MRE Review: (Meal, Ready to Eat) Menu No. 17 Sloppy Joe (From 2007)

MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat) Menu No. 22 Sloppy Joe
Here's another MRE review. This time we're looking at a Sloppy Joe meal from The Wornick Compnay that was packaged in 2007 (no date code on the outer bag, but able to determine age from codes on the contents). For something that was over five years old this tasted pretty good. The Sloppy Joe Filling was thick and had a lot of beef in it. The age didn't seem to affect it. It was somewhat spicy, but not overwhelming. Those who like their food spicy can always add the Tabasco sauce that came in the accessory pack (and possibly the Jalapeno Cheese Spread). The other items that don't seem like they'd be good after five years of storage (tortillas, snack crackers and shortbread cookies were all pretty fresh--especially considering the age. The orange beverage powder tasted almost exactly like Orange Gatorade.
Contents:
Sloppy Joe Filling (Entree)
Tortillas
Cheese Spread with Jalapenos
Baked Snack Crackers, Cheddar
Shortbread Cookies
Carbohydrate Electrolyte Beverage Powder--Orange
Flameless Ration Heater
Hot Beverage Bag
Spoon
Accessory Pack: (Matches, Toilet Paper, Moist Towelette, Tabasco Sauce, Instant Coffee, Non-Dairy Creamer, Sugar, Chewing Gum)

[@EmployeeJoe630]

For some reason i've always loved that it says ROCK OR SOMETHING on the heater pouch.

[@Saffrone221]

In thr case of a soldier a something is a dead insurgent.

[@stolasJC]

d

[@FrznTrident]

Same hahaha

[@crystalliving398]

I'm addicted to these videos

[@crystalliving398]

+Louie V you are disgusting

[@guigal2]

I thought at first that you were telling yourself that you're disgusting

[@jineommawillias6067]

Crystal Tejada SAME! 😂

[@jineommawillias6067]

Crystal Tejada SAME! 😂

[@gschultz9]

The shelf life varies depending on how they are stored (temperature). the hotter the conditions the less time they'll stay good. Generally it varies between 1-10 years. I know that's a big spread, but it's very temp dependent. Also, they're usually good a long time after the "Inspection Date" on the case. After a while the taste will suffer, but they're still safe to eat.

[@jessehernandez5943]

I would pick this over school food anyday

[@kayisalie]

+Rod 1984 but these look way better than school food

[@amiruldaniel3969]

That moment when you realize you just had 6000 calories

[@jamihautzinger917]

As a previous member of the Austrian military, I can tell you several things you need to know. The U.S. Mre's are a lot better than our cheap can rations. You used to call C-rations. Plus your U.S. MRE's are designed to be one package per day. The 2500 calorie bags are great. We can order thru EBay any time to get menus B and C. Many say it's not possible. Hint for those who refuse to actually read. Look at the calories. Under 2000, it's civilian. Over 2000 calories, it's military.

[@lukesalsbury4386]

Idk why, but I can't stop watching these videos

[@VA7BC]

Finally a good no-nonsense review of an MRE on KZbin with good videography. Thanks very much!

[@gschultz9]

I think the key with the "electrolyte drinks" is to make sure you don't add too much water. They typically don't seem to make enough for a satisfying drink, but taste better with less water (to me at least).

[@taywty5660]

i just love the texture and sound of the packaging satisfying to see him open them

[@wikkedwhite]

how did i get here, i was looking up what to cook for dinner.

[@themrenerd7384]

Hung Nguyen stupid comment

[@BabyMachine]

Haha, not stupid at all. I found it at random too, but i love it for some reason?

[@jonhli2078]

Clit Eatswood me too i was looking for siolder training but this came out mres please xD

[@crossxfuse]

asmr videos are kind of boring. this has aspects of asmr videos, because you have a nice soothing voice and i like the sound of you opening the different kind of packages. also MRE's are just interesting to see what is inside them. you have a nice combination going on here

[@mynameisntdave6012]

Natural ASMR is the best

[@LSFprepper]

If you warm the tortillas first, they flex much better without splitting. Nice review!

[@gschultz9]

Glad you find this interesting. Thank you for sharing the information about your country's rations. It is always interesting to see/hear how rations differ from country to country.

[@Crafter1992]

I don't know if this is a weird thing to say but your videos bring me peace.

[@GrecoRomanWhispers]

It is so nice to hear someone who can actually eat with their mouths closed... Good video, interesting packs.

[@rsnblnd01]

Thanks dude! Love your videos and it's an honor just to have you comment back! Just for the record I have never actually had an mre bit want to try one!

[@thewarysparrow8440]

I have watched two of the MRE videos so far and i have to say the food looks really good. I think i would be very happy having these things under a survival situation.

[@gschultz9]

Well then, I'd say you have the right mindset. It's easy enough to look at these and just say "Yuck!", but considering what they're designed for, and the alternatives in an emergency or survival situation, they're pretty darned good!

[@ikumquats6579]

I think it looks good too. If I wasn't 13 and without a job I might buy one XD

[@gschultz9]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you liked it.

[@Vorishsuicune]

You have a great, calm voice for reviews. Cant wait to see more MRE's!

[@gschultz9]

Yes, I was in the Army for a couple years a long time ago. While I wouldn't consider my family to be a "military family", my father also served in the Navy and my brother in the Marines. My brother gave me my first MRE back when they were still a pretty new thing.

[@gschultz9]

Yes exactly. While I present these in a "meal" kind of way like they're dinner or something, they're definitely not meant to be eaten by "regular people" on a regular basis. They're specifically designed to replenish a lot of nutrients that would be lost by soldiers in combat or other high stress environments.

[@gschultz9]

Thank YOU very much for the kind words! Much appreciated.

[@adubs3851]

This & chili mac were way up on the fight for it list in the field & patrols. Thanks for the memories.

[@dirtydillon3196]

I got a no 22 jambalaya. Not sure about the year but it was the same packaging as that. I got a mini bottle of Tabasco sauce

[@gschultz9]

It is actually already fully cooked. It can be eaten right out of the pouch (ready to eat). The FRH simply heats it up if you don't want it cold.

[@abbierose9725]

I've come to the conclusion that MREs are pretty much Lunchables for adults, hehe XD

[@gurpreetsinghsethi2939]

wow you are so beautiful

[@abbierose9725]

latest songs. Thank you! 😄 I gotta be honest though- I do edit a little here and there, hehe 😅

[@rohanclassic]

*grabs popcorn*

[@ayushgarg3694]

Rohan Barbade ROFL

[@ImranKhan-xy3iw]

Plz contact 03016939911

[@gschultz9]

Yup. Their last two SBs have been absolute heartbreakers.

[@gschultz9]

No, it's actually the cover for the canteen that is used a little later in the video to make the orange beverage powder drink.

[@gschultz9]

The "guarantee" is a very safe estimate. MREs are supposed to be taste tested after about three years. The taste does start to degrade over time, but they can remain edible for many years. Eventually they'll go bad of course, but it could take many, many years. That's why I like doing videos with older ones. It's not too surprising when a six-month-old MRE is fine to eat, but it's more interesting to see a three- or four-year-old one (or even older).

[@gschultz9]

It is possible to cut up the individual cells of the heating element, though I've never done it myself. I thing doing so might limit how hot any one item could be heated up. but suppose you could do that to heat up food and then some coffee. Hope that answered your questions.

[@MogAnarchy]

I'm addicted to these videos; they're fascinating and oddly soothing. They make me hungry too. :)

[@psyche3886]

me too!

[@gschultz9]

It is. I'd love to see a MsSpy review of Sloppy Joe!

[@gschultz9]

I got this one in a lot with a few others off of eBay a couple years ago. As a very general rule single MREs usually cost around ten dollars apiece. Since I got a pretty good deal on the lot this one came with it probably cost somewhere between $7.00-$8.00 with shipping charge figured in. Since MREs aren't supposed to be sold commercially there's no set "price" for them. They can be pretty expensive, but if you put in the time and research you can find good deals.

[@MonMalthias]

Something tells me that the main meals aren't intended to be plated up, because they all look like, well. Like crap. That being said, it's pretty amazing the amount of research that goes into these.

[@OnBakePlatinum]

You have my respect for being a quiet eater.

[@gschultz9]

Thanks! I never used it again in any of the videos because it got too much attention (mostly negative) and took the focus off the MRE itself. I'm glad to know there's some Pats fans out there who didn't mind seeing it though! And, other than when I'm making these videos I use that glass pretty much every day.

[@EnricoBrandt]

Why can't i stop watching these?

[@gschultz9]

you got that right! It's very hearty with pretty big chunks of meat. Can be eaten as a stew as easily as a sandwich.

[@robertshaw9828]

its essentially the same type of heater use in hand warmers. except istead of you rubbing the hand warmers to activate the heat, the water is used as a conductor.

[@gschultz9]

Glad to hear someone else likes the cheese besides me! It always seems strange when they put cheese spread in a meal with no crackers of wheat snack bread. I guess they figure people will put it on the sloppy joe or something.

[@HITSOFTHECENTURY]

LOVE that cup pats for life! A real pats fan had hope in that last play during the super bowl :(

[@gschultz9]

Thank you for saying so!

[@BluntHeart]

This is actually my favorite MRE.

[@gschultz9]

The Hot Beverage Bag is nothing more than a ziplock bag. It's a handy way to mix drinks (hot or cold) without having to dirty up a canteen cup of finding something like that out in the field. The bag is designed with a shape that makes it easy to put it in a FRH if you want to have hot coffee or whatever. There is a limit to how much "stuff" will fit in the FRH and how long it will effectively heat up food. It would be tough to heat up an entree, side AND coffee with just one FRH.

[@gschultz9]

Thanks for the suggestion. I know that a lot of people do heat up the cheese sauce and put it on the food. I've never done it myself (always just put it on the crackers or wheat snack bread), but maybe I should try it out one of these days to see what it's like!

[@wondledonkey]

I love how the instruction on the back just says to lean it against a "rock or something"

[@gschultz9]

That's a good question. There is some cardboard and I've heard that the spoons are supposed to be biodegradable--though it seems kind of hard to believe. It's hard to imagine the plastic and retort pouches are biodegradable. I'm sure that would be a goal of R&D. I know that they try to collect all the trash (in MRE bags and/or the cardboard cases) in training. I'm sure a lot of it ends up on the ground in a battle situation (along with brass ammo casings, weapons and lots of gear...).

[@Mark11340]

Another awesome video! Keep up the good work!

[@gschultz9]

Genuine MREs aren't really available through regular commercial outlets. Many companies sell components from them (like entrees, sides and snacks) but for complete MREs the best bet is to look for them on sites like eBay and Amazon.

[@gschultz9]

Thank you. No, I've never had rations from any countries other than the U.S. I would love to try some to see how they compare! Maybe some day...

[@gschultz9]

Thanks. It's a 1980s Fisher Peanuts promo mug. Apparently you bought peanuts in them and then kept the mug afterward. I always drink out of it (kind of a good-luck ritual).

[@BOOPUs777]

Me and my dad made one that was in my backpack for 12 years and it was really good.

[@gschultz9]

Thank you very much Jack! That should be very helpful for U.K. viewers.

[@ChannelSho]

It gave me a better idea. I guess I'll just have to find one myself an experiment! Thanks for responding.

[@gschultz9]

Good question. You could get them from eBay, but the shipping costs would be prohibitive. I can't really think of a cheap option for overseas shipping. Maybe someone else will have a suggestion.

[@gschultz9]

There isn't really an "expiration date". They are rated at 3-5 years, but that's a safe estimate based on edibility. If they're stored properly they can last many more years than that. I can't say exactly how long because they will eventually go bad of course.

[@gschultz9]

Not sure how tough they are to find, but I got my two trays about ten years ago at the Brimfield (MA) flea market. Got them for camping, but have mostly just used them for these vids.

[@gschultz9]

That's the magic of the retort pouch, and the most amazing thing about MREs. They may not be gourmet food, but they are certainly edible. And the whole point is that can remain edible for many years! How they do it I don't know.

[@MaxInYoButt]

Why am i so entertained by watching you eating an MRE?

[@DetectiveDiesel]

Wonderful video, thanks for posting these.

[@gschultz9]

Ten years would probably be stretching it just a bit. If you were to acquire them new and be sure to store them properly (in a cool, dry area) they would most likely be edible after ten years. The suggested shelf life refers to how long they will retain the taste quality. After a few years the taste will probably suffer, but they are still edible. You'd want to be careful to check everything and not eat anything that smells funny or anything from a package that is compromised in any way.

[@gschultz9]

That's understandable. A big part of the reason I'm making these videos is to give people who might not have had a chance to try MREs a chance to see what they look and taste like (to some extent). Needless to say, they have quite the reputation.

[@deraifu]

Just got my Menu 17 today the items in the back are Sloppy joe, FRH, Grape drink mix, wheat bread, jalapeno cheese spread, nut raisin mix, acc pack (coffee, sugar..etc..etc) brownie and the drink bag. (interesting the changes)

[@gschultz9]

You're welcome. Just try to get the "freshest" ones possible is you're planning on storing them for a while.

[@ReinbachThe3rd]

We've always had big boxes of MREs in my home, so I grown quite fond of them over the years. :)

[@gschultz9]

That is very true. They're designed to be eaten out of the pouches. It just seems like using the plate is better for making a review (even if it might be better to NOT get a good view of some of these entrees!).

[@Dreamer23245]

5 year old food? gee. i'm surprised it even lasted that long is solid form :P

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

They have a 5 year shelf life. Now ones from the Gulf war era....... XD

[@gschultz9]

Yes. Other than the accessory pack this is exactly the same stuff that you'd find in a genuine MRE, just a little less of it.

[@brendanvalentino5419]

I love how you do close ups on the food XD

[@gschultz9]

Since they're not "supposed" to be sold commercially it's tough to put a concrete price on them. A very, very general price I like to give is ten bucks. They can be found cheaper, but you'll probably have to do some looking around to find a good deal. They're definitely cheaper if you buy by the case. Of course that takes a bigger outlay of money to get the low price-per-meal.

[@gschultz9]

Gum and TP are still included. I believe they stopped including cigs in rations shortly after Vietnam.

[@406_chevelle8]

Same here, I guess eating regular normal food we aren't use to this and it actually seems pretty cool.

[@juliaaldred7310]

That Jalapeño cheese spread was like finding gold in the MRE for me as a kid haha! The bacon cheese spread too. I always looked forward to them and hoped they would be included. (I lived in south FL and we were provided with MREs during the many hurricanes in the early 2000's)

[@BOOPUs777]

Chicken and rice it was for y2k, we had a lot of them but since nothing happened, my dad just used them for work lunches.

[@PawneeStrider74a]

In some years #17 is pork sausage and gravy; real good! one of my favorite MREs.

[@Tofticus]

happy to help :) there are variety packs on there for under £10 taste good too!

[@UltimateGamerTrainee]

on surplus websites, you can buy cases of 12 for about 60-80 dollars

[@Tmdkiller]

Great review Thank you! You always make me hungry! Too bad I can't get the US MRE in Singapore!

[@sudoFrank]

Dude that Patriots glass is so awesome. Go Pats!

[@gschultz9]

That's funny. Have never seen the show so I didn't know about that. Thanks.

[@gschultz9]

I generally don't add the cheese spread to the entrees, but since this one didn't come with wheat snack bread or crackers maybe I should have tried it this time. Crushing up the Cheez-Its on the Sloppy Joe actually does sound like it could be tasty! Next time...

[@gschultz9]

I think that military rations become harder to come across and more expensive anytime you try to get them out of country. I know that it's tough to find anything international here in the states (and expensive too). Makes sense though. It's always easiest and cheapest to get your own country's stuff.

[@gschultz9]

Yup. Check eBay or Amazon.

[@IFourBlunts]

I've watched four videos and everything you eat you think is pretty good. You've almost got me sold on a couple of them...

[@gschultz9]

Yep, I know exactly what you're talking about. But...I have to admit that I LIKED those school pizzas! Guess that probably says something about why I actually like MREs.

[@Tedzy]

I like your MRE reviews. If you would like to, please, make more. I'd enjoy watching them. Cheers.

[@gschultz9]

"Hey Bro, let's go get some brominated vegetable oil!"

[@gschultz9]

They're more likely from 2010 than 2000 (at least I'd hope the seller wouldn't try passing MREs that were that old without mentioning the fact). Check the case for an inspection date. These are usually printed in a more readable way (11/25/2013 for instance). If you don't have the case you can check the 2000 vs 2010 menus at mreinfo.com. They would be pretty different.

[@gschultz9]

Yes, these are self-contained meals that the military uses to feed troops when fresh-cooked meals aren't convenient or possible (mainly when in combat or in the field). They are also used by the government and Red Cross as emergency food in times of natural disaster. Check mreinfo.com for more information if you're interested. They're not supposed to be sold, but can be found in Army/Navy stores and online if you look around.

[@gschultz9]

Cool! I'll have to try to find one somewhere.

[@240sxtwintubro]

with the tortillas put them in the heate in there bag let them warm up makes them better so they dont break to easy great vid

[@gschultz9]

Thank you for sharing. It's interesting to know what different countries put into their rations. Emergency drinking water might be a good addition to MREs I'd think.

[@MFSurvival]

Looks rather tasty I might pick one up and try it for the heck of it

[@gschultz9]

I actually kind of like most of them. They're kind of difficult to completely dissolve, but they taste pretty much like Gatorade to me--and I like Gatorade.

[@sigspearthumb2313]

Lmao I found one of these in my room today. It’s 12 years old 😂😂😂😂

[@ultimusG]

I always like the noise he makes when touching the products.

[@michaelferdinand5229]

Love the pats cup bro.. old school logo

[@gschultz9]

That's one that I want to try out. I've had the Maple Sausage, but not the Pork Sausage With Gravy.

[@wmr0225]

An army-navy surplus store near my house sells them also. I think most of them do.