Dehydrated food for travel saves space and reduces weight, it also offers a sustainable way to enjoy healthy, delicious meals on the go and with minimal equipment.
Traveling, especially camping or backpacking, requires careful planning when it comes to meals. The food you bring needs to be lightweight, nutritious, and easy to prepare.
Dehydrating food is a simple yet effective method of preserving your favorite dishes and snacks. By removing moisture, you extend the shelf life of your food while retaining most of its nutrients.
Dehydrated food is compact and doesn’t require refrigeration, making it ideal for small-space living and travel.
Why Dehydrate Food for Travel?
Dehydrating food is an excellent choice for travelers and campers seeking convenience, sustainability, and nutrition on the go.
Dehydrated food is often equated with camping, but it can also be used in hotels and short-term rentals.
You can use dehydrated food while Snowbirding or traveling to Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
Here are several compelling reasons why dehydrated food is advantageous for your next adventure:
Advantages of Dehydrated Food for Travelers and Campers
Lightweight and Space-Saving
One of the primary benefits of dehydrated food is its reduced weight and volume. By removing the moisture content, food becomes significantly lighter and more compact, making it easier to pack and carry. This is especially important for backpackers and campers who need to minimize their load.
Long Shelf Life
Dehydrated food boasts an extended shelf life, allowing you to prepare meals well in advance of your trip. When properly stored in airtight containers, dehydrated foods can last for months or even years without spoiling, providing a reliable food source whenever you need it.
Easy to Prepare
Preparing dehydrated food is simple and requires minimal effort, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. Most dehydrated meals only need water and a heat source to rehydrate and cook, allowing you to enjoy a hot, nutritious meal with minimal hassle.
Environmental Benefits of Dehydrating Food
Reducing Food Waste
Dehydrating food helps reduce food waste by preserving excess produce and leftovers that might otherwise spoil. This not only saves money but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle by minimizing the amount of food that ends up in landfills.
Using Less Packaging
Dehydrated food requires less packaging than fresh or pre-packaged alternatives. By storing dehydrated meals in reusable containers or lightweight, biodegradable packaging, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint. This practice aligns with the principles of minimalism and sustainability, making it a perfect fit for small-space living.
Dehydrating Spaghetti Sauce
Dehydrating spaghetti sauce is a great way to enjoy your favorite pasta dish while traveling. Whether you use a homemade recipe or a store-bought sauce, dehydrating it will make it lightweight, easy to pack, and quick to prepare on the go. Here’s how you can do it:
Ingredients:
- Your favorite spaghetti sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Equipment:
- Dehydrator
- Silicone sheets or parchment paper
Steps:
Preparation:
1. Spread the Sauce:
Begin by spreading the spaghetti sauce thinly and evenly on the silicone sheets or parchment paper. Make sure the layer is consistent to ensure even dehydration. A thin layer helps the sauce dry more quickly and uniformly.
Dehydration:
2. Set the Dehydrator:
Place the trays with the sauce into your dehydrator. Set the temperature to 135°F (57°C).
3. Dehydrate:
Allow the sauce to dehydrate for 8-12 hours. Check the sauce periodically. It should be completely dry and brittle when finished. If it’s not fully dry, continue dehydrating until it reaches the desired consistency.
Storage:
4. Break into Pieces:
Once the sauce is fully dehydrated, remove it from the dehydrator. Break the dried sauce into small, manageable pieces.
5. Store:
Place the dried sauce pieces into airtight bags or containers. Make sure they are sealed properly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture from re-entering.
Dehydrated spaghetti sauce is now ready to be packed for your travels. When you’re ready to use it, simply rehydrate it with water to enjoy a delicious and comforting meal on the go.
Dehydrating Elbow Macaroni
Dehydrating elbow macaroni is an excellent way to prepare lightweight, easy-to-cook pasta for your travels. Here’s how you can do it:
Ingredients:
- Cooked elbow macaroni
Equipment:
- Dehydrator
Steps:
Preparation:
1. Cook the Macaroni: Begin by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Be sure to cook it al dente, as overcooked pasta may not rehydrate well.
2. Rinse and Drain: Once cooked, rinse the macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Drain the macaroni thoroughly to ensure it’s as dry as possible before dehydrating.
Dehydration:
3. Spread on Trays: Spread the cooked and drained macaroni in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Make sure the pieces are not overlapping to allow for even dehydration.
4. Set the Dehydrator: Place the trays in the dehydrator and set the temperature to 135°F (57°C).
5. Dehydrate: Allow the macaroni to dehydrate for 4-6 hours. Check periodically to ensure it’s drying evenly. The macaroni should be completely dry and hard when done.
Storage:
6. Store: Once fully dehydrated, remove the macaroni from the dehydrator. Store the dried macaroni in airtight bags or containers. Ensure they are sealed tightly to keep moisture out and maintain the quality of the dried pasta.
Dehydrating Vegetables
You can dehydrate a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients:
- Vegetables of your choice (e.g., carrots, peas, bell peppers, onions)
Equipment:
- Dehydrator
Steps:
Preparation:
1. Wash, Peel, and Chop: Start by thoroughly washing your vegetables. Peel them if necessary, and then chop them into small, uniform pieces. Consistent sizing helps ensure even dehydration.
Blanching:
2. Blanch the Vegetables: Blanching helps preserve the color, flavor, and nutrients of the vegetables. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the vegetables for 2-3 minutes.
3. Cool in Ice Water: Immediately transfer the blanched vegetables to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This helps retain the vegetables’ vibrant colors and crisp texture. Drain the vegetables well after cooling.
Dehydration:
4. Spread on Trays: Spread the blanched and drained vegetables in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Make sure they are evenly distributed and not overlapping to allow for consistent drying.
5. Set the Dehydrator: Place the trays in the dehydrator and set the temperature to 125°F (52°C).
6. Dehydrate: Dehydrate the vegetables for 8-12 hours. Check periodically to ensure they are drying evenly. The vegetables should be completely dry and crisp when done.
Storage:
7. Store: Once fully dehydrated, remove the vegetables from the dehydrator. Store the dried vegetables in airtight bags or containers. Ensure they are sealed tightly to keep out moisture and maintain freshness.
Simple Camping Meal Recipe: Dehydrated Spaghetti with Vegetables
Creating a delicious and nutritious camping meal is easy with dehydrated ingredients. This simple recipe for dehydrated spaghetti with vegetables will provide a satisfying and lightweight meal for your outdoor adventures.
Ingredients:
- Dehydrated spaghetti sauce
- Dehydrated elbow macaroni
- Dehydrated vegetables
Steps:
Rehydration:
1. Combine Ingredients: Place the dried spaghetti sauce, elbow macaroni, and vegetables into a pot.
2. Add Water: Cover the dehydrated ingredients with water. Use enough water to fully submerge them, typically about 1-2 cups of water depending on the amount of food.
3. Soak: Let the ingredients soak for 10-15 minutes. This initial soaking helps to start the rehydration process and ensures the food cooks evenly.
Cooking:
4. Bring to a Boil: After soaking, place the pot over your camp stove or fire and bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a bit more water as needed.
6. Check for Doneness: Make sure all ingredients are fully rehydrated and heated through. The spaghetti sauce should be smooth, the macaroni tender, and the vegetables soft.
Serving:
7. Stir Well: Give the mixture a good stir to combine all the flavors and ensure an even consistency.
8. Serve Hot: Spoon the rehydrated spaghetti with vegetables into bowls and enjoy immediately. This hearty meal will provide you with the energy you need for your outdoor activities.
Veggie Elbow Macaroni Spaghetti
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- ½ cup dried macaroni
- ½ cup dried vegetables; try a mix of bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes
- ¼ cup tomato sauce leather, tightly packed
- 1½ cup water to rehydrate
This simple dehydrated spaghetti with vegetables recipe is perfect for camping or hotel stays.
If you are traveling you can heat with an electric immersion water heater (electric coil that hooks to your cup or bowl) and while camping you can heat with a camping stove tiny enough to fit in your pocket.
Additional Lightweight and Nutritious Travel Snacks
In addition to your dehydrated spaghetti meal, having a variety of lightweight and nutritious travel snacks can keep you energized and satisfied on the go. Here are some simple and delicious options to consider:
Dehydrated Fruit Leather
Fruit leather is a tasty and healthy snack that’s easy to make and perfect for travel.
Ingredients:
- Pureed fruit (e.g., apples, strawberries, peaches, or a mix)
Steps:
1. Prepare the Fruit: Wash and core or pit the fruit as necessary. Puree the fruit in a blender until smooth. You can mix different fruits together for a unique flavor combination.
2. Spread the Puree: Spread the pureed fruit thinly and evenly on dehydrator sheets. Make sure the layer is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick to ensure even drying.
3. Dehydrate: Set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and let the fruit puree dehydrate for 6-8 hours, or until it is dry and leathery. The fruit leather should be pliable but not sticky.
4. Store: Once dried, peel the fruit leather off the dehydrator sheets and cut it into strips or desired shapes. Store in airtight bags or containers.
Trail Mix: Mostly Not Dehydrated, Just Yummy
Trail mix is a versatile and energy-boosting snack that’s perfect for travel.
Ingredients:
- Nuts (e.g., almonds, cashews, peanuts)
- Seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
- Dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, banana chips – you can dehydrate your own dried fruit.) Be sure to try dehydrating mango, pineapple, and apple.
- Chocolate chips or dark chocolate pieces (optional)
Steps:
1. Combine Ingredients: Mix your chosen nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate chips in a large bowl.
2. Store: Portion the trail mix into airtight bags or containers. This snack is ready to eat right out of the bag and provides a quick boost of energy during your travels.
Dehydrated Soup Mixes
Dehydrated soup mixes are convenient and nutritious meals that are easy to prepare on the go.
Ingredients:
- Dehydrated vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, corn, onions)
- Bouillon powder or cubes
- Small pasta (e.g., orzo, small shells) or rice
Steps:
1. Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix together the dehydrated vegetables, bouillon powder, and pasta or rice. Adjust the proportions to your taste.
2. Store: Transfer the mixture into airtight bags or containers. Each portion should be enough for one serving.
3. Prepare: To cook, add the soup mix to a pot of boiling water (about 2 cups per serving) and simmer until the pasta or rice and vegetables are fully rehydrated and cooked through. This typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
These additional snacks and meals ensure that you have a variety of lightweight and nutritious options for your travels. They are easy to prepare, store well, and provide the energy and nutrients you need for your adventures.
How to Heat Water for Rehydrating Your Dehydrated Food
Rehydrating your dehydrated meals is simple—all you need is hot water. Whether you’re staying in a hotel or out camping, there are different ways to quickly and efficiently heat water for your meals.
For Hotels and Short-Term Accommodations
If you’re traveling and staying in hotels or short-term rentals, dehydrated meals can help you save money by reducing the need to eat out. You can easily prepare your meals by bringing along a few simple tools:
- Electric Immersion Heating Coil: A compact and lightweight option that you can use to heat water directly in a large mug or bowl. Just submerge the coil, plug it in, and within minutes, you’ll have hot water for rehydrating your food.
- Electric Hot Pot or Mini Cooker: If you have a little extra space, a small electric hot pot allows you to heat water more efficiently and even cook simple meals. These are great for preparing soups, pasta, or oatmeal as well.
For Camping and Off-Grid Travel
If you’re out in the wilderness or camping without access to electricity, you can still enjoy a hot, satisfying meal with these methods:
- Camping Stove: A compact, gas-powered stove that boils water quickly and is easy to pack for backpacking or car camping.
- Mini Camping Burner: Ultralight and portable, these small burners screw onto fuel canisters and can heat water in just a few minutes.
- Fire Pit or Campfire: If you’re in a designated camping area with a fire pit, heating water over an open flame is another great option. Just use a metal pot and make sure you follow all safety guidelines.
Conclusion
Dehydrating food offers numerous benefits for travelers and campers. It’s a practical and sustainable way to ensure you have lightweight, nutritious, economical, and easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for your adventures.
Dehydrating food is a rewarding skill that can enhance your travel experiences and support your commitment to sustainability.
With a bit of work on the front end, you can save time, effort, and money when you want to enjoy it the most – during your travels.
We hope this guide has inspired you to try dehydrating your own meals and snacks for your next trip.
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