High-protein freeze-dried meals: what 62 grams of protein looks like on the trail

Oso's Elk Huevos Rancheros has 62 grams of protein and 760 calories in one two-serving pouch. Our Pozole has 48g, Bison Enchiladas 38g and the Veggie Enchilada Bowl 23g. A lot of popular two-serving pouches land somewhere in the 20s to 40s, so if protein is what you're shopping for, start with the elk.

Why protein matters out there

Long days are hard on your body. Protein helps you recover overnight and keeps you full a lot longer than a pouch of noodles. Hunters on long sits, backpackers on big-mileage days and anyone hauling a heavy pack-out feel the difference the next morning.

Protein and calories in every Oso meal

• Elk Huevos Rancheros: 62g protein and 760 calories per pouch (31g and 380 calories per serving).
• Pozole: 48g protein and 660 calories per pouch (24g and 330 calories per serving).
• Bison Enchiladas: 38g protein and 600 calories per pouch (19g and 300 calories per serving).
• Veggie Enchilada Bowl: 23g protein and 560 calories per pouch (11g and 280 calories per serving).

Every pouch weighs 5.64 ounces (160 grams) before you add water. For the Elk Huevos Rancheros, that works out to about 11 grams of protein and 135 calories per ounce, which matters when you're counting every ounce in your pack.

Where the protein comes from

Real food. The Elk Huevos Rancheros is built on grass-fed Colorado elk, scrambled eggs, bacon, black beans and cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. The Pozole gets its protein from pork and elk, and the Bison Enchiladas from grass-fed Colorado bison, beans and cheese.

Built for hunters

Breakfast in the dark before a long sit should carry you to lunch. Two people can split a pouch, or one hungry hunter can eat the whole thing for 62 grams of protein. Keep a few in the truck: unopened pouches keep for up to 7 years.

Breakfast that carries you to lunch.

How to make it

1. Add 1 cup of boiling water to the pouch.
2. Stir to the bottom, seal it and wait 10 minutes.
3. Stir again, wait 5 more minutes, and eat.

Is that per serving or per pouch?

The headline numbers are for the whole pouch, which is two servings. Plenty of people eat a whole one after a big day.

Where can I buy it?

Right here at osomeals.com. Elk Huevos Rancheros is $16 a pouch, orders of $50 or more ship free, and everything ships from Colorado within 3 to 5 business days.