I have realized that I don’t review enough vegetarian and vegan options on TrailCooking, so I picked up a trio of Outdoor Herbivore meals to try out. Outdoor Herbivore has been around quite a while, since 2010 (and I know long ago, when they were new to the market I did review them, but that review is long gone, as it was on the older version of TrailCooking). They have recently in the past few years updated their packaging quite nicely, for a more modern and durable look.
To bring in from their website is a discussion on how they package their meals, as they do not use traditional mylar bags:
Most of Outdoor Herbivore’s meals are available in two sizes – Single and Double.
1) Hungry Single (serves 1) is a generous individual-size serving. The prepared portion generally makes 1½ cups of food, about 50% larger than other “single” size commercial camp meals. This size is appropriate for most active adults engaging in moderate to strenuous activity.
Single meal pouches measure approximately 7L x 7W inches with an expandable bottom up to 3.75 inches. Our machines squeeze out as much air as possible during sealing, and the meals should arrive with a depth of 1 inch or less.
2) Hungry Double (serves 2) is our large portion double meal size. It is precisely double the Hungry Single size, and the prepared amount generally makes 3 cups of food. It will feed two adults engaging in moderate to strenuous activity. An excellent option for most couples, one adult and a child, or one adult with a voracious appetite.
Double meal pouches measure approximately 7L x 8W inches with an expandable bottom up to 4 inches. Although our machines squeeze out as much air as possible during sealing, these will arrive with a depth around 3 inches. The double meals are more bulky given the larger amount of food inside.
Eco-Friendlier Packaging
Outdoor Herbivore’s meals are packed in heat-safe and waterproof expandable pouches. You can add boiling water/cold water to rehydrate meals inside the pouch. For hikers that prefer to use actual dishes and utensils for eating, you can still opt to use a separate container and prepare meals outside of the pouch. Our packaging is functional, and compact, and uses minimal plastic (mostly paper-based with a thin plastic inner liner).
Thoughts On The Packaging:
While the new packaging is nice looking, I came up against a real issue with it. It’s too small for the amount of food in the bag dry. What I found is once the food was rehydrated, it had swelled up quite a bit, to where the bag was very full. This led to some issues with hydration. I overall felt that the meals would have fared better by boiling water in a small pot, then adding in the dry food and having it hydrate that way. It would lead to cleanup needed, so that is a consideration. My second issue is the bags are very thin (paper with a thin plastic lining), so do not retain heat as well as mylar bags do (the bags were very hot to touch as I was zipping them up). I highly recommend that you insulate the bags in an FBC Cozy or similar. It was cool weather so we needed the extra warmth.
The Meals:
They focus on dinners but also offer many breakfast options. I had to choose carefully to avoid nuts (I can eat nuts, but we don’t bring them into the house due to our youngest’s allergies). They offer both vegetarian options (the cheese in them is vegetarian-friendly) and plant-based/vegan options. They do have some gluten-free options as well. So a lot of choices.
I would call their food Hippy Hut™ fare. If you came of age eating in a food co-op deli, you will love the meals. If you are normally used to shoveling Mountain House into your mouth…you probably might not be hep to eating more natural meals. Taste is subjective as always. I am gently pointing this out, as this is what the kids call “crunchy food” (as in all-natural, very rustic).
Pack-it Primavera. 1 serving size. Retails for $10.99.
4.5 ounces dry weight. Nutrition Per 4.5 oz. Calories: 550 Fat: 18g Sodium: 530mg Carbs: 68g Protein: 27g
Ingredients: Pre-cooked Durum Semolina (wheat) Pasta*, Cheese* (milk*, salt, cheese culture, vegetarian microbial enzymes), Tomato*, Soy Milk*, Green Beans, Kale*, Peas*, Carrots*, Whole Wheat Flour*, Chive, Garlic*, Paprika*, Black Pepper*. (*Organic).
The pasta is precooked but is a thick cut. The cheese powder is very dusty and kicked up in the wind. Be sure to flick the bag outside, with a finger, for it to fall into the bag. after opening.
Of the three meals, this was my least favorite. I unfortunately did not like it at all. I thought it very odd they use soy milk, rather than organic dry milk since cheese is used in the meal. For my taste it was just off, and I didn’t like the flavors. Also, it was rather dry. I had stirred well with the water, and then when ready, and I still had dry lumps in the rehydrated meal. It needs more water, possibly up to a ¼ cup more. Possibly with more water the sauce would have been creamy and more enjoyable.
Penne-demic Marinara. 1 serving size. Retails for $10.99.
5 ounces dry weight. Calories: 600 Fat: 15g Sodium: 600mg Carbs: 98g Protein: 19g
Ingredients Pre-cooked Durum Semolina (wheat) Pasta*, Tomato Powder*, Tomato Flakes*, Lentils, Quinoa Flour*, Onion*, Bell Pepper*, Parsley*, Basil*, Oregano*, Cane Sugar*, Sea Salt, Garlic*, Black Pepper*, Olive Oil Packet*. (*Organic).
This meal has an inner line of plastic with the dry food in it, and the olive oil packet loose in the bag. You will need to open the bag and dump it into the outer bag to rehydrate.
Lots of dried tomatoes, which were pleasant in taste. The pasta as with the previous dish, was a bit chewy. Overall this meal was not perfect, but was edible – the spices and herbs were well done. I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it again as the odd chewiness of the pasta wasn’t right.
While it called for 1 cup water I felt it could have used more water, maybe up to ¼ cup more. Again, with a bit more water the sauce would have been creamy and the pasta more enjoyable.
Backpack Chili Mac. 1 serving size. Retails for $10.99.
4,6 ounces dry weight. Calories: 510 Fat: 9g Carbs: 84g Protein: 23g Sodium: 760mg
Ingredients: Instant Durum Semolina Wheat Pasta*, Mixed Beans*, Cheddar Cheese* (milk*, salt, cheese culture, vegetarian microbial enzymes), Lentils, Tomato Powder*, Quinoa Crisps*, Tomato Flakes*, Onion*, Bell Pepper*, Oregano*, Cumin*, Chile de Arbol*, Chipotle*, Sea Salt, Garlic*, Allspice*, Clove.* (*Organic).
Chili Mac is not often a go-to choice for me. I ordered this meal as a last choice, as it was nut-free. Which ended up being the best of the three meals we ordered. Had a lovely aroma when opening the bag. It also had the same pasta.
I felt of the three meals this one had the water dialed in correctly. It was saucy and the pasta was tender and not chewy. Great flavor and the lentils were good-tasting.
If you want a hearty meal that is vegetarian-friendly, this is one I would recommend. With the correct water, the meal wasn’t dry or chewy.
Last Thoughts:
Consider adding extra water and possibly olive oil to the meals for the best texture/taste. I think they had potential, and if you are used to a very organic/natural diet, you will like these meals. Just watch the water and potentially consider making them in a pot for the best rehydration.
~Sarah
FTC Disclaimer: All product was bought by us for review.