Are These Meals Actually Good?

Since 1981, the American Army has eaten “Meals Ready to Eat” better known as MREs or rations. These easy-to-prepare meals demand an acquired taste. Keep reading, and dig into this list of 20 food rations that are keeping soldiers fed in the field.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez on Wikimedia Commons

1. Chicken Chunks

Only plain chicken and tortillas are included as the main dish. Thankfully this ration also has a cheese sauce for added flavor. It isn’t exactly appetizing, but it keeps the army fed. 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Brasier on Wikimedia Commons

2. Southwest Style Beef And Black Beans

The main dish here includes a mix of beef and black beans to spread on a tortilla. Lacking in flavor, this is a ration soldiers eat out of necessity, rather than choice. 

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez on Wikimedia Commons

3. Pork Sausage Breakfast

While the pork sausage patty and hash browns are meant to be the main course, MREs are usually packed with other goodies that help round out the food. In this case, soldiers recommend ditching the patty and savoring the smoked almonds and other snacks instead.

Photo by Sgt. Anthony Ortiz on Wikimedia Commons

4. Beef Patty, Jalapeno And Pepper Jack

Placing the patty on a tortilla like a burger makes this meal fun to eat. It even includes condiments like ketchup and mustard so you can customize the flavor, something any soldier can appreciate.

Photo by Marines from Arlington, VA, United States on Wikimedia Commons

5. Pizza Slice, Pepperoni 

A highlight of the pizza meal is that it doesn’t need to be heated to taste good. The thick dough and traditional toppings are a crowd-pleaser. A word of caution: make sure the silica gel pack isn’t stuck to the food before eating. 

Photo by U.S. Navy photo on Wikimedia Commons

6. Cheese Tortellini

A fan favorite, this good-looking cheesy tortellini can be enjoyed either hot or cold. For extra flavor, it can also be paired with the provided Tabasco sauce and crackers. 

Photo by Ashley Pomeroy on Wikimedia Commons

7. Beef Strips And Savoury Tomato Sauce

This rich and saucy beef marinara can be eaten hot or cold. Packed with snacks like white bread (PB&J included) and M&M trail mix, this MRE wins points with many soldiers in the field.

Photo by U.S. Army RDECOM from Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA on Wikimedia Commons

8. Italian Sausage With Peppers And Onions In Marinara Sauce

Though more spice is recommended, this robust pasta sauce is still edible. Treats found in the MRE like dried cranberries and roasted peanuts help round out this otherwise bland meal. 

Photo by Slick-o-bot on Wikimedia Commons

9. Creamy Spinach Fettuccine 

Soldiers advise always heating this MRE before eating. Once warmed, the pasta and sauce combine more smoothly to provide a better taste. Additionally, the included honey mustard onion pretzels look and smell bad, but actually taste pretty good.

Photo by Leif Skoogfors on Wikimedia Commons

10. Mexican Style Chicken Stew 

Though it’s nothing to get excited about, this stew is still edible and nutritious. What might excite people more are the potential treats found inside the ration. For example, the fruit cocktail is delectable. 

U.S. Air Force, Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Parsons, 9th Intelligence Squadron on Wikimedia Commons

11. Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Nothing’s better than MREs, like this one, which can be eaten cold. This much-loved meal is exactly as it sounds: a traditional spaghetti and meatballs, perfect for reminding soldiers of home.

Photo by VR38DETT on Wikimedia Commons

12. Shredded Beef In BBQ Sauce

This ration can be eaten as mini tacos with cheese spread, black beans, and shredded beef. Though this MRE can cause gut issues, it’s still worth eating. Pairing it with orange juice and a dry cookie is sure to satisfy a soldier’s hunger.

Photo by Ashley Pomeroy on Wikimedia Commons

13. Elbow Macaroni In Tomato Sauce

Simple doesn’t always mean good and this unexciting, two-ingredient MRE proves that. Still, when left with no other options, soldiers will happily take this dish over nothing. After all, food is food.

Photo by Spc. Joshua Edwards on Wikimedia Commons

14. Chicken Egg Noodles With Vegetables And Sauce

Warming the chicken egg noodles is strongly recommended. Once warmed, the crackers can be added for more diverse flavor and texture. A possible fan-favorite dessert includes apple and raspberry puree, or even Skittles, to give soldiers a taste of the rainbow.

Photo by U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott L. Eberle on Wikimedia Commons

15. Beef Ravioli

This is the least buzz-worthy meal eaten in the field. Just like the canned ravioli available at the grocery store, the taste won’t excite you. But even so, this simple ration eaten with bread and cheese sauce gets the job done.

Photo by Leonard J. DeFrancisci on Wikimedia Commons

16. Chili With Beans

Though the chili and beans are fine, the crackers and cornbread are extremely dry. Soldiers have found that dipping them in the sauce helps add flavor and moisture. It seems getting creative is the key to giving rations variety. 

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Hlavac USMC on Wikimedia Commons

17. Chicken Pesto Pasta

The Italian breadsticks look moldy and taste expired, but the chicken pesto pasta both smells and tastes good. Patriotic-shaped sugar cookies are included in this MRE to remind people of home.

U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Farrukh Daniel on Wikimedia Commons

18. Chicken Burrito Bowl

It might look like a dog’s breakfast, but this meal isn’t terrible as long as it’s warmed. With crackers and trail mix on the side, it certainly satisfies hunger without the hassle of cooking in the field. 

U.S. Army RDECOM from Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA, on Wikimedia Commons

19. Beef Stew

One of the oldest MRE menu items, beef stew follows the tradition of looking bad but tasting good. Though its age might suggest a lack of flavor, this ration is surprisingly flavorful when heated. 

U.S. Army RDECOM from Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA on Wikimedia Commons

20. Beef Taco

Spreading your choices of cheese sauce, rice, beans, and beef mix over tortillas makes for an excellent taco. Unfortunately, there’s no dessert, only a collection of topping options.

U.S. Army RDECOM from Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA on Wikimedia Commons