Favorite (and why) Backcountry Pre-Packaged Meals

[Jonathan_S]

Alright in the interest of not high-jacking the $100 Gear thread here is something that I am sure has been covered but let's make it a poll.  I allowed for two votes per user to hopefully get a better overall picture of our top 3 choices as a group.

What's your favorite and why?  Items of interest are as follows.

Nutritional Value (protein:carb:fat)
Ease of Preparation (time/items needed to prep etc.)
Flavor and Consistency
Price & Availability

[Jonathan_S]

My #1 is Mountain House and #2 is Hawk Vittles (Phantom16 was raving about them last fall so I tried some)

Both easy enough to get and not terribly expensive, delicious and easy to prep.  Sufficient protein:carb ratios in most recipes 

[SkookumHntr]

mountain house Biscuits & Gravy! 

[Jonathan_S]

Not surprisingly, there are currently no votes for Backpacker's Pantry, MREs and Shore Lunch.

I re-tried Backpacker's Pantry a few times this year.  The Huevos Rancheros was a recipe for disaster  and it only took 40 minutes to make 

[WapitiTalk1]

MH and Backpacker's Pantry for me with the edge between them going to MH.  I tried the Hawk Vittles last year (probably ate 7 or 8 meals).  Although compact and the right size serving size for me (I'm not a huge eater when it comes to dinner), they are not very flavorful, even with a good splash of sauce mixed in (I'm a big fan of Cholula Chalupa). 

[fair-chase]

#1 - Heathers Choice

#2 - Other - I use a dry soup mix from my local farmers market. It comes in paper packaging, so I repackage it in food saver bags. Add smoked salmon, then small amount of chili powder or mustard powder for taste before sealing. My food saver bags are not sturdy enough to cook in so I have to cook in stove which makes dishes and extra work.

To be fair I've never tried Hawk Vittles.

[Jonathan_S]

MH and Backpacker's Pantry for me with the edge between them going to MH.  I tried the Hawk Vittles last year (probably ate 7 or 8 meals).  Although compact and the right size serving size for me (I'm not a huge eater when it comes to dinner), they are not very flavorful, even with a good splash of sauce mixed in (I'm a big fan of Cholula Chalupa).

What BP(s) do you like?  I haven't had one that I thought was worth the prep time.

[carpsniperg2]

Mountain house biscuits and gravy and there potato and chicken breast My 2 faves

[WapitiTalk1]

MH and Backpacker's Pantry for me with the edge between them going to MH.  I tried the Hawk Vittles last year (probably ate 7 or 8 meals).  Although compact and the right size serving size for me (I'm not a huge eater when it comes to dinner), they are not very flavorful, even with a good splash of sauce mixed in (I'm a big fan of Cholula Chalupa).

What BP(s) do you like?  I haven't had one that I thought was worth the prep time.

Last year I gave the Hawk Vittles a full day in court so didn't eat much else on backcountry hunts.  Wifey grabs the sale boxes of MH at Costco whenever she sees them so they make up the bulk of my meals during most years.  That said, I usually grab a few of the BP's to go with the MH meals.  If I remember right, the stroganoff, stew, and a couple of the chicken dishes are pretty tasty with the BP brand.  My buddy Duke is a BP fan so oftentimes, I sample his while out hunting.  There are a few spicy, oriental type meals what were pretty tasty, something like kung pow or tai chicken? 

[whacker1]

Where does one find Hawk Vitttles and Heather's choice?  these are two that I haven't tried yet.

I voted MH and BP, but with either brand there are good, decent, and sub par within the various options under each brand.  Both of them mess up my system, likely because of the sodium and preservatives, and would like to discover other options in addition to these to mix it up a little.

[Jonathan_S]

Online Whacker1.

Phantom, I think you're talking about the Thai Pad Chicken which is coincidentally the only one I've really thought was decent.

[D-Rock425]

Mountain house because it's all I've ever tried.  Heard guys talk about making their own.

[Karl Blanchard]

Mountain house for me.  I try and doctor them up when I can though.  I add a packet of olive oil to every single MH I eat.  Tapatio packet to some.  My favorite is the Chicken and Rice with an olive oil packet and a tapatio packet.  I'll eat that at home its so good.

[whacker1]

Mountain house for me.  I try and doctor them up when I can though.  I add a packet of olive oil to every single MH I eat.  Tapatio packet to some.  My favorite is the Chicken and Rice with an olive oil packet and a tapatio packet.  I'll eat that at home its so good.

good with tapatio and other Sricha, etc.  Can you explain what the olive oil does?

[The scout]

MH chili mac, and just seen sriracha packets. if the snow wouldn't push me down I may never come off the mountain!