Vegetarian recipes

[orthofingers]

I'm heading out on a short (4-5 day) backpacking trip in about three weeks with two other guys. They don't have much backpacking experience but they're outdoorsy type people,in good physical shape and we're not planning big miles or lots of ups and downs . . . just some outdoor fun with three good friends.

So, here's the question. Since one of the guys is a vegetarian and I'll probably be in charge of most of the meal preparation, is there a good source of vegetarian recipes for the trail? I typically use a canister stove and dehydrate most of my own meals. I'd like to stick with that kind of a cooking routine just because that's what I'm most familiar with BUT, I'm not locked into that cooking style. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[tarditi]

Vegetarian or vegan?

Lots of options - many dehydrated backpacking meals are veg-friendly, too, so you don't have to slog a lot of ingredients if you want quick prepare meals.

Here is a site with some good ideas too: https://www.trail.recipes/recipe-collection/vegetarian/

A little Google-fu and you'll have dozens of recipes to try.

[illabelle]

It wouldn't hurt to clarify what sort of vegetarian he is. If he's a strict vegetarian, he may want to have considerable control/input over the menu - unless he trusts your knowledge and judgment. Some vegetarians won't eat foods with gelatin, beef extract (whatever that is), chicken fat, etc, and are suspicious of "natural flavors." Others don't care. And many omnivores aren't tuned into these details.

I'd suggest sending him a tentative list and get some feedback. Or, show him what the backcountry cooking routine looks like, and see if he wants to plan some of his own meals.

When I plan our meals, I typically use simple foods: Ramen, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pasta/rice sides. For Ramen, I toss the flavor packet and add in a mix of dried parsley, garlic powder, and parmesan. I've tried using TVP - textured vegetable protein, but haven't mastered that yet - apparently it's intended to absorb the other flavors of the dish so you have to plan for that.

If you bring along a small frying pan, you can add grilled cheese, quesadillas, vege-bacon, vege-burger. Sometimes I'll bring a small zucchini, saute it with some pre-cut onion, and mix in with the Ramen.

[Venchka]

Good-To-Go in Maine and sold online and at REI, Little River Trading Company, etc. makes really good vegetarian backpacking meals.
Search here for Tipi Walter’s vegetarian dehydrating advice.
You could carry frozen veggie Burritos for your first night’s meal. You can find those in any decent supermarket. Instant oatmeal is vegetarian.
Have fun.
Wayne

[orthofingers]

He's not a militant vegetarian if that's what you're asking. In other words, he doesn't eat four legged critters but I don't think he's all that fussy about gelatin, beef extract etc. in fact, I believe he eats seafood, I know he eats eggs and dairy.

(I'm stealing my own thread here but, I used to work with a "vegetarian" guitar player named Ted. We went out to breakfast one night after a gig and he ordered eggs with a side of bacon. When I said that I thought he had told me that he was a vegetarian, he said, "I am, except for bacon.")

So, I guess there are all different types of vegetarians.

[DownYonder]

If he eats some seafood and no walk-meat or fly-meat, he is a "pescatarian".

[Tipi Walter]

He's not a militant vegetarian if that's what you're asking. In other words, he doesn't eat four legged critters but I don't think he's all that fussy about gelatin, beef extract etc. in fact, I believe he eats seafood, I know he eats eggs and dairy.

(I'm stealing my own thread here but, I used to work with a "vegetarian" guitar player named Ted. We went out to breakfast one night after a gig and he ordered eggs with a side of bacon. When I said that I thought he had told me that he was a vegetarian, he said, "I am, except for bacon.")



So, I guess there are all different types of vegetarians.

I don't eat any kind of meat---including fish---but I do occasionally eat dairy (goat cheese) and sometime eggs---RX Bars etc. Unfortunately I'm allergic to cheese (sinus problems) so currently I'm on a No Cheese diet. My backpacking energy bars have egg whites in them---RX Bars.

43061

[orthofingers]

Pescatarian, eh? I guess that's what he is then.

[Dogwood]

As a 22 yr pesce vegetarian I like wraps with foil packed yellowfin tuna in EVOO and whatever veggies. Sun Dried tomatoes might be a good addition. SunKist has their sun dried yellowfin tuna packets but the dried tomato flavor is slightly lacking comparatively, IMO. If you're friend eats dairy goat cheese or plant based cheese like made by Daiya added to a wrap can crowd please. Reconstituted Hummus made by Casbah or Bob's Red Mill(Garbanzo bean flour) brands or a small single serving size Sabra prepared with cukes, lettuce, avocado, radishes, etc. The rads and cukes are good for hot weather hikes. Since it's short hike the fresh produce isn't as big a a wt game changer. what's good is that these recipes can be adjusted for everyone in your party

[Venchka]

Santa Fe brand instant refried Beans.
Google Andrew Skurka’s Beans and Rice recipe.
Wayne

[Deadeye]

Take one vegetarian, add salt & pepper, roast at 350*...

[BuckeyeBill]

Take one vegetarian, add salt & pepper, roast at 350*...

I know a few vegetarians I wouldn't mind ...... oh never mind.

[trailmercury]

Vegetables are what food eats

[Odd Man Out]

Red lentils, basmati rice, curry powder, salt, olive oil, water, boil, set in cozy 15 min, eat.

[Crushed Grapes]

+1 on those Good to Go meals, especially when you're tired at the end of a long day. Also if you're planning on doing ramen, read the labels. Some have beef extracts and other wacky animal products.

[Deadeye]

Since I added a mildly snarky comment, I feel compelled to add something constructive: in addition to the (expensive) Good to Go meals, there are plenty of just-add-hot-water meals at the supermarket or Wally World at an affordable price. Some are sides that you can turn into a meal. One of my favorites is a Pad Thai in a box. I usually add canned shrimp or chicken, but a vegetarian could add TVP for protein and texture. I also enhance those meals/sides with dehydrated veggies from Harmony House (also a good source for TVP in various flavors).

[rocketsocks]

I don't eat any kind of meat---including fish---but I do occasionally eat dairy (goat cheese) and sometime eggs---RX Bars etc. Unfortunately I'm allergic to cheese (sinus problems) so currently I'm on a No Cheese diet. My backpacking energy bars have egg whites in them---RX Bars.

43061I had me sum kinda some Bull Shyte last week that was pretty good :D

[garlic08]

Take any typical one-pot meal recipe with rice or potatoes and vegetables and meat, and don't add the meat until your friend takes his share.

[Dogwood]

+2 on the Good to GO vegetarian entrees. Take one like the Thai Curry and add tempeh or dried tofu OR, since he's a pesce vegetarian, some shrimp(in a can or dried, found in Wally World under the BADIA brand in the International foods).47228158 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Badia-Dried-Shrimp-Camarones-Secos-0-5-oz-Bag-3-Packs/47228158?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222222157240153&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=75247897408821&wl4=pla-4578847467900899&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&%20wl10=Walmart&wl12=47228158_0&wl14=badia%20dried%20shrimp&veh=sem&msclkid=42dbcbb1386413c6e92d90f10e2d9688)

[George]

Take one vegetarian, add salt & pepper, roast at 350*...

problem I have found is they tend to have very little meat on their bones........

[jgillam]

Good-To-Go in Maine and sold online and at REI, Little River Trading Company, etc. makes really good vegetarian backpacking meals.
Search here for Tipi Walter’s vegetarian dehydrating advice.
You could carry frozen veggie Burritos for your first night’s meal. You can find those in any decent supermarket. Instant oatmeal is vegetarian.
Have fun.
WayneI've had a few of their vegan options and really liked them myself.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Venchka]

I've had a few of their vegan options and really liked them myself.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
The Pad Thai is good. They may be the only company offering single servings since Mountain House dropped singles.
Wayne

[Feral Bill]

An hour or less walking around a well stocked grocery reading labels will reveal many options. No need to special order expensive prepared stuff.

[Venchka]

An hour or less walking around a well stocked grocery reading labels will reveal many options. No need to special order expensive prepared stuff.
Mrs. Wayne shopped for me and bought the Good-To-Go groceries. I couldn’t say no. 👍😄
Wayne

[garlic08]

Mrs. Wayne shopped for me and bought the Good-To-Go groceries. I couldn’t say no. 
Wayne

I almost always cringe when a loved one gives me something "for the trail." Like the well-meaning family member who gave me a portable grill. And I'm a vegetarian.

[Venchka]

I almost always cringe when a loved one gives me something "for the trail." Like the well-meaning family member who gave me a portable grill. And I'm a vegetarian.
We were at the store together.
Wayne

[Tipi Walter]

I almost always cringe when a loved one gives me something "for the trail." Like the well-meaning family member who gave me a portable grill. And I'm a vegetarian.

I especially grow weary of dayhikers offering me whatever snacks they have left in their day packs---while I'm standing next to them with an 85 lb pack filled with 50 lbs of food.

Good intentions of course, so I politely decline. Sometimes I say, "Are you kidding!!!!"

One time a backpacking buddy offered me 4 oranges and an apple near the beginning of the trip. Uh . . . in my pack they went---and later eaten on the trail---

43081

[George]

I almost always cringe when a loved one gives me something "for the trail." Like the well-meaning family member who gave me a portable grill. And I'm a vegetarian.

nothing wrong with grilled vegetables - as long as there is plenty of meat to wash it down