Description
MRE STAR M-018HV: 12 Complete Vegetarian Meals with Heaters
The MRE STAR M-018HV Vegetarian MRE case includes 12 complete vegetarian meals and 12 flameless ration heaters. Four entrée varieties provide ready-to-eat options for emergency food storage, power outages, camping, travel, and remote work.
These are complete MRE meal kits—not entrée-only pouches. Each individual meal includes a vegetarian entrée plus a starch, snacks, a dessert, a beverage mix, accessories, and its own flameless ration heater.
The entrées are fully cooked and can be eaten hot or cold. No refrigeration is required before opening when stored as directed, and the entrée needs no water for rehydration. Drinking water is still needed for beverage mixes, and a small amount of water activates the heater.
Vegetarian, not vegan: This assortment includes Cheese Tortellini with dairy ingredients. Check every component’s ingredient and allergen label for your dietary requirements.
Compare this case with the standard MRE STAR M-018H assortment and No Gluten meal case, or browse all MRE STAR meals with heaters.
- 12 complete vegetarian MRE meals
- 4 entrée varieties — 3 meals of each
- Flameless ration heater included with every meal
- Fully cooked and ready to eat
- No refrigeration required before opening
- No water required to rehydrate the entrée
- Up to 5-year shelf life at 70°F or cooler
- Made in the USA
- Case weight: approximately 16 lbs.
12 Complete Vegetarian MRE Meals in 4 Varieties
Unlike assorted MRE cases that may contain only one or two vegetarian options, the M-018HV is built specifically as a vegetarian MRE case.
The listed case configuration includes:
- 3 Cheese Tortellini Complete Meals
- 3 Pasta Marinara Complete Meals
- 3 Spicy Vegetarian Chili Complete Meals
- 3 Vegetarian Lentil Stew with Potato Meals
That gives you 12 complete meals across four entrée varieties. Food and accessory components can vary with manufacturer inventory; review the supplied packaging for the contents of each meal.
What Comes in Each Vegetarian MRE?
A complete MRE is much more than the entrée. Each MRE STAR vegetarian meal is assembled as an individual meal kit with the food and accessories needed to eat it almost anywhere.
Depending on the meal, components can include:
- Vegetarian main entrée
- Military crackers, flour tortillas, or another starch item
- Corn nuts, nut-and-raisin mix, dried fruit mix, or another snack
- Cookies or another dessert item
- Fruit-flavored drink mix
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Non-dairy creamer
- Salt and pepper
- Candy
- Hot sauce or red pepper flakes
- Spoon
- Napkin
- Wet wipe
- Flameless ration heater
Individual accessory and food components may vary according to current manufacturer inventory.
Calories and Nutrition in Vegetarian MREs
Calorie and nutrient totals depend on the entrée and all the food components in the meal kit. Check each component’s nutrition label and add the amounts you plan to eat. An entrée label alone does not show the calories in the whole MRE.
Do not assume the standard M-018H case’s approximately 1,200-calorie average applies to every Vegetarian meal. Our MRE calories and nutrition guide explains complete-meal calories and how to compare protein, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium.
Vegetarian MREs with Flameless Heaters Included
Every meal in the M-018HV case includes a flameless ration heater.
That gives this case an important advantage when you're storing food for situations where a stove, electricity, or conventional cooking equipment may not be available.
The entrée itself is already fully cooked and can be eaten without heating. When you prefer a hot meal, simply use the included heater according to its instructions.
Useful During Power Outages and Travel
Included heaters can be particularly valuable for:
- Power outages
- Emergency food supplies
- Evacuation kits
- Camping
- Hunting and outdoor trips
- Vehicle travel
- Remote job sites
- Temporary utility disruptions
You do not need a stove or electrical outlet to warm the entrée. Follow the supplied heater instructions, including water quantity, placement, and ventilation.
Why Choose a Dedicated Vegetarian MRE Case?
Standard MRE assortments often contain meat-based entrées along with only a small number of vegetarian meals. That can make a mixed case unsuitable if the person eating the food is a vegetarian.
The MRE STAR M-018HV solves that problem by providing a case built specifically around vegetarian entrée selections.
Four Vegetarian Entrée Choices
Instead of receiving 12 identical meals, the case combines pasta, chili, and lentil-based entrées to provide more variety.
Complete Meals Instead of Entrées Only
Some emergency-food listings contain nothing more than individual entrée pouches. This product contains complete MRE meal kits with complementary food items and accessories.
Current Commercial Production
MRE STAR produces commercial MREs for civilian, institutional, and government customers. Buying current commercial production also gives you clearer information about the manufacturer, product configuration, and storage recommendations than you may get with unknown military-surplus meals.
Compare MRE STAR Complete Meals
MRE STAR offers several complete ready-to-eat meal configurations. All three options provide individually packaged complete meals with flameless ration heaters, but the assortment differs depending on your dietary preferences.
How Long Do MRE STAR Vegetarian MREs Last?
MRE STAR currently states that its meals have a shelf life of up to 5 years when stored at 70°F or cooler.
Storage temperature and production date affect remaining shelf life. The “up to five years” figure is not a guarantee of five years remaining when your order arrives. Follow the dates and storage instructions on the supplied packaging.
For Better Long-Term Storage
- Store the case in a cool, dry indoor location.
- Keep meals away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid long-term storage in hot vehicles, garages, attics, or sheds.
- Protect meal pouches from punctures and crushing.
- Do not intentionally freeze the meals.
- Rotate stored food periodically.
If you're researching MRE shelf life in more detail, read our Complete Guide to MREs.
Vegetarian MRE vs. Freeze-Dried Vegetarian Meals
Both can have a place in an emergency food supply, but they solve different problems.
| Feature | MRE STAR Vegetarian MRE | Freeze-Dried Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat immediately | Yes | Usually no |
| Water required for entrée | No | Usually yes |
| Cooking required | No | Hot water generally preferred or required |
| Heater included | Yes | No |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Main advantage | Immediate convenience | Low weight and longer-storage options |
If you expect to have plenty of water and want to minimize weight, freeze-dried meals can make sense. If you want food that can be opened and eaten immediately without rehydrating the entrée, an MRE offers a different kind of convenience.
MRE STAR Vegetarian MRE Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | MRE STAR |
| Product Number | M-018HV |
| Product Type | Vegetarian complete MRE meals with heaters |
| Meals per Case | 12 |
| Entrée Varieties | 4 varieties, 3 of each |
| Current Entrées | Cheese Tortellini, Pasta Marinara, Spicy Vegetarian Chili, Vegetarian Lentil Stew with Potato |
| Preparation | Fully cooked and ready to eat |
| Heaters | Flameless ration heater included with each meal |
| Refrigeration | Not required before opening |
| Water Required for Entrée | No |
| Shelf Life | Up to 5 years when stored at 70°F or cooler; higher temperatures reduce shelf life |
| Storage | Cool, dry location; do not freeze |
| Case Weight | Approximately 16 lbs. |
| Case Dimensions | 18 × 12 × 10 in. |
| Country of Manufacture | USA |
Who Should Consider This Vegetarian MRE Case?
Vegetarian Households
Build an emergency food reserve without purchasing a standard assortment containing mostly meat-based entrées.
Emergency Preparedness
Store complete meals that don't require refrigeration, conventional cooking, or rehydration of the entrée.
Power Outages
The included flameless heaters allow you to warm the entrée when kitchen appliances aren't available.
Camping and Outdoor Recreation
Ready-to-eat entrées eliminate the need to carry ingredients or prepare a conventional meal.
Remote Work and Travel
Keep complete food available when restaurants, stores, or kitchen facilities may be difficult to access.
What You Receive in the MRE STAR M-018HV Case
When purchasing emergency food, the important question isn't just whether the product says “MRE.” You should know what you're actually receiving.
With the MRE STAR M-018HV, you're getting:
- 12 complete vegetarian meals
- Four known vegetarian entrée varieties
- Flameless heaters with every meal
- Fully cooked food
- No refrigeration requirement before opening
- No entrée rehydration requirement
- Manufacturer-defined storage guidance
- A commercially produced MRE from an established manufacturer
That makes it much easier to plan an emergency food supply than buying miscellaneous surplus meals with uncertain menus or storage histories.
12 Complete Vegetarian Meals, Ready When You Need Them
The MRE STAR M-018HV gives you four vegetarian entrée varieties, 12 complete meal kits, and a flameless heater with every meal—all in one shelf-stable case.
Choose this case when you want a vegetarian assortment with complete meal kits and heaters. Check the current price and availability in the purchase panel above.
Choose your quantity above and add MRE STAR Vegetarian MRE meals to your food-storage plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vegetarian MREs are in the case?
The MRE STAR M-018HV contains 12 complete vegetarian MRE meals.
Which vegetarian meals are included?
The current case contains three each of Cheese Tortellini, Pasta Marinara, Spicy Vegetarian Chili, and Vegetarian Lentil Stew with Potato.
Are these complete MREs or just entrées?
They are complete meal kits. Each meal includes an entrée plus additional food components, beverage mix, accessories, and a flameless ration heater.
Do the vegetarian MREs include heaters?
Yes. The M-018HV includes a flameless ration heater with every complete meal.
Do I have to heat an MRE?
No. MRE entrées are fully cooked and can be eaten without heating. The heater is provided so you can warm the meal when desired.
Do vegetarian MREs need refrigeration?
No refrigeration is required before opening when the meals are stored according to manufacturer instructions.
Do I need water to prepare the entrée?
No. The entrée is already fully hydrated and ready to eat. A small amount of water is used for the flameless heater, and beverage mixes require drinking water.
How long do MRE STAR vegetarian meals last?
MRE STAR currently states a shelf life of up to 5 years when stored at 70°F or cooler. Higher temperatures reduce expected shelf life.
How many calories are in a Vegetarian MRE?
Calories vary by menu and meal components. Use the nutrition labels supplied with each meal rather than applying the standard M-018H average to this Vegetarian assortment.
Are these vegan MREs?
No. This is a vegetarian MRE assortment, not a vegan assortment. For example, Cheese Tortellini contains dairy ingredients. Always review individual product labels if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Do these meals contain allergens?
Individual meal components may contain common allergens such as wheat, soy, milk, egg, peanuts, or tree nuts. Check the individual packaging before consumption if food allergies are a concern.
Are vegetarian MREs good for camping?
Yes. They are particularly convenient when you want a complete meal without rehydrating food or using a conventional stove, although MREs are heavier than most freeze-dried backpacking meals.