Mountain House food prepping

Positive Reviews on Taste and Quality: Many redditors find Mountain House meals to be quite tasty and consistent in quality. "Mountain House are consistently the best freeze dried foods out there." "It actually tastes decent and it lasts for 20 years."
Specific Favorites: The Breakfast Skillet, Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken and Dumplings, and Beef Stew are frequently mentioned as favorites. "I prefer MH's Breakfast Skillet over Peak Refuel and Readywise." "My daughter and I love the biscuits and gravy, I mean to the point that we’ll eat that for breakfast just because we don’t feel like toasting an English muffin."

Long Shelf Life: Mountain House products are known for their long shelf life, often up to 30 years. "They are up to 30 now, IIRC." "Mountain House advertises a 25 year shelf life, much better than normal food you can buy at the grocery store."
Proper Storage: For maximum shelf life, it's recommended to store them in a cool, dry place. "They should be stored at average room temp or cooler (70 degrees F or cooler) for maximum shelf life."

Good Deals: While generally more expensive than bulk dry goods, Mountain House can be a good value when purchased on sale. "That's about $5.50 per pouch, which is way less than you find them in the store." "Costco is a SCREAMING deal."
Consider Alternatives: For those on a tighter budget, commercial freeze-dried food might not be the most cost-effective option. "Freeze dried food and use canned meats. Canned meat is less expensive than freeze dried."

High Sodium: Some redditors are concerned about the high sodium content in Mountain House meals, especially for sedentary use. "Lot of sodium no?" "Most hiking foods do have a bunch of sodium, yes."
Tips to Reduce Sodium: To mitigate this, some suggest mixing Mountain House meals with additional rice or pasta. "For rice-based MH meals or stews, I make white rice and mix it in."

Easy to Prepare: Mountain House meals are praised for their ease of preparation, requiring only hot water. "It’s boil water and pour into a bag."
Quick Rehydration: While the packaging suggests specific rehydration times, some users recommend extended times for better texture. "My experience is the same. The time they say on the pouch is maybe half of what you really need to have all the food be soft / non-chewy."

These communities can provide additional insights and personal experiences with Mountain House and other prepping foods.

Posted Apr 2, 2026, 10:33 PM UTC