DIY backpack meals $4-6 ideas?

[Aperventure]

Question I’ve asked myself is What food items can I assemble from Store that results in complete meals for $4-6 and doesn’t require time or equipment for dehydration or $15 expense of freeze dried pre-packaged that tastes like cardboard?

Prep/ cooking would be away from truck / SxS / motorized so no refrigeration or cooler.

yes stove; dayhunts or backpacking doesn’t matter. but weight sure does matter if backpacking trying to stick to 1.5 lbs/day, 2 max for all 3 meals


My go has been:
Ramen, spam, sriracha peas, chives, dried onions & mushrooms w/ sesame oil

couscous fried in sesame oil then cooked with apricots & almonds. Spices if you want.

Oats, protein powder, raisins, cinnamon, maple syrup or brown sugar

Anyone else got DIY meals for $4-6 that don’t require being dehydrated ? I’m wanting to diversify from these 2 cornerstones

 

[rjthehunter]

I am very much a guy who wants to keep it simple. I wait for my favorite (or any) brand of freeze dried food to go on sale and stock up. I always throw in some instant oatmeal for breakfast, and lunch is typically random snacks. I do enjoy a pb & honey sandwich or tortilla, so usually make a few of those to bring with.

 

[Schaaf]

 

[Schaaf]

Or if I’m eating fancy

 

[rjthehunter]

I'll do the tuna packets and crackers too!

 

[Bigjay73]

My biggest problem with store bought freeze dried meals is there's no calories in them. $9 is a lot for 500 calories

 

[Aperventure]

My biggest problem with store bought freeze dried meals is there's no calories in them. $9 is a lot for 500 calories

Agreed, which is why I asked the question to myself few years ago. Trying to expand menu now