NZ's Original Freeze Dried Outdoor Meals - Since 1998
Back Country Cuisine has been keeping Kiwi trampers, hunters, and adventurers well-fed since 1998. Made in Invercargill from locally sourced ingredients, their freeze dried meals weigh less than a third of their rehydrated weight — making them one of the lightest, most practical food options for multi-day trips into the New Zealand backcountry.
The brand's roots go back even further. Southland's Alliance Freezing Company pioneered freeze-drying technology in New Zealand during the 1960s, originally supplying the NZ military and ocean racing legends like Sir Peter Blake. That decades-long expertise now goes into every Back Country Cuisine pouch.
How Back Country Cuisine Meals Work
Preparation couldn't be simpler: add hot or cold water directly to the pouch, stir, wait 10–15 minutes, and eat straight from the bag. No pots, no dishes, no fuss. The built-in tear tab turns the pouch into a bowl, so you don't even need to pack extra crockery. Once you're done, rinse the pouch and seal it in a zip-lock bag for soft plastic recycling back home.
The freeze-drying process removes moisture at sub-zero temperatures, locking in natural vitamins, flavour, and nutrition while extending shelf life to at least four years. When you add water, the food rehydrates quickly through the pores left by the ice crystals — giving you a tender, flavoursome meal that tastes remarkably close to home-cooked.
The Range
Back Country Cuisine offers one of the widest freeze dried meal ranges in New Zealand, covering every meal of the day and a variety of dietary needs:
- Breakfasts — from Cooked Breakfast and Porridge Supreme to Scrambled Eggs
- Meals — classics like Roast Lamb & Vegetables, Honey Soy Chicken, Butter Chicken, Spaghetti Bolognaise, and Thai Green Chicken Curry
- Elite Meals — high-calorie options for demanding expeditions and long days on the trail
- Gourmet Meals — the Outdoor Gourmet Company sub-range for restaurant-quality flavours in the bush
- Desserts & Smoothies — Apple & Berry Crumble, Chocolate Brownie, Berry Smoothie, and more
- Ration Packs — complete 24-hour meal kits with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks bundled together
- Emergency Buckets — 3-day and 7-day food supply buckets for emergency preparedness
Dietary options include gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and halal certified meals — so everyone on the trip eats well.
Who It's For
Whether you're tackling one of New Zealand's Great Walks, heading into the backcountry for a week-long hunting trip, training for an adventure race, or simply stocking up for emergencies at home — Back Country Cuisine delivers reliable nutrition without the weight penalty. Their meals are a go-to for trampers, hunters, fishers, mountain bikers, kayakers, rescue teams, and anyone who needs a solid meal without carrying a full kitchen.
Why We Stock Back Country Cuisine
As a proudly NZ-made brand with over 25 years of real-world testing in some of the toughest terrain on the planet, Back Country Cuisine is a natural fit for our outdoor food range at Backwoods. Combined with our existing camping and hiking food selection — including Radix Nutrition and other leading NZ brands — you'll find everything you need to fuel your next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions — Back Country Cuisine
How do you prepare Back Country Cuisine freeze dried meals?
Add hot or cold water directly to the pouch (the amount is printed on the back), stir, and let it stand for 10–15 minutes. Stir again, add more water if needed, then eat straight from the pouch. The built-in tear tab turns the bag into a bowl — no extra dishes needed.
How long do Back Country Cuisine meals last?
Each pouch has a best-before date of 4 years from production. Shelf-life testing shows the meals remain safe to eat well beyond that, though flavour may weaken after about 5 years. Keep pouches sealed and stored in a cool, dry place.
Are there gluten-free options?
Yes. Back Country Cuisine has an extensive gluten-free range including Roast Lamb & Vegetables, Butter Chicken, Beef Teriyaki, Thai Green Chicken Curry, and more. Use the filters on this page to find gluten-free meals.
Where are the meals made?
All meals are produced in Invercargill, at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island. The brand has been making freeze dried food there since 1998.
What are the most popular meals?
The top sellers are Roast Lamb & Vegetables, Honey Soy Chicken, Cooked Breakfast, Spaghetti Bolognaise, and Roast Chicken. The Berry Smoothie is also a trail favourite.
Do any meals contain nuts?
Back Country Cuisine doesn't use peanuts in any meals. Some products do contain almonds and cashew nuts — always check the individual pouch for allergen info.
What's the difference between regular, Elite, and Gourmet meals?
Regular meals are the everyday range. Elite meals are higher-calorie versions for demanding expeditions. Gourmet meals (under the Outdoor Gourmet Company label) offer restaurant-quality flavours with slightly larger portions.
Can I use cold water instead of boiling water?
Yes, but the meal takes about three times longer to rehydrate. It won't be quite as appetising warm, but you'll still get the same nutrition — handy when you can't boil water.
