Today on The MRE Experience, we're heading into the cold with a 2023 U.S. military Meal, Cold Weather — Menu No. 4, Turkey Tetrazzini.

This isn't just another military ration review. Turkey Tetrazzini represents one of the longtime classics of America's lightweight, freeze-dried operational ration system, with roots stretching back through the Long Range Patrol ration lineage. The modern military specification for the freeze-dried Turkey Tetrazzini dates to 1999 and specifically provided versions for both the white-packaged Meal, Cold Weather and the subdued Long Range Patrol ration. Defense Logistics Agency
And now, this old veteran is reaching the end of the line.
Current Defense Logistics Agency documentation lists Turkey Tetrazzini for removal from the MCW component lineup in July 2026, bringing to a close an exceptionally long chapter for this entrée. Defense Logistics Agency
The Meal, Cold Weather itself is a very different animal from the standard MRE. The MCW and LRP trace their heritage to the original Long Range Patrol ration developed during the Vietnam era. The modern versions were designed for troops operating where conventional wet-pack rations become heavy, difficult to prepare, and susceptible to freezing. By using dehydrated entrées, the MCW reduces carried food weight while providing an energy-dense meal that can be reconstituted with hot water. Army API
A typical MCW provides approximately 1,540 calories, with an average of about 54 grams of protein, 58 grams of fat and 200 grams of carbohydrates. Three MCWs provide roughly 4,500 calories—the kind of energy intake required during heavy exertion in extreme cold. The tradeoff for all that lightweight, freeze-dried food is water: depending on the menu, an MCW can require roughly 28–40 fluid ounces of potable water to prepare the food and beverages. Army API
And Menu No. 4 demonstrates that perfectly.
At the center of this 2023 meal is the freeze-dried Turkey Tetrazzini—turkey with pasta and vegetables in a creamy sauce. DLA's specification describes the entrée as cooked turkey pieces with egg noodles, spaghetti or vermicelli, along with vegetables such as mushrooms, pimentos and asparagus, green beans or peas. The meal is dehydrated and packaged as a shelf-stable brickpack entrée. Defense Logistics Agency
But this MCW isn't just about the entrée. This particular meal is loaded with the kind of high-energy components and beverages that make the MCW such an interesting ration to review: crackers, chocolate peanut spread, a chocolate First Strike energy bar, mocha cappuccino, lemon-lime beverage powder, Bill's Brew coffee, Tabasco and the usual accessory items.
One of the things I really wanted to find out was whether Turkey Tetrazzini has survived this long because it actually deserves to.
After all these years, does this old-school MCW entrée still hold up? And is the replacement going to have some very big boots to fill?
We're going to open everything, prepare the complete meal, give the Turkey Tetrazzini plenty of time to properly rehydrate, and see exactly what a 2023 Meal, Cold Weather Menu No. 4 has to offer.
Grab a tray, get that water boiling, and join me for another ration review on The MRE Experience.
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