Historical U.S. military ration database

U.S. MRE Menu Archive: 1989–2026

Research every published MRE production-year lineup from 1989 through 2026. Compare menu numbers, entrée changes, Case A and Case B history, the flameless ration heater timeline, and the supporting components found inside a typical Meal, Ready-to-Eat.

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38 production-year reference pages · Research reviewed September 2026

MRE history at a glance

How the MRE menu system changed

The MRE evolved from a 12-menu lineup into today's 24-menu Case A and Case B system. Along the way, the military added more entrée variety, commercial-style snacks and beverages, improved packaging and the flameless ration heater.

1989MRE IX · 12 menus
1992FRH transition
199616 menus
199720 menus
199824-menu era
2026MRE XLVI

Key milestones

From early brown-bag MREs to the modern 24-menu system

198912-menu MRE IX lineup

Classic early entrées included Chicken Ala King, Corned Beef Hash, Ham Slice and Tuna with Noodles.

Mid-1992Flameless heater transition

DLA says flameless ration heating devices began being packed into MRE meal bags in mid-1992.

1996–1998Rapid menu expansion

The lineup grew from 12 to 16 menus in 1996, 20 in 1997 and 24 in 1998.

Modern eraCase A + Case B

Modern standard cases contain 12 meals: Menus 1–12 in Case A and Menus 13–24 in Case B.

2018Pepperoni Pizza

Menu 23's Pepperoni Pizza Slice became one of the best-known modern MRE additions.

2026New entrée rotation

Cuban Style Beef Picadillo, Buffalo Style Chicken and Thai Style Curry with Chicken enter MRE XLVI.

How to use this archive

Pick a year, then compare it with the year before or after.

Every year page has the complete numbered entrée list, year-over-year menu-number changes, heater context, case structure, typical bag contents, source links and current products at the bottom.

Browse every year

MRE menus by production year

Each link opens a dedicated informational landing page built for historical research and comparison.

202624 menus · MRE XLVIMenu list & contents → 202524 menus · MRE XLVMenu list & contents → 202424 menus · MRE XLIVMenu list & contents → 202324 menus · MRE XLIIIMenu list & contents → 202224 menus · MRE XLIIMenu list & contents → 202124 menus · MRE XLIMenu list & contents → 202024 menus · MRE XLMenu list & contents → 201924 menus · MRE XXXIXMenu list & contents → 201824 menus · MRE XXXVIIIMenu list & contents → 201724 menus · MRE XXXVIIMenu list & contents → 201624 menus · MRE XXXVIMenu list & contents → 201524 menus · MRE XXXVMenu list & contents → 201424 menus · MRE XXXIVMenu list & contents → 201324 menus · MRE XXXIIIMenu list & contents → 201224 menus · MRE XXXIIMenu list & contents → 201124 menus · MRE XXXIMenu list & contents → 201024 menus · MRE XXXMenu list & contents → 200924 menus · MRE XXIXMenu list & contents → 200824 menus · MRE XXVIIIMenu list & contents → 200724 menus · MRE XXVIIMenu list & contents → 200624 menus · MRE XXVIMenu list & contents → 200524 menus · MRE XXVMenu list & contents → 200424 menus · MRE XXIVMenu list & contents → 200324 menus · MRE XXIIIMenu list & contents → 200224 menus · MRE XXIIMenu list & contents → 200124 menus · MRE XXIMenu list & contents → 200024 menus · MRE XXMenu list & contents → 199924 menus · MRE XIXMenu list & contents → 199824 menus · MRE XVIIIMenu list & contents → 199720 menus · MRE XVIIMenu list & contents → 199616 menus · MRE XVIMenu list & contents → 199512 menus · MRE XVMenu list & contents → 199412 menus · MRE XIVMenu list & contents → 199312 menus · MRE XIIIMenu list & contents → 199212 menus · MRE XIIMenu list & contents → 199112 menus · MRE XIMenu list & contents → 199012 menus · MRE XMenu list & contents → 198912 menus · MRE IXMenu list & contents →

MRE terminology

Quick glossary

MRE

Meal, Ready-to-Eat: a self-contained operational ration built around a fully cooked entrée and supporting components.

FRH

Flameless Ration Heater. DLA says this heating device began being packed into MRE meal bags in mid-1992.

Case A

In the modern 24-menu system, a standard Case A contains Menus 1–12.

Case B

In the modern 24-menu system, a standard Case B contains Menus 13–24.

DOP

Date of Pack / production timing. DLA notes menu revision changeovers are not always exact.

Menu number

The numbered slot assigned to a published MRE entrée within a production-year lineup.

Research sources

Built from military ration records

Modern menu records are based primarily on Defense Logistics Agency MRE menu sheets and Appendix A revision records. Earlier years are cross-checked against MREInfo's historical archive, which documents early menu sets using ration records and Natick-sourced historical information.

DLA MRE program · DLA Appendix A · MREInfo menu archive

Current MRE inventory

Research the history. Shop current MREs.

The archive is informational; current product pages show the actual options available today.

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