What To Look For
Freeze dried foods are some of the most convenient dinner meals you can carry. Look for freeze dried meals that replicate taste experiences you couldn't otherwise carry. Meat is an excellent example, since carrying raw chicken or beef is nearly impossible on backpacking trips. Freeze dried meals are also great when it comes to multiple ingredient foods. Chili, goulash and jambalaya are all full-bodied meals with multiple ingredients that you'd be unlikely to prepare on your own.
Common Pitfalls
The most unnecessary freeze dried meals are those that replicate a single ingredient dish and those that are simply freeze-dried versions of already portable meals. For example, even the best freeze dried scrambled eggs are unlikely to be very satisfying, because it is only one ingredient and you already have a certain standard to which you hold eggs. There are also a number of freeze dried pasta dishes that are hard to recommend since pasta is already very portable and near imperishable. Why pay a premium for freeze dried backpacker macaroni and cheese, when boxed mac and cheese is so cheap and just as portable?
Where To Buy
While some larger grocery stores will sell freeze dried meals, the easiest place to find them will likely be outdoor outfitters. There are a number of different brands, each with their caloric profiles and strengths. Only an outdoor outfitter is likely to have a diversity of choice large enough to make a full expedition menu.
Cost
Freeze dried meals are significantly more expensive than the equivalent in groceries. You are paying for convenience. Most camp meals tend to cost between $6 and $10, depending upon the meal and how many people it is meant to serve.
Comparison Shopping
While all of the major freeze dried meal brands are trying to provide quality meals that are light and easily prepared, there are some minor differences between what each company offers. For example, Backpacker's Pantry has an entire line of organic options (including the tasty pesto tofu) for the more health-conscious hiker. While there are dozens of options, some great picks include Packit Gourmet's Cajun Ranch Chicken Salad, Backpacker's Pantry Pad See You and Mountain House' Beef Stroganoff. All of these meals have high fat content, lots of salt and plenty of calories to keep you going. When it comes to comparing the big two, Backpacker's Pantry and Mountain House, it's hard to choose in any absolute sense. Backpacker's Pantry often pushes in new directions, including organic, while Mountain House has developed dozens of well-tested meals backpackers have come to depend on for over 30 years (their classic lasagna comes instantly to mind).
Eggs may be the dish that illustrates the differences best. Backpacker's Pantry emphasizes vegetables and organic ingredients but is more labor-intensive to cook, while Mountain House's scrambled eggs are a cinch but straightforward and fairly plain. For more recommendations your best bet is to ask a fellow backpacker. Once you've built up a stable of meals you are happy with then you can begin buying them in bulk from online retailers.
Accessories
Most freeze dried meals are designed to be cooked with boiling water. This necessitates a pot or kettle, in addition to a camp stove. Of course, you will most likely want utensils. While freeze dried backpacking meals can be eaten directly form the package, many people prefer plates so they can see what they are eating. A good way to combine your leisure and dining is to bring a lightweight frisbee that can double as a plate.
