MREs (Meals Ready To Eat) may seem complicated, but they aren’t. The main entree is processed similarly to how grandma used to can vegetables from the garden; the packaging is different.
What Is An MRE?
An MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) is the U.S. Military’s current combat ration, a shelf-stable, self-contained, pre-cooked meal with accessories that do not require refrigeration. MREs are used to feed forward-deployed troops if cooked food is unavailable. Each MRE contains approximately 1,250 calories.
MRE; The Modern Military Ration
Compared to the “C-rations” my grandfather ate in World War II, MREs are an A+, premium-grade combat ration. I was in the service when the first MREs, wrapped in brown packaging, came out. I remember how lousy the pork patty was. The MRE menus have improved substantially from the early pork patty days.
MREs Contain: an entree, side dish, crackers or bread, one spread (like peanut butter), candy, beverage mix, dessert, hot sauce, condiments, an accessory packet, a flameless ration heater, and a spoon.
- The contents of MREs change regularly.
There are currently 24 menus for the military-grade MRE, and the menus are, and can be, changed. The following list will give you an idea of what is in an MRE.
| Items | Content Of Military MREs |
| 1 Entree (24 Menus) | Asian Style Beef Strips, Beef Patty, Beef Ravioli, Beef, and BBQ Sauce, Beef Stew, Beef Taco, Brisket, Cheese Tortellini, Chicken Egg Noodles, Chicken Burrito Bowl, Chicken Chunks, Chili Macaroni, Chili With Beans, Spinach Fettuccine, Chicken Pesto Pasta, Meatballs in Marinara Sauce, Mexican Style Chicken Stew, Pork Sausage Patty, Southwest Style Beef, Spaghetti with Beef Sauce, Hashbrown Potatoes With Bacon, Vegetables With Pasta, Macaroni in Tomato Sauce, or Tuna |
| Side Dish | Corn, Fruit, Mashed Potatoes, or Rice |
| Cracker or Bread | Bread, crackers, tortillas, Toasted Corn Kernels, Pretzels, or Nuts |
| Spread | Cheese spread, Peanut Butter or Jelly |
| Candy | M&Ms, Skittles, or Tootsie Rolls |
| Beverage Mix | Sports Drink Powder, Cocoa, Dairy Shakes, Cappuccino, Coffee, or Tea |
| Accessory Packet | Matches, Creamer, Sugar, Salt, Chewing Gum, and Toilet Paper |
| Dessert | Cookie, Pound Cake, Brownie, Cobbler, Fruit, Granola With Milk And Blueberries, Muffin Top, Pudding, First Strike Energy Bar, or Toaster Pastries |
| Hot Sauce | Hot Sauce in some meals |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Mustard, and/or Chipotle |
| 1 Spoon | Eating Utensil |
| FRH (Flameless Ration Heater) | Chemical heater (heats entree when a small amount of water is added) |
| Paperboard Sleeve | Heat sleeve used to heat entree with the FRH and water |
| Paperboard Insert Card | Contains Food Product Information |
- MREs must be capable of withstanding parachute drops from 1,250 feet, and non-parachute drops of 100 feet.
- MRE packaging is required to maintain a minimum shelf life of 3.5 Years at 80° F or 9 months at 100° F.
How Many MREs Should I Eat?
There are a lot of calories in MREs. I remember eating the crackers and spreads more than anything on the menu. You would have to burn some serious calories to build up a big enough appetite for 3 full MRes in a day.
Eat 3 MREs per day to obtain the U.S. military recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals and 3750 kcal. The suggested daily calorie intake for civilians is 2000 to 2500 kcal. One MRE contains 1/3 of the daily military ration or approximately 1250 kcal (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbs.)
How long can you eat MREs?
MREs don’t contain the fiber and bacteria necessary for proper digestion; they are not intended or designed for long-term consumption. Eat them too long, without fresh food supplements, and you can get constipated or the other end of the spectrum.
The U.S. military suggests eating MREs for a maximum of 21 Consecutive days.
Military units supplement MREs with bread, fresh fruit, and milk.
What Does The Average MRE Weigh?
MREs are bulky because they are a wet ration containing water and a lot of packaging. Fresh water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon. That’s heavy. If backpacking or walking out of an emergency, MREs may not be the best choice. A three-day supply of MREs (9 MREs) for one person weighs over 14lbs.
| # of MREs | Weight |
| 1 MRE | 1.125 lbs to 1.625 lbs |
| 3 MREs | 3.375 to 4.875 lbs |
| 1 Case of MREs/12 Meals | Approximately 21 lbs |
- If weight is a concern when choosing emergency rations, consider freeze-dried food; it is much lighter and less bulky.
What Is The Difference Between MREs And Freeze-Dried Food?
If you choose between MREs and freeze-dried food, consider things like shelf-life, water requirements, weight, and nutritional value.
| Particulars | MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) | Vacuum Packed Freeze-Dried Foods |
| Maximum Shelf-Life (in years) | 7 | 30 |
| Storage Temperature | Adversely affected by high temperatures like a hot car trunk | Adversely affected by high temperatures like a hot car trunk |
| Potable Water | Not Required | Required |
| Require Reconstitution with water | No | Some items like freeze-dried fruit or vegetables can be eaten without reconstituting. |
| Pre-Processing | Pre-cooked and placed in retort packaging; a process similar to canning | Dehydrated in a low temp, low-pressure environment; can be precooked, but not necessary |
| Nutritional Value | Low in dietary fiber, not intended for long-term consumption, high in sodium | Not significantly affected by the freeze-drying process. Retains 93+% of nutritional value, and flavor |
| How to eat | Entree is heated with Flameless Ration Heater (FRH), with boiling water, or in a pan on a campfire or cook-stove | To re-hydrate, freeze-dried meals add warm or boiling water and wait for 10 to 12 minutes (Use a pan on the stovetop or a bowl to re-hydrate individual ingredients) |
| Good For 72-Hour Emergency Food Supply | Yes, if storage conditions have been maintained | Yes, if you have access to clean, potable water |
How Long Do MREs Last?
How will you know if your military-grade MREs sat on a tarmac in the 110° blazing sun or were in cold storage? You won’t. That’s why it’s difficult to give a clear answer. This is a significant drawback if you plan on using MREs for emergency rations.
According to the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, MREs will last 7 years if stored under optimum conditions, stored in a cool, dark location of 60° F or less.
Armed Forces Pest Management Board Storage Temperature & Shelf Life
| Storage Temperature | 60°F | 70°F | 80°F | 90°F | 110°F |
| Approx. MRE Storage-Life | 7 Years | 5 Years | 4 Years | 30 Months | 5 Months |
(MREs) U.S.gov website, Department Of Defense PDF Document
Are MREs Still Good After The 3-Year Expiration Date?
The 3-year “expiration date” on an MRE is the date when you inspect the MRE packaging to ensure that it is still sound and protecting the food. The expiration date is the “best eaten by” date. The flavor and nutritional value of the food may start to decline after the expiration date.
“The shelf life of the MRE is three (3) years at 80 degrees F. However, cold storage facilities can extend the shelf life before distribution.” Combat Logistics Support Agency
When purchasing Military-grade MREs, you have no way of knowing how MREs have been stored.
6-Steps: How To Heat An MRE Entree With The Flameless Ration Heater (FRH?)
Research, Development and Engineering Center PDF
Is It Illegal To Sell Military MREs?
Selling MRES by anyone other than those authorized to do so is unlawful according to the Department of Defense (DOD) regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (U.C.M.J. Art. 108.)
Printed warning on MRE packaging: “U.S. Government Property, Commercial Resale Is Unlawful.”
An excerpt from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) PDF Document: GAO-06-410R MRE
“Although no statutes or regulations specifically prohibit the sale of military MREs…DOD regulations permit the sale of MREs to a limited number of organizations, including… U.S. military organizations and federally funded activities…Consequently, servicemembers, federal civilian personnel, and contractors selling stolen MREs could face criminal charges related to the theft of military property.”
The Illegal Sale of Military MREs
- In 2006, the GAO investigated military-grade MREs being sold on eBay. Some of these meals were diverted from the relief efforts for hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
- A member of the Georgia National Guard is being investigated for obtaining MREs through unauthorized or improper means and selling them for personal gain.
Non-Military MREs Made For Civilians
You can purchase civilian versions of MREs, but there are some differences between the two products.
| Particulars | Civilian MRE | Military MRE |
| Previous Storage | Factory Direct | Unknown |
| Shelf-life | 5 Years From Manufacture | Determined by storage |
| Calories | 1200+ | 1300+ |
| FRH Included | Yes | Yes |
- Civilian versions aren’t quite as robust as military-grade, but you will know the origin and reliability of your meal.
- Civilian MREs can be a good choice for a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit (suggested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency), hunting, fishing, or RVing.
- The high temperatures and temperature fluctuations are not a good choice for an emergency vehicle kit.
Civilian MRE suppliers/manufacturers :
- Sopakco
- MRE-Star
- Meal Kit Supply
- Eversafe
- Apack
- XMRE
How Are Meals Ready To Eat (MREs) Made?
- Food is pre-cooked
- Food is injected into plastic retort pouches (Tri-laminate retort pouches (MRE pouches) are layered plastic and aluminum foil that keeps oxygen and bacteria away from the food.)
- Pouches are sealed and heated again to sterilize.
Useful Links:
Special Operations Forces Nutrition Guide: This great nutritional resource goes beyond MRE Nutrition (PDF Format). Click here
Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of Soldiers Consuming Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) During a 30-Day Field Training Exercise: US Army Research Institute, USgov website (PDF Format) click here
MREinfo.com, the best site on military rations, click here
Defense Logistics Agency, US.gov, Shelf Life of MREs click here
