How long do MREs last?

Military-spec MREs are built to last at least 3 years at 80°F (27°C) and often 5 years or more in cool storage, but heat shortens that sharply.

	MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
Unopened	About 3–5 years at 80°F (27°C); longer when kept cool
Opened	Eat an opened entrée within a few hours or refrigerate it like leftovers; unopened components keep their own dates
Ideal storage	Cool, dry and stable, ideally below 70°F (21°C). Never in a hot car, attic or garage.
Long-term	The US Army time-temperature chart shows roughly 10 years at 60°F (16°C), but under 2 years at 100°F (38°C) and only months above 110°F (43°C).

Storage tips

Write the purchase date on the case and check the inspection or pack date printed on it.
Temperature matters more than age: a case kept in a cool closet outlasts a newer case kept in a garage.
Civilian "MRE-style" meals vary; follow the manufacturer’s rating rather than military figures.
Flameless ration heaters lose strength with age and moisture; test one from an older case before relying on them.