Historical U.S. military ration reference

2022 MRE Menus & Meal Contents

Complete 2022 MRE menu list for MRE XLII: all 24 published entrée choices, menu-number changes, case structure, flameless heater context, and what was typically packed inside an MRE meal bag.

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Research reviewed September 2026 · Historical reference, not a current-inventory guarantee.

Menu listWhat changedWhat's insideHeater historyQuestionsSources

2022 overview

What were the 2022 MRE meals?

MRE XLII uses the modern 24-menu Case A / Case B structure. DLA-era menu sheets pair entrées with breads, spreads, snacks, beverages, accessories and heaters.

This year used 24 menus. In the modern case structure, Menus 1–12 are Case A and Menus 13–24 are Case B; each standard case contains 12 meals.

Below, every numbered entrée is listed in its published menu position so researchers, collectors and shoppers can compare this year directly with earlier and later MRE generations.

Why this archive exists

A year-by-year MRE reference

MRE names, sides, snacks and accessories have changed repeatedly. This page separates the published entrée lineup from the supporting components, because component substitutions and assembler changeovers can vary even within the same production era.

DLA notes that menu changeover dates are not always exact because assemblers may delay a revision or use approved substitutions.

Complete 2022 MRE menu list

All 24 2022 MRE entrées

These are the numbered main entrées associated with the 2022 MRE lineup.

24 menus
Menu 1Case A

Chili w/ Beans

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 2Case A

Beef Shredded in Barbecue Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 3Case A

Chicken w/ Egg Noodles and Vegetables

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 4Case A

Spaghetti w/ Beef and Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 5Case A

Chicken Chunks

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 6Case A

Beef Taco Filling

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 7Case A

Beef Strips in Tomato Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 8Case A

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 9Case A

Beef Stew

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 10Case A

Chili and Macaroni

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 11Case A

Cheese Pizza Slice

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 12Case A

Elbow Macaroni in Tomato Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 13Case B

Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 14Case B

Mexican Style Rice and Bean Bowl

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 15Case B

Mexican Style Chicken Stew

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 16Case B

Chicken Burrito Bowl

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 17Case B

Pork Sausage Patty

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 18Case B

Beef Ravioli in Meat Sauce

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 19Case B

Jalapeno Pepper Jack Beef Patty

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 20Case B

Italian Sausage

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 21Case B

Lemon Pepper Tuna

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 22Case B

Beef Goulash

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 23Case B

Pepperoni Pizza Slice

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Menu 24Case B

Southwest Beef and Black Beans

Published 2022 MRE entrée.

Year-over-year comparison

What changed in the 2022 MRE menu?

Compared with the published 2021 entrée list. A changed label can represent a new entrée, a reformulation, or a revised published name.

Menu 1Chili with Beans → Chili w/ Beans
Menu 2Shredded Beef in Barbecue Sauce → Beef Shredded in Barbecue Sauce
Menu 3Chicken, Egg Noodles, and Vegetables in Sauce → Chicken w/ Egg Noodles and Vegetables
Menu 4Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce → Spaghetti w/ Beef and Sauce
Menu 14Mexican Rice and Bean Bowl → Mexican Style Rice and Bean Bowl
Menu 17Maple Pork Sausage Patty → Pork Sausage Patty
Menu 20Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions → Italian Sausage
Menu 24Southwest Style Beef and Black Beans → Southwest Beef and Black Beans

Inside the meal bag

What was inside a typical 2022 MRE?

The entrée name is only part of an MRE. A complete meal bag paired the main dish with menu-specific sides, breads or crackers, spreads, snacks or desserts, beverages, condiments, utensils and an accessory packet.

  • Fully cooked entrée
  • Bread, crackers or tortilla
  • Spread, side or starch
  • Snack, dessert, fruit or protein item
  • Beverage mix
  • Condiments or seasoning
  • Accessory packet
  • Spoon
  • Flameless ration heater
Why exact contents can differ

Component pairings can vary by menu number, assembler, approved substitution and changeover timing. The menu list above identifies the published main entrée lineup; it should not be used to authenticate a sealed vintage pouch or promise a particular side item.

Flameless ration heater

Did 2022 MREs include a heater?

This year falls in the flameless-ration-heater era. DLA states the heater has been packed into MRE meal bags since mid-1992; historical sheets and approved substitutions can still show menu-specific differences.

Quick answers

2022 MRE questions

How many MRE menus were there in 2022?

There were 24 numbered MRE entrée choices in the 2022 lineup, identified as MRE XLII.

Was 2022 a Case A and Case B year?

This year used 24 menus. In the modern case structure, Menus 1–12 are Case A and Menus 13–24 are Case B; each standard case contains 12 meals.

Did 2022 MREs have flameless ration heaters?

This year falls in the flameless-ration-heater era. DLA states the heater has been packed into MRE meal bags since mid-1992; historical sheets and approved substitutions can still show menu-specific differences.

Does every sealed 2022 MRE contain exactly the same supporting items shown in historical records?

No. The numbered entrée is the best anchor for the menu identity, but approved substitutions and production changeovers can affect sides, snacks, beverages and accessories. DLA specifically warns that revision dates and substitutions are not always exact.

Can I buy a guaranteed 2022 MRE from National MRE Supply?

This archive is informational. Current products are sold according to the inspection date, menu, case or supply option stated on the live product page; this historical guide does not guarantee vintage 2022 inventory.

Research sources

Sources & methodology

National MRE Supply compiled this historical reference from Defense Logistics Agency operational-ration records and MREInfo's historical menu archive. For modern menu revisions, DLA is the primary source. For early MRE generations, MREInfo's archive cites menu information assembled from Natick records and historical ration research.

Defense Logistics Agency MRE program DLA Appendix A & menu revisions Historical 2022 menu reference

Current inventory

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The 2022 menu list above is historical research. These are current products available from National MRE Supply.

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