Backpacker's PantryBackpacker's Pantry Shepherd's Potato Stew with Beef - Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food - Emergency Food - 27 Grams of Protein, Gluten-Free - 1 Count

Not sure about the other reviews complaining about seasoning and texture, but I thought this was one of the better dishes from backpackers pantry. I added some nutritional yeast and a slice of cheddar and it was pretty solid and filling. The seasoning was just about perfect. Usually these packaged/processed meals are loaded with salt and spices, and are very spicy to hide the stale aromas from the preservatives. But this dish was very mild and I could still taste the subtle vegetable flavors. My advice is to use slightly less water (340ml) and let it sit for 18-20 minutes instead of 15. Make sure the water is boiling. I still prefer Peak Refuel, but some of these BP dishes come very close.

In both flavour and texture this failed. Not something I'd be looking forward to at the end of a long day. It would have to do in a pinch if it was all that was left to eat. Just slightly less salty tasting then the MH which was a good thing. Portion sizes like MH say for 2 but after a day of walking whether in the heat or the cold they really only satisfy 1 person. Wish both companies could figure out a way to package these meals to be packable in a backpack as is they take up a lot of realistate in your pack. Food is usually the heaviest item in your pack from the start of each section. Obviously as you travel it gets lighter as you consume it but the old adage of every hiker leave only footsteps. You end up with large amount of trash that is heavy there has to be a way to size it better and make the packaging more functional for the market they claim they are making it for. Backpackers Pantry is more Car-camping Pantry. All of them MH BP and Wise aren't doing backpackers any favours by how they package their products, it's not backpacker friendly except for ease of making it but you have to pack out the bag which ways just under half the original weight.

Portions were generous, excellent taste, easy to pack and prep. Being gluten free was a bonus.

I have always purchased Mountain House products and have been happy with them all. I decided to try this maker as it has a few menu items not offered by Mountain house. I made the Mistake of buying this stew. First off it was a little more expensive then Mountain house and the differences don’t stop there. It’s very salty and has a very distinct chemical or artificial taste to it. It also has this hard to describe after taste like a burnt flavor.. not a grilled or charred flavor but a very Burnt flavor. If you are looking for something to take on your next back pack trip or as an emergency meal for natural disaster, you might want to look elsewhere. This is not a very good dinner and isn’t worth the added cost for the different menu item.

Loved it! Lightweight, easy to prepare, tasty, and filling. Might be too small a portion for some, however.

It does lack flavor, had to add spices and some hot sauce to give it good flavor. It will be okay to buy but carry some extra spices. I personally will not be buying this brand again. Will go back to it's competors...

Tasty and fulling without being too much food

I decided to try this at home for a taste test. I added 2 3/4 cups boiling water and stirred very well with a long spoon. I let it sit 20 min on the countertop wrapped in a kitchen towel, then gave it another stir and tasted. It was still very hot and had rehydrated well, although the corn kernels were still a bit chewy. I let it sit another 15 min. and it was still hot and the corn was about the same. The taste and texture overall was good and the saltiness was about right. There are two servings at 280 calories, 17 grams of protein, 38 grams total carb., 6 grams fiber per serving. It was filling. I keep the rest in the fridge and microwaved it for lunch the next day and the taste and texture were the same. I wouldn't prepare this meal again in a non-camping or emergency situation but I would be satisfied with it in those situations.