Potato and Bacon Breakfast Hash
Mashed potatoes, bacon bits, and green chile in one pot. Built from shelf-stable ingredients for winter fuel.
- calories
- 800
- weight
- 11 oz
- cal / oz
- 73
- protein
- 30 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 8 min
- total time
- 10 min
- water
- 480 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.
- Breakfast
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Campfire coals
- Backpacking
- Winter / snow
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant mashed potato flakes | 4 oz | the base of the dish |
|---|---|---|
| Nido milk powder | 1 tbsp | |
| Powdered butter | 1 tbsp | |
| Cheese powder | 1 tbsp | |
| Salt | a pinch | |
| Black pepper | a pinch | |
| Bacon bits | 4 oz | shelf-stable and already cooked |
| Canned green chile | 2 oz | drained, or split a standard four-ounce can with dinner |
Method
- Bring 480 ml of water to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
- Add the dry potato mixture slowly while stirring to prevent lumps.
- Stir steadily for five to six minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the green chile and bacon bits until combined.
- Eat while hot. It solidifies as it cools.
Instant mashed potatoes are the spine here, but what makes this work for winter is the fat. Powdered butter, powdered milk, and cheese powder turn the base into something substantial instead of wallpaper paste. Bacon bits add shelf-stable protein and don’t need refrigeration or an actual cook fire.
Green chile cuts through the richness and finishes the dish. On a short winter day when you need to move, this breakfast delivers the calories to sustain you through the morning. The whole thing cooks in one pot in about eight minutes.
Packing
Mix the potato flakes, milk powder, powdered butter, and cheese powder in a quart freezer bag at home. Pack the bacon bits and green chile in separate bags to prevent premature hydration.
Variations
- Use a full four-ounce can of green chile instead of half for a spicier breakfast.
- A fried egg on top adds protein and richness, if you're carrying eggs.
- Dehydrated onions or peppers stirred into the dry bag add texture without weight.
https://www.trailgroove.com/blogs/entry/533-savory-breakfast-potatoes-backpacking-recipe