Unstuffed peppers is another one of our favorite recipes made with dehydrated ingredients. Traditionally, it’s a delicious dish with hollowed-out bell peppers filled with various ingredients.
Taking our Dehydrator Chef approach, we will deconstruct the traditional stuffed bell pepper recipe to make it both dehydrator-friendly and also hydration-friendly out in the field.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers Recipe
- Supplies and Tools Needed for Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers
- Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers Dry Ingredients
- At-Home Preparation
- Optimize Food Protection for Storage and Travel
- In the Field Preparation
- Unstuffed Peppers Detailed Preparation Instructions
Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers Recipe
Dehydrated unstuffed peppers are a versatile, satisfying, and substantial main dish you can customize to suit personal tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you prefer more of a classic recipe or want to explore different flavor combinations, stuffed peppers are a delicious option that everyone can enjoy.
Supplies and Tools Needed for Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers
- Several 1-quart zip-top bags
- Heavy-duty paper towels
- Labeling materials such as masking tape and waterproof all-weather pen
- Camp cookware and dinnerware
Look for lightweight, durable cookware that is compatible with your camping stove or heat source. Stainless steel or titanium cookware is popular for camping due to its durability and heat distribution.
1) dehydrated onion
2) spices, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flake, dehydrated beef bouillon, dehydrated chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
3) dehydrated RoTel diced tomatoes
4) dehydrated tomato sauce
5) dehydrated white rice made with beef stock
6) dehydrated ground beef
7) dehydrated pickled jalapeno slices
8) dehydrated green peppers
With some pre-planning, making your own dehydrated camping food is easy.
Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers Dry Ingredients
Makes one serving, approximately 160 grams, or 1-1/2 to 2 cups of dry mix.
The volume measurements are approximate, and the weight measurements are more accurate for one serving.
- 1/2 cup / 45 grams dehydrated ground beef
- 1/3 cup / 20 grams dehydrated green, red, or yellow bell peppers
- 1/4 cup / 10 grams dehydrated RoTel tomatoes
- 1/4 cup / 20 grams dehydrated tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup / 40 grams dehydrated white rice cooked in beef stock
- 2 tablespoons / 15 grams dehydrated onion flakes
- 2 tablespoons / 5 grams dehydrated jalapeno slices
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon dehydrated beef bouillon
- 1/4 teaspoon dehydrated chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Dehydrated Unstuffed Peppers Dry Ingredient Notes
Measuring out 10 grams of dehydrated RoTel tomatoes by volume is about 1/4 cup. There is a lot of air space between the tomato pieces.
The 20 grams of dehydrated tomato sauce pieces are flat and will layer nicely in a measuring cup.
At-Home Preparation
Combine all the dry ingredients into a food-safe 1-quart quality name-brand zip-top bag for best storage results. The sharp edges of dehydrated ingredients could cause micro-punctures in lesser-quality zip-top plastic bags.
Compared to the local big box stores, Amazon has the best prices for the name-brand 1-quart zip-top bags. So says the 20,000 plus Amazon customer reviewers who took the time to leave feedback. The rough edges and sharp ends of homemade dehydrated ingredients very often compromise generic zip-top bags. Quality zip-top bags are a necessity when making dehydrated meals for camping.
Be sure to include a short note with the name of the dish and detailed preparation instructions. We have included detailed preparation instructions at the end of this page.
Optimize Food Protection for Storage and Travel
Double bagging, using two zip-top bags with a separator, is an option to help guard against punctures, leaks, and water penetration and to protect the food’s integrity. This way, it remains viable in the field or pantry storage.
The Scott Shop towels brand makes an excellent bag separator. These multipurpose paper towels are thicker than the average heavy-duty paper towel. As a multitasker, repurpose these towels for the after-meal cleanup activities.
These heavy-duty paper towels have over 11,000 Amazon customer reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, which is evidence of a great product. Check them out here. You can find them at your local big-box megamart automotive department.
In the Field Preparation
Empty the contents of the zip-top bag into a suitable-sized cooking pot.
Measure in enough water to cover the dry ingredients. Then add a tad bit more water. Stir to mix thoroughly. Cover, and let the dry ingredients hydrate for at least five minutes. Stir several times, and add more water if needed to keep the ingredients covered and well-saturated.
The next step is to add a bit more water; this part is more art than it is science. Depending on your cooking pot’s size and style, you’ll need to gauge how much additional water to add to the hydrated mix. The mix should remain fully covered with water.
So why not add all of the water at once? You certainly can, but we are metering in the water, so we don’t end up with a soupy product.
Practice these Dehydrator Chef homemade dehydrated camping meal recipes at home several times with the very same outdoor kitchen gear used in the field or at the campsite. This approach lets you practice your skills to know what to expect and where to adapt.
Next, on your cooking stove and over medium flame, bring the hydrating mix to a boil, frequently stirring to mix. After coming to a boil, if your stove is capable of a low-heat simmer, turn the flame down to reduce the chance of burning.
After two or more minutes of simmering, stirring, and mixing the ingredients, turn off the stove and move the pot into an insulated wrap or cozy to rest and hydrate for at least 15 to 20 minutes more for the flavors to blend and the ingredients to fully reconstitute.
Add any remaining seasonings like kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, or hot sauce for added spice and flavor.
If desired, incorporate olive or avocado oil into the mixture. The additional fat complements the flavor profile, compensating for the absence of the unique taste associated with fat. The fat enhances taste and promotes a sense of fullness more quickly.
Unstuffed Peppers Detailed Preparation Instructions
Empty the dehydrated unstuffed peppers dry mix contents of the zip-top bag into your cooking pot.
Pour in enough water to cover the dry mix, then add a tad bit more.
Cover, and let the dry ingredients hydrate in your camp cookware for a minimum of 5 minutes. Stirring all of the way to the bottom every now and again. Make sure the mix stays covered and well-saturated with water.
Next, on your cooking stove and over a medium flame, bring the mix to a boil, stirring frequently, all the way to the bottom of the cooking pot. If your stove will simmer, turn the heat down to a simmer after bringing it to a boil.
After two or more minutes of cooking, simmering, and ingredient mixing, turn off the stove and move the pot into an insulated wrap or cozy to rest and hydrate for 15 to 20 minutes more or until your preference for doneness.
Drizzle in any olive or avocado oil, and stir to mix.
Add any remaining seasonings like kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, or some hot sauce for some added spice.