This is awesome. I’m a firefighter/EMT and live in SC and we get stuck at work for like a week at a time for hurricane season and this is an awesome way to keep food not only at the station but on the trucks also. Also for my daughter when she goes to babysitter for that week. Also good for go bags. This is amazing.
I always make my own MRE's! And I have some of the same stuff in mine. You can make every one of them different! So much cheaper than regular MRE's and fresher. I also have several 72 hr & 1 week bags put together for emergencies.
Excellent. I built 4 of these last year and threw one in my pack today to go scouting for hunting. I ate everything except the rice. I had added a couple packs of franks red hot sauce which I also didn’t use. I will add a second peanut butter packet and a second tuna pack- Sunkist Thai- yum! I had stolen some shortbread cookies from the lobby at my mothers radiology clinic and they were perfect to have with the apple sauce and coffee as dessert.
Great tips. Thanks. With homemade mre's you have more control over expiration dates because many military MREs may be close to inspection date or you don't know the past storage conditions. With diy mre's most stuff you get at the market should be pretty fresh to begin with. Sounds like homemade custom MREs is cheaper and you know it's stuff you want to to eat because you selected it.
With the way this winter is going, near Cincinati, I made up a few of these just in case I get stuck in traffic on my way to or from work. Since I live 10 minutes from work they are more simplified. Tuna, crackers, Capris Sun drinks, granola bar, candy bar, cheese crackers, plastic spoon, and wet naps.
This is really cool in and of itself, and this is very practical - but I would love to see someone starting with something like raw proteins and flour and whatnot - and creating MRE style meals entirely from scratch to be packaged and then last 5+ years. There are a lot of chef techniques that could be put to use dehydrating proteins and veggies and such -- but putting meat through a brine or pickling vegetables would also be great. There could also be a focus on many meals that are desirable at room or cold temperatures -- and the creator would have a lot of control over the flavor profile in terms of seasoning, protein choice, rice vs pasta, etc. I know someone could just preserve some meat, then some fruit, then a carb, then some veggies, then seal it and bag it -- But it would be great to see a culinary effort put behind this to take those disparate elements and make some kind of dish. I mean, obviously this is how we got MREs in the first place, but it would be cool to see someone taking common meals and "MRE-ifying" them as much as possible - with a focus on very long lifespan when and if possible.
Thank you! Between dietary restrictions and a few weird allergies (coffee... seriously lol) I have hunted every kind of mre I could find but something was always not quite right. I never thought about the dyi style, but it is perfect! Talk about a lightbulb moment! 😂
For outings I have made some with pringles cans. Viennas, small beeny weenies, snack crackers, granola bars, ect... I would like to kown more about long term though.
I have made quite a few of these so far. Thank you for all the suggestions. One additional thing I did was I wrote with a fine point black sharpie marker on the outside of the bag, a list of everything that was inside the MRE. Especially when you have kids or other people in the family, it may be nice to know what’s inside the bag before you open it, just in case someone prefers one MRE over the other during that time. I also wrote the pack date like you suggested before. Keep up the awesome videos!
I apologize, I should have clarified. I write the contents of the MRE on the vacuum sealed ones. I definitely like using the vacuum sealer over the Ziploc bags because I agree with you about keeping things fresher. Thanks again!
That first bag is equivalent to a 24-hr MRE. Breakfast - Spam, half of the jerky, 2 of the 6 crackers, coffee. Lunch - Last of the jerky, peanuts, propel, 2 more of the crackers. (maybe half of the rice) Dinner - Rice with spam mixed in, crackers, apple sauce, juice bag.
If you are going to have water, there are a few options. You can buy instant rice and add water an hour or so before eating. It won’t be hot, but it’ll be edible. Instead of a tea bag, I bring Lipton instant tea packets. A real good protein powder is soylent brand. I also use the already liquid version a lot. You can save weight, but still have great taste with small packs of freeze-dried fruit. Apples, pears, bananas, many stores now carry some. I avoid the crystallized, overly sweet dehydrated, and go with a brand like Crispy Green. Reasonable priced, and great flavor. You don’t need to rehydrate, just eat as a nice crispy snack! But if you HAVE to have the applesauce, you can add in a small packet of Nutella for some added yum! This was a fun video to watch, as you can see, it got me thinking creatively! thanks!
also, in the spirit of saving money, you can take note at the store of what seems like a good item, then order small cases of the items online if its cheaper.
I’ve been trying to get Spam Singles over here in the Uk. Only you lucky Americans can get them! Walmart won’t even mail unless I buy 35! Haha. Great video.
I do this and throw them in a bucket. Hubs takes them often. I am celiac, so everything is gluten free and primarily keto (not super strict). I do pack a cup and have more heater in each. I do keep salt and pepper in them. I do have dried apples and berries for the sweet. Thanks for the other ideas.
When watching MRE videos here on YT, I notice them (Military MRE) Packs, store bought candies & branded foods too. (Expected Military MRE to only have coyote colored packs & identified by typewriter fonts ... Not obvious that them are 'Snickers' & Tabasco hot sauce, or 'Cordiale' liquors, Screaming out loud), so I guess the Military also shop at the Supermarket from time to time!!? 😁😁😁.. when I'm out of chips, I crushes ramens & pour in the spices & eat it like snacks!!
I like it, a real 'ready to eat meal'. So many people put together meals that require 20-30 min of cooking that really takes it out of the 'ready to eat' category. I've been making these and copying the Canadian LMC - light meal, combat rations lately. Those generally run in the 800-1200 cal range and generally snack items because real MREs at $8-10 each are just too expensive. Have you done a calorie count on the meals you made? Or do you just go by it being a meal for that time frame.
I have not done a calorie count, but I still have them all packed so when I get back (Have to run out) I will do a count and post it in a pinned comment. I just kind of went by "This should be enough to fill anyone up for a lunch or dinner" rule lol, Thanks for watching!
WOW, you give me hope! I have to have gluten free food (medical necessity) and I’ve searched for freeze dried gluten free foods. But I have not been able to find certified gluten free yet... making my own makes perfect sense! Thanks!!!
Also check on some thrive life stuff, its freeze dried but gluten free on some items, I have the link to my thrive site in almost all my videos so it might be able to help. Glad I could help!
Depends on what you like in rice, what I suggest is the asian rice you can get, it's easy to get and they give you a smaller portion while also being pretty filling
I apologize, I should have clarified my previous comment an hour or so ago. I write the contents of the MRE on the vacuum sealed ones using a sharpie marker. I definitely like using the vacuum sealer over the Ziploc bags because I agree with you about keeping things fresher. Thanks again!
A good snack or meal bar, in my opinion only, is a bar call fit crunch, by chef Robert Irvine. It's a protein meal bar. It has 300 calories, very very little sugar, and 30 grams of protein. I can't remember off hand the carb count, I think it's between 16-23 grams. But it's the best tasting protein bar I've ever tried. Maybe it's something to look in to?
thanks for the mention, I recently added a few pouches of dried halal chicken, it's in one of my recent mail call videos, I would transfer that to a snack size ziplock bag to get rid of the bulk the air filled pouch has. peanut butter packets would be a great option also
Very cool, yeah I think I can do that with the pre cooked rice, there is a lot of rice in there (too much really) and a lot of air as well. Might transfer that out to a good ziplock!
Good video and well articulated. I use MRE. and I make my own as well an vacuum seal them in a food saver. You dead on to about your remark regards certain restrictions ones may have not to mention saving loads of money.
I will keep an eye out for gluten free stuff, if I can find enough perhaps I can put together some gluten free home made type MREs and do a video on it. Its harder to find but it is out there. I know there are some thrive life items that are gluten free so I can start with them.
This is great...the MRE s today are over priced and taste like crap ,re -baggage and re-dated junk like something the military 🪖 threw out ? Yes , I like homemade MRE s . And ,I can try out my food before I go into the wilderness hiking and Should of don't work..When your already out there ? THANKS FOR YOUR VIDEO..REALISTIC IS WORTH WATCHING ? GREAT VIDEO
So I'm 14 and I can't go to the shop and get this stuff btw I'm British. So I have pasta and porridge and about to add canned potatoes what else should I add and can you mainly recommend house hold food. I'm going to add rice. Idk If brown rice would last longer tho. Could you give me some tips :)
I love brown rice, but it does not last as long as white rice, however for a small portable MRE type meal, it should be fine for at least a year or so if you pack it right. Canned food is ok, but its heavier, things like oatmeal, and tuna work great too.
Can you use a flameless ration heater to heat compleats and uncle ben's ready rice? I enjoy a warm meal and a FRH is easier to pack then a mess kit. I can get FRH's from the local surplus store $11.95 for a 12 pack
Great video. I pack my backpacking meals the same way. There is a good book called "Recipes for adventure" on DIY dehydrated meals . I met the author on a trip and his diy meals were fantastic. Thanks for sharing !
Pros and Cons of this : Pro's : You can pick what you want to eat Wider range of foods And add up the cost to a AVG $12 MRE pack and see if you get more for less Con : You have to find out the expire date And if they last the same time frame as a MRE As the point of a MRE is to be long lasting Store goods VS dehydrated foods in a mylar bag vacuumed sealed with oxygen absorbers And UV protected Made types of store foods have open pockets of packaging which allows mosture to enter I just started making dehydrated foods for MRE style packaging Great for storage of foods on sale and Camping Idea being 3 months of foods stored incase of Job loss, Prepping, Not having to get the store on a long weekend when its packed full of people Xmas/thanksgiving and overall one less thing to worry about
everyone always forgets to add laxative .... because MREs are notorious for pluggin your plumbing ... (This is just a joke dont do it literally , laxative can cause dehydration and worse)
That’s a great idea I will make some kits for my daughter What size bag did you use it looks smaller than the gallon but bigger than the sandwich size Lol you got all my favorite snacks
These are Quart sized bags, but I have since resealed them in my vacuum sealer with vacuum sealer bags, comes out much better and you can be sure no air will get in. I have to think of some more meals to put together and I will make more of these using the vacuum sealer too.
I love your MRE's! I prefer to make my own too! I put just what i like in them! I like the apple sauce, ill have to put that in mine too! Hope your doing well George!
Thought of different thing for your juice drink. I get the super concentred fruit juice for my son while we’re outdoors, just add water. Weights 3oz, and gives 20 drinks. Thanks for your great videos, Chris.
In the UK there branded Robinsons, made by Britvic soft drinks. I’m over in Florida in a few weeks, if I spot the same item at Walmart I’ll post back what it’s branded in the USA.
Throw in a packet of coconut oil or two. Can add close to 300 extra calories with minimal weight. Packets of peanut butter are awesome too. If anyone can direct me to where I can find packets of that jalapeño cheese from the DOD MREs let me know!
Have you checked out the cold weather MRE's. There excellent. High in calories. If shtf you'll need higher calories, to burn. You'll be more active. Pack as you use, but your calorie intake will increase, due to your calorie burn off. Love your channt
I'm thinking about doing this for myself due to the fact I'm highly allergic to all forms onion and every single one of them has guess what?? Onion, dehydrated onion, flakes, powder or granulated
coffees packets: I use folgers.. I'd include two. seems to need two to make coffee taste like a real brewed one. would know how Starbucks taste...will never know (They're a commie sponsoring company). oddly... those beef jerky actually spoil within a short time; rancid sourish. I would add just before going 'out into field.' have to try your entrees... look good. powdered soda flavor and juice flavor/ 8 pouches in a box.. cost about 1 dollar right now at most stores. Walgreens being one I know of.