Eat like a Fort Liberty soldier: Reporters taste-test military ration MREs

Taylor Shook and Rachael Riley, Fayetteville Observer
·1 min read

For decades, soldiers at Fort Liberty and around the world have eaten Meals, Ready-to-Eat, or MREs in combat or field conditions — but how do they actually taste?

Nearly every servicemember has an opinion on the best and worst of the 24 different menus, as well as their own ways to doctor up the rations.

Averaging about 1,250 calories with a shelf life of about three years, according to the Defense Logistics Agency website, each MRE includes an entree with a combination of sides, snacks, desserts and drinks. The food can be heated with the included water-activated flameless ration heater.

Rations also contain chewing gum, a hand wipe, salt, toilet paper, coffee, powdered creamer, sugar and powdered fruit-flavored beverages.

To put the military meals to the test, The Fayetteville Observer’s military reporter Rachael Riley and food reporter Taylor Shook tasted three MREs last week. See the video for their reactions.

Here’s a look at what they ate.

Menu 6

  • Beef taco filling

  • Sante Fe style rice and beans

  • Tortillas

  • Cheese spread

  • Nut raisin mix

Granola with milk and blueberries from an Army MRE.
Granola with milk and blueberries from an Army MRE.

Menu 17

  • Pork sausage patty, maple flavored

  • Hash browns with peppers and onions

  • Granola with milk and blueberries

  • Smoked almonds

  • Maple muffin top

  • Table syrup

  • Powdered grape juice

Meals, Ready-to-Eat Menu 15 contains Mexican-style chicken stew, mixed fruit, cheese filled pretzels, cheddar flavor, crackers, cheese spread with jalapenos, a chocolate flavored energy bar and a chocolate hazelnut protein drink.
Meals, Ready-to-Eat Menu 15 contains Mexican-style chicken stew, mixed fruit, cheese filled pretzels, cheddar flavor, crackers, cheese spread with jalapenos, a chocolate flavored energy bar and a chocolate hazelnut protein drink.

Menu 15

  • Mexican-style chicken stew

  • Mixed fruit

  • Cheese-filled pretzels, cheddar flavor

  • Crackers

  • Cheese spread with jalapenos

  • Chocolate flavor energy bar

  • Chocolate hazelnut protein drink

Can I purchase an MRE?

The commercial sale of military MREs is prohibited by law, however, the major manufacturers of MREs for the military — Ameriqual, Sopakco and Wornick — also produce civilian MREs. Retailers like Walmart, Amazon and military supply stores stock civilian MREs.

From left to right, military reporter Rachael Riley and food reporter Taylor Shook taste-test Army MREs.
From left to right, military reporter Rachael Riley and food reporter Taylor Shook taste-test Army MREs.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com, on Twitter, or Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter. 

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: MREs taste test: What military rations really taste like