How I Dehydrate My Camping Food 

This is the most wholesome content on the internet! Thank you Wendy for bringing joy to our days with your informative content and good vibes!

Thanks for actually REhydrating and testing the food. So many videos stop short of that and I feel that’s so important! Great videos!

I have been gathering camping and fishing gear. I just got my tent yesterday. I'm going to put it up in my front room to make sure I can do it. It's called The 3-Second Tent. My ex-husband and his wife are bringing me quite a bit of gear this afternoon. I'm almost set! Now I have some great ideas for food, thanks to you! I can't wait to get out there camping and fishing. EDIT: I'm very happy to report that my tent is super easy to put up! It went up super quick, too. It was a little harder to take down, but only because I didn't pay attention. LOL They even sent me a free ground cover. I am very pleased with it! The ex and his wife brought me a cot and sleeping bag, a cooler on wheels, a single burner stove and cook set and utensils, and a battery-powered lantern! Very generous! And I'm very thankful. They saved me a ton of money.

"that wrinkled look" 😂 my son calls them "elderly peppers"

"Test it out before you take it out." Great advice!

Thanks for showing my book. That was such a nice surprise. I love your channel and I am honoured to be mentioned in your latest video.

Dear Wendy, Thank you for demonstrating your dehydrating techniques. This was such a helpful video. I enjoy your outings so much. I'm 76 y old and love to camp and kayak. Your are an inspiration for me to continue my outdoor adventures. Thanks so much.

Great info Wendy I learned a lot I wish I watched this video twenty years ago. I was a lazy hiker and did not know you could just dehydrate canned food like that and it is way cheaper than Mt House plus less garbage after you are done.

I really got a lot out of this video, Wendy. I skip the commercially dehydrated or freeze dried meals for similar reasons. - expense, portion size, limited choices, flavor, and for me, way too much salt! I experimented years ago with dehydrating fruit and wasn’t thrilled with the results so I lost interest. But you’re approach has reignited my interest! I never thought about dehydrating my own pre-cooked food for camping. I guess I thought it had to be freeze dried to work, but you’ve proved that is not the case. I love the idea of using leftovers of favorite foods, as well as extra produce, for camping meals. Even just car camping, having something hot, tasty and nutritious just from boiling a little water can really hit the spot for those times when you pull into your campsite late. Your videos are an excellent combination of inspiration and practical implementation. Thank you and keep them coming. 🙏👍🏼

I just found your channel this morning and I’m on my second video of yours, already hooked! You are a beam of light, such a warm and welcoming soul that you have. ❤❤❤ Thank you for bringing us along on your camping journey! Taking the time to film, edit, post just so that we can get a look into your beautiful life! I wish I could go camping more, and I deeply miss my beloved grandmother who you remind me of so much! So this channel just found me at the perfect time, true comfort videos. Thank you! From my heart to yours. Xo

I've been dehydrating my meatloaf for several years now. Cook it like normal except add extra breadcrumbs to help with rehydrating. I just use a 93/7 beef and have never rinsed it and have time tested it to over a year shelf stable without it going rancid. Just add to an instant cup of mashed potatoes and add water to cover everything. So good!

My Dear Wendy l so enjoy watching you. I think some of it is because we’re both the same vintage I to camp all summer in the bush with no power no phone service and I absolutely love it today. You really got me curious about this food dehydrator I’m gonna have to check into one it is something I could share with my only grandchild, and when he comes down, we can learn together. Thank you. Wendy.

I’m only halfway through the video but I wanted to write this down before I forgot - I read somewhere that if you mix just the tiniest bit of breadcrumbs with your ground beef before you cook it, then that little bit of puffy carb makes it so it hydrates much more quickly. Otherwise it tends to be these little gravelly lumps. I tried it and did notice enough of a difference to keep doing it.

Your youtube popped up last night. I thought, "Who is this woman," I love your content and subscribed. I am 74, and i love the outdoors, and you are an inspiration!

This was really interesting. I've dried fruits & vegetables before but I never thought of drying canned baked beans , cooked meat, or noodles/rice. What a great idea. It's on my to do list. thanks!

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can’t wait to see you out in the wild using your dehydrated foods.

I love watching your videos Wendy. I also live on Vancouver Island in Victoria. I just want to share another great dehydrating food book written by another Canadian. The book is called Backcountry Eats and it's by Kevin Ride. It is full of excellent information and tips including dietary and safety tips. Lots of recipes, lots of details on how to dehydrate meals and store them. I highly recommend this book

I love your imperfect way of doing things! I wondered how you decided portion sizes once dehydrated. The meals sounds delicious! Thank you. You are an inspiration. 😊

I have the same dehydrator and it was a great investment. This is a nice intro to making your own camping food. Seriously, you can do almost any foods you like and save a ton of money, Have a great time out there!

Thank you for this video it was so informative. You have a lovely presence that is very relaxing to watch. Who ever edits your video does a great job.

Such great information, Wendy, anyone can use these tips. I'm without a dehydrator but it's useful to have dried veg, etc. on hand (and I dry stuff on lowest oven setting) - not yet tried meat, you've peeked my curiosity to dry pork and chicken first. Thanks for going to the trouble of making this video, it's beautifully organized. Outcome of re hydration and your remarks were helpful.

Thank you Wendy! This practice is something I want to start. I hope we never need to, but food preservation will come in handy for us who enjoy outdoors and it may be essential one day in our lives. I’m not a Prepper.. but I understand their concerns. Thank you again.✌️🙂❤️

... Not only saves money ,, dehydrating saves time with prep if you prepare some over a little time before season .. along with a vacuum sealer makes a good way to take what you already like ... .. making regular sized meals and dehydrate the leftovers ,, so not really having to make "special camp meals" ... I have been doing this since early '90's , started with the round infomercial model ,, now use an Excaliber 9 tray and love it ... then vac. seal for longer storage .... About the only foods I make extra time for are different types of jerky ....

This is very tempting to try out. I've only dehydrated on a small scale. Definitely going to look more into this great idea of yours! Thanks Wendy!

Watching this is inspiring and educational! Thank you very much Wendy ! Sending smiles from Humboldt County CAlifornia.

Super great video Wendy. Sure appreciate being responsive to our requests!!

Awesome! I do very similar and I think cooking with single ingredients is so much better for us! My dehydrator helps me with no-waste kitchen aspirations also! People think it is a lot of work but mostly it is just being organized...I dehydrated pineapple just the other day! Make your own granola and trail mix too!

What a beautiful blue blouse!

I'm dehydrating food as we watch your video ! I'm leaving on my trip in another couple of weeks . The trip is solo just me ; however , I'm meeting up with some family members on the trail . I enjoy watching you Wendy ; you're very inspiring. I'm a 60 yr old woman with a lot of love for the outdoors and nature . It's where I feel my best ! Thank you for another wonderful video !!! I have made apple leather , dried apple slices , some rice dinners 3 of them .. I love rice ! The final thing is some jerky and then I'll be all set . Pineapple tastes so good dehydrated too . Tata for now ~

Love this! I also saw another backpacker add a little bit of breadcrumbs or crushed oatmeal to his ground beef when cooking it, and it helps rehydrate to a more normal state

I really enjoyed this. I had no idea there was such a thing as a food dehydrator. Thank you :)

Hi Wendy. I found out about dehydrating yoghurt with fruits for my breakfast! First I let the fluid drip out (I drink it) until it's more like a spreadable paste. Then I spread it thinly on the plastic sheets of my dehydrator. And the I let it dehydrate on low temperature for over 12 hours (I can't be exact, I feel if it's already like a breakable sheet). I dehydrate vegetables too, mostly fresh from my garden when they are 'in season'. And I use those for my bicycle camping trips (together with broken spaghetti or couscous).

Wendy once again you have made my morning cup of tea even more special with your very informative video. Indeed the weight issue is so important plus the wholesome home made food is very important, thanks for sharing your great ideas.

Thank you so much for taking the time to create this video. I greatly appreciate it.

Excellent video Wendy! Great info about washing the hamburger, that would have never even occurred to me but makes total sense! Thank you for sharing darlin! As always, safe and happy trails.

Thank you Wendy for a wonderful time with all of us about dehydrated ideas and recipes. It all looks so yummy. Hope to visit with you soon again. Love from Central Oklahoma

Thank you so much for this video! It’s incredibly helpful, and I love the idea of doing things a bit at a time over the winter. I’m in Minnesota, and winter is the perfect time for such projects. I’m also intrigued that pulled chicken worked. I had read a couple of articles some months ago that said chicken doesn’t work well in home dehydrators, which was disappointing. You just proved otherwise, and I’m thinking the slow cooking rendered out the fat, then the shredding gave more surface area for it to dry. So will definitely remember this if I decide to dive in. Thanks again!

Very helpful. Very informative. Very well organized! Thanks!

I admit... I'm a lazy person. If only I had a fraction of your dedication.

Thanks Wendy. I'm just getting into dehydrating because I'm vegan and the packaged foods, as well as being extraordinarily expensive, have little choice. I've seen another hiker put cold water into the bag to let it hydrate while walking, thus using no fuel. It wouldn't be a hot meal though, which is sometimes comforting.

If you read the label, some of those pre-packaged dehydrated/freeze-dried meals contain 2.5 servings! If you buy two, you can separate them into 5 individual servings, but making and packaging your own is far more satisfying (and far more economical as well!). Thanks for sharing your method of dehydrating you camping food. I'm about to do some of that myself and appreciate the information and the inspiration!

This is such a helpful video Wendy. Utilising dehydrated foods makes food prep SO much easier when you're camping, takes up much less space, no spoilage, and being able to prepare them ahead of time yourself is a huge plus. I have an Excalibur 10-tray dehydrator that I purchased brand new, unused at an estate sale for a tiny fraction of what a new one costs, but have also used my regular oven or small toaster/convection oven too for dehydrating. Strawberries and bananas are fun to dehydrate; pineapple too, and satisfies that sweet tooth that might follow you on your camping trip. :) Thanks so much for sharing. Will definitely check out that cookbook too. Hope you're doing well.

H there Wendy! Another great video. Have you tried dehydrating shaved steak or thinkly sliced pork belly? I think you would enjoy. Make great trail snacks. The meat simply melts in your mouth!

Thanks for the great teaching video! You've answered so many questions I've had about the whole process. That chicken looked really good.

Thank You Wendy, for sharing these useful and helpful tips on dehydration and for info on the book. Am looking to try these and to find a dehydrater

Thanks, Wendy! My air fryer has a "dehydrator" setting - from your video, I have some guidance as to where to begin. Always look forward to your videos.

Very informative. I enjoy your videos a great deal. Another helpful video was the one where you showed how you get your canoe up and down from your video. I’ve avoided canoeing because of that issue and now I’ve got a different perspective. And because of this dehydrating video, I have a different perspective on dehydration of food. Well done. You are an inspiration and role model for us all. Ciao

I have an Excalibur 5 tray dehydrator and I love it and the nice thing about it is I don't have to keep rotating the trays.

Thank you Wendy. Excellent suggestions and tips. Dehydrating your own foods allows for a myriad of benefits. Another great video and helpful tips.

If you can get orzo pasta it's a very small shape - basically the size of rice and that cooks quickly. I recently found your channel and it's fantastic :)

Rock on Wendy! You are an inspiration 😊

Very interesting, didn't know much about dehydrating. Thank you

Canadians really love fajitas I noticed. Every outdoor video I watched they ate fajitas. And pierogies. Russian/ Mexican food is a great combo

Thank you for sharing! Going on a road trip. Wish I saw this in the winter! Now time to buy the dehydrator

I recently discovered your channel, now a sub. You are a Sweetheart, with a calming voice, making your videos more relaxing. Hint: you can buy dehydrated shredded potatoes. Fry them for hash browns, mix them in stew type meals, lots of uses. Til next time, catching up on past videos. Thanks for sharing

Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such a wonderful way. You have great presentation / teaching skills. I always learn and eager to view a new video when you have them available. I have been dehydrating foods for years. It didn't occur to me to make up some packages of the foods you like and know what is in them. I generally bring prepared hiking foods from different outfitters. A few times I could hardly swallow them inspite of being starved from the days hike. Appreciate your food preparation tips and resources.

Wendy you are wonderful. You inspire me to be my best self at 67. Thank you for your openness . You are a beautiful spirit. Can you tell me … where did you purchase your insulated envelope to heat your dehydrated food?

So interesting. My brother recently bought a dehydrator...I'm going to have to borrow. 😂

So informative and I love how you make it attainable. I’m the kind of person who would be weighing everything out 😅. Thanks for sharing!!!

Yaaay! I love this! I need ideas! This is Soooo helpful! Thanks Wendy! Can't wait to try this!

Really enjoyed your video. You will have more fun with your dehydrator. A small helpful tip, you can grind things like your tomatoes 🍅 into a powder form for soups, paste sauce etc. I do dehydrate my herbs and veggies then grind into a powder them. Adds such a wonderful, fresh taste. Less salt which is better for all of us❤ Dehydration is a whole world in itself. Fun and amazing! Thank you for sharing your delicious pulled chicken and fajitas. You keep things real and it’s so enjoyable to watch you. Take care! 😊

This was awesome thank you so much for sharing 😊 🥾

Wow, that was very informative and helpful. Learned a few new ! Thank you Wendy!

Great info! I actually jumped on Amazon to shop for a small dehydrator.

Thanks for sharing this information and your experience!

THANK YOU! This is a wonderful and insightful video. So appreciate your taking time to show how you create some great dehydrated meals. I've dehydrated basic items (banana and apple slices) but need to give myself permission to makes some meals and fail if I do (but it does seem pretty fool proof)

Thanks for sharing. Really helpful!

Excellent video Wendy. You certainly can be very creative making your own meals plus you eat well and save a considerable sum of $$$. Thanks again

Cook your ground beef by boiling. It gets rid of all the grease and it doesn't turn hard as rocks when dehydrated 😇

We love Kevin .. funniest guy in a canoe and a pleasure to watch his adventures. Thx for the book recommendation Wendy :)

Interesting informative video Wendy I have a dehydrator but have not tried it as yet thanks for the info on that book. as well , I watch Kevin's channel. he is a funny guy and has a great deal of knowledge with the outdoors . Loved the look of the pulled chicken . Keep doing what your doing love the content .

This has been such good information. I have been wanting to try doing meals in that way.

Thanks a lot, Wendy! Your videos are really helpful! Always a great pleasure to watch them and to learn! Greetings from Germany!

Fabulous video Wendy!! Thank you!!❤😊

Love your tips!

Thanks so much, this is so inspiring.

Excellent tips, much appreciated.

Oh my goodness. I really enjoy your channel I just came across it about three days ago.

Thank you for this video, Wendy! Really useful 😊

Loved this! Thank you for sharing your methods!

Hi Wendy, thanks for all of your videos and taking the time to respond to your viewers. I, too, love to camp, hike, kayak, etc. I have a question for you. Would you be willing to do a one or two videos on how to fish? I mean a real basic lesson. I actually bought a rod and reel a few years back but got overwhelmed with all the stuff! What exactly do I put on my pole? What are those weights for and how do I decide to use them? How do I tie the knots? You get the idea. Hope you consider it. Thanks, Kelley

Such a useful and interesting video, thankyou!

Very interesting! So helpful to actually see how you do it, both dehydrating and rehydrating!

We love your videos! You are so inspiring!

Love following Kevin!

This is great advice, thank you, and gave me all kinds of meal ideas. I am also trying to reduce plastic items in my life (it is everywhere and is mostly a lost cause, but I am still trying), specifically focusing on plastic that is in contact with what I eat or put in my mouth. In this case, it would be finding a lightweight alternative to the baggies.

I was so excited when I saw this video today! You covered so much about the process which I really appreciate. I do ‘t have a dehydrator but maybe I’ll get one. I think I’d especially like to do veggies and fruit as these things are heavy and bulky and you get so desperate to eat them when out camping for a week. Thank you :)

Wendy, Wendy so happy to see this viedo. I actually was looking at a dehydrator while I was strolling thru the store yesterday, and will be excited to go get one now😊 I can't tell you in words how nice it is to have found your videos as I prepare to solo camp. Im thinking you could sell those meals :) I'll place the first order! Thank you! ❤❤ 👟 🎒

This is truly awesome. You make this so clear and simplified. I thought it was so much more complicated. The trick would be to find a good dehydrator that's not too big as I do not have a lot of space. Thank you for that wonderful tip about the ground beef.❤

Excellent video content, so interesting! Thank you😊

This is so helpful! Thank you. 👍

Thank you for sharing this! I am now going to get a dehydrator and give it a go now. I have a small kitchen and I didn’t want to get one more appliance, but I think getting one would be worth it. The price of store bought dehydrated meals is ridiculous!😮 God Bless!😊

I always love spending time with you, Wendy! Thank you for bringing us along on your adventures. It is like spending time with a special friend. I will be putting together some new foods for my next camping trips!

love your video's! I'm definitely going to try some of the recipes.

Turns out we have something else in common. We like to keep a few dehydrated meals in our van for times when cooking is not something I want to do. Here's a tried and true recipe for Moroccan Stew that is a favourite. We have it over brown rice that has also been cooked and dehydrated. Happy camping! 2 tsp olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1⁄2 each celery and green pepper 1 clove garlic 3 cups vegetable broth 3 cups peeled cubed sweet potato 1 can drained diced tomato 1 can drained and rinsed chickpeas 1 Tbls lemon juice 2 tsp grated ginger root 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp curry powder 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp chili powder 1⁄2 tsp salt and 1⁄4 tsp pepper 1⁄4 cup raisins 2 tbsp peanut butter 2 tbsp parsley or spinach DIRECTIONS Heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, pepper and garlic and cook until softened. Add remaining ingredients except raisins and pb. Bring to boil and simmer, covered for 20 minutes. Stir in raisins and pb. Simmer 5 more minutes. Serve hot.

Hello Wendy! You’re as charming and lovely as ever! Thank you for the video!! ❤❤❤❤❤

I don't know how long dehydrated foods last but in the event of power outages, not having to worry that food will spoil is a wonderful prep. Fab for camping to shorten cooking time. Thank you for so much info❣️I am shopping for a dehydrater like yours. I wonder how the eco-friendly baggies would hold up?

Thank you for the great video!

Great info Wendy, for the outdoor enthusiast & anyone wanting to learn/try something new. Though my daughter doesn't do back packing, she is full on with dehydrating, freeze drying, & preserving food in all possible ways, usually from her own gardens. It is a lot of work re: time consuming, but sure worth it. Enjoy the good eats when on your adventures!

I'll have to try the pulled chicken as I've never found it to rehydrate well as small slices