Troops to Enjoy Buffalo Chicken and Thai Curry in 2026 MREs

New meal options are set to enhance the rations for U.S. troops in 2026, as the latest iteration of Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE) is introduced. The new menu, known as MRE 46, will feature popular items such as buffalo chicken, Cuban-style beef picadillo with vegetables, and a Thai-style red curry with chicken and rice. These changes come as part of an effort to phase out less popular items, including the beef taco filling, pork sausage patty, and jalapeno pepper jack beef patty.

Julie Edwards, a senior technologist and registered dietitian with the U.S. Army’s Combat Feeding Division, highlighted the demand for buffalo chicken among service members. “It’s a popular item that [soldiers] have requested… we’re hoping that this item will be longstanding,” she stated in a recent Army release.

Feedback Drives Menu Changes

The Combat Feeding Division, located in Natick, Massachusetts, is responsible for developing the MRE menu. The division collaborates with troops in the field to gather feedback on current meals, while behavioral psychologists conduct focus groups to analyze this data. The insights are then presented to the Joint Services Operational Rations Forum, which ultimately decides which new items will be included.

The phase-out of certain items was influenced by low ratings from surveyed service members. Edwards noted that the process of introducing new meals typically spans approximately four years. “Any new item that we get that can help bring variety and increase acceptability is important,” she emphasized. The primary focus remains on ensuring the safety and palatability of the meals.

In addition to the new entrees, MRE 46 will include a s’mores recovery bar and freeze-dried chocolate peanut butter bites, both of which are rich in protein. Edwards explained the challenges associated with sourcing protein-rich products that can meet the stringent shelf-life requirements for MREs.

Caffeine Alternatives and Future Developments

Recognizing changing preferences, the upcoming MRE lineup will also offer more caffeinated products as alternatives to traditional coffee, which has seen declining popularity among troops. New options will include energy chews, gels, caffeinated gum, and caffeinated jellybeans. “What we’ve noticed is caffeine is one of the least consumed items in the MRE,” Edwards remarked.

Additionally, troops have requested a more robust towelette, leading to enhancements in the MRE’s accessories. Looking further ahead, the next menu, MRE 47, is already in development for release in 2027. Edwards indicated that service members have expressed interest in more plant-based items, prompting the Combat Feeding Division to create options such as plant-based animal crackers, a new recovery bar, a protein bar, and a fruit-flavored cereal.

The effort to adapt the MRE offerings underscores the importance of meeting the nutritional needs and preferences of service members while ensuring the meals remain practical for military operations. As the U.S. Army continues to evolve its approach, the upcoming MREs promise to deliver both variety and quality for those in the field.