---
product_id: 687830513
title: "Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free"
brand: "mountain house"
price: "$62.47"
currency: USD
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/687830513-mountain-house-essential-bucket-freeze-dried-backpacking-and-camping-food
store_origin: US
region: United States of America
---

# 22 servings for multi-day fuel Ready in under 10 minutes Recyclable packaging with TerraCycle Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free

**Brand:** mountain house
**Price:** $62.47
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> 🥾 Fuel your next adventure with flavor, convenience, and zero FOMO!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free by mountain house
- **How much does it cost?** $62.47 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/687830513-mountain-house-essential-bucket-freeze-dried-backpacking-and-camping-food)

## Best For

- mountain house enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted mountain house brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Lightweight & Compact Design:** At just 6.15 lbs and a portable bucket size, it’s your ideal companion for backpacking, camping, or emergency kits.
- • **Effortless Prep, Zero Cleanup:** Just add hot water, wait 10 minutes, and enjoy a hearty meal—perfect for busy explorers and emergency readiness.
- • **Adventure-Ready Meal Assortment:** 12 gluten-free pouches delivering 4 days of breakfast, lunch & dinner—fuel your journey without compromise.
- • **Certified Gluten-Free & All-Natural:** GFCO certified with no artificial flavors or colors—clean eating that keeps you energized and confident on the trail.
- • **Sustainably Packaged for the Conscious Camper:** Freeze-dried meals in recyclable pouches partnered with TerraCycle—because protecting the outdoors is part of the adventure.

## Overview

Mountain House Essential Bucket offers 22 gluten-free freeze-dried servings across 12 pouches, including Beef Stew, Breakfast Skillet, Scrambled Eggs with Bacon, and Rice & Chicken. Ready in under 10 minutes with just hot water, this lightweight 6.15 lb bucket is perfect for backpacking, camping, or emergency preparedness. Certified gluten-free and free from artificial flavors, it boasts a 30-year shelf life and recyclable packaging through TerraCycle, combining convenience, taste, and sustainability for the modern outdoor enthusiast.

## Description

Product Description Introducing the Mountain House Essential Bucket - your ticket to tantalizing outdoor meals! With 12 pouches (totaling 22 servings) of pure deliciousness, this bucket is a game-changer for your camping or emergency food stash. Certified gluten-free by GFCO, each meal is a flavor-packed powerhouse, ensuring you're always ready to tackle a day full of adventure with a satisfying meal. Let's break it down - inside the Mountain House Essential Bucket, you'll discover: • 4 pouches of Rice & Chicken: Perfectly seasoned rice and tender chicken in a savory sauce, jazzed up with peppers, carrots, and celery. • 4 pouches of Beef Stew: Dive into tender diced all-natural beef with potatoes, peas, and carrots. • 2 pouches of Breakfast Skillet: Indulge in hearty hash browns, scrambled eggs, and crumbled pork patty. • 2 pouches of Scrambled Eggs with Bacon: Savor the irresistible combo of crispy bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs. With the industry's longest proven shelf life and our steadfast 30-Year Taste Guarantee, Mountain House isn't just your go-to for outdoor meals; it's your emergency food lifeline, ensuring you're prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Since 1969, we've been whipping up tasty meals for outdoor enthusiasts, earning the trust of the U.S. Military. Every meal in our Mountain House Essential Bucket is a nod to our legacy, meticulously crafted in small batches and freeze-dried to seal in all that scrumptiousness. With Mountain House, preparing a meal is a breeze: just add water to the pouch, wait ten minutes, and you're ready to feast! And once you've enjoyed every last bite, simply pack out the pouch and recycle it for free with TerraCycle to minimize your impact and keep the great outdoors pristine for future adventurers. From breakfast at camp, to a pitstop along the trail, to snuggling up by the campfire after a day of adventure, Mountain House is your go-to outdoor adventure food. So toss this bucket in your truck and let's roll. We're more than just freeze-dried camping food, we're a legacy of flavor, convenience, and rock-solid reliability, fueling your love for adventure with every delicious bite. Adventure's calling - are you in? Packaging may differ, but don’t worry, it’s still the same great stuff inside! Ingredients Beef Stew – Potatoes (potatoes, sodium acid pyrophosphate) , Beef (beef, salt) , Vegetable Oil (high oleic sunflower oil and/or canola oil with rosemary extract and/or corn oil with rosemary extract) , Green Peas , Corn Starch , Carrots , Beef Broth (beef stock, natural flavor, salt, yeast extract, sugar, beef fat) , Onion , Celery , Sea Salt , Cane Sugar , Garlic Powder , Basil , Oregano , White Pepper , Bay Leaves , Celery Seed Breakfast Skillet - Precooked Egg Mix (whole egg [stabilized, glucose removed], nonfat milk, egg yolk [stabilized, glucose removed], tapioca starch, sunflower oil, salt, smoke flavor [sunflower oil, smoke flavor], yeast extract, xanthan gum) , Potatoes (potato, sodium acid pyrophosphate) , Pork Sausage Crumble (pork, sea salt, cane sugar, spices, rosemary extract, chili pepper) , Onion , Potato Starch , Seasoning: (maltodextrin, yeast extract, sea salt, natural flavor [contains canola oil]) , Bell Pepper , Garlic Powder , White Pepper CONTAINS: Milk, Egg Scrambled Eggs with Bacon - Precooked Egg Mix: Whole Egg (stabilized, glucose removed) , Nonfat Milk , Egg Yolk (stabilized, glucose removed) , Tapioca Starch , Sunflower Oil , Salt , Smoke Flavor (sunflower oil, smoke flavor) , Yeast Extract , Xanthan Gum Uncured Cooked Bacon: [no nitrates or nitrites added except those naturally found in sea salt and cultured celery juice] Pork , Sea Salt , Sugar , Natural Smoke Flavor , Cultured Celery Juice CONTAINS: Milk, Egg Rice & Chicken - Long Grain Parboiled Rice , Sauce (rendered chicken fat, seasoning [sea salt, onion, white pepper, sage, turmeric, thyme, celery seed], corn starch, seasoning [autolyzed yeast extract, salt, natural flavor], cane sugar, seasoning [yeast extract, yeast]) , Chicken (chicken meat, salt) , Red Bell Pepper , Carrots , Celery; Please refer to physical product ingredients label to verify all components of this product. Directions Add water or another liquid to rehydrate the food.

Review: My standard go-to Freeze-Dried food kit - When it comes to emergency preparedness, the market is flooded with options, but few brands command as much respect as Mountain House. Their Emergency Meal Assortment Kits have become the gold standard for everyone from backcountry hikers to "just-in-case" suburban families. After putting several of these kits to the test, it’s clear why they remain the leader in the industry. 1. Zero-Fuss Preparation In a survival situation, the last thing you want is a complex cooking process that requires multiple pots, pans, and a culinary degree. Mountain House has perfected the "just add boiling water" method. The beauty lies in the pouch itself, which acts as the cooking vessel. You simply: Open the pouch and remove the oxygen absorber (if present). Pour in the specified amount of boiling water. Stir, seal the zipper, and wait about 8–10 minutes. There is zero cleanup—no scrubbing burnt rice off a pot in the dark. If you’re truly in a pinch and can’t heat water, these meals can be rehydrated with cold water, though it takes about twice as long and isn't nearly as "homestyle" as a hot meal. 2. A Shelf Life That Outlasts a Mortgage One of the most impressive features of these kits is the 30-year taste guarantee. While many competitors offer "shelf-stable" food that begins to degrade in flavor after five or ten years, Mountain House uses a proprietary freeze-drying process that locks in the nutrients and taste for decades. This makes them a "set it and forget it" investment. You can tuck a Classic Meal Assortment bucket into the back of a closet or a basement storage room and rest easy knowing that whether a disaster strikes next week or in 2055, the food will still be safe and palatable. 3. Actual Meat and Genuine Flavor The biggest surprise for first-time users is usually the taste. Unlike many emergency rations that resemble flavorless mush or "meat-flavored" soy protein, Mountain House uses real pieces of meat. Beef Stroganoff: Features actual tender chunks of beef and savory mushrooms. Chicken Teriyaki: Contains real pieces of chicken and bamboo shoots. Breakfast Skillet: Offers legitimate pork sausage and scrambled eggs. Because the food is cooked before it is freeze-dried, the flavors have time to meld. The texture of the meat rehydrates remarkably well, retaining a "bite" that makes it feel like a real meal rather than a survival chore. 4. The Hidden Bonus: Multi-Purpose Packaging A pro-tip often overlooked is the utility of the packaging after the meal is gone. These pouches are made of heavy-duty, BPA-free trilaminate foil. Don’t throw them away. Because they are designed to hold boiling water and feature a sturdy zip-lock seal, they serve as excellent emergency water carriers. They are rugged enough to be filled and stashed in a pack without leaking, and the wide gusseted bottom allows them to stand upright. In a pinch, they can also be used as waterproof storage for electronics or as a "hot water bottle" on a freezing night. The Verdict: While Mountain House is often more expensive than bulk grains or canned goods, the combination of a 30-year shelf life, ease of use, and genuine high-quality ingredients makes it an essential cornerstone of any serious emergency kit. Pro Tips: Wait until they are on sale and get a bunch.
Review: Great taste for the style of food, Just add hot water. - I am in love with these meals and they are easy to prepare to eat. The taste is great compared to military MRE's. I have also tried to prepare one with just room temperature water it works good and still good quality when done, I just takes longer to prepare . A great addition to backup food storage supply ! I have a total of 3 pails of this dehydrated food.

## Features

- DELICIOUS MEAL ASSORTMENT! To our gluten-free adventurers, this one’s for you. Enjoy 4 days' worth of breakfast, lunch, & dinner entrees on your adventure. Contains 12 total pouches (or 22 total servings) of all gluten-free freeze-dried goodness.
- NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS OR COLORS & CERTIFIED GLUTEN-FREE - Each meal is certified gluten-free by GFCO. Meals included: (4) pouches of Beef Stew, (2) Breakfast Skillet, (2) Scrambled Eggs with Bacon, (4) Rice and Chicken.
- QUICK PREP - Just add hot water to the pouch & eat in less than 10 minutes, with no cleanup. This pouch is wider and shorter, providing a great bowl-like experience. To prepare all meals in this bucket, 17 cups of water will be needed.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT - Bucket is easy to carry & store. Bucket weighs 6.15 lbs & is 12"(L) x 10"(W) x 12.31"(H). Enjoy in the backcountry or on your next cmaping trip. With a 30-Year Taste *************************************************************, it's a great addition to your emergency food supply.
- RECYCLABLE - Recycled used pouches with TerraCycle to reduce waste.SHELF STABLE - Longest proven shelf life in the industry! Backed by a 30-Year Taste *************************************************************.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0843J11JW |
| Age Range Description | All Ages |
| Allergen Information | Contains: Eggs, Gluten Free, Milk |
| Best Sellers Rank | 295,332 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) 205 in Freeze-Dried Food |
| Brand | Mountain House |
| Brand Name | Mountain House |
| Colour | Blue |
| Container Type | Bucket |
| Cuisine | American |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,168 Reviews |
| Diet Type | Gluten Free |
| Flavour | Bacon,Beef,Chicken |
| Item Form | Freeze-Dried |
| Item Weight | 1.19 Kilograms |
| Item form | Freeze-Dried |
| Item weight | 1.19 Kilograms |
| Manufacturer | Mountain House |
| Model Number | 0081663A |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Pieces | 12 |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Package Size Name | Essential Bucket |
| Package information | Bucket |
| Part Number | 0081663A |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Backpacking, Camping, Emergency Food Storage, Hiking, Quick Meals at Home |
| Set Name | Essential Bucket |
| Size | Net Wt 41.8 oz (2.6 lbs) |
| Specialty | Gluten Free |
| UPC | 041133816632 |
| Unit Count | 41.8 gram |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Mountain House
- **Flavour:** Bacon,Beef,Chicken
- **Item weight:** 1.19 Kilograms
- **Number of items:** 1
- **Package information:** Bucket

## Images

![Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81L7zvPAbyL.jpg)
![Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91-kKvPn7kL.jpg)
![Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81NpPHcIybL.jpg)
![Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/918GQRgQvgL.jpg)
![Mountain House Essential Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815HRTMTmqL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: how many years would one of these last?**
A: The Mountain House Essential bucket has a 30 year shelf life.

**Q: Celiac friendly?**
A: No.  Although certified GF by the GFCO I have tried various meals on different occasions with the same results.  Although they are definitely tasty and super convenient for my extensive travels (I prep with my own dual voltage kettle pot), it would appear there is some wheat, barley and/or rye cross contamination occurring somewhere in the manufacturing process.  Please understand that I really wanted these items to be an option for me hence the multiple attempts with consumption but I have been managing celiac disease long enough to recognize the symptoms associated with inadvertent ingestion.

**Q: how long will this store outside in unstable temperature?**
A: Recommended storage is below 75 degrees. Temps above this can alter the taste of the food if stored for long periods of time.

**Q: Do you have kits with indivdual meals and not bulk meals per packets?**
A: This bucket contains 12 individual pouches that contain 2 servings of each meal per pouch. It is not a bulk meal contained within

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My standard go-to Freeze-Dried food kit
*by M***T on 21 February 2026*

When it comes to emergency preparedness, the market is flooded with options, but few brands command as much respect as Mountain House. Their Emergency Meal Assortment Kits have become the gold standard for everyone from backcountry hikers to "just-in-case" suburban families. After putting several of these kits to the test, it’s clear why they remain the leader in the industry. 1. Zero-Fuss Preparation In a survival situation, the last thing you want is a complex cooking process that requires multiple pots, pans, and a culinary degree. Mountain House has perfected the "just add boiling water" method. The beauty lies in the pouch itself, which acts as the cooking vessel. You simply: Open the pouch and remove the oxygen absorber (if present). Pour in the specified amount of boiling water. Stir, seal the zipper, and wait about 8–10 minutes. There is zero cleanup—no scrubbing burnt rice off a pot in the dark. If you’re truly in a pinch and can’t heat water, these meals can be rehydrated with cold water, though it takes about twice as long and isn't nearly as "homestyle" as a hot meal. 2. A Shelf Life That Outlasts a Mortgage One of the most impressive features of these kits is the 30-year taste guarantee. While many competitors offer "shelf-stable" food that begins to degrade in flavor after five or ten years, Mountain House uses a proprietary freeze-drying process that locks in the nutrients and taste for decades. This makes them a "set it and forget it" investment. You can tuck a Classic Meal Assortment bucket into the back of a closet or a basement storage room and rest easy knowing that whether a disaster strikes next week or in 2055, the food will still be safe and palatable. 3. Actual Meat and Genuine Flavor The biggest surprise for first-time users is usually the taste. Unlike many emergency rations that resemble flavorless mush or "meat-flavored" soy protein, Mountain House uses real pieces of meat. Beef Stroganoff: Features actual tender chunks of beef and savory mushrooms. Chicken Teriyaki: Contains real pieces of chicken and bamboo shoots. Breakfast Skillet: Offers legitimate pork sausage and scrambled eggs. Because the food is cooked before it is freeze-dried, the flavors have time to meld. The texture of the meat rehydrates remarkably well, retaining a "bite" that makes it feel like a real meal rather than a survival chore. 4. The Hidden Bonus: Multi-Purpose Packaging A pro-tip often overlooked is the utility of the packaging after the meal is gone. These pouches are made of heavy-duty, BPA-free trilaminate foil. Don’t throw them away. Because they are designed to hold boiling water and feature a sturdy zip-lock seal, they serve as excellent emergency water carriers. They are rugged enough to be filled and stashed in a pack without leaking, and the wide gusseted bottom allows them to stand upright. In a pinch, they can also be used as waterproof storage for electronics or as a "hot water bottle" on a freezing night. The Verdict: While Mountain House is often more expensive than bulk grains or canned goods, the combination of a 30-year shelf life, ease of use, and genuine high-quality ingredients makes it an essential cornerstone of any serious emergency kit. Pro Tips: Wait until they are on sale and get a bunch.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great taste for the style of food, Just add hot water.
*by G***Y on 21 December 2025*

I am in love with these meals and they are easy to prepare to eat. The taste is great compared to military MRE's. I have also tried to prepare one with just room temperature water it works good and still good quality when done, I just takes longer to prepare . A great addition to backup food storage supply ! I have a total of 3 pails of this dehydrated food.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good price good meals
*by B***Y on 16 September 2025*

Living in a hurricane prone area of the US, we have a good supply of emergency items. We also RV/remote camp quite a bit and take emergency rations with us as well. Great for those late night arrivals or just bad weather and we want something fast and filling. Needed a new container and went first to the actual website and saw the prices and then checked here on Amazon and saw I could save a few bucks on the bucket and shipping. I like this bucket as the selection has the meals we really like. Great shelf life, bucket makes for easy storage.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Mountain House Essential Meal Assortment Bucket | Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food | 22 Servings | Gluten-Free
- Mountain House Expedition Meal Assortment Bucket Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food 30 Servings
- Mountain House Classic Meal Assortment Bucket Freeze Dried Backpacking & Camping Food 24 Servings

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*Product available on Desertcart United States of America*
*Store origin: US*
*Last updated: 2026-09-21*