Mountain House has been doing this a long time, and the food has always been good. I remember getting their food from mail order catalogs long before the internet. Back then, your options were limited to two or three companies, MRES, or surplus C-rations from Vietnam. I like their buckets/packs because they are one of the few companies that offer a large variety of entrees that contain actual meat. Many others are mainly various permutations of flavored pasta and rice or other grain-based dry goods with no actual meat in it. I like pasta and rice too, but it's nice to have something that kind of "sticks to your ribs" sometimes. Tastes great too, like a regular meal. My meal bucket came carefully double-boxed and arrived in great shape. Once empty, the bucket can be used a variety of ways in an emergency too. They are lightweight so if necessary you can ditch the bucket and put a bunch of them in a pack if you have to bug-out. Recommend others interested in this type of product also check out their webstore here on Amazon, they have a pretty amazing collection of dishes. You can buy a single pouch to try out before committing to a whole box/pail of them. They also have the big #10 cans. As an aside, a "best by" date is NOT an expiration date. The food will remain perfectly edible past its "best by" date for years, it may just not have the same consistency or flavor that it did when new. With recent emergencies like Helene cutting off communities that are hundreds of miles from the ocean, strikes, long term power outages, people panic-buying leaving shelves empty etc. it pays to be prepared. Even a small stash of neccesities can make the difference until help can arrive or things return to somewhat normal, or you are displaced from your home. I trust this brand and recommend their products. All made in the USA too. I do wish they had 4 of each entree item in this bucket for my wife and I, as their idea or a "serving" and mine are pretty different. :) I can easily eat a whole pouch myself. Read more
Great taste and a good value. Read more
These quick to cook freeze dried food have been amazing for the hunting and camping trips. They heat fast and taste great. When you open the package you are hot with a amazing aroma and there is plenty to fill you up! Read more
Some of these were good (stroganoff). Some weren’t - lacking flavor and bland (rice and chicken). Decent variety. They were easy to make, but we didn’t bring measuring cups for the water, so we guessed, and that made an impact on the quality, since it you don’t put enough water they stay crunchy and if you put too much they get soggy. They’re not quite enough food for a full grown man. Needs something on the side to fill you up. Stays hot long enough to eat. Best price on the market. Very convenient for camping Read more
This is packaged well and easy to store. I have actually tried some of this food and it’s pretty good. I bought 2 single pckts to try and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to use, the quality and the taste. I feel today that our food chain may become insecure and as this product keeps well, it’s great insurance for hard times. Read more
Holy Buckets of Boo, does this stuff make a good meal. Yes, it's pricey, but compared to some of their competitors, this company is miles ahead. If you're a camper or just need a quick meal, this one is bound to satisfy. Read more
h, the Mountain House Classic Bucket - the culinary savior of backpackers, campers, and apocalypse preppers alike. Here's my take on this freeze-dried delight: Taste Test: I cracked open the bucket with the anticipation of a starving adventurer, only to find a colorful array of freeze-dried meals staring back at me like a technicolor dream. With flavors ranging from beef stroganoff to chicken teriyaki, it's like a culinary world tour in a bucket. Just add water, and voilà! Gourmet(ish) cuisine in the great outdoors. Portability: Who needs a five-star restaurant when you've got a bucket of freeze-dried goodness? This bucket is the ultimate in portability - just toss it in your backpack and you're ready for any adventure. It's like having a personal chef in a compact, lightweight package. Plus, the bucket doubles as a makeshift drum for those impromptu campfire jam sessions. Read more
I bought a few of these 6 years ago, and I just recently ran into some financial issues where I had no money or food for about 3 days before my next paycheck. I spent an entire day starving before realizing I had these! I couldn't imagine not having a few weeks worth of these on hand for potential emergencies now. Six years later and these literally taste better than any microwave meal I've ever had. As a 230lb male I could survive on two of these pouches per day, but I typically ate three or four. Read more
