Backcountry Cooking 101: Quinoa and Black Beans

by Connor Chewning, Program Assistant/Adventure Trip Guide/Climbing Wall Supervisor

Interested in exploring Backcountry Cooking? I have the perfect recipe for you. Get started with cooking outdoors with a simple, tasty and healthy Quinoa and Black Bean recipe. Grab your ingredients, follow along with the video below, get outside and start cooking!

Ingredients Needed

Remember that when you are cooking in the backcountry, the amounts of each ingredient is flexible so there is no need to bring a measuring cup with you into the backcountry.

● ½ cup quinoa
● 1 cup of dehydrated black beans
● ¼ onion
● 1 small tomato
● ¼ cup of shredded carrots
● 2 cups of spinach
● 4 cloves of garlic
● 1 small avocado
● ¼ cup of shredded cheese
● Tablespoon of olive oil
● Spices of your choice
● Recommended Spices: Salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano, curry, cumin

Cooking Instructions:

1. If you didn’t prep vegetables beforehand, dice the onion, garlic, tomato.
2. Light the stove on medium heat and add olive oil to the pan.
3. Add the onion and garlic to the pan.
4. Add spices: Salt, crushed red pepper, black pepper, curry, cumin.
5. Wait for onions to brown. (approx. 3–5 minutes)
6. Add tomato and carrots and cook till tomatoes are soft. (approx. 3–5 minutes)
7. Turn heat to lowest setting and add spinach, allow to wilt. (approx. 1 min)
8. Remove pan from stove and place to the side.
9. Add water, dehydrated beans, salt, and oregano to pot and place on stove.
10. Let water boil.
11. Add Quinoa to pot and let cook for approx. 10 minutes.
12. Carefully strain water from quinoa and beans making sure to not spill food. (A good technique is to hold the pot handle in your dominant hand, and use the other hand to place the lid slightly offset over the top. This takes practice so try this at home to avoid spilling your dinner while camping!)
13. Combine quinoa and vegetables in the largest cooking container you have (This could be your pot or pan depending on your gear.)
14. Mix in cheese.
15. Top with sliced avocado and season to your preference.

Enjoy!