Trail Red Beans and Rice
Freeze-dried beans, instant rice, and cumin. The backpacker's one-pot dinner that actually tastes like food.
- calories
- 330
- weight
- 3.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 94
- protein
- 13 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 22 min
- total time
- 24 min
- water
- 300 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
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant white rice | 1/2 cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried red beans | 1/3 cup | |
| Dried onion | 1 tbsp | |
| Cumin | 1/2 tsp | this is the flavor anchor; don't skip it |
| Chili powder | 1/4 tsp | |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | |
| Black pepper | a pinch | |
| Olive oil | 1 tsp | optional, carried in a small bottle |
Method
- Boil 300 ml of water in your pot.
- Add the rice, beans, onion, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir once.
- Remove from heat and cover. Let it sit for 20 minutes while the beans rehydrate and the rice absorbs the water.
- Stir in the oil if you have it, crack pepper over the top, and eat.
Instant rice and freeze-dried beans share a rehydration timeline: both need about 20 minutes in boiling water. The cumin is your entire flavor budget. It should be subtle, not dominant. Dried onion adds depth without requiring fresh ingredients or a knife in the field.
A teaspoon of oil carries its weight. Without it this is a nutritious, functional meal. With it, you have something you actually want to eat on mile 15 of a long hiking day.
Packing
Mix the rice, beans, onion, and spices into a quart freezer bag at home. The oil travels separately or in a small dropper bottle.
Variations
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika instead of chili powder for a different angle.
- Include a foil packet of dried peppers for texture and extra flavor.
- Stir in a squeeze of hot sauce at the end if you carry a small bottle.
https://trailcooking.com/2023/05/27/commercial-meal-review-backpackers-pantry-red-beans-and-rice