Taste Testing Popular, Store-Bought BACKPACKING MEALS, Part 2

[@samgoeshiking]

My husband bought me the pinnacle foods jalapeño chedder biscuits and gravy meal. I'm looking forward to eating it tonight at the trailhead before I start the JMT

[@TheHungryHiker]

Nice!!! And this one will taste even better because food just tastes better when you’re on trail.

[@T-Flow79]

I like that you’ve added more of the lesser known brands. I always find I’m a bit apprehensive to try them.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thanks for watching!

[@seanpenrod]

Thanks again for the great reviews! Especially the biscuits and gravy!

[@TheHungryHiker]

You’re very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@beardedseabee82outdoors]

Looks like i will have to keep an eye out for the pinnacle biscuits and gravy

[@TheHungryHiker]

The Pinnacle Biscuits and Gravy is pricy, but worth it in my opinion because it's sooo good. I'm saving this one for when I really want to treat myself out on trail.

[@adamholbrook2281]

Beef stroganoff is a good one to review in episode 3. Have you had any of the Pack it gourmet? I don't recall see them in any of your videos. They have some good ones. The only thing is a lot or all of them are dehydrated instead of freeze dried, so the shelf life is not as long as the others. BTW- breakfast is good any time of the day!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I reviewed Beef Stroganoff in Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imOxi2Ojet1gfLMsi=glnCXpZk0qebR4od

[@kristalann1973]

Another great review! I also rate the biscuits and gravy category the same way! The other Pinnacle Foods meal I’ve greatly enjoyed is the Herb Roasted Chicken with white cheddar biscuit dumplings😋 Since these meals are quite expensive I’m curious if you actually eat these meals after the taste tests?

[@TheHungryHiker]

I’ll have to check that one out. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

For those of you who really appreciate Mac n cheese on the trail, blow off the freeze dried. Get a box of Annie’s,half cube of butter and a packet of albacore. Yes, you’ll have to make it and it will weigh more but so worth it. Also, a major home run is MH chicken and dumplings. Excellent on a cool evening, especially with some Tabasco. CHEERS!!

[@TheHungryHiker]

What a great suggestion!

[@randomrachel1480]

Your reaction to the Pinnacle Foods Biscuits & Gravy made me smile and giggle. I loved it. 😄 I must have this one when I’m out on trail soon. XOXO

[@TheHungryHiker]

It was SO GOOD!!!! 😀

[@jameshiggins-thomas9617]

Not planning to pour off water ... i wonder how it would rehydrate with less water added 🤔

[@TheHungryHiker]

The Peak Refuel meals tend to be spot on with the water required for rehydrating on the package. For everything else, you could get away with using less water.

[@elliemay3147]

There are sooooo many options for mac & cheese.I like to add Bridgeford beef jerky. They make some with Sweet Baby Rays bbq sauce so it's like a bbq mac and cheese....or bacon bits mac and cheese...chicken and broccoli (chicken packet and dried broccoli or packet of cream of broccoli soup) ... sundried tomato and breadcrumb mac and cheese(or mashed potato chips) you can also try making with pearl couscous for a little more protein than most pastas. Possibilities are endless..

[@TheHungryHiker]

Great suggestions!

[@chemistryflavored]

Just got back from a 4th of July weekend trip and so this is perfect timing to inspire my next adventure!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yay! Glad this was helpful!

[@LivOnTrail]

I am VERY sensitive to spice, it’s almost like an allergy (sometimes too much black pepper makes a meal inedible for me). Seeing how much you liked the Pinnacle Foods Biscuits & Gravy makes me tempted to try it. I have had the Peak Refuel one and do really like that one quite a bit. I might need to stick to what I know and bum a bite of Pinnacle Foods from someone else 😂. Great video!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thanks for watching!

[@arlenesolis024]

Omg you made me hungry …yes I agree with pinnacle sausage and gravy. I had before and did not wanted to share it. Thx for the recommendations

[@TheHungryHiker]

I couldn’t believe how delicious this one was. 10/10 would get this one again, even with the hefty price tag.

[@garyowen9589]

Great reviews! I would like a comparison between freeze-dried meals and grocery store meals.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Great idea!

[@bevbarnard4282]

THANK YOU FOR PART 2❤ would mind a part 3. Much appreciated 😊

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@gretat1087]

I loved both videos in this series! Entertaining and super valuable info!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yay! Glad you enjoyed this series. 😀

[@j.stephens257]

Enjoyed both taste test videos, I'd love to see more!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed this series!

[@lizspack20]

I’ve had the chicken penne and Thai peanut from Pinnacle, and they are DELICIOUS!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I’ll have to try those!

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

I’ve tried the Mac & cheese meals and I didn’t like them either. I think the Kraft is best from the grocery store.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Agreed!

[@gailjohnson6670]

Thank you for video. Blessings to you. 😊

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!

[@chelsalkerton]

Any thoughts on freeze drying or dehydrating and trying your own? Thanks for sharing

[@TheHungryHiker]

I do both - freeze dry and dehydrate my own food. I’ve even created a few videos here on my channel that feature some of my favorite dehydrated backpacking meal recipes.

[@chelsalkerton]

@@TheHungryHiker awesome I’ll check them out :)

[@mrhalfstep]

I neglected to give you props for the great job on your other video, but I'll be going back to correct that. This one put forth a lot of good info in a nice compact, well produce format, so thank you for creating the content. I realize that, for a backpacker that intends to use these type meals on the trail soon after they buy them, shelf life isn't a big deal, but for a prepper it is. Several of the brands that you have tested have 5 year shelf lives while others have have 35 year shelf lives. I was inspired to check out the Pinnacle Biscuits and Gravy based on your recommendation, but alas, they only have a 5 year shelf life in their most durable packaging and only a one year life in their biodegradable packaging that also must be kept dry (what marketing genius thought that one up?) This is no criticism of you or your methods. You were very clear on the point that you would be ranking solely on taste and you held true to that. I just thought that it was worth pointing out because many preppers, like myself, are always looking to you YT taste testers for your opinions on these sort of products and newbies may not catch on to the time limits until after their purchases. Thanks again for giving us all this good data.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Awesome! Thanks for following along!

[@jaguarsolo]

Good subject matter. Love to see more taate tests.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! Pinnacle foods looked very good. But one serving is $16.00 ! Did I see that right? Goodness! Best!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yes, that price is correct.

[@steveh5169]

I watched both of the taste tests. One thing you didn't mention because some of the meals take longer to hydrate, were the temperature of the foods similar or were some warmer than others because they didn't have to hydrate as long.

[@davidrobertson606]

Well done.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!

[@nebc_yukonyeti]

Anyone else try these once & then try to re-create at home with a dehydrator? Some things I find the freeze dried components work better (dairy & some meats) to add to dehydrated items (carbs, veggies).

[@TheHungryHiker]

I’ve tried dehydrating beef stroganoff and it was too oily to do it successfully in the dehydrator but it worked in the freeze dryer perfectly. Pasta noodles dehydrate really well in the dehydrator along with fruit and veggies.

[@nebc_yukonyeti]

@@TheHungryHiker I’ve purchased freeze dried beef & sour crean powder then added my own cooked/dehydrated pasta, onions etc from home. Way cheaper than the brand names but sometimes it’s also convenience for the win!

[@luckyjim51]

It's great to see someone doing the taste test.... the crinkling bags are distracting.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Can’t win em all 😂

[@Topo.On.Trail1]

Ok... hear me out. Shelf2Table freeze dried jalapeño bites? Fyi... breakfast for dinner? (and now I'm craving biscuits and gravy)

[@TheHungryHiker]

Ooooohhh!! That could be interesting. I'm always down to have breakfast for dinner.

[@Journeysofdad]

You gotta break up the biscuit lol it’s so much better

[@TheHungryHiker]

I thought it was pretty tasty the way it was. Plus, I wanted to make sure I made these meals just as they were recommended on the package for a fair test.

[@candacetoms4927]

You saved me some money with this one! I had a few of those meals on my “want to try” list, and now I can cross them off. But now I want macaroni and cheese for dinner 😋

[@TheHungryHiker]

I've been craving Kraft Mac & Cheese ever since I shot this video. I'll have to add some to one of my resupply boxes this summer or pick some up on one of my resupplies in town. :)

[@Yamaha38XCRacer]

Don’t forget adding some bacon with that Mac and cheese…bacon bits on trail, fry some fresh bacon at home and add in…anything can be mixed in the famous Mac and cheese..

[@TheHungryHiker]

Great suggestion! Adding bacon bits to anything is always a great idea!

[@fire7side]

10 or 15 dollars for a 300 calorie meal/snack. I'm 6'2" 220.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Not sure what your question is.

[@fire7side]

@@TheHungryHiker I'd starve to death on those commercial meals. Not a question, just reality.

[@Hoobydoobyscooby]

Dang… I knew you had paid a lot for all those but it still shocked me that it was $300 😢. Why’s it gotta be so expensive lol!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Because I’m sure these types of meals are expensive to make. This would be a good question for the brands specifically since I don’t have any affiliation with them.

[@Colby168]

I don’t understand why it’s so hard to nail mac n cheese!?!? It’s like the simplest meal.

[@TheHungryHiker]

You would think this would be a simple meal to nail.

[@anntownsend2630]

I want a part three! I adore these. But also please I beg edit out the mouth eating noises. I want to hear everything you have to say but the chewing is freaking me out.

[@TheHungryHiker]

If chewing noises freak you out, then maybe don’t watch a taste testing video? 🤷‍♀️

[@HelDC]

Based on your previous review and spice preference, if you're calling something bland, it must be cardboard! :)

[@TheHungryHiker]

We all have different tastes and preferences...