Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous | Ultralight Backpacking Recipe
By Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN
Updated September 13, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links.
Have you eaten your fair share of couscous meals while backpacking and can’t stomach the thought of eating another bowlful?
We’ve been there! Backcountry Foodie’s Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous ultralight backpacking recipe takes couscous to the next level! You won’t find boxed couscous this flavorful on the grocery store shelf. However, you will find all the ingredients for this lightweight backpacking recipe.
You might even consider keeping this sun-dried tomato couscous recipe on hand when you don’t have the time or energy to make dinner at home. Just dump all the dry ingredients in a bowl, add hot water, and dinner’s done in 5 minutes. It’s that easy and even more delicious!
Are you a stoveless ultralight backpacker or looking for an easy, no-cook backpacking lunch option?
Backcountry Foodie’s sun-dried tomato couscous recipe can be cold soaked. Just add cold water, and the meal is ready in 15-20 minutes. If you’re new to cold soaking or no-cook meals and want to try it, check out our Cold Soaking Guide for Stoveless Backpackers.
Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous
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View Comments / Leave A ReviewNUTRITION (per serving)
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup (86 g) couscous
- 3 pieces (15 g) sun-dried tomatoes, oil-free, diced
- 2 Tbsp (20 g) pine nuts
- ½ tsp (0.2 g) parsley, dried
- ½ tsp (0.5 g) oregano, dried
- ½ tsp (0.3 g) basil, dried
- ½ tsp (1 g) turmeric, ground
- ½ tsp (1.5 g) garlic powder
- ¼ tsp (0.6 g) black pepper
- ⅛ tsp (0.8 g) table salt
- 1 Tbsp (14 g) olive oil
- 6 oz (180 mL) water
OPTIONAL
- salt substitute (substitution), low-sodium option
INSTRUCTIONS (per serving)
HOME
- Put all dry ingredients in a bag or container for use in the backcountry. See the meal prep tip below.
- Pack 1 Tbsp (14 g) of olive oil in a leakproof container to be added when the meal is consumed. We recommend double-bagging the oil in the event of a leak.
FIELD
- Add 6 oz (180 mL) of hot or cold water to the bag or container.
- Stir to mix well and let stand until fully rehydrated.
- Add 1 Tbsp (14 g) of olive oil.
- Stir to mix well and enjoy!
NOTES
MEAL PREP TIP
- We recommend using kitchen scissors to cut the tough sun-dried tomatoes to save time and effort.
NUTRITION
- Total sugar (per serving): 7 g with no added sugar
- To reduce the sodium by 291 mg, replace the table salt with a salt substitute as desired.
- To reduce calories by 120, do not add the 1 Tbsp (14 g) olive oil, although the meal is more flavorful with the oil.
READY TO SEE MORE ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING RECIPES LIKE THIS ONE?
Backcountry Foodie is your go-to resource for over 200 backpacking dietitian-created recipes and a one-of-a-kind automated meal planning tool. The meal planner even creates itemized shopping lists for you! Meal prep has never been easier.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian and ultralight long-distance backpacker with over 20 years of nutrition and backpacking experience. She’s also the founder and owner of Backcountry Foodie, an online ultralight recipes and meal planning platform for backpackers. She also enjoys teaching hikers about backpacking nutrition via virtual masterclasses, YouTube videos, and podcast episodes. You can follow Aaron’s adventures in the kitchen and the backcountry via Instagram and Facebook.
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