The U.S. military's OG MREs (meals ready to eat) were the inspiration for today's emergency food supply kits, and they’ve had a loyal following for decades. Originally designed as easy-to-prepare, all-in-one kits, each individual packet includes a complete, multi-course meal. That means an entrée (a protein or vegetarian base), bread, a beverage mix, a snack or spread, chewing gum, a spoon, and a nutritional insert all wrapped in a waterproof, go-anywhere bag.

An included chemical heater packet inside each MRE allows for “cooking” the meal without an external heat source. That makes them more versatile and reliable than any other emergency food kit on this list, as they can be prepped almost anywhere, anytime.

The most obvious downside, however, is that they look and taste like military food, which is to say not that great. They’re palatable, but nothing to blog about. At more than $15 per pack, they’re also crazy expensive.

Still, if you’re looking for hardcore prepper food that's dead-simple to "cook" in even the most serious emergencies, it doesn't get any easier than these.

What do buyers say? "I hadn't touched an MRE in about 15 years. Glad to see they still make them just as edible, reliable, and tasty as they used to," said one Amazon reviewer.

Read more: Best Healthy Meal Services