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Review: Poe & Co Folk Foods Backpacking Meals

Trail-tested review of Poe & Co Folk Foods dehydrated backpacking meals: Black Garlic Ramen Bowl, Coconut Chickpea Stew, and Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet. Plant-based, gluten-free, and full of flavor.

Review: Poe & Co Folk Foods Backpacking Meals
The full Poe & Co lineup: Coconut Chickpea Stew front and center, with the Black Garlic Ramen and Quinoa Skillet. These are so tasty you might just want to picnic with them!

When you’re deep in the backcountry, flavor matters. So does nutrition. That’s why we were excited to try Poe & Co Folk Foods. They're a very small company crafting lightweight dehydrated meals that are both nutrient-dense and genuinely enjoyable to eat. Each recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and made with whole food ingredients you can pronounce and feel good about.

Brand image of Poe & Co’s three dehydrated backpacking meals—Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet, Coconut Chickpea Stew, and Black Garlic Ramen—on a rock in outdoor light with a quote about the company’s chef-driven mission.
Founded by Michelin trained chefs, Poe & Co creates plant-based dehydrated meals that deliver bold, home-cooked flavor on every backpacking trip. I have found myself reaching for the Black Garlic Ramen Bowl at home when I don't feel like cooking!

They currently offer just three meals, and each meal is a single serving. They are well-balanced and some of our favorite dehydrated meals of the year. We put them to the test on backpacking trips in the Southwest, and this article is all about how they did in the backcountry.

(When shopping directly from Poe & Co use code southwesthikes at checkout to save 15%)

Check Out Poe & Co Folk Foods
Check Out Poe & Co at Garage Grown Gear

Black Garlic Ramen Bowl

This one was an immediate standout. It features gluten-free ramen noodles, black garlic, mushrooms, kale, and a rich broth that’s packed with umami flavor. It tastes nourishing and comforting, especially after a cold or wet day.

Front of the Poe & Co Black Garlic Ramen Bowl package showing playful camping-themed illustrations and ingredients list.
Black Garlic Ramen Bowl with carrots, edamame, and nori. It's rich, savory, and full of umami flavor that hits all the right notes. This is my favorite in the lineup.

Trail Notes:

  • The black garlic brings a depth of flavor you don’t expect from a dehydrated meal.
  • Mushrooms flavor is very subtle and adds a lot!
  • The broth is bold and savory; add a dash of chili oil or soy sauce if you like spice.
  • Would 100% eat again (and again).

Coconut Chickpea Stew

Creamy, comforting, and lightly spiced, this stew is built on a base of chickpeas and carrots, simmered in a coconut milk curry. It’s hearty enough to have as a full dinner, and the protein + healthy fats combo kept me going strong.

Hand holding a Poe & Co Coconut Chickpea Stew pouch outdoors on the ground with pine needles and dirt in the background.
Preparing to make the Coconut Chickpea Stew. It's simple, nourishing, and perfect for refueling after big miles. I really enjoy the texture of this meal.

Trail Notes:

  • Mild spice level but full-on flavor.
  • Super creamy once rehydrated, like legit home-cooked texture.
  • Really filling, great for when you’re calorie-depleted.
  • Bonus: it smells amazing!

Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet

This one is a savory-sweet blend of quinoa, sweet potatoes, and warming spices. It straddles the line between breakfast and dinner, which is always fun. Quinoa is not always one of my favorite things, but I found it went well in this meal.

Close-up of Poe & Co Folk Foods Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet pouch beside a Ziploc meal bag and freezer bag box on a kitchen counter.
Repackaging meals, including Poe & Co’s Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet, which is perfect trail fuel with clean, plant-based ingredients.

Trail Notes:

  • Nice texture thanks to the quinoa and chunks of potato.
  • Tastes nutritious, like something you’d make at home.
  • One of my favorite plant-based breakfasts, though I’d eat it any time of day.

Pros & Cons

Here’s how Poe & Co meals stack up:

Meal Pros Cons
Black Garlic Ramen Bowl Incredible flavor depth, satisfying broth, perfect for cold evenings Not the highest calorie count if you're ravenous
Coconut Chickpea Stew Super hearty and creamy, high in protein and healthy fats Mild spice—add hot sauce if you like heat
Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet Versatile, wholesome, slightly sweet with warming spices If you don’t like sweet-savory meals, it might not be your favorite
Nutrition label and cooking instructions on the back of the Poe & Co Black Garlic Ramen Bowl dehydrated meal pouch.
Back of the Black Garlic Ramen Bowl package showing nutrition facts, rehydration instructions, and thoughtful brand details. Of course we love the LNT messaging!

Final Thoughts

Poe & Co Folk Foods makes meals that feel personal and wholesome. You can tell these were developed with care, and they hit that rare balance of nutritious, lightweight, and delicious. If you’re looking to level up your trail food without compromising ingredients or flavor, these are worth packing in.

Check Out Poe & Co Folk Foods
Check Out Poe & Co at Garage Grown Gear

(When shopping directly from Poe & Co use code southwesthikes at checkout to save 15%)

My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.

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