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Good To-Go Review: Gourmet Dehydrated Meals for Backpacking the Adirondacks

Good To-Go: Gourmet Meals for Backpackers - Pure Adirondacks

 

After a long day on the trail — miles of elevation gain, stream crossings, and everything the Adirondacks can throw at you — nothing matters more than a hot, satisfying meal. You've earned it. The problem? Most backpacking food tastes exactly like what it is: a compromise.

That's what makes Good To-Go worth talking about. Based out of Kittery, Maine, Good To-Go has spent the last decade proving that dehydrated trail food doesn't have to be bland, mushy, or nutritionally hollow. Their meals are chef-crafted, made with all-natural ingredients, and — this part still surprises us — they actually taste good.

Good To-Go dehydrated backpacking meals

From a NYC Restaurant Kitchen to the Backcountry

Good To-Go was founded by Jennifer Scism, an award-winning chef who trained at the French Culinary Institute and spent a decade as owner of Annisa, one of New York City's most celebrated restaurants. After relocating to the coast of Maine, Jennifer met her husband David Koorits — an avid backpacker, climber, and mountaineer — and her relationship with the outdoors shifted permanently.

The origin story hits close to home for us here in the Adirondacks: when Jennifer and David were planning a 7-day backcountry trip in the ADK, she surveyed the packaged meal options on the market and wasn't impressed. So she did what any classically trained chef would do — she made her own. The meals were so good that their hiking partners started asking for them too, and Good To-Go was born.

Their mission is straightforward: "Create real food for real adventure." From day one, that's meant no preservatives, no artificial additives, and no cutting corners on flavor just because you're eating out of a pouch at 4,000 feet.

What's New: A Line That's Grown Up

When we first wrote about Good To-Go, they had just four meals. Today, the lineup has expanded dramatically — and every addition reflects the same culinary standard Jennifer set from the start. Here's a look at what they're offering now:

Entrées

  • Thai Curry — A longtime fan favorite. Coconut, lemongrass, and vegetables in a rich, warming broth. Still one of the best trail meals we've ever had.
  • Mushroom Risotto — Creamy, earthy, and surprisingly filling. A go-to for rest-day dinners at the lean-to.
  • Pad Thai — Rice noodles with a tamarind-peanut sauce. Vegan, high-flavor, and rehydrates beautifully.
  • Chicken Pho — Fragrant broth, rice noodles, and tender chicken. Ideal for cold mornings or days when you need something light but warming.
  • Mexican Quinoa Bowl — A protein-packed plant-based option with bold southwestern flavors.
  • Cuban Rice Bowl — Smoky, savory, and satisfying. A solid dinner option with real depth.
  • Pasta Marinara — Comfort food on the trail. Simple, hearty, and consistently well-reviewed.
  • Kale & White Bean Stew — A hearty, veggie-forward option that punches above its weight.
  • Carrot-Ginger Power Bowl — Plant-based, nutrient-dense, and perfect for recovery days.
  • Indian Korma — Warm spices and creamy sauce over rice. One of the more unique flavor profiles in the lineup.
  • Peanut Chicken Salad — A newer addition and a great cold-soak option for stove-free days.
  • White Bean Chicken Chili — Protein-rich and warming, built for high-mileage days.

Brand New in 2025

Good To-Go just dropped two new carnivore-forward options that mark an exciting shift in the lineup:

  • Whiskey BBQ Pork — Smoky, bold, and unapologetically satisfying after a hard day in the field.
  • Cowboy Casserole — Hearty and rustic. Think campfire cooking in a lightweight pouch.

Breakfast

  • Granola — Rated 5.0 stars across hundreds of reviews. Need we say more?
  • Oatmeal — Simple, clean, and ready in minutes.
  • Ranchero Scramble — A savory egg-based breakfast that raises the bar for what camp mornings can look like.

Stove-Free™ Meals

One of the biggest innovations Good To-Go has introduced is their Stove-Free™ line — meals that rehydrate with cold or room-temperature water, no heat required. For ultralight hikers, summer paddlers, or anyone who wants to cut weight and complexity, this is a genuine game-changer. Several of their entrées now qualify, including options available in their multi-day adventure kits.

Food Kits & Weekender Packs

Good To-Go also offers pre-built multi-day kits designed around real itineraries — like their Long Trail Food Kit, built for 5-day continuous hikes with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. They also carry Weekender Packs for shorter trips, and emergency food kits for preparedness. If you're planning a High Peaks backpacking trip or a week-long canoe route through the St. Regis Wilderness, these kits take the meal-planning guesswork off your plate entirely.

What Sets Good To-Go Apart

There's no shortage of dehydrated meal brands on the market. What keeps Good To-Go at the top of our list comes down to a few things:

  • Every meal is gluten-free. Not just a handful — the entire lineup. For paddlers, hikers, and campers with dietary restrictions, that's a significant differentiator.
  • No preservatives, no artificial additives. Just real ingredients, dehydrated.
  • Handcrafted in Maine. This is a small, woman-owned business making food the right way. Supporting them means supporting that.
  • Genuine flavor variety. From Thai Curry to Cowboy Casserole to Chicken Pho, the range of cuisines means you won't be eating the same thing on a 7-day trip.
  • Robust dietary options. Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and carnivore-friendly meals are all clearly labeled and widely available across the lineup.

Perfect for Adirondack Adventures

Whether you're tackling a multi-night loop through the High Peaks Wilderness, paddling a remote section of the Raquette River, or car-camping at one of the DEC's backcountry sites, Good To-Go fits the bill. The pouches are lightweight, compact enough to fit in a bear canister, and take just 15–20 minutes to rehydrate with boiling water — or no heat at all if you go Stove-Free™.

For multi-day Adirondack trips where weight and nutrition both matter, we haven't found a better option at this price point. The Thai Curry and Mushroom Risotto remain our personal favorites, but honestly, there isn't a bad meal in the lineup.

You can browse the full Good To-Go menu and order directly at goodto-go.com. Their meals are also available at select REI locations and outdoor retailers.

What's your go-to backpacking meal on ADK trips? Drop it in the comments — we're always looking for new fuel recommendations.