Today, we are reviewing the Mountain House Beef Stroganoff in a number 10 can.
One of the most popular Mountain House freeze dried meals is Beef Stroganoff, which is available in the Adventure Meals, Pro-Pak, and a #10 can that is perfect for feeding a group of hungry people. Here, we are looking at the benefits of a #10.
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff #10 Can
Mountain House offers a #10 can of their ever-popular freeze-dried Beef Stroganoff. The #10 can provides 10 each of the 1-cup servings. The 10-serving moniker is a bit misleading in my humble opinion since 1 serving is 1 cup of food. Read more about serving sizes here on our FAQ page.
A number 10 can, or #10 can, or a ten-pound can, is a standard size used to store food or other items. For more information on can sizes, such as the #10 can, may be found here on the FAQ page.
For emergency preparedness and car camping, the larger #10 can make darned good sense. For backpacking, not so much. But read on, there is a workaround for that.
If 5-star restaurants are your thing, freeze dried may not be the best choice. If you’re adaptable, like a Mel’s Diner type, you can’t go wrong. Just so we don’t repeat ourselves, read about our Mountain House Adventure Meals Beef Stroganoff review here, it will pop up in a new window and you won’t lose your place.
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff is delicious. The beef is tender and flavorful, and the creamy sauce is perfectly seasoned with a mix of spices and herbs. The egg noodles are also a nice touch, adding a satisfying texture to the meal.
The #10 can size is perfect for larger groups, and the meal itself is quite filling. In fact, it could easily feed 4-6 people, depending on serving size. And because it’s freeze-dried, it has a long shelf life, making it a great option for emergency food storage. Mountain House has a 30-year shelf life from the date of manufacture guarantee.
Preparation Instructions
To prepare, open the can and remove and discard the oxygen absorber. Then add 8 ½ cups (68 fl oz / 2.0L) of boiling water to the contents of the can. Stir to mix and cover. At first, it will look like it’s way too much water, but rest assured, it will all be absorbed. Wait 5 minutes, stir again, and reseal. Let stand an additional 4 minutes.
The preparation instructions suggest that it’s ready to eat in 9 minutes. However, we think you get better results by giving it a second stir, then waiting for another 5 minutes. So it’s a total of 14-15 minutes.
The preparation instructions also suggest for single servings, to add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 ½ cup dry mix. We think this is too much and the results will be a bit thinner than we like. So dial it back to a bit over ¾ cup per single serving, or 1 2/3 cup for 2 servings.
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff #10 Can Cost and Availability
As we do this review, a Beef Stroganoff #10 can is $39.99 on Amazon. With over 750 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, you can’t go wrong. So that $3.99 per 1-cup serving. However, Amazon does change prices, we have seen this as high as $52.25, and as low as $29.37.
On April 28, 2024, I checked the Mountain House store on Amazon to get updated pricing for the Mountain House Beef Stroganoff #10 Can. It's in stock and available for purchase. It sure is a popular item. There are over 750 customer reviews, with an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. Check it out here.
Through other Amazon resellers, you could pick up a 6-pack of Beef Stroganoff #10 cans for right at $175.00 as we write this review. That’s 60 servings at $2.90 per serving. Not a bad deal if you’re stocking up the preparedness pantry.
Purchasing a 6-pack of cans can provide a discount and make it more affordable for those looking to stock up their preparedness pantry. It’s important to compare prices and read customer reviews before making a purchase to ensure you are getting a good value for your money.
The Mountain House Beef Stroganoff in a #10 can is not the cheapest option out there, but it’s still a good value considering the quality and convenience and the fact it could easily feed 4-6 people depending on serving size and other side dishes. When you factor in the ease of preparation, the delicious taste, and the long shelf life, it’s clear that you’re getting a high-quality product for your money.
The #10 Can Work-Around
In short, we really like the convenience of Mountain House freeze dried meals.
The can contents can be vacuum sealed into hungry hiker-size portions, but not for long-term storage. Just refrain from opening the can until needed. Vacuum sealing the contents into smaller portions can help extend the shelf life a bit, but it’s still not a long-term storage solution.
While the cans have a convenient resealable plastic lid between openings, the Mountain House website says to use the dry contents within one week for best results and taste. It’s important to remember that the recommended shelf life of opened cans is relatively short, and it’s best to use the contents within a week for optimal taste and quality. So once you open the can, the clock is ticking.
If you’re someone who likes to customize your meals or add your own ingredients, the Mountain House Beef Stroganoff in a #10 can is a great base to work with. You can easily add your own spices, vegetables, or protein.
Consider Buying in Bulk
Buying in bulk, such as purchasing one or more #10 cans, can be a more economical option for those who need to stock up on freeze-dried food. However, it’s important to track the day-to-day prices and compare them across different suppliers to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. Generally, Amazon has the best prices, potentially with free shipping, but not always.
Emergency Preparedness and Freeze Dried Food
Freeze-dried food is one option for building an emergency food supply that is shelf-stable, easy to prepare, and has a long shelf life. One of the key components of emergency preparedness is having a reliable and sufficient food supply.
Mountain House freeze-dried food can be a convenient and reliable option for emergency preparedness, providing a source of nutritious and shelf-stable food that can help you and your family weather any emergency situation.
It’s always a good idea to have a well-stocked emergency pantry, but it’s also important to regularly rotate through your supplies to ensure that you use them before they expire. Most of the Mountain House freeze dried meals have a 30-year shelf life.
Additionally, regularly rotating through your supplies ensures that you have a good understanding of what you have on hand and can help you identify any gaps in your preparedness plans. It’s a helpful reminder to update your emergency plans and check your emergency equipment, such as flashlights, batteries, and first aid kits. Overall, it’s an essential aspect of emergency preparedness and can help ensure that you are fully equipped to handle any emergency that comes your way.
Be sure to check out our list of Mountain House freeze dried meals available on Amazon, where we track the daily price and product availability so you don't have to. We also link to our comprehensive Mountain House freeze dried meal reviews. We track the same for Peak Refeul freeze dried meals on Amazon, don't forget to check it out before you go.
The #10 cans are a deal. Spit out and vacuum seal the contents into 3 or 4 individual bags and save some serious cash