camp meals

Freeze-Dried Ramen Bowl

Two packets of ramen with freeze-dried chicken and vegetables packed into a single bag. Rehydrate and boil for a hot dinner that carries almost nothing.

calories
360
weight
2.5 oz
cal / oz
144
protein
20 g
serves
2, scales
prep
2 min
cook
14 min
total time
16 min
water
600 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
  • Liquid fuel
  • Backpacking
  • Thru-hike
  • Basecamp
  • Nut free
  • One pot
  • Pre-mix at home
  • Shelf stable
  • Dump and stir

Ingredients

Ramen packets 2 include the seasoning packets
Freeze-dried chicken 1 cup sliced or cubed
Freeze-dried red or green bell pepper 1/2 cup
Freeze-dried corn 1/2 cup

Method

  1. Pour 1 cup of cool water into a bag with the freeze-dried chicken and vegetables. Let sit for 10 minutes to rehydrate.
  2. Meanwhile, boil 4 cups of water in your pot.
  3. Add the rehydrated ingredients and any remaining water from the bag to the boiling water.
  4. Break up both ramen blocks and add them to the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Stir in the ramen seasoning packets and divide between two bowls.

Freeze-dried chicken and vegetables transform ramen from a snack into actual dinner. The chicken adds protein, and the vegetables give the broth body instead of just heat. Everything rehydrates at once: pour cool water over the freeze-dried bag, wait 10 minutes, then boil the pot. No separate cooking steps, no refrigeration needed.

Ramen packets are salty by design. If you don’t drink all the broth, sodium stays reasonable. Most people keep just enough liquid to warm the noodles and eat the solids. It’s shelf-stable, travels light, and cleans up in one pot.

Packing

Mix freeze-dried chicken, peppers, and corn into a quart freezer bag and seal well. Pack the two ramen packets and their seasoning packets separately. Freeze-dried meat needs good sealing for long-term storage.

Variations

  • Use other freeze-dried vegetables like mushrooms, peas, or zucchini.
  • Drain most of the broth if you prefer a thicker noodle dish with less sodium.
  • A splash of carried oil adds calories and improves texture.

https://trailcooking.com/2022/10/29/boondocking-meals-ramen-soup-bowls