Taste-Testing Stowaway Gourmet’s New High-End Backpacking Meals

Should you haven’t tried Stowaway Connoisseur but, you’re in for a deal with. We first sampled the model again in 2021, and since then, it’s maintained the crown in our dehydrated backpacking meal class. And the competitors isn’t even shut: Stowaway’s next-level freeze-drying methods, culinary expertise, and ingredient-sourcing retains them manner above the competitors.

A lot to the delight of the Backpacker editorial workforce, Stowaway simply launched some killer new flavors, with a couple of still-in-progress pouches slated for 2026. We bought our fingers on the dehydrated backpacking highflier’s new and upcoming pouches for slightly taste-test.

Drunken Noodles ($20)

Score: 10/10

It’s secure to say that this tackle the Thai basic, Pad Kee Mao, is best than most takeout choices we’ve sampled. Large, chewy rice noodles are soaked in a deliciously umami-forward sauce stewed with oyster, fish, and soy sauce. Large slices of Chinese language broccoli, inexperienced onion, and crimson pepper are scattered amongst hunks of beef. It’s additionally dosed with a wholesome serving to of genuine Thai chook’s eye chiles. These should not for the faint of coronary heart, nevertheless, and both a significant bonus or crimson flag for hungry backpackers. Should you’re not sure about your spice tolerance stage, it’s higher pattern this dish at dwelling first earlier than risking an sad backcountry lavatory break.

Butter Rooster ($19)

Score: 7/10

A wealthy Delhi mainstay, butter hen is well-loved at Indian takeout spots from London to New York. Stowaway’s model nails the seasoning, with a not-too-hot, deep curry spice, flecks of cilantro, and crunchy slices of ginger. The bottom sauce, a faithful-to-the-original mixture of butter, yogurt, and tomato paste, is a wonderful medium. We did, nevertheless, miss the satisfaction of consuming bigger items of hen: This model has stewed, pulled hen blended with the rice. That makes for a considerably homogeneous texture that made it one in every of our least favourite new Stowaway flavors (which, to be clear, continues to be higher than most different manufacturers’ greatest choices.)

Fromage a Trois (Coming Spring 2026)

Score: 8/10

Someplace between a deluxe mac and pasta carbonara, the Fromage a Trois is a consolation bomb with complexity. Toothsome, wound fusilli pasta does an ideal job of holding the sauce: A cool, salty mix of blue, cheddar, and jack cheeses. Chunky slices of bacon, which tasted extra just like the cut-ends of pork stomach, added stellar texture and smokiness to the pouch. Black pepper rounds all of it out with a fast hit of warmth. This early prototype was a contact watery with the advised quantity of liquid, however Stowaway assures us the ultimate ratio will likely be thicker.

Jambalaya with Andouille and Shrimp (Coming Spring 2026)

Score: 9/10

This Jambalaya is model 2.0 for Stowaway, with a revamped recipe and andouille sausage. That sausage is the star of this pouch: Large medallions of juicy, deeply smoky and garlicky pork that will be killer as path salami on their very own. That andouille goodness infuses this complete dish, together with the standard Cajun seasonings like paprika, cayenne, and thyme together with crunchy ribbons of crimson pepper and celery. Large curls of juicy shrimp are current, too, lending this jambalaya that basic shellfish oomph. As a daily New Orleans vacationer, this pouch stacks as much as the actual deal.

Cereal Killer (Coming Spring 2026)

Score: 8/10

Dehydrated, powdered yogurt is notoriously troublesome get proper. More often than not, the top result’s a gritty, barely “off” spoonful of goop. Stowaway’s revamped Berry Yogurt Parfait nails the feel and pre-mixes all of the elements collectively so that you simply don’t should take care of gross micro-trash frequent in related meals. It doesn’t appear to be a lot as soon as it’s rehydrated, however it is a consummate parfait: a house-made granola that’s salty, candy, and crunchy with bites of raspberry in each spoonful. And the yogurt itself is completely creamy with a pleasant tang. For a fast, no-boil breakfast or an after-dinner deal with, Cereal Killer is a winner.