Australian Hiker

Dry Weight 84 Grams
Servings per packet 1
Calories per Serve 404 Calories

Cost $12.90

Radix Nutrition Barbecue Beef

Meal

Rating

Rating:	8.4 / 10
Value for Money	1.9 / 2.5
Taste	1.8 / 2.5
Convenience	2.3 / 2.5
Weight	2.4 / 2.5

Radix Nutrition Barbecue Beef Review

This is the first of the beef options that I’ve tried from Radix Nutrition and if I’m honest this meal ended up being a bit hit and miss. First up let’s look at the positives. As is common with the rest of the Radix range, the packaging is very attractive and grabs your attention in store which is half the battle with this ever growing segment of the market. The packaging across the range is also very small and while you could be fooled into thinking there isn’t much food in the bag, its comparable if not lighter weight-wise when compared to other brands. As big an eater as I am, I found that the meal size I tried which was the 400 calories sizing (this meal offering is also available in 600 and 800 calorie sizes), was a great single serve size and did fill me up.

In all honesty when travelling as a solo hiker I think that this size will suit me well for what typically ends up being my dinner. The other plus with this compact packing is that it takes up less space in your pack. One thing that the Radix packaging doesn’t do that other outdoor companies offer, is that the base doesn’t open out. Having said that the interior of the Radix packaging doesn’t have any narrow corners to trap food – the packs are stable as they are. The packaging also contains all the relevant nutritional and ingredient information you need and the ingredients are very recognisable with Radix using real ingredients. Be warned that if you have a nut allergy, this meal isn’t for you if you have a nut allergy – while it doesn’t contain nuts the packaging does have a nut warning.

The recommendation for rehydrating was to add 175 ml of boiling water and let sit for five minutes to rehydrate. Both the quantity of water and timing was again spot on providing a good consistency. The thing I’m coming to love about the Radix meals is the texture and this meal is no different adding to the overall eating experience.

Taste wise this meal was enjoyable meal, not bland but not spicy with a ‘barbecue’ taste that can best be described as Lapsang Sousching tea. As such the taste is polarising and you’ll either love it or hate it. I loved it while I was eating it but I was left with a bit of an aftertaste that detracted form the meal. This is going to be a very personal consideration so I’d suggest testing it out to see what you think before taking it on a hike.

Price-wise this meal sells at AUD $12.90 RRP and is comparable to to other brands of the same size, even more so when you look at the quality of what you get and all in a tiny little package.

So what’s the final verdict? I think that the smokey taste of this meal will be polarising with some hikers loving it and others not. While I thoroughly enjoyed this meal the smokey aftertaste means that while I will happily eat it if its on offer, other meals like the Radix Turkish Falafel or the Radix Lamb, Mint and Rosemary will be my first picks.

The Facts

610 kcal
26 grams protein
18 grams fat
32 grams carbohydrates
7 grams fibre
Gluten free

We Like

A tasty meal with recognisable ingredients
I love the texture of Radix meals and this one is no different
Freeze dried. This takes much of the weight out of the meal and helps to limit the weight in your pack
Available in a range of calorie sizes to suit your needs
Very compact providing the calories in a very small package helping to reduce your pack size
The hydrating instructions are spot on with the 175 ml recommended water
This sizing is a good-sized single served

We Don't Like

The main negative of any commercially preprepared dehydrated or freeze dried food is the cost. It really comes down to whether you have the time to make your own and if you can achieve the same flavour
Unlike other hiking meals, the bottom of the packet doesn’t open up to a broader base
The ‘barbecue’ flavour in this meal has a smoky taste and while I enjoyed this meal, I wouldn’t necessarily eat it every day as I would with other offerings from Radix

Best Uses

Great option for a quick, filling and easy lunch or dinner

Buy One

You can purchase the Radix Nutrition Barbecue Beef meal from Wildfire Sports or from Snowys (in the larger sizes)

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