M-018H Military Spec Meal Ready To Eat Rations from brand Prepared Bee • Spotter Up

I was contacted by Prepared Bee, and the rep asked me if I’d like a box of their MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). I like portable meals, and I was given the option of choosing from their line up Vegan, No Gluten, or Standard fare. I chose the regular MRE to sample as I used them during my time in the military. MREs were developed for the U.S. military by organizations like United States Department of Defense to prioritize calories, durability, and portability over culinary experience. That design goal shapes how they taste and feel. I’ll get into the taste portion later, but let me describe what you get.

The M-018H MRE STAR Complete Meals are solid ready-to-eat ration kits built to military specifications, designed for emergency preparedness, outdoor adventures, and long-term food storage. They sit in the same category as other civilian MRE kits, but with some features that make them stand out for specific uses like emergencies and survival packs. I like being able to throw a bag into my day pack. I have quite a bit of similar products stored in my basement for emergency situations. I have canned goods, MREs, and 25+ year shelf life food stores.

Here’s what you get for $159.49. Each case contains 12 complete single meals (~1200 calories each). That’s enough calories to keep you fueled in demanding situations. There are a variety of entrée options such as Cheese Tortellini, Beef Stew, Chicken Noodle Stew, Vegetarian Chili, and more.

Each bag contains a complete accessory packs (spoon, napkin, salt, pepper, coffee, sugar, creamer, wet nap, hot sauce, candy). You also get your starch, snack, dessert, and drink mix components in each meal. Each bag contains flameless ration heaters so you can heat meals without a stove. The meals are hermetically sealed and don’t require refrigeration which is ideal for long-term storage of up to ~36 months under proper conditions.

The pouches are rugged, watertight, and designed for a long shelf life — good for survival kits or stocking up for emergencies. No cooking is needed. Flameless heaters mean you can have a hot meal anywhere, anytime with just a bit of water.

Taste can vary. My wife simply does not like them, but I do. They’re shelf-stable for years, which means heavy processing, preservatives, and moisture control. That often leads to mushy textures, overly salty or sweet flavors and a processed aftertaste. Some menus are better than others, but consistency isn’t their strong suit. They’re designed to fuel people burning 3,000–4,000+ calories a day. For average daily life, they can feel heavy, greasy, or bloating. Like many MRE-style meals, taste is subjective. While some menus like jambalaya or stews get positive feedback on taste, others can be bland or repetitive — common with long-shelf-life rations. General community feedback on MRE STAR meals suggests mixed opinions on flavor quality. I like the taste of the non-faux meat options.

Price Per Meal: At around $10-$15+ per meal when sold individually or in small cases, they can be more expensive than other emergency food supplies or cooking options. While some sellers show solid ratings for MRE STAR kits (e.g., other MRE STAR meal cases sit around ~4.4/5), some listings and reviews show lower opinions (~3.0/5), indicating there’s variability in experience depending on menu batch and retailer.

These are great for emergency food supply & home preparedness, camping, backpacking when weight isn’t the top priority, and as I mentioned earlier as quick grab-and-go meals that don’t need a kitchen. The bottom line is the complete MRE Meal Kit M-018H / MRE STAR M-018H is a dependable, no-fuss ready-to-eat meal solution with solid calories and decent variety. It excels in practical functionality — long shelf life, complete meals, and easy heating — but doesn’t compete with fresh cooked food on flavor. If you’re preparing for emergencies or need rugged meals for outdoor plans, it’s a credible choice among civilian MRE options.

Even though MREs get teased a lot, plenty of people genuinely like them — just for different reasons than you’d like a restaurant meal. You can eat one in your car, on a hike, during a power outage, or anywhere you don’t have access to a kitchen. The included flameless heater feels almost futuristic the first time you use it.  They’re built to last years. Preppers and emergency planners appreciate having something reliable stored away. For veterans, MREs can bring back strong memories — sometimes positive ones tied to camaraderie and shared hardship. Some specific items have near cult followings (like chili mac or certain desserts). When you get a good menu, it can actually be pretty satisfying.

Overall, I don’t think you can go wrong by storing these. Remember that MREs are stored mainly for preparedness and convenience, not because they’re gourmet. Many MREs last 3–5 years or longer. In stressful situations, having a complete meal even a simple one can provide a sense of normalcy and control.

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.