Backpacking Recipe: Dehydrated Red Curry Lentil Soup

A Hearty and Delicious Backpacking Recipe  

Making your own dehydrated backpacking meals is a great alternative to brand name freeze dried meals and this is one of my favorite. I first started making variations of this red curry lentil soup in college and it has been a regular meal on and off the trail since then. Best of all, it can be made vegan / vegetarian friendly by substituting vegetable stock. 

Time

Prep: 10 minutes 

Cook: 30 - 40 minutes

Dehydration: Overnight

Rehydration: 15 minutes (depending on backpacking stove)

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 Onion Diced
• 4 Garlic Cloves Minced
• 2 tbsp Curry Powder
• 1/2 tbsp Cumin Powder
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
• 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 15 0z Can of Diced Tomatoes
• 4 Cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock
• 1 13.5 oz Can of Coconut Milk
• 1.5 Cups Dry Red Lentils
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

DIRECTIONS

Prep

1. Dice the onion
2. Mince the garlic
3. Open cans and gather ingredients

Cooking

1. In a soup pot heat the coconut oil and saute the onion and garlic until the onions are translucent.
2. Add the curry powder, cumin powder, chili powder, ground ginger, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chicken or vegetable stock, coconut milk, and lentils.
3. (Optional) Add the crushed red pepper flakes.
4. Bring to a boil, while stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce heat and cover to simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Be sure to stir occasionally.
6. Let Cool for 20 Minutes before adding to the dehydrator. 

Dehydrating

1. Line your dehydrator trays with parchment paper.
2. Spread 1 portion of the lentil soup per tray. Use your backpacking pot to measure out each portion and you'll have the perfect amount.
3. Let dehydrator run overnight or until the lentil soup is dry and crumbly. 
4. Package each portion in freezer bags and keep in the freezer until ready for your backpacking trip.

Rehydrating

1.  Add dry lentil soup to your backpacking pot
2. Fill with filtered water
3. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally
4. Turn off Heat and Let sit for 10 Minutes 
5. Enjoy!

Optional Additions

You can add extra calories and nutrition or just keep things fresh by adding new toppings for each backpacking trip. 

• Garnish with Cilantro  
• Add Mountain House Freeze Dried Chicken
• Top with Avacado 
• Spice it up with Hot Sauce 

Looking for other backpacking recipes? Try Tortilla Trail Pizzas on your next trip.