Mountain House Meals Review (Best & Worst Mountain House Meals)

Mountain House Meals are one of the best-known brands in freeze-dried camping and emergency food.  They’ve been around for decades, but how do their meals stack up against all the other options on the market today?

Mountain House has been a go-to name in freeze-dried camping food for over 50 years, beloved by backpackers, campers, and preppers alike. But with so many new brands on the market, how do their meals hold up today?

Whether you’re heading into the backcountry or stocking your emergency pantry, Mountain House meals offer long shelf life, easy prep, and comforting flavors. But are they still the best bang for your buck?

I’ve personally taste-tested every one of their current meals to help you find the best options for your next adventure—or emergency.

Pros and Cons

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick list of pros and cons:

Pros:

• Long shelf life (30+ years for #10 cans)
• Cook-in-pouch convenience—just add boiling water
• Consistently good flavor and texture
• Available everywhere (Amazon, REI, direct)

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to dehydrated meals
• Some meals are rice-heavy
• Temporary recipe changes in 2020 hurt their rep (now reversed)

Brief History

Mountain House originated during the Vietnam War, when Oregon Freeze Dry began creating lightweight meals for the U.S. military. Their success led to a civilian line in 1969—and the rest is history.

In 2020, Mountain House reformulated some fan-favorite recipes, but the changes didn’t land well. After backlash, they reverted to the original versions in 2022 under the “Mountain House Classics” label, regaining the trust of longtime customers.

If you come across negative reviews from the pandemic era, don’t worry—the recipes are back to their best.

Who are Mountain House’s Competitors?

Mountain House specializes in freeze-dried camping and backpacking food, packaged for easy preparation on the trail.  They also sell no. 10 cans for large camping groups or emergency preparedness meals to stock away in your basement.

In terms of prepare in pouch camping meals, their main competitors are Peak Refuel and Backpacker’s Pantry, both of which also have solid options.  All are similarly priced and easy to prepare in the pouch without dishes.

Peak Refuel has more protein in all of their pouches, but fewer meal choices.  Backpacker’s pantry often has less protein than mountain house, but plenty of interesting and unique meal options to keep things interesting on long treks.

There are also a number of smaller companies on the market, and most of them sell dehydrated rather than freeze dried food, as it’s much less expensive to produce (but often lower quality). Those include:

• Alpine Aire – Freeze-dried, but less widely available
• Pack it Gourmet – Mostly dehydrated, but some freeze-dried ingredients
• Farm to Summit – Dehydrated, 100% compostable packaging, limited options
• Good to Go – Dehydrated, low sodium and gluten-free=
• Nomad Nutrition – Dehydrated, plant-based meals
• Firepot – Dehydrated food from a British Company
• Heather’s Choice – Dehydrated cook-in pouch, gluten-free and dairy-free, with vegan options.  Made in Alaska.
• Wild Zora – Paleo, Keto, Grain Free, and Gluten Free Freeze Dried Meals for Camping

For long-term storage, Mountain House is on the pricier side, but their pouch-based meals are far more convenient than competitors that require stove-top prep and cleanup. When it comes to ease of use—especially in emergencies—the premium is worth it.

If you’re looking for more economical emergency food options for home use, I’d suggest either My Patriot Supply for prepared meals or Emergency Essentials for bulk pantry ingredients like veggies and meat.

They’re not designed as camping meals, but rather long term storage emergency food. Those options are for the budget minded, and you will need access to cooking facilities.

Where to Buy Mountain House Meals

You can buy directly from Mountain House for the freshest inventory and longest shelf life. That said, REI (great if you’re a member) and Amazon often offer better prices and availability, especially during peak seasons.

Mountain House Meals Review

I’m going to take you through the most popular cook in pouch meals from Mountain House. Most of these are available in single serve cook in pouch meals as well as no.10 cans for long term storage.

They have a lot of different choices, and I’ve broken them down into these categories:

• Classic Mountain House Meals
• Mountain House Asian and Southwest Inspired Meals
• Mountain House Breakfast Meals
• Mountain House Desserts

Classic Mountain House Freeze Dried Entrees

These are the old school American comfort food classics, and they’re popular with a just about everyone. Nothing too crazy in this lineup, just dependable meals.

• Beef Stew – A hearty mix of beef, potatoes, and veggies in a savory broth. More soup than stew, but satisfying.
• Beef Stroganoff with Noodles – Creamy sauce, tender beef, and pasta. Rich, filling, and a fan favorite.
• Chili Mac with Beef – Spicy, meaty, and comforting. Great cold-weather choice.
• Chicken and Rice – Mild and dependable. Light on flavor, but fills you up.
• Chicken and Dumplings – Tastes like homemade comfort food. Could use a larger portion.
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – Sweet tomato sauce and ground beef. Not gourmet, but hits the spot.
• Mac and Cheese – Very creamy, almost like cheese soup. Tasty, but lacks texture.
• Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac & Cheese – Great flavor with a spicy kick. Needs more texture and cheese.
• Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken – Creamy and indulgent. Feels luxurious on the trail.
• Homestyle Chicken Noodle Casserole – Comforting but mild. Add your own seasoning for more pop.
• Lasagna with Meat Sauce – Cheesy and classic. A bit sweet, but reliable.Pasta Primavera – A lighter vegetarian option with veggies and Parmesan sauce. Surprisingly fresh-tasting.

Mountain House Asian & Southwest Meals

If you’re looking to change things up, Mountain House has a solid lineup of Asian Inspired meals and spicy southwest favorites that will keep things interesting. American comfort food classics are great, but sometimes you want a bit more flavor, especially on after a while on the trail:

• Pad Thai with Chicken – Balanced flavors and a light peanut sauce. My family preferred it to Backpacker’s Pantry’s version.
• Yellow Curry – Creamy, slightly sweet curry with veggies and rice. Flavorful without being spicy.
• Chicken Fajita Bowl – Rice, beans, chicken, peppers, and onions. Tasty, but shines with added tortillas or cheese.
• Chicken Teriyaki – Sweet and cinnamon-tinged. Rice-heavy but comforting.
• Chicken Fried Rice – A simple, dependable choice. Mild flavor, solid texture.
• Mexican-Style Adobo Rice & Chicken – Bold with a hint of lime. Heavy on rice, but good with extras.
• Chicken Tikka Masala – Creamy and rich. Could use more chicken and veggies, less rice.
• Kung Pao Chicken – Spicy and flavorful, with tamari and sesame oil. More meat and veg would improve it.

Mountain House Breakfast Meals

The breakfast meals from Mountain House are some of my absolute favorites, and honestly, I often opt for them at dinnertime too. The Breakfast Skillet and Biscuits and gravy are my favorites, but my kids love the Granola with Blueberries.

• Breakfast Skillet – Hash browns, eggs, sausage, and veggies. Super filling and delicious.
• Scrambled Eggs and Bacon – Classic flavor, but texture can get spongy if overcooked.
• Biscuits and Gravy – Rich, fluffy biscuits and creamy sausage gravy. A top pick.
• Granola with Milk and Blueberries – Rehydrates into a creamy, crunchy bowl. Refreshing and kid-approved.
• Veggie Chorizo Breakfast Scramble – Hearty and flavorful vegetarian option. Spiced just right.

Mountain House Desserts

And, of course, who can forget dessert? Freeze dried ice cream sandwiches, or “Astronaut Ice Cream’ as they’re sometimes known, are surprisingly good!

• Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich: A crunchy, freeze-dried take on the classic ice cream sandwich that’s easy to pack and eat on the trail. The vanilla flavor is mild and slightly reminiscent of marshmallows, with a texture that’s fun but a bit crumbly.
• Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich: A refreshing treat with creamy mint ice cream and chocolate chips sandwiched between two crunchy chocolate cookies. The mint flavor stands out, making it a more flavorful and satisfying option compared to the vanilla version.

Mountain House remains one of the most trusted freeze-dried food brands for a reason. While newer companies offer niche flavors or added protein, Mountain House nails the basics: taste, ease, and reliability.

If you’re planning your next trip—or just want to be ready for anything—these meals are worth having on hand.

What are your favorite freeze-dried camping meals? Drop a comment below!

Camping Ideas

These guides will help you get outside this season!

• Best (and Worst) Portable Power Stations for Off-Grid Power
• How to Make Coffee Over an Open-Fire
• How to Bake a Pie in a Dutch Oven (while camping)
• How to Bake Banana Bread in a Dutch Oven (outdoors while camping)

Preparedness Resources

Looking for more preparedness resources?

• Best (and Worst) Emergency Food Suppliers
• Survival Gardening: Our Real Life Dry Run
• Best MRE Meals (Meals Ready to Eat)
• Emergency Water Filtration Options