what foods can you cook in a jetboil

What Foods Can You Cook in a Jetboil?

When it comes to outdoor adventures, mealtime is one of the highlights. Cooking with a Jetboil can make camping and hiking meals fun, quick, and easy. Jetboil is a portable stove system that consists of a burner, fuel canister stand, and a pot. It’s lightweight and compact and provides instant heat for cooking food or boiling water within minutes. In this article, we’ll explore the various foods that you can cook using your Jetboil, the accessories you need to pack for it, tips for preparing and cooking delicious camp meals.

Types of Foods That Can Be Cooked in a Jetboil

Breakfast

Oatmeal and Cereals

Oatmeal or cereal is an easy breakfast option when out on the trail. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also provides plenty of energy for the day ahead. To cook oatmeal on a Jetboil:

  1. Add 1/2 – 1 cup of rolled oats to your pot
  2. Pour water over the oats to cover them completely (aim for a ratio of around 1:2 oats to water)
  3. Place the pot on top of the burner and ignite it.
  4. Stir occasionally until the oatmeal thickens up
  5. Add your preferred toppings like honey, nuts or dried fruit.

Alternatively, if you prefer cereal – pour cold milk over your cereal into a mug or bowl and enjoy breakfast on-the-go!

Pancakes and Waffles

With pancake batter and waffle mix, you can easily have a hot and delicious breakfast on any outdoor expedition. Use a dry pancake mix or make your own by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. To cook pancakes or waffles on a Jetboil:

  1. Mix your pancake/waffle batter as per the box instructions (or according to your favorite recipe)
  2. Grease your pot with oil using a paper towel
  3. Heat it on the burner until it’s hot
  4. Pour in the batter, and cook until you see that the edges of the pancake/waffle are browned. Flip them over and repeat until they are cooked through
  5. Serve with maple syrup, butter or your choice of toppings.
Scrambled Eggs and Omelets

Scrambled eggs and omelets are a great way to start off your day if you’re craving protein. Here’s how to make it on a Jetboil:

  1. Add oil or butter to the pot
  2. Crack the eggs in a separate cup/bowl, add salt/pepper (feel free to add other ingredients such as cheese, herbs, or chopped veggies)
  3. Then pour the egg mixture into the pot and stir continuously with a spatula/fork.
  4. Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until scrambled/oomelet is done.

Main Meals

Soups and Stews

A hearty soup or stew is an excellent way to refuel after a long day of hiking. You can create soups and stews in your Jetboil easily. Here are some recipes:

Beef and Vegetable Stew

This recipe yields enough for 4 servings so you can enjoy it with a group of friends or store leftovers for your next meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb beef, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add oil to the pot
  2. Sauteé onions and garlic until tender & fragrant but not browned (~3 minutes)
  3. Add the beef cubes and cook them until brown on all sides (~4-5 minutes)
  4. Add the diced potatoes, carrots, diced tomatoes, salt/pepper to the pot.
  5. Pour in 2 cups of beef broth into the pot. Turn up heat to bring to a boil for around 12-15 minutes.
  6. Cover your Jetboil and cook in the simmer mode for about 60 minutes or more depending on when the vegetables are tender. Check occasionally as it simmers, add more water if necessary.
  7. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.
Chicken Noodle Soup

This is another classic soup recipe that is perfect for fall or winter days.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups of egg noodles
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced,
  • Chopped herbs (thyme, rosemary) – add according to preference

Instructions:

  1. Add oil to the pot and sauté onions until they are translucent: (~2-3 minutes)
  2. Add garlic and thyme/rosemary mixture – mixing everything together. Cook for another minute
  3. Add the chopped chicken breast to the pot, brown on both sides.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth into the pot. Turn up heat to bring to a boil.
  5. Cover your Jetboil and cook for about 8-10 minutes in total.

    6. To Note:

    • If egg noodles in your cupboard are raw, dump them in the pot with chicken broth as it boils down (the raw noodles will cook evenly). If your pasta is cooked al dente in advance, toss it in at the end of cooking time when stock has reduced more. If you add precooked noodles too early before they soften very well, then they will turn mushy and gross.
    1. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.
    Pasta Dishes

    Pasta is an easy and filling meal to prepare when camping. One favorite option is spaghetti bolognese:

    1. Cook ground meat in pot until brown and add the spices you like — garlic, onion powder, chili powder.
    2. Add canned tomatoes, diced tomato sauce/tomato paste. Cook until it boils for a couple of minutes
    3. Reduce heat and allow it to simmer (leave covered) while stirring occasionally — add water if it gets thicker than you want during this process.
    4. Stir in the cooked pasta and allow that to simmer for another 3 minutes so everything can be absorbed into the pasta.
    Rice Dishes

    Rice is another meal item that can easily be prepped with a Jetboil along with any additional desired ingredients for flavor:

    Chicken Fried Rice

    Ingredients:

    • 2-3 cups prepared white rice
    • 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari sauce (low sodium)
    • 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
    • 1/2 onion, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs, whisked together in a small bowl
    • Salt & Pepper to taste
    • Veggies/Meat as desired (Suggestions: mushrooms, bell peppers, frozen peas/carrots blend, chicken breast – sliced or diced)

    Instructions:

    1. Cook your veggies (if using) but make sure you don’t overcook it.
    2. Whisk together 2 whole eggs and put it aside.
    3. Add oil to the pot, heat it
    4. Sauté onions & then add garlic for approx. 30 seconds till fragrant.
    5. Add diced or sliced meats and cook until done
    6. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate and set them aside.

      7. To Note:

      • If you are adding vegetables/meat to your rice dish – combine your veggie, meat stir-fry blend with your cold rice. mix well as spices from sauce can mix evenly while frying.
    7. Drizzle another tablespoon of oil in the pan and now pour in whisked eggs, stirring constantly until scrambled briskly.
    8. Add the cold rice to the pan and sauté everything together. Don’t forget to top it off with sauce plus salt and pepper to taste!

    Snacks & Appetizers (Trail Mixes)

    Camping snacks like trail mix is an excellent source of protein that is also lightweight to carry. Here are two quick recipes:

    Sweet Trail Mix Recipe

    This sweet trail mix recipe is a good balance of protein and sweet treats.

    Ingredients:
    • 3 cups cereal grains (preferably whole-grain corn or wheat)
    • 1 cup raisins
    • 1/2 cup chocolate chips or M&Ms
    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
    • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
    Instructions:

    The great thing about this trail mix recipe is that it can be mixed together and stored in the same container for ease of transportation.

    Savory Trail Mix Recipe
    Ingredients:
    • 3 cups popped popcorn
    • 1/2 cup roasted cashews or peanuts
    • 1/4 cup pretzels – your choice of shape or size
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter — melted
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    Instructions:
    1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.
    2. Mix together melted butter and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl.
    3. Add the popped popcorn, cashews, and pretzels into the bowl, making sure everything is well-coated.
    4. Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
    5. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown & crunchier.
    6. Lift off the pan; let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can also store them in an air-tight container.

    Beverages

    A hot cup of coffee or tea can make all the difference during a chilly morning on the trail. Here’s what you need to know:

    Herbal/Tisane Tea

        To Note:

      • The trail mix recipe above is also a great snack variety to pair with your tea!

    1. Boil water on the Jetboil and let steep for 4-5 minutes
    2. Add sweeteners if needed, like honey or sugar.
    Black Coffee

    If you want something quick, black coffee will be your best bet:

    1. Pour cold water first into the pot until it’s full.
    2. Place it on the stove and turn on the heat.
    3. Once it starts to boil, remove it from heat.
    4. Add preferably a teaspoon (or to taste) coffee grounds per cup of water directly into the pot and stir well.
    5. Cover and steep (DON’T BOIL) for around four minutes.
    6. Use a coffee filter and strain out the brewed liquid.

    Useful Cooking Accessories to Pack with a Jetboil

    In addition to your Jetboil set-up itself, you’ll need some accessories to prepare these meals. Remember to bring along these packing essentials:

    • Compact utensils set – fork, spoon, knife, tongs
    • Clean up set – scrubber, soap, dry bag
    • Portable cutting board
    • Instant coffee/tea packets (especially if you’re short on time but still want that caffeine boost)

    Essential Tips for Cooking in a Jetboil

    To get great results every time, follow these tips when cooking in your Jetboil:

  6. Prepare ingredients at home. Such as chopping vegetables into small sizes and mixing the ingredients for any meals that combine more than one food item. It helps significantly to cut down on cooking times (where applicable/in advance).
  7. Controlling stove temperature is crucial. Make sure you move temperature control down once your pot starts boiling, so it doesn’t tip over.
  8. Prevent burnt or undercooked food by stirring meals frequently and keeping an eye on the heat level while they cook.
  9. You should note that Jetboils have limits – they don’t handle large amounts of food well due to their compact size.

    10. Conclusion

    The Jetboil stove system has revolutionized outdoor cooking giving campers and hikers a fast and easy way to cook their favorite meals outdoors. With

    1. Can I cook pasta in a Jetboil?

    Yes, you can cook different types of pasta in a Jetboil. It is important to add the correct amount of water and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

    2. Can I use a Jetboil to fry food?

    No, it is not recommended to fry food in a Jetboil since it has a narrow bottom and is designed for boiling or simmering liquids. Frying food requires a large surface area and higher temperatures that can damage the Jetboil.

    3. What vegetables can I sauté in a Jetboil?

    You can sauté various vegetables such as onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini in a Jetboil using oil or butter. Make sure to cook them over low heat and stir frequently to avoid burning.

    4. Can I make coffee in a Jetboil?

    Yes, you can make coffee in a Jetboil using instant coffee, coffee bags or by brewing it with a French press attachment. It’s an excellent camping companion for brewing fresh coffee on-the-go!

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