Mountain House vs Peak Refuel
Two of the best-known freeze-dried meal brands, compared only on numbers we can check: each brand's published Nutrition Facts and the single-pouch price on its own website. The index has 28 Mountain House meals and 21 Peak Refuel meals. Prices are listed for 28 Mountain House and 21 Peak Refuel meals; cost figures use only those.
The short version: on median calories per ounce the lead goes to Peak Refuel by 16% (Mountain House 129 kcal/oz, Peak Refuel 150 kcal/oz). On median protein per ounce it's Peak Refuel by 23% (Mountain House 6.1 g/oz, Peak Refuel 7.5 g/oz). On median cost per 1,000 kcal it's Peak Refuel by 22% (Mountain House $22.01, Peak Refuel $17.19).
By the numbers
| Per meal | Mountain House median | Mountain House average | Peak Refuel median | Peak Refuel average | Better median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories per ounce | 129 kcal/oz | 128 kcal/oz | 150 kcal/oz | 145 kcal/oz | Peak Refuel |
| Protein per ounce | 6.1 g/oz | 6.1 g/oz | 7.5 g/oz | 6.7 g/oz | Peak Refuel |
| Calories per pouch | 560 kcal | 563 kcal | 830 kcal | 829 kcal | Peak Refuel |
| Protein per pouch | 26 g | 27 g | 40 g | 38 g | Peak Refuel |
| Price per pouchpriced meals: 28 vs 21 | $12.49 | $12.40 | $14.99 | $14.18 | Mountain House |
| Cost per 1,000 kcalpriced meals: 28 vs 21 | $22.01 | $22.60 | $17.19 | $17.69 | Peak Refuel |
Calories and protein are for the whole pouch as sold, dry weight. Lower is better for price and cost.
Best meal from each brand
| Best by | Mountain House | Peak Refuel |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per ounce | Mountain House Chicken and Mashed Potatoes121 kcal/oz · 11.5 g/oz · 44 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo168 kcal/oz · 9.7 g/oz · 48 g protein · $13.99 |
| Calories per ounce | Mountain House Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken149 kcal/oz · 6.2 g/oz · 34 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo168 kcal/oz · 9.7 g/oz · 48 g protein · $13.99 |
Head to head: top 5 meals by protein per ounce
| Rank | Mountain House | Peak Refuel |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain House Chicken and Mashed Potatoes121 kcal/oz · 11.5 g/oz · 44 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo168 kcal/oz · 9.7 g/oz · 48 g protein · $13.99 |
| 2 | Mountain House Homestyle Chicken Noodle Casserole122 kcal/oz · 8.3 g/oz · 38 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel MeatEater American Buffalo Goulash150 kcal/oz · 9.1 g/oz · 45 g protein · $15.99 |
| 3 | Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings133 kcal/oz · 8.0 g/oz · 36 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel White Chicken Chili154 kcal/oz · 8.3 g/oz · 41 g protein · $14.99 |
| 4 | Mountain House Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac & Cheese126 kcal/oz · 7.9 g/oz · 36 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel Chicken Teriyaki Rice119 kcal/oz · 8.2 g/oz · 40 g protein · $13.99 |
| 5 | Mountain House Breakfast Skillet139 kcal/oz · 7.5 g/oz · 28 g protein · $12.49 | Peak Refuel Chicken Coconut Curry159 kcal/oz · 8.2 g/oz · 44 g protein · $14.99 |
Verdict
Mountain House has the better median on price per pouch. Peak Refuel has the better median on calories per ounce, protein per ounce, calories per pouch, protein per pouch, cost per 1,000 kcal. The lowest median price per pouch is Mountain House's (Mountain House $12.49, Peak Refuel $14.99), but per-pouch price hides pouch size: the median Mountain House pouch has 560 kcal and the median Peak Refuel pouch 830 kcal, which is why cost per 1,000 kcal can point the other way. If you're choosing by brand alone, pick the one that wins the measure you care about most. If you're choosing by meal, the best pouch from either brand often beats the other brand's median, so compare individual meals in the tables above.
We don't taste-test or take payment for placement, and this ignores flavor, cook time and pouch size. Prices are a snapshot from each brand's site and change with sales. See every pouch in Mountain House, Peak Refuel, or all freeze-dried meals by protein and by cost.