We Tried Every Single One of Costco’s Emergency Food Bucket Meals—Here’s Our Honest Review

No matter where you live, it’s important to keep an emergency stock of food on hand in case disaster strikes. And while the type of risk varies across regions, the challenge of having enough ready-to-eat meals to feed a family remains the same.

And while retailers such as Sam’s Club and Costco make it easy to stock up on your favorite shelf-stable ingredients, it’s helpful to have a single product eliminate the guesswork about amounts and storage. Enter: The ReadyWise Emergency Food Bucket at Costco.

Costco’s ReadyWise Emergency Food Bucket

Last year, Costco made headlines with the ReadyWise Emergency Food Bucket, dubbed by shoppers “the apocalypse dinner kit.” The $100 bucket includes a selection of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that are brought to life using only water and a heat source. The container consists of 150 quick-prep meals, 80 of which are entrées and sides. The remainder is a variety of breakfast and drink options. 

According to Costco’s website, this supply is filled with carefully selected recipes that resemble some of the dishes your family may already know and love. “It’s not just about survival; it’s about maintaining a sense of normalcy, comfort, and even enjoyment during challenging times,” reads the product description. Some of the meals include Alfredo sauce with pasta, soup, and macaroni and cheese.

One of the bucket’s selling points is that the supply is shelf-stable for up to 25 years. This is a long-term investment compared to regular grocery store finds, which shouldn’t be stored for longer than their expiration dates.

So, how does the food actually taste? Allrecipes’ own Nicole McLaughlin tried every single meal in the bucket and shared her honest thoughts. 

Our Honest Review of Costco’s Emergency Food Bucket Meals

• Apple Cinnamon Cereal: All it takes is one bite for McLaughlin to declare, “I would eat that any day.” The hot cereal is similar to oatmeal but uses a hearty grain blend that includes hard red winter wheat, white soft wheat, barley, and rye. “This is what keeps you sustained for the day, or most of the day at least,” she says.
• Potatoes & Chicken Flavored Pot Pie: The ingredients list kicks off with a mix of dehydrated vegetables that you would typically expect to find in a pot pie, such as carrots, celery, and onion. McLaughlin says the taste more closely resembles chicken noodle soup packets than pot pie.
• Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese: Mac and cheese is a go-to for all ages, but how does the bucket’s version stack up to what you’d find in the grocery store? “Looks better than stuff that comes in the blue box,” says McLaughlin after taking a bite. “There’s nothing not to like,” she adds. “Definitely want to keep that one on hand.” Considering this meal is made with just water and no added butter, the cheese-covered noodles look surprisingly creamy. And if you’ve got picky eaters, they will appreciate the familiar look of this dish.
• Creamy Pasta & Vegetables: This meal contains pasta, chicken base, and a blend of vegetables that McLaughlin says were not plentiful. She said the dish was not her favorite. “It’s just fine. I would eat it and it would fill me up.” To make this bowl meal more satisfying, you could add another packet of dehydrated or canned vegetables or canned meat.

• Teriyaki Rice: Reading through the menu, this meal immediately piqued our interest. McLaughlin says it’s a flavorful addition to the mix and appreciates that it’s a different seasoning profile in a sea of chicken-inspired flavors. “This is just right up my alley. This is the kind of thing I like,” she says. If you have access to a freezer or canned goods, this meal is an easy one to bulk up with protein of any kind.
• Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup: This meal looks and smells promising, but upon the first taste, it fell short of expectations. “My son would still like it. I would still eat it. It would do the trick,” McLaughlin notes before adding that the soup is not a favorite. This is another meal that would likely benefit from a trip to the pantry, especially if you have bouillon on hand to enhance the flavor.
• Pasta Alfredo: This creamy weeknight favorite proved to be a winner in Costco’s emergency bucket. “This one goes up there with the mac and cheese,” says McLaughlin. The comfort dish is likely to be a favorite among all age groups, but it could benefit from the addition of salt and ground black pepper.
• Tomato Basil Soup: If you enjoy Campbell’s Tomato Soup in a can, you’ll appreciate this soup. It’s one of the most flavorful packets in the bucket and can be paired with bread or crackers for a satisfying meal.

• Vanilla Pudding: This dessert can be compared to the childhood favorite pudding packs. If you prefer thicker pudding, you may want to use a little less water when preparing it. Paired with the bucket’s crunchy granola, this vanilla pudding makes a satisfying treat.
• Whey Milk Alternative: Although this beverage may not be for everyone, it’s a form of nutrition that you’ll likely be glad you have on hand in a pinch. The smell was initially off-putting, but our test kitchen concluded that it did not taste as bad as expected.
• Orange Drink: As stated in the product description, the bucket’s contents, while functional, are intended to bring a sense of familiarity in uncertain times. And nothing says comfort quite like this childhood favorite. And good news: It tastes just as you would hope. “It’s kind of like a twist between Tang and Hi-C,” says McLaughlin as she takes a sip.

The Bottom Line

Overall, we find Costco’s Emergency Food Bucket to be a good investment. And priced at around $100, you can’t beat the reassurance that comes with knowing food is taken care of in the event you need it. We did want to note, however, that the bucket contains enough meals for three to four people for a week. So if you plan to have a whole month’s worth stocked up, you’ll need to buy multiple.

Additionally, you need access to drinkable water and a heat source, such as a gas stove, propane burner, fuel canisters, or firewood, to warm the food. Be sure to check out our tips for stocking your emergency pantry as well as things to keep in mind when stocking up before a power outage.