Backpacking Ramen Hacks

featured 38334

The Ultimate Backpacking Ramen: Hearty, Flavorful & Shelf-Stable Trail Meal

Embark on your next outdoor adventure with a backpacking meal that truly satisfies: our delicious and hearty ramen soup. Forget bland, dehydrated packets – this isn’t your average instant ramen! This recipe is packed with robust flavors, tender meat, and nourishing vegetables, all while using shelf-stable ingredients that require no refrigeration. It’s the perfect companion for long days on the trail, offering a comforting and fulfilling meal that revitalizes both body and spirit.

closeup of backpacking ramen in pot over stove

As an avid outdoorsy family, we spend a significant amount of time camping, hiking, and backpacking throughout the year. Whenever I share glimpses of our trailside culinary creations, I’m consistently met with requests for recipes and practical tips. Among all our favorite backcountry meals, this particular backpacking ramen recipe has become legendary and is hands-down one of our most requested dishes!

Its reputation precedes it within our circle of backpacking enthusiasts, and for excellent reasons. After enduring a strenuous day of trekking, a meal needs to be more than just sustenance; it needs to be deeply satisfying and truly delicious. This ramen delivers on both fronts, providing substantial nourishment that replenishes energy and a rich, savory taste that offers much-needed comfort. It’s a complete upgrade from typical MREs or plain instant noodles, designed to make your wilderness dining experience genuinely enjoyable.

We’ve meticulously crafted this backpacking ramen with a flavorful blend of beef jerky, earthy mushrooms, sweet peas, crisp carrots, tender corn, and aromatic onions. The specific cooking method we employ is key to unlocking a deeply flavorful broth and ensuring that both the jerky and vegetables become wonderfully tender. A crucial finishing touch of soy sauce and sesame oil elevates the entire dish, adding layers of umami and a hint of nutty richness. Skip those uninspiring ready-to-eat meals and treat yourself to this ramen instead. We confidently promise you won’t find a better, more satisfying backpacking meal!

Read more

Perfect Homemade Turkey Gravy

featured 26625

The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Turkey Gravy: With or Without Drippings for a Perfect Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner, a feast of roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, and crisp green beans, simply isn’t complete without a generous pour of rich, homemade turkey gravy. It’s the luxurious “glue” that brings every element of the plate together, enhancing flavors and adding a comforting warmth that defines the holiday meal. While some might think gravy is a complicated affair, you’re about to discover how incredibly easy it is to make a truly exceptional homemade turkey gravy in just minutes, whether you have a roasting pan full of precious turkey drippings or need to start from scratch.

Close-up of golden homemade turkey gravy, made from pan drippings, poured over mashed potatoes on a Thanksgiving plate.

For many, the aroma of a roasting turkey signals the start of the holiday season. But it’s the simmering of the gravy that truly cements the Thanksgiving experience. That luscious, velvety sauce, drizzled over every component of your plate – from the succulent turkey slices to the fluffy mashed potatoes and herbaceous stuffing – transforms a collection of delicious dishes into a cohesive culinary masterpiece. It’s more than just a condiment; it’s an integral part of the tradition.

The beauty of homemade gravy lies not only in its superior taste but also in its surprising simplicity. While your magnificent turkey rests, allowing its juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness, you have the perfect 10-minute window to create a gravy that will steal the show. Many recipes suggest making gravy ahead of time, and while that’s an option, the absolute best, most concentrated flavor comes directly from the rich, caramelized drippings left at the bottom of your roasting pan. Trust us, waiting a few extra minutes to harness these flavorful treasures is well worth the effort and results in an unparalleled depth of taste.

So, delegate the turkey carving and table-setting duties to others, and let’s focus on crafting that perfect gravy! And if, by chance, your roasting pan didn’t yield as many drippings as you hoped, or if you’re making gravy for another occasion without a whole turkey, fret not! We’ve included equally delicious instructions for making a superb turkey gravy entirely from scratch.

Table of Contents

  • The Secret to Great Gravy
  • Essential Ingredients for Your Gravy
    • What if I Don’t Have Turkey Drippings?
  • How to Make Homemade Turkey Gravy (Step-by-Step)
  • Expert Tips for Perfect Gravy Every Time
  • Troubleshooting Common Gravy Issues
  • Serving and Storage Suggestions
  • More Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Get the Full Recipe

Read more

Easy Lemon Herb Roasted Salmon

featured 25061

Perfect 5-Ingredient Lemon Herb Roasted Salmon: Your Go-To Healthy & Quick Dinner Discover the ultimate weeknight meal with this incredibly simple, 5-ingredient oven-roasted salmon recipe. Infused with bright lemon and fragrant fresh herbs, this dish is not just light and healthy, but also unbelievably delicious and easy to prepare. It’s a cherished family favorite, promising … Read more

Zesty Shrimp Bowls

featured 26862

These citrus shrimp bowls are a culinary delight – light, incredibly healthy, and bursting with an astonishing amount of flavor that will brighten even the dreariest day. They’re a fantastic choice when you’re craving something fresh, satisfying, and quick to prepare. My journey with these magnificent citrus shrimp bowls began last month when I stumbled … Read more

Dreamy Coconut Cloud Cake

featured 80

The Best Southern Coconut Cake Recipe: Moist Layers, Creamy Filling, & Dreamy Frosting Prepare to experience what might just be the **best coconut cake you’ve ever tasted!** This isn’t just any cake; it’s a culinary masterpiece featuring incredibly light and tender coconut cake layers, a heavenly creamy coconut filling, and a rich, tangy coconut cream … Read more

Chewy Coconut Delights

featured 163

The Ultimate Guide to Perfectly Chewy Coconut Macaroons with Rich Chocolate Ganache Prepare to fall in love with these exceptional coconut macaroons! They are wonderfully moist, delightfully chewy, and possess the perfect balance of sweetness. Once drizzled with a rich, dark chocolate ganache, they transform into an absolutely irresistible treat that will have everyone asking … Read more

Bite Sized Cheese Variety Pizzas

featured 127

Elevate Your Pizza Night: Mini “Cheese Course” Pizzas with Balsamic Port Reduction Pizza. It’s a culinary canvas, a beloved staple, and a dish that, at its heart, represents comfort and versatility. But what happens when you’re challenged to transform this classic into something truly extraordinary? For a recent Project Food Blog challenge, I faced just … Read more

Sweet Cherry Pie Bliss

featured 99

The Best Sweet Cherry Pie: A Perfect Summer Dessert with Flaky Crust Prepare to fall in love with what might just be the most perfect summer dessert: this incredible **Sweet Cherry Pie**. Far from your average fruit pie, this recipe celebrates the vibrant flavor of fresh, juicy sweet cherries, all nestled within a spectacularly flaky, … Read more

Vibrant Pomegranate Citrus Sangria

featured 3082

Festive Pomegranate Orange Winter Sangria: Your Ultimate Holiday Red Wine Cocktail Recipe As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like gathering with loved ones, surrounded by the warmth of good company and a festive drink in hand. This Pomegranate Orange Winter Sangria is precisely that: a vibrant, warming, and … Read more

Venetian Zest Butter Cookies

featured 625

Venice Butter Cookies: Your Guide to Baking S-Shaped Citrus Delights Soft, delicate butter cookies, exquisitely scented with bright citrus, hold a special place in my heart. These aren’t just any cookies; they are a delightful copycat of the very ones I had the pleasure of enjoying during an unforgettable visit to the enchanting city of … Read more