Gas Station MRE Challenge 2026

[nate j]

You've piqued my curiosity, too. So I just ordered a six pack of Volcanic Mongolian Beef, which is six pepper rated. 

Bold to order a 6-pack without having tasted it!
 

[WECSOG]

Bold to order a 6-pack without having tasted it!
 

I'll post up here how it goes. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow.

[IMR4198]

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    I have decided to let the critters have the last of the MRE meals from the case I have.  They can eat em or not.  The raccoons might snub them, but I think the possums have a lower threshold for acceptance. 
    I do like the accessory packs.  Long spoon.  Paper napkin and wet wipe (perhaps adequate for cleaning up your hands or use as toilet paper).  Two packs of sugar.  A packet of salt and one of black pepper.  A packet of red pepper.  Also a book of matches.  The accessory pack is miles ahead of those  provided by the other two MRE providers that I have tried.  A packet of instant coffee or beverage mix would have been perfect. 
    Too bad the meals are so crappy.  I had the miserable pop tarts in one pack for breakfast and paid the price for most of the day by doing the 'Green Apple Shuffle.'
Best wishes, G

[WECSOG]

Alan K. mentioned canned ravioli with meatballs. It sounded interesting, so I ordered a sixer and it showed up today, just in time to try one for lunch. Alan is right; it is quite good! Filling, too. The meatballs are pretty decent and the ravioli is even better. I heated it in the microwave and had some whole wheat bread with it, but if I include it in the Challenge I'll heat it on a field stove and have saltines with it. And of course eat it from a field mess kit instead of a regular bowl. In a pinch one could just eat it cold, right out of the can.

I did use a tactical spork instead of a normal spoon or fork. And, I ignored the pull tab and opened it with my '08 Soldier knife that I am currently using in the Soldier On Challenge. 

[nate j]

Well, I could stand the suspense no longer, and had my Molten Chili Chicken ( 6 peppers)  for lunch today.

In addition to the dry seasoning packet and dehydrated vegetable packet, there was a special packet of “fire sauce”.  I suppose it would theoretically be possible to season to taste, but in the interest of a fair evaluation, I dumped it all in.

Note the bowl full of noodles in the pic already has my customary tin of sardines mixed in.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I made sure my water bottle was full before starting in on it.

Frankly, it had OK flavor, but I was expecting it to be a lot hotter.  Did not even reach the level of a decent medium wing sauce IMO.  No mouth burn.  No sinus clearing.  No sweating.  No watery eyes.  No desperate grabs for my water bottle.

One thing that was a bit disappointing was that I expect these things to be noodles and broth, like a noodle soup, but there was no broth.  It was more like lo mein noodles.  I don’t think I smurfed up the amount of water I added (it’s pretty straightforward:  fill to the line), but I started to wonder afterwards.

Would I get it again?  I’m not sure, but not because of the heat level or flavor.  It’s because I like my ramen with some broth.

[IMR4198]

    Six red peppers might be a little optimistic, sounds like.  Especially to someone who is used to the heat.  I think I am in the plus broth category as well.  I wish I could remember which brand of noodles I tried already.  I know they were chicken, but just don't remember the brand.  I did notice last time at Food Lion there are smaller packs.  Cup is about the size of a 12 ounce drink cup or something.  I am definitely going to look into the possibilities next time out.  Maybe tomorrow.  I remembered the cups as being foam plastic, but on further recollection they were probably paper?
    The finished cup looks like something I would like.  I wouldn't have put the whole pepper booster in though.  Thanks for the report.  That gives everyone a good idea of what to expect. 
Best wishes,  G
 

[IMR4198]

Alan K. mentioned canned ravioli with meatballs. It sounded interesting, so I ordered a sixer and it showed up today, just in time to try one for lunch. Alan is right; it is quite good! Filling, too. The meatballs are pretty decent and the ravioli is even better. I heated it in the microwave and had some whole wheat bread with it, but if I include it in the Challenge I'll heat it on a field stove and have saltines with it. And of course eat it from a field mess kit instead of a regular bowl. In a pinch one could just eat it cold, right out of the can.

I did use a tactical spork instead of a normal spoon or fork. And, I ignored the pull tab and opened it with my '08 Soldier knife that I am currently using in the Soldier On Challenge. 

    Looks yummy.  Best wishes.  G

[nate j]

Thanks for the report.

[AzteCypher]

I prefer mine with broth as well.  Some sardines or cut up spam sounds good in it.

[nate j]

I prefer mine with broth as well.  Some sardines or cut up spam sounds good in it.

It’s definitely good with sardines.  Spam is probably good too, I just haven’t tried that.

Pro tip:  Pull the noodles out of the microwave as soon as they are done (don’t wait the minute), then add any remaining sauce packets & protein of choice, and stir well.  The noodles and broth are so hot at that point that they will heat the protein right up, and the whole mixture will be nice and hot.
 

[IMR4198]

  I mentioned that I was going to feed the contents from the case of MREs that I had to the nightly visitors.  I put out the contents of one beans and tomatoes with lentils pack into a bowl and placed some crackers from another pack alongside.  Nothing quite like live animal testing, right?
   A bunch of raccoons made a visit.  It is a little hard to tell one from another as they wear the same uniform.  Burglar mask, fur coat, prison stripes.  There were at least 4 or 5 different ones, and maybe double that number.  Hard to say.  One would be obviously bigger, one would have a bald spot somewhere,  small junior-grade individuals, and so forth.  The first couple of visitors went straight for the crackers.  The first one got most of the good, with subsequent visitors contenting themselves with the crumbs. 
   All these critters are used to eating out of a bowl or from a styrofoam plate.  One poked its nose into the lentil mix, but didn't eat anything.  When I checked this morning the bowl was still full.  None of these hungry critters, which I might add will gladly eat almost anything that doesn't eat them first, would risk a taste. 
   The black rectangle that looks like a cell phone is a power bank.  It started turning on and off the LED power display, so I tossed it out as a possible fire hazard.  Didn't really use it anyway.  It got more interest than the MRE main meal.  "Found some good cracker crumbs tonight, Sweetie.  And some crap in a bowl.  Ugh.  Find any good dog food leftovers?  Oh yeah, do we need a power bank for anything?"
Best wishes.  G
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[nate j]

When I checked this morning the bowl was still full.  None of these hungry critters, which I might add will gladly eat almost anything that doesn't eat them first, would risk a taste.

If raccoons are turning their noses up at it, in no way can it be fit for human consumption.

[AzteCypher]

That's not a good sign.   

[IMR4198]

   There are things that raccoons just won't eat to begin with.  They generally eat leftover pinto beans, but did turn their little noses up at some kidney beans that I made once.  I turned up my nose on those also, which was the reason they were demoted to varmint vittles.  They don't like green things.  Salads, peppers, celery, They will eat any sort of sweets or fruit.  They will eat peanut butter.  They absolutely love chicken bones.  Live chicken bones, dead chicken bones, cooked chicken bones.  Num, num.  I think they could live on canned corn.  They also lived on my sweet corn patch until they finally put me out of the corn growing hobby.  There used to be about 60 acres of corn field next door to me.  They ate so much they could barely move.  I heard a rumor about raccoon acute cornary in the field, but that might have just been made up.
    I think I might have made that one up myself actually.  Best wishes.  G
 

[WECSOG]

   There are things that raccoons just won't eat to begin with.  They generally eat leftover pinto beans, but did turn their little noses up at some kidney beans that I made once.  I turned up my nose on those also, which was the reason they were demoted to varmint vittles.  They don't like green things.  Salads, peppers, celery, They will eat any sort of sweets or fruit.  They will eat peanut butter.  They absolutely love chicken bones.  Live chicken bones, dead chicken bones, cooked chicken bones.  Num, num.  I think they could live on canned corn.  They also lived on my sweet corn patch until they finally put me out of the corn growing hobby.  There used to be about 60 acres of corn field next door to me.  They ate so much they could barely move.  I heard a rumor about raccoon acute cornary in the field, but that might have just been made up.
    I think I might have made that one up myself actually.  Best wishes.  G
 

Mongolian Beef six-pepper ramen arrived! This may just be the best instant ramen I've ever tried. It only has microwave instructions. I ain't using no steenkin' microwave! This is an MRE challenge! I'm not gonna lug a microwave and a Jackery or whatever into the field!  So I boiled water in my hot pot, filled the bowl with water (after adding the vegetable and spice packets) and let it steep for 3 or 4 minutes, just like typical ramen cups. That worked just fine.
Of course I'm not lugging a hot pot into the field either, but water doesn't care what heat source is used to boil it. A USGI M1941 pocket stove or even a hobo stove will work just as well.

Once the ramen was cooked, I added the "fire sauce" packet and chowed down. It smells great! Like steak. The flavor is really good too. The heat is definitely there, but it's not overpowering or "in your face." I'm glad I got six of them. There is a very good chance that I will incorporate it into my MRE. 

[Alan K.]

As another person who enjoys spicy foods, I'm glad the rescue popsicle proved unnecessary.  I no longer enjoy the heat for its own sake, but I do enjoy flavorful foods.  I went to a Thai restaurant with a friend, and when they asked us how spicy we wanted it, we ordered the food "native style".  They brought out our hotpot of soup and then all of the waiters stood behind the bead curtain leading to the kitchen, watching us, and prepared to have a good laugh at our expense.  My buddy and me each tasted the soup and without saying a word we both started spooning pepper oil into our soup because it wasn't spicy enough.  The waiters were all quite disappointed. 

[WECSOG]

As another person who enjoys spicy foods, I'm glad the rescue popsicle proved unnecessary.  I no longer enjoy the heat for its own sake, but I do enjoy flavorful foods.  I went to a Thai restaurant with a friend, and when they asked us how spicy we wanted it, we ordered the food "native style".  They brought out our hotpot of soup and then all of the waiters stood behind the bead curtain leading to the kitchen, watching us, and prepared to have a good laugh at our expense.  My buddy and me each tasted the soup and without saying a word we both started spooning pepper oil into our soup because it wasn't spicy enough.  The waiters were all quite disappointed. 

[nate j]

Mongolian Beef six-pepper ramen arrived! This may just be the best instant ramen I've ever tried. It only has microwave instructions. I ain't using no steenkin' microwave! This is an MRE challenge! I'm not gonna lug a microwave and a Jackery or whatever into the field!  So I boiled water in my hot pot, filled the bowl with water (after adding the vegetable and spice packets) and let it steep for 3 or 4 minutes, just like typical ramen cups. That worked just fine.
Of course I'm not lugging a hot pot into the field either, but water doesn't care what heat source is used to boil it. A USGI M1941 pocket stove or even a hobo stove will work just as well.

Once the ramen was cooked, I added the "fire sauce" packet and chowed down. It smells great! Like steak. The flavor is really good too. The heat is definitely there, but it's not overpowering or "in your face." I'm glad I got six of them. There is a very good chance that I will incorporate it into my MRE. 

Nice!

I thought the chicken variety was only just OK.  After your high praise of the beef, though, I’m going to have to try it.

[WECSOG]

Nice!

I thought the chicken variety was only just OK.  After your high praise of the beef, though, I’m going to have to try it.

When you do, let me know what you think of it. 

After eating this ramen, I was surfing the internet (mostly Reddit) about ramen and came across a term I had never heard of before: prison spread. Then I went down that rabbit hole for a bit.
Kinda reminded me of the "walking taco" version of frito pie. Which btw would be another possible MRE entree.

[AzteCypher]

Going to have to try and find that ramen.

[IMR4198]

   I picked up a good supply of smaller size Ramen Chicken in the paper cups.  I strongly suspect one of the cups will make a GSMRE appearance.  Probably give one a test run for lunch today.  I did look at some of the spicy ramen types.  I saw something with 4 red pepper rating, and figured that I might better leave that one on the shelf. 
   I mentioned leaving one of the less than delightful beans, tomato, and lentil genuine MRE meals out for the vermin, only to have an entire patrol of raccoons snub it.  I looked at the bowl and confirmed that not one nibble had been eaten.  I intended to pick up the thing and put it in the trash, but got sidetracked and never did.  I did put out a small amount of leftover macaroni cooked with tomato sauce.
   This morning I noticed that the macaroni was all gone.  No surprise there.  Also the bowl with day old MRE lentil mix was empty.  I knew that every single (and possibly married) racky had turned it down.  Something didn't.  Bear?  Coyote?  Maybe just a possum.  I didn't have a camera out.  A coyote usually doesn't leave the plastic bowl.  That sometimes gets eaten too.  Bear possibility?  Who knows?  Probably a possum.  They sometimes eat part of an expanded foam bowl or paper plate. 
    I might put another MRE ration outside tonight.  With a camera.  Probably re-use a Ramen Chicken paper cup from lunch today?  I doubt if the critters will get any ramen noodles. 
Best wishes, G
 

PS:  I did look for the Chef Boy-Ar-Dee ravioli with meatballs, but couldn't find the chef's display.  I went up one aisle at W-Mart and down the other.  Walked and searched and never found anything with the smiling old codger with the chef's hat.  I did find the vienna sausages.  One of the snitches probably made a note of me finding them and promptly called in a crash team to move the entire display to another location.  Then they went back to their hideouts, had a beer, and laughed at me.  G
   

[IMR4198]

   The chicken ramen cup was a little bland, but okay.  It has been a while since I fixed one.  Fill to the line, wait 3 minutes and stir.  I have some hot pepper along with some other stuff like Badia and Dash to add some flavor for next time.  The cup was small, but adequate for lunch with something like some crackers maybe. 
    After I looked the empty cup over, I decided not to re-use it for critter rations.  The furries stick their heads in the cup and get their noggins stuck.
I think they could easily rip a paper cup off but best not to put it out anyway.  You never want to leave metal cans or glass jars outside.  They might get them off, and they might not.  Something flat like a tuna can or sardine tin would be okay.  I will be sure to put out a camera tonight. 
Best wishes.  G
 

[Alan K.]

I haven't begun to shop for my GSMRE yet. Not experimenting on anything.  Just taking into account that this tends to be unhealthy. Basically, a weeks' worth of salt, nitrates, and carbs, all consumed in one day.  I only eat this bad for the Super Bowl and the Army Navy game, except that on game days I'm eating fresh foods and not dehydrated salt bowls.  A bottle of Tums, or pink bismuth, and perhaps a pancreatic digestive enzyme may find their way into my GSMRE.  They do help.  Like all true artists, however, I will suffer for my art and just hope it is appreciated. 

[IMR4198]

Fresh foods are my preference as well.  Not very applicable to MREs for the most part.  Do what you need to, Alan.  Maybe you can find a low-sodium alternative MRE diet and post that.  Best wishes.  G
 

[Alan K.]

The alternative is to eat instant oatmeal all day.  It's already planned for breakfast.

[IMR4198]

The alternative is to eat instant oatmeal all day.  It's already planned for breakfast.

Easy to pack in some canned fruit or the kind in the little plastic cups with a foil lid.  I have made a meal of canned peaches lots of times.  Best wishes.  G
 

[WECSOG]

I tried one of the Spam singles, bacon flavor. Btw I didn't get the bacon flavor because I thought it would actually taste like bacon. I chose it because for some reason it was the cheapest option. Does it taste like bacon? No. It tastes like Spam. That's ok though, because I like Spam.

I had it as a sandwich, with mayo on whole wheat bread. I know I can't do that in the Challenge. I actually thought that maybe I could grab one of those little packs of mayo next time I eat at a restaurant that has them out on the counter or tables. But then it occurred to be that I can't have bread either. So, I'll just have to have it with crackers. Or maybe chop it up and put it in my ramen bowl. That's a good idea!

I didn't heat it btw; just had it cold. In fact even when I open a can of Spam, I slice it and put most of the slices in the skillet. But I almost always hold out one slice and eat it cold while the rest of it is frying.

[IMR4198]

   Thanks for the SPAM report.  I have a tendency to cut off the end piece of SPAM or canned ham/luncheon meat and poke it in my mouth as well.  Or maybe place it on a piece of bread.  The packaged singles are certainly something to consider for outdoor usage.  They are not inexpensive. 
    I think that is a good observation about the crackers.  A package of crackers would certainly last for quite some time in proper storage.  Not just for a week, but likely for a year or more. 
    I actually found the ravioli and meatball combination at Food Lion.  I bought some but haven't tried it yet.  Thanks to our friend Alan for scouting that out for us.  I did have a cup of the chicken ramen again with some crushed red pepper which helped the flavor quite a bit.  Friend Alan's observation about high sodium levels for some of these things is well taken.  I decided to toss the broth and just eat the noodles to try and cut the sodium intake a little.
    It might be worth mentioning to suggest including something like coffee, drink mixes, bottled drinks, and maybe some candy, gum, or snack items in the pack.  Personally, I will add a toothbrush and paste.  That suggestion came from our friend zoidberg who did an earlier challenge and it is a good one, I think.  I don't think water has been a required storage item in any of the past challenges.
Best wishes.  G
 

[AzteCypher]

I've found that hamburger  buns will last longer than a week so I used that during the last challenge.  I still have some instant Vietnamese coffee so I'll be using that as well.

[WECSOG]

   Thanks for the SPAM report.  I have a tendency to cut off the end piece of SPAM or canned ham/luncheon meat and poke it in my mouth as well.  Or maybe place it on a piece of bread.  The packaged singles are certainly something to consider for outdoor usage.  They are not inexpensive. 
    I think that is a good observation about the crackers.  A package of crackers would certainly last for quite some time in proper storage.  Not just for a week, but likely for a year or more. 
    I actually found the ravioli and meatball combination at Food Lion.  I bought some but haven't tried it yet.  Thanks to our friend Alan for scouting that out for us.  I did have a cup of the chicken ramen again with some crushed red pepper which helped the flavor quite a bit.  Friend Alan's observation about high sodium levels for some of these things is well taken.  I decided to toss the broth and just eat the noodles to try and cut the sodium intake a little.
    It might be worth mentioning to suggest including something like coffee, drink mixes, bottled drinks, and maybe some candy, gum, or snack items in the pack.  Personally, I will add a toothbrush and paste.  That suggestion came from our friend zoidberg who did an earlier challenge and it is a good one, I think.  I don't think water has been a required storage item in any of the past challenges.
Best wishes.  G