Forclaz Duo de Quinoa aux Légumineuses Freeze-Dried Meal Review

Overview

The Forclaz Duo de Quinoa aux Légumineuses is Decathlon’s attempt at a genuinely nutritious, plant-focused trail dinner — not just pasta with a vegetable sprinkle. The recipe pairs green lentils with a duo of white and red quinoa to deliver a balanced vegetarian meal, and the end result is one of the more macro-complete options in the Forclaz lineup. It’s aimed squarely at trekkers who want plant-based protein on trail without paying Mountain House prices or packing specialty store bags.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Dry Weight	120 g
Total Weight (with pouch)	132 g
Rehydrated Weight	320 g
Calories	460 kcal
Protein	23 g
Carbohydrates	58 g
Fat	12 g
Fiber	16 g
Prep Time	8 min (hot water)
Water Required	200 ml
Packed Size	17.5 × 18.5 × 6 cm
Dietary	Vegetarian
Country of Manufacture	France
Comparison	See how Duo de Quinoa aux Légumineuses compares to similar gear

Performance

Nutrition

This is where the meal earns its keep. Per 120 g serving, you get 460 kcal, 23 g of protein, 58 g of carbohydrates, and 16 g of fiber. That protein number — 23 g — is genuinely strong for a plant-based freeze-dried meal. Quinoa is a complete protein and a valuable source of minerals, vitamins, phytohormones, and antioxidants, giving it an advantage over other plant foods. Stack that on top of the lentil protein and you’re getting a more useful amino acid profile than most grain-only dinners.

The fiber count is a double-edged sword. Sixteen grams is a lot in one sitting, especially combined with legumes — your gut might have opinions about it on the first night out. I’d recommend introducing this meal before a long trip rather than on day one.

The 460 kcal ceiling is the real limitation for harder days. After 20 miles with 4,000 feet of gain, this pouch alone won’t cut it. Plan on supplementing with olive oil, a side of cheese, or some nuts. Compare that to other Forclaz meats-and-starch options — the mashed potato with mince clocks 534 kcal in a heavier 120 g serving — and the caloric density gap is real.

Ingredients & Allergens

The ingredient list includes precooked green lentils (19.6%), white quinoa (16.7%), red quinoa (16.7%), cream powder (milk), rye flakes (gluten), carrots, onions, pea protein, yellow flax, toasted malted wheat flour (gluten), salt, freeze-dried coriander, Espelette pepper, and natural rosemary extract as an antioxidant.

A few things worth flagging: this meal is not vegan (cream powder) and not gluten-free (rye flakes, malted wheat flour). The “vegetarian” label is easy to read quickly and miss those details. Coeliacs and vegans, check the label carefully. The Espelette pepper is a nice touch — subtle fruity heat, not fiery.

Preparation

Open the bag and bring the two ends together, fill with hot water to level 5 (200 ml), mix, close the zip, and wait 8 minutes before stirring again and eating.

The graduated markings inside the pouch are genuinely useful — no need to measure water separately.

The amount of water can be adjusted depending on your preference,

which matters: 200 ml is a modest requirement that leaves the texture closer to a thick stew. If you prefer something looser, add another 20–30 ml.

Once rehydrated, you can also make a patty and fry it — a fun bonus if you’re carrying a pan, though it’s the kind of suggestion that mostly makes sense at a leisurely basecamp, not a thru-hiker setup.

Rehydration at 8 minutes is on the faster end for legume-based meals. In my experience with similar quinoa-lentil combos, you’ll want to use genuinely hot water (close to boiling) and wrap the pouch in an insulating layer — a jacket works — to hold that heat. Cold-soaking is technically possible here but expect to wait 45–60 minutes and accept a grainier texture.

Packaging & Value

The pouch is packaged in a protective atmosphere using nitrogen (E941), which protects against oxidation while keeping out moisture.

The zip closure and eat-from-the-bag design means no pot to wash.

You eat directly from the sachet — an advantage when water is scarce.

The Quinoa with Pulses meal is available for around €6.50

through third-party retailers, which makes it among the most affordable freeze-dried meals on the European market. Premium brands from specialized outdoor food companies often run €10–15 for similar serving sizes.

Decathlon’s Forclaz freeze-dried range has a good quality-to-price ratio and is readily available in-store.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong protein for a plant-based meal (23 g per serving)
• Short rehydration time (8 minutes)
• Modest water requirement (200 ml) — good for water-scarce environments
• Interesting flavor from red and white quinoa duo plus Espelette pepper
• Made in France; no artificial preservatives (rosemary extract as antioxidant)
• Excellent price for the category (~€6.50)
• Eat-from-pouch design, no washing up

Cons

• 460 kcal is low for a serious hiking dinner — needs supplementing
• Not gluten-free despite the health-forward framing (rye flakes, malted wheat)
• Not vegan (contains dairy cream powder)
• 16 g of fiber plus lentils can cause digestive discomfort, especially early in a trip
• Single-serve size; no large-format option currently available in this recipe
• Low fat content (12 g) means it doesn’t carry the caloric density of richer meals

Who Should Buy This

This meal is a good fit for vegetarian day-hikers and weekend trekkers who want a protein-forward, genuinely different trail dinner at a price that doesn’t sting. It also works well for multi-day hikers who are comfortable planning their calorie budget and know to pair it with calorie-dense sides. It’s not the right choice for anyone with gluten intolerance or anyone eating vegan. And if you’re a heavier caloric spender — think fully-loaded pack over big alpine days — look at the higher-calorie entries in the Forclaz range or supplement liberally.

Verdict

The Duo de Quinoa aux Légumineuses is one of the better-executed plant-based freeze-dried options at this price point. The protein is solid, the ingredient list is cleaner than most budget meals, and the Espelette pepper gives it character. The main weakness is simply the calorie count — 460 kcal is more lunch than dinner for hard days, and the hidden gluten content will blindside anyone who assumes “vegetarian” means allergen-friendly. As a budget trail dinner for lighter days or as a calorie-supplemented camp staple, it earns a 7/10.