One important thing about survival food for preppers.
When you do your own research on this topic, you will find that different preppers have different priorities.
They also have different numbers of items on their lists.
All that means is that you have a large quantity of items to choose from and you do not need to feel guilty if you live some of those recommended items off your pantry prepper list.
The key to stocking your pantry is to make sure you have the right opening device for all the jars, cans, and bottles you stock up on.
For example, a can opener, bottle opener, or one of those handy rubber easy-open jar devices.
It is not good to have your pantry full if you cannot open the cans, jars, or bottles.
Don’t forget to throw in a pair of scissors for those paper or plastic packages.
Also, focus more on long term food storage instead of items that need refrigeration.
Pantry storage conditions and time
One of the most important issues when you are stocking your pantry for a disaster, etc., is shelf life.
The key to picking the right items for storage is to make sure the food item can last for 6 months or more.
Then make sure to rotate the older stock towards the front so you can use it before its best-by date is passed.
Another important storage condition will be temperature.
You will want to make sure the items you store can handle minor temperature fluctuations.
Make sure to insult the pantry somewhat to guard against any major temperature changes especially if your pantry is on the main floor of your home or in the garage.
Your prepper food must be properly stored.
Mylar bags can help here.
Finally, the amount of space you will need for your pantry will be up to you.
You can make it as large as you want but do not go too small, or you may short yourself of needed supplies when disasters strike.
Make special arrangements for your pantry if you live in a flood zone.
Pantry must-have food items for long term food storage
Lists will vary but here are some suggestions to help guide your food selection.
As you already know, you can store a lot of food in your pantry and use it when you need to.
How much food you’ll need will vary on the size of your family.
Just make sure to replace what you use so you are always stocked up for an emergency.
You will need a mixture of canned foods, dehydrated food, non perishable foods and freeze dried foods when making up your emergency food supplies.
When it comes to food for preppers, here’s what we recommend:
#1. White over Brown Rice
This is one of the best survival foods.
You will want white rice, not brown rice as the latter has more oil and a shorter shelf life.
Brown rice is much healthier than white rice though.
Find a different container than a rice bag to store this versatile grain.
You do not want critters, etc., chewing a hole in the bag and ruining your rice.
#2. Beans
This may not be a family favorite but beans can be stored for a very long time.
You are not stuck with just one variety of beans.
Stock up on several varieties to keep your meals fresh and interesting.
Also, find good storage containers for your beans and protect them like you would your rice.
What’s more, you get the essential amino acids you needwhen you mix beans and rice,
#3. Oats
This is a good grain to store.
Not only are oats good for you, but they can also stick to your ribs and give you plenty of energy throughout the day.
Plus, oats can help extend your meat supplies by adding them to hamburgers when you make burgers, meatloaf, and other ground beef dishes.
#4. Dry pasta
This food item is my best prepper food and can be left in your pantry for decades and still be good.
But that would be a waste of food and money if you tried that.
Pick a variety of pasta items, including mac and cheese, and stock your pantry with plenty of pasta for interesting meals.
#5. Cornmeal, Quinoa, and Wheat
If you are good at making interesting food items with cornmeal, then it may be helpful to have a few pounds on hand in your pantry.
Hot cornbread tastes great and keeps the body warm.
Wheat is another option and it can be added to rice or salads to make those dishes more interesting and taste better.
Finally, you will want quinoa as it is a perfect substitute when someone has a gluten allergy.
Plus, it stores well, up to 5 years, so it will come in handy even if you do not have an allergy to gluten.
Just keep it away from light, heat, and oxygen.
#6. Canned foods
If you know how to can, then this great pantry item will help you provide a variety of foods to your family and keep them healthy.
Having a variety of canned food items will help keep your digestive system running on all cylinders.
The kinds of food items you can range from canned fruits, canned soups, canned vegetables, canned beans, all types of canned fish, canned meat, and more.
Fresh fruits and vegetables taste better of course, but we are thinking oflong term food storage here.
Canning is also one of the best ways to preserve food.
For a long term food supply, learn more about this as it can ensure you always have some emergency food ready.
Being responsible for your own food is fun too.
#7. Flour
If you know how to bake or are learning how this is a survival food you will need.
Baking bread can be fun too.
Bread flour and all-purpose flour are the two types you should have in your pantry.
Another option is corn flour which can be used to make corn tortillas
Avoid Whole Wheat Flour as it can have a short shelf life.
Get whole-wheat berries, which last longer, and grind them yourself for the nutritional benefits of whole wheat.
Like rice and beans, repackage them in stronger containers to keep bugs, etc., away.
#8. Sugar- can be brown and white
There are many recipes that call for sugar.
Those recipes will not be complete without adding this sweetener to them.
The key to storing them is to make sure the containers are strong, and air and moisture tight.
Along with being cheap, sugar can last a long time.
Brown sugar is a great food for preppers, but can harden over time but it does not go bad if properly stored, despite what you might have read.
#9. Honey
In many cases, it may replace sugar and it comes with an unlimited shelf-life.
That means you can always get the calories you need each day when you have honey around.
Plus, you can dehydrate it to remove the water and weight to make it lighter to carry during bug-out time.
#10. Salt
If you want to survive, then your body will need salt.
It has an indefinite shelf life too so makes a great food for preppers.
Just watch how much you use as you do not need a lot of salt every day to survive.
Salt also makes meals taste better.
Just be careful about how much you use for each meal.
#11. Vinegar
This is the all-around pantry food item.
It does just about everything from cooking to cleaning to being helpful as a medicine.
You can also use it for hygiene as well as preserving other food items.
Also, it has an unlimited shelf-life like honey and Apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, and white wine vinegar are all acceptable.
#12. Fats & oils
Some fat is still good for you.
The key is to eat it in moderation.
Fats are great for flavor and calories just do not overdo it.
The drawback to these food items is that they go bad fast.
Make sure you have an easy-to-read expiration date on the packaging so you can use them before they turn bad.
#13. Coffee & tea
Both are healthy beverages and contain antioxidants that help keep cancer away.
Stock up on different varieties and make sure you have the right tools handy to brew each variation.
If you are using leaf tea, make sure you have an infuser to hold the tea leaves.
Powdered milk is also worth storing
#14. Bullion
When you want to enhance your soup broth and can season different meals.
It may be a great way to get your salt as bullion is made with salt.
That is why it has a long shelf life and a is a popular prepper food.
#15. Spices
These ‘spice’ up a meal and make it very tasty.
Plus, they are very healthy for you and help you protect your body from different ailments.
Even if they lose some potency over time, just add a little extra to regain that level of nutrition and flavor.
#16. Freeze-dried meals
Freeze dried food may not sound appetizing but they can be perfect for when you can’t cook or do not have the time to eat a proper meal.
These MREs have a long shelf life and come in handy when you are out of time yet hungry.
Freeze dried meals and dehydrated food for emergency preparedness are great.
What’s more, your own food can be freeze dried too.
I would say these are a quintessential food for preppers.
#17. Condiments
They may not be nutritional for the most part, but they certainly help add flavor to any meal.
To that end, make them part of your food supply.
Also, having condiments for specific meals can help boost morale and keep everyone hoping for a better time.
They may also help stave off panic when added to the proper food item.
A little soy sauce, for example can add much needed flavor.
The expanded pantry prepper list
Here are some more key food items you should have in your prepper pantry:
#1. Baking soda
#2. Baking powder
#3. Cocoa & protein powders
#4. Maple syrup (raw) is a great food for preppers and sugar alternative.
#5. Tomato sauce etc.
#6. Powdered drink mixes like ice tea, juices, and so on
#7. Snacks such as beef jerky and protein bars.
#8. Yeast – Useful for making bread.
#9. Granola bars
#10. Ramen
#11. Dried fruit – This has many health benefits. What’s more dried fruits have a long shelf life.
#12. Condensed milk or coconut milk
#13.Peanut butter
Certain vegetables like sweet potatoes can last over a month if you are able to store them in a cool dark place.
So, they can still be part of your emergency food supply and will provide many essential nutrients.
Some final words
The best thing to do is use this list as a guide and look for your family favorites.
What we have tried to do is provide some of the best food for preppers out there.
A survival diet needs to be healthy but also practical.
Double-check the expiration dates so none of the food you store in your pantry goes bad too soon.
A food’s shelf life is vital. This is why, for the most part we did not mention much fresh food on this list.
Don’t be afraid to add more items to your prepper pantry list as these lists are up to your preferences as well as survival.
Just make sure to rotate and re-stock your survival food as you go.
And work on your knowledge of food preservation and food storage.
Did we miss your best survival food for preppers?
Originally posted 2023-04-14 02:24:20.
