I’ll admit that I’ve skipped the mid-hike lunch before, especially if it’s on a short trail. You’ve probably done that once or twice, too.
However, if you’re an avid hiker, that habit won’t last long. You’ll have to learn to pack a proper lunch for hike trips sooner or later. Why not start now?
For this post, I’ll round up 11 of my favorite meals to take on the go. Don’t worry about getting overwhelmed with the options; you’ll also find three nifty tips that will help you pick the right one for your circumstance.
11 Great Lunch Ideas for a Hike
Let’s jump right into our list of practical and trail-friendly lunch ideas!
1. Prosciutto Sandwich
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I don’t have anything against the classic turkey sandwich, but eating it one hiking trip after the other gets a little boring.
The FoodNetwork’s prosciutto sandwich recipe with pesto sauce, Parrano cheese, and bell pepper can be a game changer. It’s filling, easy to make, and packs like a dream!
You can make it with your bread of choice. However, after some trial and error, I circled back to country-style bread. It adds a nice crust that balances the texture.
2. Burrito Bowls
Although “backpacking burritos” are popular among hikers, they’re not always a good fit.
For one, if you try to pack them pre-made, they could get squished. If you want to make them on the spot, you’ll need a portable stove or boiling water to heat the bean, rice, and chicken pouches.
That’s where burrito bowls come in handy. They give you the same hearty meal with half the hassle.
The only catch here is that you’ll have to put some effort into preparing the bowl before heading out for the hike. On the trail, you’ll just pop the lid open and enjoy the meal. You can even eat it cold!
3. Tuna and Crackers
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Maybe you’d prefer to keep your lunch light? In this case, I’d recommend packing a can of tuna (chunks in water), a couple of mayonnaise packets, and salted crackers.
There are two ways to go here:
- Mix the tuna with some mayonnaise in a bowl and use it as a dip for the crackers.
- Scoop the tuna onto the crackers, appetizer-style.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, go with the second method and pack some dill, celery, and lettuce for (yes, you guessed it) garnish. Sliced cucumbers work well and add a hydration boost, too.
4. Pizza (Leftovers, Pre-Packed, or Made-on-the-Spot)
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On those days when I can’t be bothered to prepare lunch before the hike, I look for a slice or two of leftover pizza in the fridge.
Of course, you can grab one from the store on your way. Some brands even sell single-slice packages. Just make sure you bring along a plastic container from home to keep the pizza from getting squished in your bag.
For long trips where you’ll have access to a stove, you could make your own “pizza in a bag” with tomato paste, mozzarella, and cherub tomatoes—all dehydrated. The crust? It could be pita chips or toast crumbles.
5. Soup
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Soup in a thermos is a great lunch idea for day-long winter hikes. Once you open the lid, the aroma and heat alone will turn the atmosphere cozy!
The trick is to make sure your soup stays warm long enough. Try pouring hot water into the thermos and letting it sit for a while. Then, pour the water out and fill the thermos with soup. This way, you’ll heat the metal itself so that it doesn’t cool down the soup on contact.
An extra insulation layer (like a new wool sock) won’t hurt, either.
6. Revamped Salad Kits
If you want something hassle-free for your hikes, bagged salad kits might be the way to go. However, they can be a bit bland.
To fix that, pick up a basic kit of salad greens and revamp it into a hearty meal with items like:
- Fresh parmesan or cheddar
- Crusty bread
- Pre-cooked chicken breasts or beans
- Quinoa
Pasta salad with chickpeas is also a valid option if you want more carbs than greens. A bean-based salad with crackers and Italian vinaigrette is a balanced mix to consider as well.
Either way, you’ll empty all the revamping ingredients in a large sealable bag. Once it’s time for lunch, empty the kit into the bag and dig in.
7. Kimbap Rolls
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If you’ve never had kimbap, I’d highly recommend trying it on your next hiking trip. Kimbap (sometimes spelled “gimbap”) is a traditional Korean seaweed, rice, vegetable, and meat roll.
It’s bite-sized and convenient to eat on the go. Plus, you can customize the fillings to make the meal more hearty or light as needed. The roll pairs well with kimchi, too.
8. Hummus and Sprouts Bagel
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Bagels are already great to eat on the go, but they’re not so filling solo. So, if you plan on using bagels for your lunch, you’ll need to slice that bad boy up and turn it into a sandwich, which doesn’t have to be boring, either.
Did you know that you can turn the typical BLT sandwich into a vegan meal using tempeh, hummus, sprouts, and an everything bagel?
If you tend to get particularly hungry on your hikes and don’t mind opening wide to take a bite, try stacking one more bagel half in the middle of the sandwich.
9. Pb&J
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are so basic, but they get the job done and don’t require a lot of prep time. That’s why they’re good if you decide to make lunch last minute before heading out.
It’s also possible to throw a tortilla wrap and a squeezable Pb&J packet in your backpack if you’re really in a rush.
10. Lunchables
Believe it or not, they’re now making Lunchables for adults. While they’re not as fun-themed as the ones you grew up eating, they’re surprisingly protein-rich.
The downside? The packets are usually small and might not keep you full for long.
You’re probably wondering why not go for MREs instead. Well, they’re more filling, but they can be heavy to carry around and could require hot water or a stove to prepare. Plus, some people can’t stomach them.
Even if your stomach isn’t sensitive, I’d say Lunchable-like packets would be a better fit for a hike, while MREs could work for a camping trip.
11. Portable Charcuterie Boards
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The charcuterie board isn’t only for bougie house parties. You can make it work on the trail as well.
Here’s how:
- Use lightweight cutting boards or paper plates. (Just don’t litter!)
- Cut the essentials (hard cheese, cured meats, and nuts) beforehand so you don’t have to carry a knife.
- Pack each category separately in a sealable bag.
- Find a spot to sit and prepare the board.
- Grab some flavored sparkling water for hydration.
3 Golden Tips for Picking a Great Lunch for a Hike
Now that we’ve covered our top lunch picks, let’s look at some pro tips that can help you choose the best meal for your hike:
1. Look for Nutritional Balance
Even if you’re only hiking for half a day, it’s good to have a balanced meal. That includes:
- Carbs: Use whole-grain bread, rice, pasta, or even crackers to fuel up.
- Protein: If you don’t want fish, chicken, or meat, opt for plant-based alternatives, like hummus.
- Fats: Add hard cheeses and nuts to your meals.
2. Consider the Hike Conditions
There are two trail-specific factors to keep in mind when you’re packing lunch.
The first one is the temperature. Is it too hot that your food will spoil? The dry-cured meat used for charcuterie is often stable, but you still need to check the shelf-life of all the products you’ll use for the meal.
You also need to consider if the trail is long enough that carrying a portable stove will be worthwhile. If your answer is a firm “no,” then make sure you pick no-cook lunches only, like soup in a thermos, pre-made sandwiches, and salad kits.
3. Keep It Mess-Free
Don’t be too ambitious with your lunch. You’ll most likely eat it while sitting on a rock or even walking uphill. Ideally, you want something that doesn’t require much cutlery and is easy to hold with one hand.
You’re only doing yourself a disservice if you go with messy and slurpy foods. Leave the spaghetti and overloaded burritos for another day!
Final Thoughts
One last word of advice? Don’t let all that talk about meal prep make you forget the importance of hydration. Aim to take a sip every 20 minutes or so during the hike and drink a cup or two with the meal.
Featured image source:Google
