Introduction To Freezer Bag Cooking
Today’s post is an introduction to freezer bag cooking for new hikers or seasoned pros who have never tried the freezer bag method. Dehydrated backpacking meals like Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry are popular because of their convenience but they can be pricey. Freezer bag cooking is a more affordable method of backcountry cooking with many of the same benefits as commercially produced backpacking meals.
In freezer bag cooking your food is cooked, not in your pot, but in a plastic zip-top freezer bag. Hikers add hot water to the food in the bag just like when preparing a traditional backpacking meal. The difference is that freezer bag meals consist of foods that you can find at your local grocery store.
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4 Reasons I Love Freezer Bag Cooking
Less Mess
Because you are not cooking in your pot there are no dishes to do after dinner. Any leftover food residue is inside of a plastic bag that can be sealed to reduce food odors in your pack.
Easy Packing
Zip top bags pack well. They are easily compressible and lack the sharp corners on many commercially dehydrated backpacking meals.
Customization
When freezer bag cooking, you are in charge of what goes into your meals. I will give some food suggestions below to get you started but there are many other options as well as many extras you can add to your meals. It can be fun to mix and match ingredients and try out new meal ideas.
Great For Groups
The freezer bag method makes it easy to cook multiple meals or food items at the same time. Plastic bags and cozies weigh much less than cooking pots. When freezer bag cooking, each meal is individually packaged and prepared in its own package. Because you are not eating out of your cooking pot, you may be able carry one just one pot for you and your hiking buddy or even a small group.
6 Steps To A Freezer Bag Meal
1. Repackage
At home, remove your food from its original packaging and repack in quart sized freezer bags. It is important that you use bags marked “freezer”. Other bags for storing sandwiches and snacks are too thin for freezer bag cooking. I like to use these or the store brand equivalent.
2. Heat Water
When you are ready to prepare your freezer bag meal, begin heating some water in your cook pot. The amount of water you need to heat will depend on what you are cooking. With experience you will learn exactly how much water to add to your pot but in the meantime it’s ok to heat a little extra. The water does not need to be brought to a full rolling boil unless you are boiling it for purification. I usually turn off the heat when I see the first few bubbles break the surface.
3. Add Water To Your Freezer Bag
Carefully pour the hot water into your freezer bag. It can help to fold over the zip top to create a wider opening while you pour. You probably aren’t carrying a set of measuring cups on the trail so it can take a bit of trial and error to figure out exactly how much water to add. In most cases, you will need to use slightly less water than what was recommended on the original packaging. Make sure there is enough water to get everything nice and wet plus a little extra.
4. Stir
Stir to make sure everything is well combined. Make sure there are no dry ingredients stuck in the corners of the bag. You can also remove the air from the bag, seal it, and squeeze the bag to mix.
5. Insulate
For best results, you should insulate your freezer bag while your food is cooking. This can be done with a hat, bandana, or sweater or with a specially designed bag cozy. I use a homemade bag cozy but there are also commercial products available. Check out these options on Amazon.
6. Wait And Then Eat
Most foods take around ten minutes to cook using the freezer bag method but some take less time and others take much longer. Like the amount of water, determining cook time takes a bit of trial and error in the beginning. I like to check on my food about halfway through and mix it a bit more in the bag. This is also a good time to add a bit more water if you don’t think you used enough. When your food is ready, eat it right out if the bag!
Suggested Food Items For Freezer Bag Cooking
Couscous – This might be my favorite. Add a packet of olive oil for added flavor and calories.
Mac & Cheese – The microwave cups work much better than the boxed kind for freezer bag cooking. Kraft is a classic but I also like Annie’s.
Knorr Rice Sides – Many varieties are available. Rice sides work much better than the pasta sides.
Try The Northeast Hiker’s Creamy Tomato Veggie Soup Recipe
What are your favorite foods for freezer bag cooking? Have and tips on how to get the best results? Please share in the comments below!
I used this method on my 2018(month long)section hike of the Sierras on the PCT(also summited Mt Whitney). Every morning I had my freezer bag oatmeal with dried fruit and T pwdrd milk. Every night I had my freezer bag ramen noodles. I made and used Eric the Black’s pot cozy and long titanium spoon.