REAL Turmat Bacalao Review

Overview

The REAL Turmat Bacalao is a freeze-dried clipfish-and-potato stew with a Portuguese-inspired tomato sauce, made in Tromsø, Norway by Drytech — the same company that has supplied field rations to the Norwegian and British Armed Forces since 1989. It’s aimed at hikers who want something genuinely interesting at camp rather than another pasta-in-a-bag. The flavor profile is legitimately different from 90% of what’s on the market, and that alone earns it a second look.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Dry Weight	85 g
Prepared Weight	440 g
Calories	405 kcal
Calorie Density	~4.8 kcal/g
Protein	15.5 g
Carbohydrates	31.4 g
Fat	23 g
Sodium	~1,200 mg (3 g salt)
Shelf Life	5 years
Allergens	Fish, Soy
Dietary	Gluten-free, Lactose-free, Milk-free
Prep Time (hot water)	8–10 min
Prep Time (cold water)	30+ min
Comparison	See how Bacalao compares to similar gear

Performance

Flavor & Ingredients

This is where the Bacalao earns its reputation. It uses Norwegian clipfish and fresh local ingredients, with the tomato sauce inspired by Portuguese tradition. Bacalao is a Portuguese/Spanish-style fish stew made from dried and salted cod, and clipfish is nutritionally rich in protein, vitamin A, D, B12, selenium, and Omega-3s.

The ingredient list is reassuringly real: potato (26%), cod (18%), onion (14%), tomato (10%), bell pepper (10%), olive oil, tomato paste, corn starch, soy sauce, garlic, fish bouillon, and seasoning. Nothing artificial, no mystery powders.

REAL Turmat’s approach is to cook the meal the old-fashioned way first, letting all the flavors come together, and then dehydrate it as a whole — rather than throwing freeze-dried ingredients together separately. Most brands don’t do this, and it has a noticeable impact on taste.

The result in the Bacalao is a tomato sauce that actually tastes like it was built from aromatics, not assembled from packets.

User feedback from reviewers who’ve tried it backs this up. One reviewer noted they normally wouldn’t go near a fish-based camping meal, but found this “lovely — really tasty cod with a spicy tomato-based sauce.” Another user who typically finds freeze-dried meals “hard to eat and tasting as if prepared by a very poor cook” called the Real Turmat fish preparations “a real exception, tasting like they were prepared by a real cook.” The one honest caveat: the Bacalao didn’t rehydrate completely for at least one reviewer, though the taste of the sauce was compensation enough. I’d give the bag a longer sit — closer to 10–12 minutes — and stir halfway through to help the potato chunks absorb evenly.

Preparation

Tear off the top of the package, unfold the bottom, slowly add hot water, stir while pouring, and close the bag. Let it sit for 8–10 minutes until the dish is rehydrated.

Cold water preparation also works — extend the time to over 30 minutes.

That cold-soak option is genuinely useful on stoveless days or in low-fuel situations, and it’s not something every brand supports convincingly.

The bag doubles as your bowl, so cleanup is just folding it up and packing it out. The meal should be consumed within 2 hours after adding water.

Calorie Density & Fueling

Here’s the honest rub: 405 kcal is on the lean side for a main dinner. At 405 calories per serving, that’s not a lot, especially if this is going to be your only warm meal of the day — you get more calories from a single Snickers bar. Competing brands like Adventure Food make meals of 600 calories each, which is a more reasonable number for dinner.

At ~4.8 kcal/g dry, the calorie density is actually solid — the bag is simply smaller than some competitors. If you’re doing 20+ mile days or operating in cold weather, treat this as a lighter dinner and supplement with a calorie-dense side like olive oil, nut butter, or hard cheese. For easier days or as a substantial lunch, the portion size is just fine.

Salt comes in at 3g per pack — not unusual for a trail meal, and the electrolytes aren’t unwelcome after a long day, but it’s worth tracking if you’re monitoring sodium intake.

Shelf Life & Reliability

REAL Turmat rations are used by the Norwegian and British Armed Forces and are made using a patented freeze-drying process developed by Drytech.

The product has a best-before date of 5 years from the date of manufacture when stored at room temperature.

For anyone building out an emergency food cache or buying in bulk, that shelf life is a genuine asset.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely distinctive flavor — one of the few trail fish meals worth eating
• Cook-first, freeze-dry-later process preserves real flavor depth
• Clean, all-natural ingredient list
• Gluten-free, lactose-free, milk-free — works for several common dietary restrictions
• Cold-soak capable (30+ min)
• Eat-in-bag, no dishes
• 5-year shelf life
• 4.8 kcal/g — respectable calorie density for the weight

Cons

• 405 kcal is low for a standalone dinner on demanding days
• Fish smell in camp is polarizing — a real consideration in bear country or tight quarters
• Incomplete rehydration of potato chunks reported by multiple users; may need extra time or water
• High sodium (3g) — worth noting for those tracking electrolytes
• Premium price (~€11–15/meal) compared to most competitors
• Availability is primarily European; hard to source in North America

Who Should Buy This

This is the right meal for the hiker who is genuinely bored of chicken-and-rice and wants actual dinner-table flavor at elevation. It’s especially strong for those with gluten or lactose restrictions who struggle to find trail meals that don’t feel like a compromise. The cold-soak compatibility also makes it a good pick for ultralight, stoveless setups. If you’re a high-mileage hiker burning 4,000+ calories a day, pair it with calorie-dense extras rather than leaning on it as your sole dinner.

Verdict

The REAL Turmat Bacalao is one of the most culinarily interesting freeze-dried meals on the market, full stop. The Portuguese-Norwegian flavor combination actually works, and the Drytech freeze-drying process delivers on its promise of preserving real taste. The 405 kcal ceiling keeps it from being a workhorse dinner for serious mileage days, and the price premium requires a bit of intentionality about when you reach for it. Pack it on a moderate-mileage trip where you actually want to enjoy dinner — and add a tablespoon of olive oil if you need to bump the calories. 7/10.