Peak Refuel Review

 

Peak Refuel is one of the newest companies around selling freeze-dried camping food, focusing on high-protein meals for both camping and emergency preparedness. But how do their meals compare to established brands like Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry?

At this point, I’ve reviewed just about every freeze dried, camping and emergency food brand on the market and Peak Refuel is one of our absolute favorites.  They stand out both in terms of flavor and nutrition, but they’re a bit more expensive than the other options on the market.

I’ve taste-tested a selection of their meals to help you determine if Peak Refuel is the right choice for your next adventure—or your emergency food stash.

A Brief Overview of Peak Refuel

Known for their high-protein, nutrient-dense meals, Peak Refuel has carved a niche for itself with a focus on quality and flavor. 

Peak Refuel offers high-quality, protein-packed freeze-dried meals, making them a popular choice among athletes and active campers (though they’re less popular with vegetarians). Their meals contain more protein than any other brand on the market, and the brand focuses on creating products that taste like homemade food.

While the brand is newer compared to Mountain House, Peak Refuel has quickly gained popularity due to the quality of its ingredients and the fact that is has nearly double the protein content of its competitors.

The high protein content is what got my attention initially, as freeze dried meals can be pretty carb heavy. Of course, pasta is a lot cheaper to add than real meat, so I get why so many companies make those carb heavy meals.

Personally though, I’d rather pay a bit more for good nutrition, especially while out on the trail. You’re carrying the weight in your pack either way, you’d better get something out of it!

Competitors: How Does Peak Refuel Compare?

In the world of freeze-dried meals, Peak Refuel goes head-to-head with established names like Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry.

While Mountain House offers a wide variety of meal options, Peak Refuel distinguishes itself with more protein-rich high calorie meals that taste like home cooking.  I’ve found that Peak Refuel has a more savory, rich flavor in just about all their meals, since they’re so meat heavy.  They’re also much less salty than Mountain House Meals.

Backpacker’s Pantry offers unique, gourmet-inspired dishes but tends to have less protein content per meal than Peak Refuel.  Many of them are vegetarian and pasta focused, and while they may have a great lineup of interesting international flavors, they’re short on protein to keep you going.

I’ve written a full review of Mountain House covering all their meals, as well as a full review of Backpacker’s Pantry, if you’d like to compare.

Pros and Cons

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros

• High protein content in every meal 
• Freeze-dried meals that are easy to prepare
• Variety of flavors, including unique and gourmet options
• Convenient for backpacking and camping trips

Cons

• Higher price point compared to competitors (but more calories & protein)
• Fewer meal options than larger brands like Mountain House
• Some meals are calorie-dense, which I love, but it’s not ideal if you’re a light eater
• Not the best for vegetarians, though they do have a few vegetarian options (Backpacker’s pantry is a better choice if you’re plant based)

Peak Refuel Meals Review

Peak Refuel is all about high-protein, high-quality meals that actually taste good. I’ve tried a bunch of their meals, and they’ve definitely become some of our family’s favorites for camping and hikes. 

Whether you’re after some comfort food, a flavorful adventure, or a solid breakfast, they’ve got plenty of options to keep you satisfied on the trail.

Comfort Food Classics

 Sometimes, you just want something familiar and filling after a day outdoors, and Peak Refuel’s comfort food options are perfect for that. We love the beef stroganoff—it’s rich, creamy, and always hits the spot. 

These meals have that cozy, home-cooked feel, like you’re sitting down to a comforting dinner, even when you’re miles from home.

• Chicken Alfredo:  It’s creamy, comforting, and rich but not too heavy. Totally satisfying without feeling like simple “camp food.”
• Beef Stroganoff:  Hands down my favorite! It’s rich, flavorful, and the creamy, with tender beef, and the noodles are just the right texture once rehydrated. I’ve made this one more than once on our trips, and it’s always a hit. The comfort of this meal never gets old—it’s like eating a homemade dinner, even when you’re miles from home.
• Chicken Pesto Pasta:  Packed with protein and fresh pesto flavor, this meal has more complex flavor than most, and it’s more than just a basic pasta dish. There’s plenty of chicken too.
• Three Bean Chili Mac:  A hearty, vegan-friendly option with beans, pasta, and a chili sauce. This one’s one of their few vegetarian options, but it still has plenty of protein from the beans.
• Beef Pasta Marinara:  A classic Italian-inspired meal with beef, pasta, and a rich marinara sauce. It’s a comforting choice for pasta lovers with more than enough beef.
• Homestyle Chicken & Rice:  A simple, satisfying meal with tender chicken and seasoned rice. It’s a great go-to for a filling dinner.
• White Chicken Chili:  A creamy, mildly spicy chili with plenty of chicken chicken and white beans. It’s a comforting choice for cooler evenings.
• Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli:  A cheesy, comforting dish with chicken and broccoli. This one’s my son’s favorite, but he’s one of those kids that honestly loves broccoli.

Asian Inspired Meals

It’s nice to have something different to mix things up while camping, and Peak Refuel’s Asian-inspired meals really hit the spot. They do a great job of balancing unique, well-seasoned flavors with the comforting, filling meals you want when you’re on the trail. 

Whether it’s the chicken teriyaki or coconut curry, these meals bring just the right amount of spice and flavor without being too heavy, making them a perfect choice when you need a little variety.

• Chicken Teriyaki Rice:  Sweet and savory with a hint of spice, this meal has classic teriyaki flavor, and unlike most versions it has plenty of chicken (rather than just being mostly rice).
• Chicken Coconut Curry: A flavorful, mildly spicy dish with chicken and a rich coconut sauce. We eat a lot of homemade curries, and this one is surprisingly good for a freeze dried meal.
• Sweet Pork & Rice:  This one’s ridiculously good, but kind of hard to pin down in terms of flavor. Is it Caribbean? Asian? Maybe almost Mexican? Who cares, it’s good!
• Butternut Dal Bhat:  A vegetarian option with red lentils, chickpeas, rice, and butternut squash. It’s a flavorful and hearty meal even without the meat.

Breakfast Options

Breakfast on the trail doesn’t have to be boring, and Peak Refuel’s breakfast options are anything but. The biscuits and gravy is my favorite, and it’s amazing how well it rehydrates into something that tastes just like home-cooked comfort food. 

My kids absolutely love the granola with berries. It’s a super easy breakfast that’s crunchy, sweet, and the perfect way to start the day. Both are quick to prepare and keep us going strong all morning.

• Biscuits & Sausage Gravy:  This one’s my personal favorite breakfast meal, and it’s crazy to me how well it rehydrates. The bag actually contains a WHOLE biscuit rather than just shreds, and it all rehydrates perfectly into something just like homemade biscuits and gravy.
• Breakfast Skillet: Just about every freeze dried camping food company has their own version of this one, but Peak Refuel’s version is our favorite. It’s a mix of scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes and peppers with more protein than most.
• Mountain Berry Granola:  A wholesome breakfast option with granola and real freeze dried fruit, and though it’s a “lighter” option in some ways, granola still packs plenty of protein.
• Strawberry Granola:  Similar to the Mountain Berry Granola but with sweet strawberries.

Chad Mendez Meals

Chad Mendez is a former UFC fighter and big-time outdoor enthusiast, and his line of meals from Peak Refuel is all about wild protein. These meals are packed with high-quality ingredients like venison and bison, giving you a protein boost that’s perfect for active days. Whether you’re hunting, hiking, or just need a solid meal after a long adventure, these meals give you that wild, lean protein to keep you going strong.

When they first started offering these a few years back, I thought they were going to be a limited time promotional thing, but they’ve kept them in the lineup because they’re really popular (and tasty, of course). You can get them in a bulk pack with a bit of each meal, or individually.

• Venison Country Casserole:  A rustic dish featuring venison, vegetables, and a savory sauce. It’s a great option for those seeking a hearty, game meat meal.
• Backcountry Bison Bowl:  A protein-packed meal with bison, rice, and vegetables.
• Creamy Peaches & Oats: A comforting breakfast with oats and sweet peaches, and honestly, this is the most “dessert” like offering they have. Still plenty of protein, but my little ones like it for a treat too.

They did end up discontinuing the Bison Ranch Mashed Potato Meal, which honestly, is for the best. That one was my least favorite, but I’m not a fan of ranch, so that’s not a surprise.

Peak Refuel offers a solid lineup of high-protein, flavorful meals that are perfect for those looking for more substantial food while on the trail. While the higher cost may be a factor for some, the quality and taste make it a worthwhile investment for outdoor enthusiasts and bolstering both flavor and nutrition in your emergency food stash.

Are you ready to try Peak Refuel for your next camping trip? Let us know what your favorite freeze-dried meals are!