting it ready to go. For this, I try to clean any fruits or vegetables that we’re taking and make sure any meat is trimmed up or packaged well.
I like to take it one step further, though, and precut all my cooking ingredients before I pack them for the trip. I then package the ingredients together in bags or containers, depending on which meal it is for.
I even go so far as to crack the eggs into a shatter-proof container for easier transport. Even different spices or oils get their own packaging for an almost idiot-proof approach to cooking off-grid. All of this helps save us time and energy at camp.
For preparing the food in camp, we like to keep things easy on ourselves. We use cast-iron pans or similar items, and only take two with us. We usually opt for meals that can be cooked in the pan on a stove or over a campfire if needed. Quality cooking products ensure an even cook and a better prepared meal.
PACKING
The last P for food with off-grid adventures is packing. Different methods work for other folks, but for us, these are the methods that work best for us. For longer trips, we will sometimes freeze those meals and allow them to thaw as we travel. This helps keep them fresher and helps us have good meals on later days.
For the actual packing of the fridge, we try to keep things we use more often or access more (like drinks) closer to the front for quick grabbing. I like to keep meals together in the fridge, so I don’t have to hunt for the different components. This also helps us keep an eye on what’s in the fridge or might not be traveling as well. In that case, we can adjust our meal plan and eat a different meal first, so we don’t waste food.
Additionally, for dry goods (things that don’t need to stay cold), we try to pack things by hardness. Things that are harder or aren’t prone to smashing get put towards the bottom of containers, while things like bread products go on top to keep them in good condition. We also try to keep things that will be used later in the trip further down or in the back of containers, eliminating the need to rearrange things all the time.
TIPS AND TRICKS
I know these were kind of broad recommendations for planning, but really, it all comes down to individual wants and needs. What works for my family of four won’t be ideal for just a couple or a single person going off-grid. But I do have tips that will help anyone.
- Add condiments, seasonings, sauces, or dips to your food planning. Little fast-food condiments are great additions and can really amp up a meal. You can even add in hot mustards, mini Tajin seasoning, chili sauces, or the like to take the meal to the next level.
- Think outside the box with meal planning. Some things I would never have thought of for off-grid have been some of the biggest hits. Charcuterie boards and fire-roasted ears of corn have been some of our biggest triumphs. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous.
- Round out those meals. Things like canned vegetables, bagged salads, or cans of beans add extra nutrition and variety to a meal without a lot of effort.
- If you don’t feel like cooking, have other options. We carry extra meals, like freeze-dried meals, ramen, or cans of soup for nights when it’s late or we’re just too tired.
MY FAVORITE OFF-GRID MEALS
Over the years, we have tried a lot of different recipes with mixed results. If you’re needing some extra ideas, here are some of our favorite meals:
- Brats over the fire, it’s tried and true, but the condiments make it amazing.
- Marinated chicken street tacos. The marinade is prepped before the trip, and the chicken bathes for a few days until it is enjoyed.
- Skillet hash with potatoes, kielbasa sausage, onion, peppers, and sometimes mushrooms.
- Walking Tacos
- Skillet pizza with premade pizza dough and easy toppings.
- A cheesy asparagus orzo one-pot meal with loads of flavor.
- If you’re feeling indulgent, a tomahawk steak grilled over the fire with aforementioned corn on the cob. Truly amazing.
Hopefully, this helps for your next off-grid adventure. If you’re like us, you travel on your stomach and see things between your meals. Why not make those meals just as amazing as the scenery around you?
