See also MRE History and Shelf Life.

Each case of MREs comes with 12 complete meals:

• Vegetarian Chili with Beans
• Beef Stroganoff with Noodles
• BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes
• Chicken Noodle Stew with Vegetables
• Cheese Tortellini with Marinara Sauce
• Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables

2 of Each 8 oz Entrée come per case.

• 4.5 oz Side Dish (Apple sauce or fruit cocktail)
• 2 oz Oatmeal Cookie
• 2 oz Raisins & Mix Nuts
• Drink Mix (orange flavor)
• Accessory Pack (spoon, coffee, sugar, creamer, salt, pepper, napkin, moist towel)

The Meal, Ready-to-Eat, or MRE (pronounced "M-R-E") is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging procured by the United States military for its service-members for use in combat or other field conditions where organized food facilities are not available. The MRE replaced C-rations in 1980 and was the successor to the LRRP ration developed by the U.S. Army for Special Forces and U.S. Army Ranger patrol units in Vietnam.

Sale of military MREs is prohibited.  Civilian versions of the MRE include everything that the other versions do except for matches, gum and toilet paper.

Because MREs are sealed in plastic, they cannot be damaged by submersion.