One of my favorite foods to store for emergencies is freeze-dried food by Mountain House. It is also ranked as one of our most favorite survival food companies.
By the way, because this food tastes so good now, it does not have to be used only for emergency preparedness. They are an incredibly easy way of meal planning for a backpacking trip or even a road trip.
Mountain house is one of the most well-known brands in producing long-lasting food. Here are a few reasons why you should consider this company.
SKIP AHEAD
Mountain House Perks
Long Shelf Life
Mountain House is the only company on the market that has a 30-year guarantee on their food products.
The incredible thing is that the guarantee not only covers the longevity of the food but that after three decades of sitting in a pouch, it will still taste good!
Variety
They offer a large selection of food options that range from entrees, side dishes, desserts, snacks – heck, they even have smoothies now!
I challenge you to peruse their website and not find at least one item you would enjoy eating.
Taste
As I mentioned earlier, Mountain House has been around for a long time, decades. And during that time, they have been perfecting their meals.
If you open a pouch of freeze-dried food, the contents do not look all that appetizing. But add some boiling water, wait ten minutes, and you will be amazed at how good it tastes.
In my opinion, the flavor and taste is so good that they can be taken on trips, such as a backpacking trip, and I have even eaten several of them while I was at home.
Great Customer Service
Out of all the times I have purchased products from this company, I have never had a problem.
But there have a few times in which I contacted the company with some questions, and they were always quick and professional with their responses.
It’s Space Food!
Okay, so my nerd side is coming out a bit here, but it is pretty cool to think that Mountain House Meals have been in space and even to the moon!
However, my nerdiness aside, if this product is good enough for NASA and our astronauts, then it is good enough for me.
The Downside?
Nothing is perfect, and if I had to come up with one bad thing about Mountain House, it’s that you could say it’s not a great value.
However, this also depends on your perspective.
If you are simply looking at the product based on serving size and cost, then it is not the best value, but this can be said about all companies that make freeze dried meals.
Personally, I don’t buy these based on their serving size. I buy them for their convenience and longevity.
Best Mountain House Meals: 5 Picks
Breakfast Skillet
Breakfast is one of my favorite meals of the day and the Mountain House Breakfast Skillet does not disappoint!
This meal combines hash browns, sausage, a mixture of vegetables, and scrambled eggs. It is basically an omelet in a pouch.
It is a meal that is filling, has wonderful flavors, and is comforting. A breakfast like that is a great way to start your day.
It is no wonder that the Breakfast Skillet is one of the most popular options offered by Mountain House.
- DELICIOUS BREAKFAST! Hash browns, scrambled eggs, crumbled pork patty, peppers and onions....
- NO ARTIFICIAL COLORS OR FLAVORS - Made with no artificial flavors or colors and certified...
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 23:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chilli Mac
Another one of my favorites!
By combing large macaroni noodles, pieces of beef, kidney beans, and a tasty chili sauce, Mountain house was able to create a meal bursting with both flavor and textures that will leave you wanting more.
Now, I like some spice with my food but a little goes a long way. So if you are like me, do not worry about the sauce being overly spicy. The Mountain House Chili Mac has just enough kick that you will be smacking your lips instead of wiping the tears from your eyes.
- DELICIOUS MEAL! Spicy chili sauce with beef, macaroni noodles, onion, and beans. Freeze-dried to...
- NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING - Made with no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. Pouch contains...
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 23:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Creamy Macaroni with Cheese
This meal combines large macaroni noodles with a creamy cheese sauce that will have you rethinking your childhood comfort food.
I liked this meal as is, but have found the water amount suggested in preparation makes the cheese a little thin, at least to my liking.
If you enjoy a slightly thicker sauce, try experimenting with different amounts of water until you find the consistency of sauce you like best.
- DELICIOUS MEAL! Macaroni noodles in a smooth, creamy, and very cheesy sauce. Freeze-dried to lock in...
- NO ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVE OR FLAVORS - Made with no artificial preservatives or flavors. Pouch...
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 23:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Casserole
Nothing smells or tastes better than homemade chicken soup, especially on a cold day. It is also one of those comfort foods for when you are feeling a bit under the weather.
Considering my high standards for this particular meal, I was blown away when I first tried the Mountain House Homemade Chicken Noodle Casserole.
It combines chunks of real chicken, mushrooms, celery, green peppers, and large thick noodles all mixed in a creamy sauce that will have you going back for seconds.
- DELICIOUS MEAL! This comforting casserole is made with chunks of chicken, noodles, mushrooms,...
- NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING - Made with no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. Case contains six...
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 23:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Spaghetti With Meat Sauce
Spaghetti is a staple meal among most households because it is cheap to make, filling, tastes great, and serves a lot of people.
So it is no wonder that having spaghetti in long term storage would appeal to many people.
This pouch contains noodles, chunks of beef, and a marinara sauce that is very rich in flavor. This meal will also provide 26 grams of protein to keep you going throughout the day.
- Tender Spaghetti pasta with chunks of beef in a rich marinara sauce.
- Just Add Water. Plan Easier. Travel Lighter. Eat Heartier.
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 23:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What To Look For In Emergency Meals
Below are a few things to keep in mind when deciding to purchase emergency meals.
Easy To Prepare
If you are eating these meals in times of emergencies than it possible you may not have access to normal cooking facilities.
The easier it is to prepare a meal at such times, the better.
Luckily, the only requirement of Mountain House meals is the addition of one cup of hot water and about ten minutes of wait time. The amount of water and cook time may vary slightly depending on the meal.
Long Shelf Life
An emergency could happen tomorrow or several years from now. We just never know.
Emergency meals that we can purchase and stow away without having to rotate them often due to a short shelf life are ideal.
In the case of this company, you can leave their food on the shelf for three decades without worrying about rotation.
Storage
Some foods need very particular conditions to have a long shelf life such as refrigeration or freezing.
However, many types of emergencies are coupled with the loss of power. This is why it is best to choose a survival food that is not dependent on a power source to keep it shelf-stable.
Mountain House meals only need to be stored in cool, dry locations for optimal shelf life.
I wanted to share a quick word of advice. Most survival foods come in the form of a pouch, which is then sold individually, packed into a cardboard box, or packed into a sturdy plastic bucket.
The buckets are the most durable option as they can be stored almost anywhere, and they will remain well-protected. If you purchase the individual pouches or cardboard boxes, you should transfer the meals into a sturdy container such as a plastic tote with a lid.
I once stored a cardboard case of Mountain House meals in my basement thinking it would be fine. But thanks to an unwanted house guest, there is now a very fat mouse running around somewhere who ruined an entire case of meals.
Other Delicious Meals and Options Offered by Mountain House
Listed below are just a few other options offered by Mountain House:
- Classic Chili Mac
- Chili Mac with Beef
- Homestyle Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Mountain House Biscuits
- Classic Beef Stroganoff
- Classic Breakfast Skillet
- Instant Rice
- Chicken Teriyaki
- Classic Spaghetti
- Creamy Macaroni
- Lasagna with Meat Sauce
- Beef Stew
- Chicken Fajita Bowl
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Eggs
- Gluten-Free Options
- Snacks
For a full list of their products, be sure to visit their website.
FAQs about Mountain House Meals
Q: How is Mountain House different than other emergency food companies?
A: The company has been around for a long time, so they have a great track record for producing quality, long-lasting food. Plus, they are the only company on the market with a 30-year guarantee.
Q: Does their food really last 30 years?
A: Yes. According to the Mountain House website, their employees have opened and eaten 30-year-old products that they said still tasted great.
Q: Is a meal ruined if I forget to remove the oxygen absorber?
A: Nope. You can still enjoy your meal if you forgot to remove that little packet. I have forgotten to do so on several occasions and my meal was perfectly fine.
Most oxygen absorbers are considered non-toxic as they contain powdered iron and salt. However, this does not mean the absorber should ever be eaten. If you notice this little packet in your meal after you add the water, simply use a utensil to remove it.
Wrapping It Up
Mountain House offers a wide range of products. While I have not tried all of them yet, I have been satisfied with all the ones I have ordered.
Seeing that I have a bit of a sweet tooth, one of these days I will have to order some of the dessert options and give those a try.
I highly recommend Mountain House meals due to their affordability, range of food options, durable packaging, great taste, and insanely long shelf life.
If you have never tried these meals, I encourage you to do so because you will not be disappointed.
Thanks for reading, and stay prepared!
