Open main menu

Snacks and Side Dishes

Top Picks

How we choose: The best snacks and side dishes highlighted here were selected based on 38 reviews of 28 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

How we test: Trailspace is powered entirely by our community of readers. The reviews posted here reflect the real-world experiences of outdoor enthusiasts just like you.

If you've used a snack/side dish that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.

Disclosure: Trailspace never accepts payment for gear reviews, product placement, or editorial coverage. When you buy through affiliate links on our site, Trailspace may earn a small commission, which helps cover the costs of running the site.

Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy

user rating: 5 of 5 (5 reviews)

This is what backpacking food should taste like! Mountain House has hit a home run with the Biscuits and Gravy, packing in much more flavor than expected, and really getting the textures spot-on. We take this meal along on pack trips, motorcycle tours, and I usually have one in my work truck for long jobs in the mountains. Adding an egg, either fired or hard-boiled, extends the meal considerably, and really gives a boost of nice protein energy.

Reasons to Buy

  • Great taste
  • Easy prep
  • Very filling

Reasons to Avoid

  • None!

Let me start out by admitting that I am a big fan of Mountain House meals. Their foods have been a part of my work and travel mess kit for many years. The B&G meal is pretty much the perfect go-to for any time of the day, and can be made into really tasty, filling fare with the addition of whatever you think might go along. We are fond of doing a couple of over-easy eggs and some sausage in camp, or dicing up some hard boiled eggs and beef sticks if we're on the trail or moving light.   The B&G has staying power for long days, and tastes much better than any instant oatmeal.

Read more: Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy reviews (5)

The New Primal Spicy 100% Grass-Fed Beef Jerky

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Great flavor and texture from a responsible company.

Reasons to Buy

  • Responsible production
  • Good flavor
  • Real ingredients
  • Paleo

Reasons to Avoid

  • Similar nutrition profile as commercial brands
  • I don't have ten more pounds

I really like outdoor foods which are responsibly sourced, artificial ingredient free, and have short ingredient lists. I think that food is getting too far from its roots and I believe that, while most health problems are induced by sedentary lives, overly processed foods also play a small factor in the overall decline in American fitness.  Because of this and my inherent frugality I have made my own jerky ever since I was old enough to carry a bow/rifle and hunt my own deer. I also make my own sausages, bacon, and a lot of my own energy/granola bars.  One of the best options in the hiking food department is jerky.

Read more: The New Primal Spicy 100% Grass-Fed Beef Jerky review (1)

The New Primal Original 100% Grass-Fed Beef Jerky

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Great flavor and texture from a responsible company.

Reasons to Buy

  • Responsible production
  • Good flavor
  • Real ingredients
  • Paleo

Reasons to Avoid

  • Similar nutrition profile as commercial brands
  • I don't have ten more pounds

I really like outdoor foods which are responsibly sourced, artificial ingredient free, and have short ingredient lists. I think that food is getting too far from its roots and I believe that, while most health problems are induced by sedentary lives, overly processed foods also play a small factor in the overall decline in American fitness.  Because of this and my inherent frugality I have made my own jerky ever since I was old enough to carry a bow/rifle and hunt my own deer. I also make my own sausages, bacon, and a lot of my own energy/granola bars.  One of the best options in the hiking food department is jerky.

Read more: The New Primal Original 100% Grass-Fed Beef Jerky review (1)

Idahoan Premium Hash Browns

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Shredded potato in a light, easy to carry dehydrated form. Used alone or with other ingredients it creates a genuine potato experience that satisfies the desire for "real" food on extended trips.

Reasons to Buy

  • Light and dense makes it easy to carry
  • Easily divided into smaller portions and repackaged
  • Versitile ingredient for many types of meals

Reasons to Avoid

  • Need a pan if you want to fry
  • Absolutely need to add flavor

You've seen plenty of folks on trail eating instant mashed potatoes. Maybe even eaten a few bags yourself. On the same rack at the store that has those pouches you may find these beauties hiding in plain sight. Nothing more than shredded potato, but your imagination is the only limit as far as what they can become. Prep: Package directions say to put dry potato in a bowl and add boiling water, stir, cover, and let sit for 8-10 minutes. My field prep process involved putting a single portion of potato into my silicon muffin mold and adding water from my coffee boil.

Read more: Idahoan Premium Hash Browns review (1)

Banana

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (4 reviews)

Wow... excellent product that arrives in its own disposable wrapper. Even comes in an “organic” version. Inexpensive!

Reasons to Buy

  • 1. Appears fairly easy to find
  • 2. Inexpensive
  • 3. Good taste
  • 4. Various brands
  • 5 It’s yellow so easy to find at your campsite

Reasons to Avoid

  • 1. Product only comes in a yellow wrapper
  • 2. Product can be found in a green wrapper but really doesn’t taste good..kinda like chalk
  • 3. What to do with the wrapper when done (in other words LNT).
  • 4. Appears to be fairly popular among hikers and backpacking folks, so you probably won’t be the only one on the trail with this product

      a bit heavy for us UL backpackers   I wrote to a supplier for technical details    Neck warmer and fashion statement    Average length    Well, was looking  around my local market and found this on a shelf and thought I’d try this product. I’m getting tired of snack bars and gorp when hiking so decided to purchase one. This is a unique product that is filling, easy to eat, appears somewhat easy to find, and is less expensive then snack or protein bars. I understand it’s also somewhat popular among you simian types.

Read more: Banana reviews (4)

Backpacker's Pantry Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

OMG.

Reasons to Buy

  • Justin's Nut Butter
  • Spicy
  • Quick

Reasons to Avoid

  • longer cook time
  • bag rice

So I assume that most of you have tried quite a few Backpackers Pantry meals — this one is the bomb.  I would eat this even if I'm not backpacking; that's how good it is. Of course, with a backpacking meal it's going to have a high sodium content. This probably has the lowest sodium content I found, at only 9% sodium (230mgs per half the bag). So perhaps this is an entree to eat on an easier day where you don't need to replenish those salts direly — So for someone who has hiked a short day, or the supper before a hike the next day.  This dish is a two-person entree, and since it is a rice dish I found it quite filling at 500 calories.  My favorite part of this dish is the flavor.

Read more: Backpacker's Pantry Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce review (1)

YumButter Superfood Organic Sunflower Butter

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

This nut butter is a delicious high-calorie and high-protein snack for the trail. It combines sunflower butter with goji berries, hemp hearts, and chia seeds for extra nutrients. Pairs well with apples, but is delicious on its own too!

Reasons to Buy

  • High calories
  • High fat
  • High protein
  • Delicious
  • Re-sealable squeeze pouch

I first found YumButter at a Wegman's a few months ago. It has since become my favorite trail snack! YumButter makes three flavors of their YumButter Go snack pouches (Peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower butter).  While all are delicious in their own right, it was the sunflower butter that really caught my attention. FLAVOR: Unlike most nut butters, the YumButter Go snack pouches are mixed with a few other things (chia seeds, hemp hearts, goji berries, etc.). These serve to add to the nutrition of the snack, but also add much needed variety to the flavor.

Read more: YumButter Superfood Organic Sunflower Butter review (1)

Skout Raw Pumpkin Seeds - Jalapeno Salsa

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Amazing raw pumpkin seed snack!

Reasons to Buy

  • Delicious

Reasons to Avoid

  • Bag isn't resealable

There isn't all that much to say about these — they're delicious! I received a bag of these a few weeks ago in a care package from my brother. The jalapeno salsa is by far the best pumpkin seed flavor I have ever tried. I really need to learn how to make these at home. And until I get that spice mix exactly right, I'm going to be making someone over at Skout very happy. TASTE: These weren't nearly as spicy as I imagined from the name (in fact, not at all!). They tasted somewhat like salsa, but mostly just tomato, garlic, and salt came forward in terms of flavoring.

Read more: Skout Raw Pumpkin Seeds - Jalapeno Salsa review (1)

More Reviews of Snacks and Side Dishes

Trailspace reviewers have shared 38 reviews of 28 different snacks and side dishes.

Show All »

or add yours

Other Types of Food and Drink

Find more food and drink reviewed in these related categories:

Entrées

Soups

Breakfasts

+6 more types

Review Your Outdoor Gear

If you've found this site helpful — or if we've missed something important — please consider paying it forward by some of your favorite outdoor gear.

Why? From professional gearheads to outdoor novices, everyone has an important point of view to contribute. will support the outdoor community and help others find the best gear.

Trailspace reviewers are outdoor enthusiasts like you: hikers, climbers, paddlers, backcountry skiers, and trail runners who share our experiences with the gear and clothing we rely on to get outside. Learn more about Trailspace