Homemade MRE from Dollar Tree, Revisited
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- Come along as I build and test a new homemade MRE from my local Dollar Tree. Can it be done? Will it be decent, or a giant let-down? Let's find out together!
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Dollar tree is great for the homemade mre. My autistic son wanted an mre themed birthday. So we sourced almost everything from dollar tree to make homemade mre kits as the goodie bag.
That’s such a cool story! Thank you for sharing that!
I watch these because I travel for a living and live in my work truck 3/4 of the time.
Hope it helps you find some creative choices!
I usually buy instant oatmeal (for breakfast), oat bars (for lunch), raman noodles
(for supper), and popTarts & instant coffee for a snack. I can eat for $3 a day, in stead of the $25 burger plate at some bar (when I go somewhere on a car trip and stay at a motel/Hotel.)
Packing your own definitely helps save money
not a lot of protein or fat in that list, though
And it sounds bland. Probably not much flavor😢 I'm not knocking it, though. You do you!
Interesting video, wouldn't have thought of making a MRE out of Dollar Tree items. You did make me do a flashback to that Hawaiian Punch commercial. 😂
I’m so glad someone got that! I was starting to think I had imagined it 😂
BaroCook should pay you endorsement fees! I just bought one because of your videos. Never heard of it before. Thanks!
I wish they would! I’m glad you thought it was worthy of trying. I really enjoy using mine. Hope you like it too.
Now about the Barocook device!! OMG yes yes yes it is so great!! I watch tons of hiking camping and RV Van living shows and it's like they all need fire or electric to cook. I always wondered isn't there a better way? YES and You found it Barocook!!!! Love it!!! ❤️ TYSM❤
I’m so glad to have helped you find this! Thanks so much for checking in!
I understand the challenge of shopping for all the components in one location,
I think you could make an epic MRE if you were to get the components from multiple locations. That way, you can optimize what you add to each MRE. I think that would a fun and interesting video. Love the channel BTW.
I am definitely planning to do that and there’s a couple more ideas that play into that as well. Thanks for the suggestion and support!
Their canned clams and smoked oysters are good, if you eat them. I love spam (most flavors), deviled ham spread, vienna sausage (all flavors) and the sardines, tuna and mackerel canned selections. My fav item from DT is the Brim's HOT pork rinds, and the BBQ flavor is good also.
If you’re a fan of canned meats this whole process becomes much easier
Inspiration to have fun with MRE. Yep, you got it covered nicely. Now I just need to get hubby hooked....and you got that covered too with the SHARE button.
Thank you! The support and sharing is much appreciated
I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!! why don't more people view your ideas from places to get great prices on camping equipment to MRE great ideas. I am paralyzed in a bed and get Great tips from you!!! Not only for myself but to pass onto others.
This made my entire week! Thank you so much!
The Ham Spread is essentially "Deviled Ham". I've tried it before and take it in the boat for a day of fishing.
I’m still surprised I didn’t hate it. I’d get that again.
I like hot dogs in a thermos
@@johnengland8619 that’s not a bad idea. Good way to enjoy them without having to build a fire.
Hey! This was an excellent video! I really liked how you tried something not expected and was surprised to hear your good comments on the canned ham! Very thoughtfully done and the price was excellent too! :) And you are welcome!
So glad you liked it. Always fun when I can follow up on something one of my viewers suggested!
Wow this was interesting! UA-cam suggested your channel. Sometimes UA-cam gets it right. Subscribed!
Thank you! I’m glad you’re here!
This dude is like the Mel Gibson of homemade MRES, lol! Great stuff!
@@earlsworth7952 I'll take that! Thank you.
I love to buy those cookies for my kids when we are going on an outing somewhere. They are an easy, kid-friendly snack to throw in a bag.
They are the best!
Love the out of the box thinking and going outside the typical norm; super cool concept!
Thank you. Might have to do more like that.
You might include total calorie count. I am enjoying your channel. You are giving me some great ideas to simplify my solo camping trip food prep!
I had considered that. Probably would be a responsible thing to do. Might scare myself away from this though 😳
Another great video man I've found these different packaged rices recently and really enjoyed them and they have long shelf life
They aren’t all perfect but most of them are great for stuff like this. Not to mention I don’t want to have to go through the process of making rice every time I want some 😀
I love seeing items I haven't seen before and getting ideas....Thanks. I like the Sunkist lemon lime sachet, and I Found a Food Club one that is caffeinated. An international type grocery store might be a good place to make an MRE. This was a great video.
Thank you for the support and great suggestions!
I ordered the Barocook because of your video from Ollie’s. I’m going to work on getting MREs using some of your guidelines. I do dehydrate my rice, pasta and beans so they will hydrate well by letting them sit in the water first then heat up. I will be using dehydrated and freeze dried foods and I ordered some water pouches also to add to the MREs package but I will place the pouch in a baggie in case of leakage.
The Barocook works really well with dehydrated and freeze dried foods as well. I just don’t find much of that in regular stores. One day I will build one from scratch with those kinds of ingredients.
Excellent video! cool concept! Barocook that was awesome! Can't wait to see more videos.
Thank you! There will be more to come.
I would have tried adding the spice mix to the rice and stirring that up before adding the crab. I also would have cut the crab up smaller and mixed it well with the rice.
Good ideas. Shoulda done that
I'm a big fan of potted meat in the context of emergency food I keep in the pantry. One of the things we ran low on the last time I was in an emergency situation was meat. Any canned meat that lasts years at a time is good to have on hand.
I envy people who like it because it’s easy to get, cheap, and lasts forever.
Loved the food adventure!
Thank you 🙏
There are many processes and packaged food items in the stores these days. Provides a lot of convenience and options for mre compatible meals. I like your content exploring these options and getting viewers to think it through.
Thank you! I love when people actually grasp the concept
great video, you are making me go to my local dollar tree tomorrow and put some MRE's together.
Awesome! Good to know I’m inspiring someone!
Nice ideas
Thank you!
Two sources you might want to try if you have them in your area are "Rite Aid" and "Grocery Outlet" stores.
I've long sourced cheaper victuals for home use and work lunches as well as hunting & fishing, backpacking and other camping trips. Dollar Tree, Big Lots and Walmart, all of which you've already featured in videos, and the Grocery Outlet stores are among my favorites. If my schedule will permit, I especially make a point of shopping the Grocery Outlet stores when encountering one in an area of high Hispanic population because Mexican cuisine is one of my favorites. Many of the Grocery Outlet stores are independently owned, which means there is noticeable variability from store-to-store of the inventory on shelves.
I've only been in one "99 Cents Only" store several years ago, but the size of the store and inventory selection there was quite impressive! Sadly, while checking online to see if any are located along travel routes for trips that I anticipate making in 2024, I read that the corporation is "winding down" operation of all 371 locations 😥.
I’ll probably try Rite Aid now that I see Walgreens was a viable option. I don’t have a Grocery Outlet in my area but I’ll be watching for them.
I tried that rice myself, I agree, not so good! Great channel!
Thank you. Glad I’m not the only one who found it undesirable
The food service at my mothers assisted living facility actually had a catering business associated with it. Wasn't my type of food but they did a lot of business and lots of compliments.
Probably resulted in better food for the residents though.
I've had the Krab recently. I liked it. I was glad to find it, too, as I had to quit imitation "krab" years ago due to a food allergy, and it seems the ingredient I couldn't have is not in that brand. I recently tried some ready to eat refried beans that I THINK I got at DT. They tasted like beans. Cut the corner off and squeeze it out like frosting.
I found those beans. Thought that might be a good option for a meal too. Definitely going to revisit this again in the future.
Great vid
Thank you
Wow. I've never heard or seen anything like that Barocook. That's crazy. Crazy and awesome. Thanks.
It is pretty cool. I’m having a lot of fun with it.
@dadbudgetadventures where do get the heaters for the barocook? Great concept with the Dollar store MRE
The uncle bens brand and the minute rice brand rice packages that are already cooked are great. A lot of times i will drop a can of tuna, a can of beans, or maybe just a can of vegetables in a bag, heat it up and it makes a great little meal on the go. I really like to get the uncle bens spanish rice, a can of tuna, some tony chacheres seasoning, and some red hot sauce to make as a meal. This was one of my go to meals in college. That and mac n cheese with cut up hot dogs were really common for me.
All good stuff!
I got to get some of that krab for my wife the next time I make some MREs, she loves that stuff. I'm not really a prepper but after the last hurricane and having to cook everything on a grill or camp stove I started making MREs. I did go overboard on what I put in them as they have more than 3 meals plus snacks and drinks but, hey, I'm not carrying them on hikes. Although, looking at one right now, they probably wouldn't be too bad for that if you are out for a full day or overnight. I am impressed with the price of the one you showed here though, that is very economical.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Even though you may not think so, you’re a prepper. You have your reason and a supply of food so don’t undersell yourself. You don’t have to go all in with insane amounts of stock and gear. All you need sometimes is to prep for those small disasters. Props to you.
I’d be curious to try that spread.. normally not a fan of things like that but I’d try it
I was skeptical going in but I will get it again.
whoa that flameless cooker is awesome. your making some quality content here my guy. keep at it, its much appreciated. I can't believe i ahadnt thought to make my own mre's myself. I watch Steve1981 mre videos all the time and had noticed a lot of what was mre's could be bought at a store. Why i never thought to make my own I'll never know.
Thank you for the kind words and support. I always love hearing that someone caught a spark of creativity from something I did.
anytime @@dadbudgetadventures
i use the drink mixes all the time. very low to zero carbs. good for a diabetic that way. get a quart container an try mixing the flavors, according to what you like. one of the new off the shelf mrs is lemon pepper tuna with tortillas. very good. also try the lemon pepper chicken.
Great suggestions!
@@dadbudgetadventures for the board use the freeze dried fruits.
Job lot, trader joes, and aldi have some pretty good stuff.
I’ve done Joes and Aldi but with a very different format. Will likely revisit those. Not familiar with Job Lot.
@@dadbudgetadventures Joes has flattened bananas. You'd probably like them if you never had them. Ocean state job lot. Similar to Big lots. You might have one of those.
@@DogSpeak we have Big Lots here. I need to look for those bananas, they sound awesome!
On the nursing home comment - folks, remember that there are differences in the capabilities of nursing home residents. Folks in Memory Care should not have any sort of heating device, given the chances that they could burn themselves with a moment of inattention. If you do have a loved one in care, you will know what they are capable of doing.
That’s a good point. I wouldn’t leave anything that heats up where someone with diminished capacity can get it.
I think you were very kind about the crab meat. I bought a couple and I won't do that again 😂
Yeah, I was not impressed. But it cost $1.25 so my expectations weren’t high 😂
WWII Pacific, canned crab was a Japanese ration staple. Americans supplemented their rations with captured canned crab. Don’t know how good it was, but as my wife says, “makes a t%rd.”
Well I guess that says it all 😂
👍 Thanks for the info 😂
Thanks for watching
Great video,
I've made a lot of homemade jerky. Keep in mind that it take about 3 pounds of meat to make one pound of jerky. And at today's prices, that's a lot of money.
It’s really not terribly cost effective these days. I make it once in a while but the desire to do so right now just isn’t there.
@@dadbudgetadventures
I agree. If I find a good sale on meat, or if I shoot a deer, I'll make some jerky. But I don't make it too often these days.
I get that rice all the time, it says on the package to break it up before heating, only takes 90 seconds in the microwave
Apparently I didn’t break it up quite enough.
Saw a 4oz chicken breast at Dollar tree for $1.25. Thats $6/lb for chicken. Just what you were talking about, a misdirect.
Exactly. It’s convenient and if you only have a couple bucks for food it’s not as bad deal. But it’s no bargain, to be sure.
If you ever find yourself back in the midwest. You gotta do Buccees!
We have a couple in our state but I have to drive a ways to get there. But next time I go that way I’ll definitely give it a try.
Just a reference to probably both mine and your age.... hope that wasn't Jim Jones Kool Aid....guess it wasn't you finished the video😂😂 great video thanks for the ideas!!!
Nobody did more to ruin a brand and at the same time give it eternal life 😂
@@dadbudgetadventures Yes you are correct hada freind at work used some packs of it in water bottles... he said he was waiting for someone to ask him what he was drinking he said he was going to tell them "Jim Jones Juice" surprised me because he's only 28 years old!!
What Side Is Your Barocook Flameless Cooker? Also Would Like More 24-hour MRE, This Is The 2nd Video I had Seen Of Yours. These Are Great To Watch. Thank You For The Video.
Mine is the 28 ounce size. There’s a link in the description box if you’d like to check it out. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos!
Thank You, I saw it the in the 2nd video, I watch today@@dadbudgetadventures
Definitely the ham. The fake krab looks interesting, though.
I can’t believe how much I liked the ham. Crab would be better with a little more prep.
Have you considered doing a video for a 1st week/month/3rd month/6th month/1 year MRE series? I would like to see how these hold up over time.
I have not but I love the idea.
For that cooker do you have to buy/use a new heater pack every time or can you reuse the heater pack?
Ever thought about making these as a whole day MRE pack? Like 2-3 meals instead of one.
The cooker requires a new heater for each use.
I recently posted a 24 hour MRE video from Walmart. Scroll through a bit and you should find it.
Love your video first time watching your channel. I have loved survival and prepping since I was a kid. Do you have Aldi's or .99 cent only store neat you?
Thank you! I’ve done Aldi but that was a while back. May do another since their inventory changes a lot. Don’t have a 99 cent store. We have Dollar General and Family Dollar though.
Wow you have alot of Mres from just about every store. I have some watching to do.
Sweetened with Aspartame.
More than likely. I’m not a huge fan of artificial sweeteners but this is a rare occasion that I’ll use these.
Next time try the buffalo chicken !!!
Would be better than the crab, for sure.
@@dadbudgetadventures another couple of things to add would be , salt & pepper packets, and various condimint packets.
@@davidcreager1945 if I have them I try to add the accessory packs you get at a hotel coffee station. They usually have some good items included. Or the ones you hat at some fast food places that have a fork, napkin, salt and pepper, and sometimes sugar. Those are great for this application.
What about using costco. I'm thinking of making multiple mre for family that travel in avalanche area's.
That’s a great idea. Gonna have to spend some money to do that one !
Thanks for the viddy vid Mr. L. I get all my quality krab meat at the Krusty Krab (=
Yeah, the drive thru was closed when I went by 😂
Do you figure in heater pack and Mylar bag into total cost?
I do not. Only calculating the food
When I was homeless, there were times when I actually lived for days off of those Minees cookies from Dollar Tree.
**Edit-- Btw, I was diagnosed as a diabetic while I was homeless. Just sayin'. (Full transparency) **
There’s a lot to be said for being able to buy food super cheap. But one definitely needs to know what they are buying. I truly hope you are in a much better place now.
@@dadbudgetadventures I'm not homeless anymore, still diabetic and struggling with that, and struggling to stay off the streets. It's extremely difficult to get off the streets, and even more difficult to stay off the streets, when you're starting from zero. Adding health issues makes it even more so. But thank you for your good wishes.
I always thought that things at the DollarTree actually costs about 30-50 cents, except for a few things, likethe medicines or vitamins.
It averages out to what I mentioned. Some have more profit than others.
I think you add a little water to the rice packet.
I did. I find it makes it cook up better.
Hi what brand was that canned ham I wanna get some
I don’t recall right off. I’d have to go back and watch the video to find out or go by Dollar Tree.
Dollar Tree refrigerated pork chops come out to $5-$6 a pound.
I refuse to buy meat there. 🤢
How about, Wal-Mart, Target or even a larger convenience store as places to get MRE supplies.
Great suggestion. Was thinking about our local Walmart Neighborhood Market for one.
Suggestion: Please add a menu list in the description, that we can cut and paste to make a shopping list.
And, yes I understand that there will need to be substitutions.
That is a great idea! I need to go back and update all of these.
Thanks.@@dadbudgetadventures
I did this a couple years ago. Three days worth of Dollar tree MREs in the back of my SUV. It's probably time for me to eat them and restock.
Three days of meals is a great prep to have on hand. I had gone in to this one hoping I might do a 24 hour MRE but that didn’t really work out. We will see how it goes for the next one.
@@dadbudgetadventures I have about a week's worth of freeze-dried commercial hiking food and MRE components (sandwiches and whatnot) that I could throw in my vehicle (or a backpack) on very little notice. Also a plastic bin's worth of canned food and all the cooking and eating paraphernalia. I think I (and my wife) could go three weeks with my food preps. I realized how unprepared I was after 9/11. I've stayed prepared since then.
It's a great idea, but where are the vegetables?
Dollar Tree didn’t have anything I could include.
The link for the cooker looks different than in the videos, yours is black and the link is clear ?
Mine is clear when you remove the sleeve.
I want a Barocooker, but I want the 40oz one and it isn't carried by Amazon. Is there any other way to get one.
Just the company website as far as I know.
There's a self heating lunchbox that you just plug in and it'll bake cakes and everything as well as being a container. I think I'd rather that than a ration heater that's one time use
That’s not a bad option. Only requirement would be a source of power. I did a video a while back using an electric lunchbox that works a bit like an instapot and that’s another possibility in lieu of the Barocook.
@@dadbudgetadventures they make them with rechargeable batteries. So once charged you could cook several entree's in one before needing power again. Collapsible solar panels are cheap nowadays as well. Would be a good option in lieu of the flameless ration heaters. I like the flameless ration heaters just fine, but they're gonna be bulky to carry around for say a 3 day get home bag. Whereas an electric lunchbox (like lunchEAZE) would last long enough to cook a couple times. Definitely an option I might explore. Especially if it's a shtf situation involving military invasion or tyrannical government.
I love Black Forest Ham. I was surprised to see they have potted versions of that. How do you think it was compared to say deli Black Forest Ham? Like it was just a pulverized version of that or could you definitely tell this was a canned, potted meat. Thanks for the video. I'm very interested in see what videos you have to offer!
It was definitely potted meat but the flavor was surprisingly good. I normally don’t care for things like that and I was challenging myself by buying it, but I’m glad I did. Of course the more hungry you are the better it is so there’s that. I plan to get some more.
I, personally, don't like the stuff that is actually sold as 'potted meat' but I do like the Clark ham. It is similar to Underwood Devil brand Deviled Ham if you have ever tried that. The Underwood Devil Roast Beef is my favorite of that sort of thing but costs more than $1.25 a can. If you can find it Underwood Devil also makes a corned beef version that I think is surprisingly good. None of those at Dollar Tree, though.
I can't find the referenced original Dollar Tree episode. Can someone post the link to it?
It’s three or four years old so you gotta go way back.
@@dadbudgetadventures I did a search on "dollar" on all your vids and didn't find it. I'll go look again.
@@dadbudgetadventures I found it. Thanks!
Hey what was the calorie/protein/carbs of the entire MRE? Would 3 meals per day add up to 2000 calories? Just wondering. Cool video though!
I have not started tracking those details just yet. Right now it’s about finding food and not balancing a sustainable diet. Getting there though.
The r man To compare to an American military mre it would need 1300 calories per meal. Mre meals are typically a higher calorie food to allow the body to function in high stress high activity situations. 2,000 calories a day would not be sufficient.
I was going to suggest Aldi, but I found you did one 3 years ago.
Have you considered a gas station, such as Sheetz or Wawa?
We don’t have either of those but I’d love to do one of the big ones like Bucee’s or something like that. May revisit Aldi one day though.
Tried the Wisps from Walmart.
For me the flavor is WAY to over powering.
Something I will not be using in mine.
They are a concentrated flavor for sure
Do you consider ramen noodles?
I don’t simply because they don’t meet the parameters of being ready to eat. But as an addition to bulk up the amount of food in the event you can prepare them, then absolutely throw them in.
@@dadbudgetadventuressomehow growing up my kids ate them uncooked. They would dump in the flavor, crunch them up and eat them like trailmix.
dollar general
I did one there a couple years back but it was a different format. I will probably revisit that now.
I hate the chicken one, never tried the ham one.. bit can't stand the chicken.
Yeah that one didn’t excite me so I took a shot with the ham. I’m glad I did.
I've not been able to eat potted meat since someone told me that it was cat food
Yeah that will stick with you
@@dadbudgetadventures true
Gosh, get on with it.
🤷♂️
Like an adult lunchable. Long term meal prepping, I like it. Planning out 6-12 months worth of meals at once would eliminate shopping and cooking and save so much time.
Absolutely. The down side is it would all be processed and packaged foods which wouldn’t be ideal, but it beats starving.