Your food doesn’t have to be bland just because you’re backpacking or camping! Bringing oil and spices is a great way to add flavor. Plus, hiking with oil is a great way to get extra calories and energy into your meals.
Personally, I can’t go without my Frank’s buffalo sauce—I put it on everything from mac & cheese to eggs—so carrying it on a long hike or camping trip is a must for me.
If you have a favorite sauce or spice you can’t leave behind, this post is for you. Below are some spill-proof methods to bring oils and spices on your next backpacking or camping trip.
From budget-friendly DIY hacks to store-bought solutions, I’ve tested a few options that work.What’s your favorite way to carry oil while backpacking? Let me know in the comments!
How to Store Oil & Sauces while Backpacking
1. Travel Nalgene Bottles
Nalgene bottles are a popular choice among backpackers for carrying liquids because they are spill-proof and durable. You can use travel-sized Nalgene bottles to store sauces and oils on your backpacking trips.
This particular set comes with dispensing caps, which are perfect for controlling oil flow without messy drips down the side. However, keep in mind that the dispensing caps aren’t completely leak-proof, so you’ll need to bring the screw-on cap as well for extra security.These are a great option, but you can also check out Target’s travel section for some great travel-sized bottles that I’ve used before backpacking if you only want one or two extra bottles.
2. Reusable Baby Food Pouches
Originally designed for baby food, reusable food pouches are surprisingly great for carrying oil on backpacking or camping trips. The bottom zips open, making them easy to refill, and their lightweight, flexible design makes packing a breeze. Plus, the spill-proof top allows you to squeeze out just the right amount of oil or sauce without making a mess.
I was initially worried they might leak or that the bottom would burst open, but these pouches are built to handle babies squeezing them and parents tossing them into bags. The durability is impressive!
In addition to oil, these pouches can also be used for other liquids like pancake batter, salad dressing, or even pre-mixed marinades for your camp meals. You can purchase this set on Amazon.
3. Single-Serving Oil Packets
While this isn’t my top choice due to the extra waste it creates, single-serving oil packets are incredibly convenient and a favorite among many backpackers. You can find nearly any type of sauce or oil in single-serving packets online, or even pick them up at fast-food restaurants. However, I try to minimize single-use plastics whenever possible, so if you can avoid the extra trash, I’d recommend one of the reusable options above.
But if you do choose this route, just remember Leave No Trace: pack out everything you pack in!
4. Travel-Size Plastic Oil Bottles
Lastly, (and maybe the most obvious) is to check your local grocery store. There’s plenty of travel-sized oils and sauces that come in plastic containers. Generally, they’re not as easy to efficiently pack as the above options, but are a great option on a budget! Just refill these bottles with your favorite oil.
Packing Spices for Camping and Backpacking
Next up: spices. Here are some practical and spill-proof ways to pack your favorite spices for camping or hiking without adding bulk to your backpack.
6. Tic-Tac Containers
This is one of my favorite DIY backpacking hacks! Use old tic-tac containers to carry your favorite spices. Salt and pepper are my go-to’s. But I also love making chili and different Mexican-inspired dishes on the trail, so you’ll usually find cumin and chili powder in my pack too!
6. Pill Boxes
A pill organizer is a simple way to bring multiple spices in one compact container. Each compartment keeps spices like salt, pepper, and garlic powder separate, and it’s small enough to tuck into any pack. Just watch out to purchase one that doesn’t easily pop open.
7. Straw Method
The Straw Method is a DIY hack to pack spices that I have seen online. It looks like more work than it’s worth, but I wanted to include it if you’re in a pinch to pack a few single-serving spices for a specific meal or looking for a very ligh-weight option.
Simply cut a straw to the desired length, fill it with your favorite spice, and seal both ends with a lighter or heat sealer. This method is incredibly lightweight and ideal for single-use portions, so you won’t over-pack.
8. Multi-Spice Container
A multi-spice container, like the one from Coghlan’s, is an all-in-one option. It holds several spices in one small container and keeps them organized without taking up much space. Just twist the lid to the spice you need, and you’re good to go.
Whether you’re going the DIY route or investing in a handy multi-spice container, packing spices and oil for your next camping or backpacking adventures is easier than ever. Happy cooking!
I am currently using a pill organizer for spices. It gives me 7 sections for different spices. It is almost perfect but the problem is they don’t seal very well, so I have the whole thing wrapped inside a ziploc, with a rubber-band to hold it tight.
We bought many of our spices in Morocco. They are sold in a small plastic bag that they tie closed. We have been using them for almost a year now and keep refilling the plastic bags. The good thing is that the bags never take up more room than the amount of spice we have left. We keep our oil in a small oil bottle, like you have pictured. All of the oil, butter, spices, and other food items are then packed into a dry bag in our backpack to avoid any disasters if one of them leaks.
I like your baby food packet idea. We might upgrade to that when our bags give out.