New MRE Menu for 2026 Introduces Flavorful Options for Troops

The United States Army is set to introduce new options to its Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE) lineup in 2026, providing troops with more flavorful and diverse rations. The upcoming MRE 46 will feature items such as buffalo chicken, Cuban-style beef picadillo, and Thai-style red curry with chicken and rice. In contrast, less popular items like beef taco filling, pork sausage patty, and jalapeno pepper jack beef patty will be removed from the menu.

The Combat Feeding Division, located in Natick, Massachusetts, is responsible for developing the MRE menu. According to Julie Edwards, a senior technologist and registered dietitian at the division, the new items aim to respond to soldier preferences. “Buffalo chicken is something that soldiers have requested. It’s a popular item, and we’re hoping that this item will be longstanding,” Edwards stated in a recent announcement.

Menu Changes Reflect Troop Feedback

The feedback process for selecting new MRE items involves extensive research, including surveys and focus groups with service members. The results are analyzed and presented to the Joint Services Operational Rations Forum, which ultimately decides on the new offerings. Edwards noted that the removal of certain items stemmed from lower ratings in surveys conducted among troops.

“Any new item that we get that can help bring variety and increase acceptability is important,” she added. The goal is to ensure the meals are not only safe but also enjoyable for soldiers, who often rely on these rations in the field.

In addition to savory entrees, MRE 46 will include high-protein snacks like a s’mores recovery bar and freeze-dried chocolate peanut butter bites. Edwards remarked on the challenges of sourcing protein-rich products that meet shelf-life requirements. “Many options, such as beef jerky, experience a chemical reaction that gives them an unappetizing look,” she explained.

Innovative Caffeinated Choices and Future Plans

Recognizing changing preferences, the new menu will also offer more caffeinated products as alternatives to traditional coffee. The Combat Feeding Division has developed a range of caffeinated beverages, energy chews, gels, and even caffeinated gum and jellybeans. “Caffeine is one of the least consumed items in the MRE,” Edwards noted, highlighting a shift among newer generations of soldiers who are less inclined to drink coffee.

Troops have also expressed interest in more durable towelettes. Meanwhile, plans for MRE 47, scheduled for release in 2027, are already underway. This upcoming menu will focus on incorporating more plant-based items, including plant-based animal crackers, a new recovery bar, and a protein bar. Edwards indicated that the four vegetarian meals currently available will be replaced with other plant-based entrees to better cater to soldier preferences.

The development of MREs is a complex process that takes around four years, ensuring that the meals meet stringent shelf-life requirements of six months at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and three years at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As the Army continues to adapt its rations, the commitment to providing nutritious and palatable meals remains a top priority.