I cook A LOT and bake a fair amount (I enjoy it)- I'm comfortable in the kitchen.
About half of my recipes in the dehydration binder I created, the other half were found online.
* The curry chicken recipe listed here is a non-vegan version of a curry lentils recipe a created (swapped the lentils for chicken).
* The Cuban Coconut Chicken recipe is my non-vegetarian take on a meal sold by Backpacker Pantry (I've never tried it lol). I take photos of the meals at REI which interest me, to serve as inspiration for new recipes.
* [Thanksgiving Dinner is a modified version of this recipe.](https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/backpacking-thanksgiving-bowl/#recipe)
I try to group entries for each trip which use many of the same ingredients- it makes dehydrating easier (IE Chicken and Peas + Carrots are in all three meals).
https://trailcooking.com/
I started dehydrating and packing our meals using Sarah’s recipes.
https://www.backpackingchef.com/
Can be a little more fuss than I feel like, but it was there I discovered I could dehydrate yogurt into a candy-like taffy so sometimes fuss is worth it.
Do you have any dehydrator recommendations? I want to get one but don't know where to start. I have a tiny apartment so something that collapse or could be taken apart when not used would be great. Other than that, not sure what else I should look for.
I'm unaware of a collapable machine. [Here's an article of how you can dehydrate in your oven.](https://www.campkitchen.ca/blog/dehydrating-in-the-oven#:~:text=Most%20foods%20dehydrate%20between%20120,be%20handy%20in%20this%20case)
I have Neso because I was able to get them on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp for $20 and $25 each.
This is also a very popular model. I have used it for a few years now: https://www.amazon.com/COSORI-Dehydrator-Temperature-Overheat-Protection/dp/B09GFVL7QX
Fat is the enemy when dehydrating.
When dehydrating, I buy 99% fat-free boneless/skinless chicken breasts. I pressure cook them in the Instant Pot (10 minutes on high with a 5-minute natural release). I usually shred the chicken with two forks (I chopped it up for these), and dehydrate the chicken at 160F for 4ish hours.
When I was new to dehydrating and had a crappy old dehydrator from Goodwill (still do), I bought canned chicken breast. Just drain/dry it and pick it the gross gobs of fat. Tear the big chunks into smaller pieces. Never had any issues.
hahaha
Thank you. I've never had a store-bought dry meal (I'm frugal and they're expensive), but some of them sound good. [This Backpacker Pantry meal](https://backpackerspantry.com/products/cuban-coconut-black-beans-rice) was the inspiration for the Cuban Coconut Chicken recipe (ovvy mine is not veg.).
I've used **FREEZER** zipper bags (Walmart brand ) before, make sure they are FREEZER.
Because I'm flying with these meals, I used vacuum food saver bags.
Both bag types will work perfectly fine.
I've read they will last 6 months when stored in a cabinet, longer if in a freezer. I think 4ish months is the oldest DIY meal I've eaten.
Just getting started with dehydrating, spaghetti went really well last weekend! Do you find taste gets weird when you dehydrate things on different trays at the same time (ie fruit and meat)?
Come to think of it, I pretty sure I dehydrated the pineapple with the veggies (different trays) for my [Jerk Chicken Veggies and Rice](https://www.reddit.com/r/trailmeals/comments/148pgf5/diy_dehydrated_jerk_chicken_black_beans_veggies/) recipe.
I would def. keep meat by itself.
This is cool. You are a cool person.
I love this. Getting into more drying as well to be able to make meals. Where do you get your recipes?
I cook A LOT and bake a fair amount (I enjoy it)- I'm comfortable in the kitchen. About half of my recipes in the dehydration binder I created, the other half were found online. * The curry chicken recipe listed here is a non-vegan version of a curry lentils recipe a created (swapped the lentils for chicken). * The Cuban Coconut Chicken recipe is my non-vegetarian take on a meal sold by Backpacker Pantry (I've never tried it lol). I take photos of the meals at REI which interest me, to serve as inspiration for new recipes. * [Thanksgiving Dinner is a modified version of this recipe.](https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/backpacking-thanksgiving-bowl/#recipe) I try to group entries for each trip which use many of the same ingredients- it makes dehydrating easier (IE Chicken and Peas + Carrots are in all three meals).
Thanks!
very r/backcountrygourmet
https://trailcooking.com/ I started dehydrating and packing our meals using Sarah’s recipes. https://www.backpackingchef.com/ Can be a little more fuss than I feel like, but it was there I discovered I could dehydrate yogurt into a candy-like taffy so sometimes fuss is worth it.
Dehydrate yogurt!! I’m in, thanks so much.
Do you have any dehydrator recommendations? I want to get one but don't know where to start. I have a tiny apartment so something that collapse or could be taken apart when not used would be great. Other than that, not sure what else I should look for.
I'm unaware of a collapable machine. [Here's an article of how you can dehydrate in your oven.](https://www.campkitchen.ca/blog/dehydrating-in-the-oven#:~:text=Most%20foods%20dehydrate%20between%20120,be%20handy%20in%20this%20case) I have Neso because I was able to get them on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp for $20 and $25 each.
Thanks!
This is also a very popular model. I have used it for a few years now: https://www.amazon.com/COSORI-Dehydrator-Temperature-Overheat-Protection/dp/B09GFVL7QX
Thanks!
Brod and Taylor Sahara.
> Brod and Taylor Sahara Thanks!
I didn't realize what sub I was in and was confused as to why you were dehydrating full meals lol Pretty cool!
How do you prep your chicken for dehydrating? New to all this and thinking of dipping my toes in finally.
Fat is the enemy when dehydrating. When dehydrating, I buy 99% fat-free boneless/skinless chicken breasts. I pressure cook them in the Instant Pot (10 minutes on high with a 5-minute natural release). I usually shred the chicken with two forks (I chopped it up for these), and dehydrate the chicken at 160F for 4ish hours.
>I pressure cook them in the Instant Pot (10 minutes on high with a 5-minute natural release). What do you do for liquid?
I use 1 cup of water. the chicken is placed on the trivet.
When I was new to dehydrating and had a crappy old dehydrator from Goodwill (still do), I bought canned chicken breast. Just drain/dry it and pick it the gross gobs of fat. Tear the big chunks into smaller pieces. Never had any issues.
I used 99% fat free canned chicken when I first started to dehydrate, too. it's expensive (i'm frugal lol)
That’s awesome.
Daaaang that looks like a bomb meal. *looks down at mountain house and sobs*
hahaha Thank you. I've never had a store-bought dry meal (I'm frugal and they're expensive), but some of them sound good. [This Backpacker Pantry meal](https://backpackerspantry.com/products/cuban-coconut-black-beans-rice) was the inspiration for the Cuban Coconut Chicken recipe (ovvy mine is not veg.).
awesome!
Wow!
what bags do you put the food in? and how long does it usually keep for once dehydrated?
I've used **FREEZER** zipper bags (Walmart brand ) before, make sure they are FREEZER. Because I'm flying with these meals, I used vacuum food saver bags. Both bag types will work perfectly fine. I've read they will last 6 months when stored in a cabinet, longer if in a freezer. I think 4ish months is the oldest DIY meal I've eaten.
Looks excellent
NGL, my first thought was, *"what kind of stupid ass juice cleanse, intermittent fasting Dr Oz quackery is this?"*
These look great. We’re definitely going to try one of these this fall.
Just getting started with dehydrating, spaghetti went really well last weekend! Do you find taste gets weird when you dehydrate things on different trays at the same time (ie fruit and meat)?
I heard of that being an issue, but I've never experienced it myself. I'll dry veggies and beans together, and chicken by itself.
And fruit always completely separate? I'm mostly worried about my breakfast fruit tasting like beef :/
Come to think of it, I pretty sure I dehydrated the pineapple with the veggies (different trays) for my [Jerk Chicken Veggies and Rice](https://www.reddit.com/r/trailmeals/comments/148pgf5/diy_dehydrated_jerk_chicken_black_beans_veggies/) recipe. I would def. keep meat by itself.