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27 BEST Survival Foods to Stock Up on NOW for Your Prepper Pantry

Mary's Nest・110 minutes read

Mary discusses the best survival foods, pantry organization, and emergency preparation to sustain in long-term crises, offering detailed tips and resources. Stocking up gradually, prioritizing essentials, and focusing on nutrient-dense, shelf-stable foods are key strategies for a well-prepared prepper pantry.

Insights

  • Traditional cooking skills for nutrient-dense foods are emphasized by Mary in her list of 27 best survival foods for a prepper pantry.
  • Detailed timestamps and blog post links provided by Mary make it easy for users to navigate through the information on survival foods.
  • Different types of pantries, including working, emergency, and healing, are explained, stressing the importance of a survival pantry for long-term emergencies.
  • Recommendations for foods with indefinite shelf life or lasting 25 years, along with tips on extending shelf life and various storage methods, are shared by Mary to help preppers prepare adequately.

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Recent questions

  • What are some essential items for a survival pantry?

    Essential items for a survival pantry include canned fish, canned chicken, beans, lentils, split peas, sea salt, iodized salt, potassium chloride, seasonings, honey, liquid sweeteners, coconut sugar, Sucanat, canned veggies and fruits, tomato products, dried fruits, dehydrated foods, white rice, whole grains, vinegar, and naturally fermented soy sauce. These items provide a variety of nutrients, flavors, and long-lasting options for emergencies.

  • How can I extend the shelf life of pantry foods?

    To extend the shelf life of pantry foods, consider storing them in airtight containers, using Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers for dry goods, and keeping items in cool, dark, and dry areas. Portioning baking supplies and sealing them in airtight bags can help maintain freshness. Properly rotating canned and bottled foods ensures freshness and safety. Following storage guidelines, checking labels for quality, and periodically checking the condition of stored foods are essential practices to extend shelf life.

  • What are some recommended dairy alternatives for a survival pantry?

    Recommended dairy alternatives for a survival pantry include powdered milk, coconut milk, coconut cream, and unsweetened coconut products. These alternatives offer good fats, immunity-boosting properties, and reduced added sugars for better health outcomes. While powdered milk may have reduced nutritional value, coconut milk and coconut cream provide nutritious options for long-term storage and consumption in emergencies.

  • How can I transition from processed foods to homemade in a survival pantry?

    To transition from processed foods to homemade in a survival pantry, start with quick breads for confidence in baking skills. Utilize extracts like homemade vanilla extract for long-term use and variety. Stock whole spices for longer shelf life and use in beverages like mulled cider or spiced tea. Gradually stock working and extended pantries with nutrient-dense foods, prioritizing basics over luxuries. Consider making hardtack biscuits for long-term storage and consumption as a historical survival food.

  • What are some key considerations for emergency preparedness in fall and winter months?

    Key considerations for emergency preparedness in fall and winter months include creating a box with food and equipment to sustain for a week without clean running water, repeating for another week if needed. Detailed supplies and equipment lists are essential for short-term emergencies like power outages or bad weather. Stocking up on shelf-stable fats like coconut oil and ghee, along with durum semolina pasta and egg pasta, provides nutritious options for long-term storage in a survival pantry. Additionally, having a healing pantry stocked with items for minor ailments ensures preparedness for health needs during emergencies.

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Summary

00:00

"27 Best Survival Foods for Prepper Pantry"

  • Mary shares the 27 best survival foods for a prepper pantry.
  • She emphasizes traditional cooking skills for nutrient-dense foods.
  • Detailed timestamps and blog post links are provided for easy navigation.
  • Different types of pantries are explained: working, emergency, and healing.
  • The survival pantry is crucial for long-term emergencies.
  • Foods with indefinite shelf life or lasting 25 years are recommended.
  • Tips on extending the shelf life of foods are shared.
  • Storing all-purpose flour in brown paper bags in airtight containers is suggested.
  • Bread flour is recommended for making nutritious sourdough bread.
  • Mary's book, "The Modern Pioneer Cookbook," is highlighted as a valuable resource.

15:47

Emergency Preparedness: Food, Equipment, and Baking Essentials

  • Preparation for emergencies: Create a box with food and equipment to sustain for a week without clean running water, repeat for another week if needed.
  • Detailed supplies and equipment list for emergency preparedness in fall and winter months.
  • Baking supplies: Corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, and arrow root powder as substitutes.
  • Extend shelf life of baking supplies by portioning and sealing in airtight bags.
  • Organic products mentioned are based on availability and affordability, prioritize staying within budget.
  • Gradual stocking of working pantry and extended pantry for survival pantry, no need to rush.
  • Accelerated pantry stocking system: Inventory, prioritize basics over luxuries for gradual stocking.
  • Importance of baking soda and baking powder for quick breads and cleaning.
  • Transitioning from processed foods to homemade: Start with quick breads for confidence.
  • Extracts under baking umbrella: Homemade vanilla extract for long-term use, other flavored extracts for variety.

30:59

"Long-lasting pantry essentials for survival storage"

  • Whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise have a longer shelf life compared to ground spices.
  • Stocking whole spices in a survival pantry is beneficial for making beverages like mulled cider or spiced tea.
  • Whole spices are easily found in grocery stores or online, and can be ground using electric or manual grinders.
  • Canned beans have an indefinite shelf life if stored in good condition in a cool, dark, dry area.
  • Dried beans can be stored in various ways like paper bags, plastic bags, or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
  • Old dried beans may require longer cooking times but still retain considerable nutrition.
  • Water storage options for a survival pantry include plastic containers or home-canned water in jars.
  • Instant coffee, whether caffeinated or decaffeinated, can last indefinitely if unopened, making it a good option for long-term storage.
  • Coffee beans can be stored for extended periods if kept in their green form before roasting.
  • Tea, especially black tea, has a longer shelf life compared to green or white tea, making it a suitable option for long-term storage in a survival pantry.

46:56

"Survival Pantry Essentials: Tea, Dairy, Fats"

  • Earl Gray tea is a black tea flavored with bergamot, known for its health benefits.
  • Individually wrapped tea bags, especially those in foil pouches, are recommended for longer-lasting flavor and freshness.
  • Airtight storage systems can be used for dried foods like crackers, but be cautious about squishing items.
  • Hardtack biscuits, a historical survival food, can be made for long-term storage and consumption.
  • Dairy alternatives like powdered milk, particularly fat-free versions, can be stored for emergencies but may have reduced nutritional value.
  • Coconut milk and coconut cream are nutritious dairy alternatives recommended for a survival pantry due to their good fats and immunity-boosting properties.
  • Unsweetened coconut products are preferred to limit added sugars in the diet for better health outcomes.
  • Evaporated milk and condensed milk, often processed with white sugar, are not ideal for long-term storage in a survival pantry.
  • Shelf-stable fats like coconut oil and ghee (clarified butter) are excellent options for long-lasting storage due to their retained nutrition and flavor.
  • Ghee, made by melting butter and removing milk solids, is considered a "forever food" and can be easily homemade or store-bought for a survival pantry.

01:03:33

"Nutritious pantry staples for long-term storage"

  • Ghee is made by browning milk solids in butter, imparting a rich flavor, while clarified butter involves removing milk solids for a longer shelf life and higher smoke point.
  • Coconut oil, like ghee, offers nutritional benefits and can be stored long-term at room temperature, making it a versatile cooking and health product.
  • Animal fats like lard from pigs have a shorter shelf life, while tallow from beef suet can be rendered for a longer-lasting cooking fat with skin and hair benefits.
  • Durum semolina pasta, made from the middlings of durum wheat, is more nutritious than all-purpose flour and can be stored long-term in a cool, dark place.
  • Egg pasta, like pappardelle, made from durum semolina and eggs, provides additional protein and has an indefinite shelf life, perfect for a survival pantry.
  • The Four Corners Pantry system includes a working pantry for daily non-perishables, a refrigerator, a freezer, and an extended pantry for long-term storage of survival foods.

01:19:19

"Versatile Prepper Pantry: Backup, Emergency, Healing, Survival"

  • Prepper pantry serves multiple roles, including backup food storage.
  • Largest section of prepper pantry is for storing backup or reserve foods.
  • Backup foods are stocked up periodically, providing a cushion for emergencies.
  • Backup food helps save money by taking advantage of sales and reducing frequent grocery trips.
  • Emergency pantry is essential for short-term emergencies, like power outages or bad weather.
  • Emergency pantry includes shelf-stable foods, meal plans, and necessary equipment.
  • Healing pantry is stocked with items for minor ailments, lasting at least a year.
  • Healing pantry may include homeopathic products and herbal remedies.
  • Herbal medicine cabinet within the healing pantry contains non-perishable herbal preparations.
  • Survival pantry in prepper pantry holds long-lasting foods for future emergencies, ensuring a variety of nutrients.

01:35:21

Nutritious Canned Fish and Pantry Essentials

  • Canned fish is affordable, has a long shelf life when stored properly, and is highly nutritious, rich in omega-3s beneficial for heart and brain health.
  • Small fish like kippers, sardines, and anchovies are nutrient-dense and make great additions to meals.
  • Following USDA guidelines for storage ensures canned fish remains safe and nutritious for consumption.
  • Canned chicken is a good alternative to red meat, useful for quick recipes, and can be found in big box stores.
  • Canned soups, especially those with meat like chicken noodle soup, and lentil soups, provide protein and are convenient for a survival pantry.
  • Beans, lentils, and split peas are protein-rich and easy to cook, making them valuable additions to a survival pantry.
  • Sea salt is rich in minerals but lacks iodine, essential for thyroid health; iodized salt is crucial for a balanced diet.
  • Potassium chloride, a source of potassium, is beneficial for balancing sodium levels and can be used to make homemade electrolyte drinks.
  • Seasonings, including whole form spices, are essential for enhancing the flavor of stored foods in a survival pantry.
  • Natural sea salt, mined from ancient seabeds, is a valuable seasoning option for a survival pantry.

01:50:43

Long-lasting pantry essentials for survival and flavor.

  • Black peppercorns are preferable to ground black pepper for long-term storage, easily ground with a manual pepper mill.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes and various seeds like cumin and coriander can be stored and ground using manual mills or a mortar and pestle.
  • Whole spices tend to retain flavor beyond best by dates, while ground spices like garlic powder and blends may require a bit more for potency.
  • Ground spices and herbs differ in longevity, with spices lasting longer; whole spices are recommended for a survival pantry.
  • Honey is a durable sweetener with potential health benefits, lasting indefinitely and providing comfort and nutrition.
  • Liquid sweeteners like molasses and date syrup, along with dry sweeteners like coconut sugar and Sucanat, are nutritious and long-lasting options.
  • Coconut sugar and Sucanat are nutritious alternatives to white sugar, suitable for baking and offering richer flavors.
  • Canned veggies and fruits, along with bottled items, are excellent long-lasting options for a survival pantry, requiring proper storage and periodic checks for safety.
  • Tomato products like diced tomatoes with chilies are versatile and popular choices for stocking a survival pantry.
  • Rotation of canned and bottled foods in the survival pantry ensures freshness and availability of preferred items.

02:06:20

Canned and Jarred Foods for Survival Pantry

  • Roma tomatoes and crushed tomatoes are versatile ingredients for various dishes.
  • Canned tomatoes are often lined to prevent metal leaching into the food.
  • Checking labels on canned goods is crucial for selecting the best options for a survival pantry.
  • H-E-B green beans are canned with a non-BPA lining, a healthier choice.
  • Opt for jarred tomato products if you prefer glass packaging over cans.
  • Olives in brine, rather than oil, have an extended shelf life and are nutritious.
  • Dried fruits, like apricots and raisins, are rich in nutrition and a good addition to a survival pantry.
  • Dehydrated foods, like mushrooms and potato flakes, are long-lasting and versatile.
  • White rice, especially basmati, is a durable pantry staple with a longer shelf life than brown rice.
  • Research rice options for lead content and glycemic index to make informed choices for your survival pantry.

02:22:26

Long-lasting Foods for Survival Pantries

  • White rice is recommended for a survival pantry due to its long shelf life.
  • Whole grains, like oat groats, have varying shelf lives, with some considered "forever foods."
  • Storing whole grains in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers is possible, but strict rules apply.
  • Only very dry foods can be sealed in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
  • Whole grains, when stored correctly, can last a long time and are ideal for survival pantries.
  • Oat groats are versatile and can be ground into flour, cooked whole, or toasted.
  • Vinegar and naturally fermented soy sauce are considered "forever foods" and are perfect for survival pantries.
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