I am going to start buying some of these meals to keep in the truck to just have for a quick meal at the ranch or anytime I'm in a hurry. What brands to you all suggest that you have experience with. I probably try a couple of different brands.

Peak Refuel, Packit Gourmet, Readywise Outdoor and Backpacker's Pantry are all high quality,

Been buying 4patriots. Best I have found so far...other than maybe some high dollar individual packs.

Peak has been my goto.

I'm really wanting a freeze dryer for the house though. I want to experiment with making my own meals.

best for taste or for buying a bunch of and stashing around?

For taste, these are the best two I have tried by a wide margin:

pinnacle foods jalapeno and cheddar biscuits and gravy

farm to summit green chili mac and cheese

backpacker's pantry pad thai is also very solid.

How long do these meals last? Would it be something that would replace an MRE in a bug out bag?

I would rather for taste. I'm not looking to stockpile but just for a quick meal on the go in the field or at the ranch while working.

Mountain House

Thanks for that information that's exactly what I was looking for! I may grab a couple for SHTF situations

I have found after spending thousands on every brand imaginable, that I just prefer eating ramen (cup of noodles) as much as anything. Switch it up with oatmeal, especially if in an area with berries to pick.

I keep several, with a cheap butane stove and tiny pot with measuring lines, and some water bottles, out at the deer lease. It's more for when I'm working out there, get caught being out there longer than I intended, and need a meal but don't want to break and drive all the way back into town. Because they don't really go bad, as long as you can keep the bugs or rodents out of them, they will always be there for you to count on (I keep them in an ammo crate out there).

We also use them for backpacking because of the weight (or lack thereof). Eating granola bars and dry goods foods is fine for a while, but nothing boosts the moral out on the trail quite like a hot meal.

This is super helpful info. I really appreciate you taking the time! That's similar to my use case. Plus I'll throw a couple in my bug out bag. Maybe one in the truck.

We keep a three month supply of Mountain House canisters in the house (along with another two months of emergency rations). The shelf life is 30 years if stored in optimal conditions. When we auditioned this brand, we were quite surprised at how good they were. Obviously there are other good brands out there too, but MH is one of the best buys when they have their annual half-off w/free shipping sales.

But if you just want a few meals to store in the truck as a just in case type of thing, then a good MRE w/heater pack is the easiest way to go, especially since you don't have to mess with a stove or start a fire to have a warm meal. The challenge is finding one that you would actually look forward to eating. Good ones are out there, but the weeding out process can be slightly expensive. Get real military ones if you can.

C

Super helpful information in here. I have a maple fire 1L boiler so it should do the trick. I started out with Peak but they are mostly out of stuff I would eat. Still have a couple I will try plus I like that long spork! Also going with backers pantry. Interested in the quality versus price there.

I like Peak Refuel and Mountain House. I prefer Peak Refuel for backpacking because they have about 50-60% more calories than a mountain house, so that's 3 less granola bars or goopy chewy protein bars that I have to eat in a given day.

Mountain House just began a sale on their products. Cans are 50% off and pouches a bit less. I don't think any of their retailers can touch those prices.
The Creamed Beef is awesome.

I pretty much settled on MH and Peak but if for a 7-10 day backcountry hunt I'll pick up others that look interesting.
With that said MH Chili Mac and I don't agree and I have a cast iron stomach. It takes about 12 minutes from start of water boil to ready to eat and only 10 minutes for it to blow out the other end, losing every calorie you consumed for the day.

The Chili Mac is one I have never tried. Probably won't now.

Green chili lost me with their politics…..