Dehydrated Shepherd's Pie
Four ounces of dehydrated beef, potatoes, and vegetables that become a 15-ounce dinner with one boil and a 20-minute wait.
- calories
- 620
- weight
- 4 oz
- cal / oz
- 155
- protein
- 32 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 0 min
- total time
- 2 min
- water
- 325 ml boiled
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Car camping
- Thru-hike
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Dehydrated ground beef | 1.5 oz | cooked and crumbled |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydrated potato dices | 1.5 oz | |
| Instant potato flakes | 0.3 oz | helps thicken the broth into a stew |
| Dehydrated corn | 0.3 oz | |
| Dehydrated green beans | 0.2 oz | |
| Beef bouillon powder | 1 tsp | |
| Dried onion | 1/4 tsp | |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp |
Method
- Boil 325 ml of water.
- Pour it into a pot or bowl with all dry ingredients.
- Stir well to break up clumps.
- Cover and let sit 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
- Stir again, taste for salt, and eat hot.
This single-pot meal weighs 4 ounces, delivers 32 grams of protein, and requires only boiled water and a 20-minute wait. The dehydrated beef carries flavor that meat powder can’t, and instant potato flakes transform broth into something with body.
Dehydrated vegetables chew tougher than freeze-dried alternatives, which matters if you’re tired at the end of a hard day. The sodium content runs high at 1,200 mg, but on the trail that’s useful—your body will thank you for it at altitude.
Packing
Mix all dry ingredients into a single quart freezer bag at home. At camp, add the contents directly to your pot with boiled water and stir.
Variations
- Add 0.5 oz of beef jerky pieces for 6 more grams of protein.
- Use freeze-dried vegetables instead of dehydrated—they rehydrate softer and faster, though they cost more.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter powder for richness.
https://trailcooking.com/2023/03/23/commercial-meal-review-heathers-choice-shepherds-pie