Sloppy Rice
Three packets and one boil build a complete dinner.
- calories
- 750
- weight
- 4 oz
- cal / oz
- 188
- protein
- 25 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 17 min
- total time
- 19 min
- water
- 240 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
- Campfire coals
- Backpacking
- Car camping
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant rice | 1 cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Sloppy joe beef creations packet | 1 | |
| Beef bouillon | 1 tsp | or 1 bouillon packet |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | carry in a small bottle |
| Cheddar cheese | 1 oz | shredded; use freeze-dried in warm weather |
Method
- Bring 240 ml of water to a boil with the olive oil and sloppy joe beef packet.
- Stir in the instant rice and beef bouillon, breaking up any clumps.
- Cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 15 minutes while the rice absorbs the liquid.
- Fluff with a spoon and stir in the cheese.
- Eat immediately—it sets up as it cools.
Instant rice does the heavy lifting—it rehydrates in fifteen minutes and soaks up the seasoned beef without fussing. The sloppy joe packet provides all the seasoning and the fat that makes rice taste like food. Cheese adds calories without adding weight.
Regular shredded cheese works fine on cool trips as long as you never touch it with bare hands. On warm-weather trips, use freeze-dried cheese instead. There’s also a freezer-bag cooking method if you want to skip carrying a pot.
Packing
Mix the rice and bouillon in a snack bag at home. Pack the sloppy joe packet, olive oil, and cheese separately to avoid greasing everything.
Variations
- Dehydrated corn or peas stirred in before the rest period adds vegetables and texture.
- Freeze-dried cheese replaces regular shredded cheese on warm-weather trips.
https://trailcooking.com/2025/03/17/cleaning-out-the-hiker-pantry-meal