OK as mentioned in another thread, I took a leap and bought some freeze dried meats from, Redwicks Freeze Dried Foods.
Ordered last Thursday delivered today.
Shrimp, 2lb medium before freeze-drying. Looks like 8 servings.
Chicken, 8oz after being freeze dried. Looks like 6 to 8 servings.
NY Strip, 8oz before freeze drying. Single serving. For my use probably 2.
A sample of Freeze Dried Pork Loin was included, looks to be a single serving.
Packaging is first rate, order processed and shipped fast, looks great so far!
Will let you know how it reconstitutes and tastes as I use it.


butthead

PS: For comparing prices, a #10 can of freeze dried food weighs 16oz. 2 bags of Redwicks chicken (8.4oz on my scale), is roughly the same as a #10 can of another brand. bh

I'm really curious, especially about the steak.

Butthead,

Looks like a great source for some freeze dried meat. Can't wait to hear your review.

quote hooky: "I'm really curious, especially about the steak."

+1 100%

Thanks for posting now I have another supplier to check out for freeze dried meats. I have always used Mountain house and gotten the #10 cans and then opened them and divided up the meats into 2 person servings and vac sealed them. This company is just a bit higher priced then the MH cans. although they do offer meats that MH does not.

OF, you may want to check prices again.
Beef, chicken, and sausage, Redwicks packages 8 oz. portions at less than $15

8.3oz. my scale net weight. #10 cans run 17 oz. net weight for diced chicken and beef. #10 can ground beef, 28oz.

Cheaper for some, more for ground beef, and some items not found at other sources. I prefer the 8oz. net size for eliminating left over. Do my own beef, pork, venison. But like shrimp (salad), and chicken that I have not successfully dried and stored.
One steak 3.8oz., supposed to start at an 8oz. cooked then dried. 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 3 inches in the bag. My first trial latter this week.

butthead

Has anyone tried the freeze dried prime rib or pork tenderloin?

Pork Tenderloin sample and retail New York strip.

Pork Tenderloin, a bit chewy but not too bad, plain pork flavor no seasoning, somewhat bland, definite pork flavor no odd tastes, bit of salt brings out clean pork flavor. Re-hydrated, visibly a 3/8ths inch slice from pork tenderloin, roasting marks visible outside edge. Packaging, vacuum bag and aluminized mylar/plastic outer, weight for sample, 1.5oz packaged, 1oz item alone, 2.1oz after rehydrating.



NY strip, was bit more tender than the pork, more flavor un-seasoned, visibly a 3/4 inch slice from a roast, outer edge has good charred appearance/flavor but the gristle strip and fatty portions hard and not chew-able. Was very tasty if just a wee bit chewy with a touch of salt, dry with a well done consistency and taste, good enough to eat by itself. Packaged in vac bag with drying wafer and aluminized mylar/plastic outer bag, weight total 4.2oz, without packaging 3.3oz, 5.8oz after re-hydrating.



Both were cooked/re-hydrated in specified amount of water in a pot/water-bath at 180 degrees for 17 minutes. Higher temp and 20+ min of re-hydrating would be better.

The quality of packaging is very good. Flavors mild and clean, no aftertaste. They were both somewhat dry and chewy, not tough. Both would be better with a sauce. Both are cut from roasts.

I see no advantage over diced beef or pork, and would only buy and use these as an alternative meal on a long trip "IF", I desired something substantial to chew on for a change of pace.

Prices are competitive, packaging and taste is very good. I like the 8oz sized packages for the ground and diced items.
I will buy more Redwick's freeze dried items, based on these results, just not the sliced meat versions.
The shrimp and diced chicken will be reviewed out on a camping trip. From this trial I'm quite sure they will be good trip food sources.
I will stay with and am happy with my home dried beef and pork items, the home-made control allows me to flavor them as I like, prior to packaging.

That's it for this groundhog, saw my shadow but didn't get scared.
Happy G-Day!

butthead

Thanks for the review, I'll probably try to add fish to my meals and do a little experimenting.

Thanks, BH!

Nice review BH, Thanks. The beef hunk might just get a spot in my pack for the sheer laugh factor at dinner time with my group.

Honestly both were as good as I expect freeze dried to be. Just not better than diced offerings. That opinion does not take into account surprise WOW factor though (remember a few packets of steak sauce).

butthead

thanks so much for posting the review!!

Im planning on surprising my tripping partner with one of these on the last day this year!!

Thanks for the very thorough review!

quote sdebol: "Thanks for the very thorough review!"

Yes! Thanks!