If you are looking for foods that last a long time, like survival food, check this list out before you go to the grocery store. You will find some staple food that will have a long shelf life.
Survival food is something I really never considered, except when we had hurricanes in Florida. We always stocked up on water and canned foods but we all knew it was very temporary. I never thought about what kind of foods last longer.
With all this crazy news that keeps updating and getting more serious, I am finding the shelves cleared at the grocery stores which leads me to wonder how we are going to manage? What do I stockpile for a natural disaster?
What foods have a long shelf life?
What foods last a long time?
Which foods have the best source of protein that will have a long shelf life?
Are there certain foods that will last longer than others?
And are they nutritious foods?
What are good emergency foods?
There are some fresh groceries that will last for two weeks. Frozen vegetables are good to keep for a long time. However, I was interested in knowing what kind of foods can be stock piled.
People are looking for shopping lists that exclude short shelf lives. When grocery shopping, people want items with a long shelf life. They are looking for emergency food for emergency situations.
A general rule of thumb is to always have a dry place to store your items on your shopping list.
Always check expiration dates for Foods that Last A Long Time
Always check the expiration date to determine long shelf life.
Here’s a list of items you need to have in your house to store food.
Items Needed to Stockpile Food
- Air tight container – airtight food storage containers
- plastic bag – plastic produce bags
- sealed containers
- plastic storage bins Plastic Stackable Storage Bins with Drawers
- Paper towels
Here are some food items that last a long time. These survival foods will last two weeks to 30 years. Don’t forget to buy paper towels and toilet paper.
Consider a Two Week Meal Plan
Food prepping is really popular but in times where there could be a future emergency. Think about easy meal prep ideas for a two week meal plan.
Survival Foods
- Always check expiration dates for Foods that Last A Long Time
- Items Needed to Stockpile Food
- Consider a Two Week Meal Plan
- Rice
- Coconut Milk
- Potatoes
- Parmesan Cheese
- V8 Juice
- Navel Oranges
- Honey
- Whole Grains
- Dried Beans
- Powdered Milk
- Canned Tomato Sauce
- Apples
- Ghee
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Soy Sauce
- Flour
- Coconut Oil
- Dried Corn
- Potato Flakes
- Peanuts
- Canned Tuna
- Dark Chocolate
- Rolled Oats
- Peanut Butter
- Dry Pasta
- Sugar
- Dried Fruit
- Bouillon Cubes
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Coconut Milk
- Pasta Sauce
- Sweet Potatoes
- White Rice
Rice
Uncooked rice can last 30 years. According to the US department of Agriculture and the US Food & Drug Administration, uncooked rice in an oxygen-free container will last between 25-30 years. Regular rice lasts up to 5 years.
Coconut Milk
Unopened and half-opened cans of coconut milk have different expiration dates. An unopened can will have a shelf-life of two to five years, while an opened can will only last you about a week.
Potatoes
Potatoes can last up to four months if you store potatoes at about 40 ºF and in the dark. Keep them away from other fruit or vegetables because they can cause them to rot.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese and it can last about ten months. You don’t have to refrigerate it either.
V8 Juice
V8 Juice can last up to 18 months.
Navel Oranges
Navel Oranges can last up to two months if kept in the refrigerator.
Honey
Processed honey lasts forever and that means indefinitely if stored in an airtight container. It may change color but it will taste the same. If the honey crystallizes, just place the open jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve.
Whole Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice, wheat berries, and quinoa are shelf stable and do not have a short shelf life. Some of these grains can last years without going rancid. That’s how nature made them. Most whole grains that have been broken up in some way will last up to two years, sometimes longer, without spoiling.
Dried Beans
Dried beans and lentils last indefinitely. They may lose their nutritional value in 2-3 years but will still be okay to eat if necessary.
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk can last 25 years if properly stored.
Canned Tomato Sauce
Canned tomato sauce will last a while unopened. Once opened and regridgerated, just a few days. However, if you freeze it inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, it can last up to 3 months.
Apples
Apples can last up to a month if stored in the crisper and stored alone. Other vegetables in the same drawer may cause them to spoil.
Ghee
Ghee can last up to 2 years unopened and unrefrigerated if it’s stored in a dark and cool place. If left in the freezer, it will stay fresh indefinitely.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Best quality Apple Cider Vinegar will last up to 2 years but will stay safe indefinitely.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce will last up to 6 months if stored at room temperature but can last up to 2 years if refrigerated.
Flour
Unground flour can last up to 25 years. After it’s ground, however, the shelf life decreases dramatically. It’s recommended to grind it as you need it. Always keep flour in a sealed bag with an oxygen absorbed for a maximum shelf life.
Coconut Oil
Unopened extra virgin coconut oil can last from 2 to 5 years so long that the container is stored in a cool, dark place. Opened jars of coconut oil will last a few months after being opened. If there are yellow spots in the oil or it smells rancid, you’ll know it’s no longer good to eat.
Dried Corn
Freeze dried corn can last up to 30 years.
Potato Flakes
Potato flakes can last up to 30 years. It may even last longer if kept sealed in a dry container and stored in a cool, dark location. These potato flakes are guaranteed to last you up to 15 years.
Peanuts
Peanuts will last from 1-2 months.
Canned Tuna
Canned tuna can last up to 5 years. Make sure to check the expiration date.
Dark Chocolate
If t will keep for as long as five years if the thermometer rests between 60º and 65º F
Rolled Oats
Rolled oats last from 18-24 months.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can last 3-5 years with plenty of oil and no moisture. An opened jar can last up to 3 months and does not need to be refrigerated.
Dry Pasta
Pasta can last up to 30 years when no moisture or oxygen is present. The pasta you find at the store can last up to 2 years past it’s “best by” date in its original packaging. I
Sugar
Technically sugar doesn’t go bad but it is recommended to keep for up to 2 years.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit can last up to one year.
Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon cubes last up to 2 year.
Olive Oil
Olive oil can last up to 2 years if the bottle is unopened and stored in ideal conditions. The bottle must remain in a dark place to maintain a longer shelf life. Olive oil will taste rancid once it has gone bad.
Salt
Salt can last up to 5 years.
Coconut Milk
Always store Coconut milk in an airtight container once opened. It can still last 6-7 days after the expiration date if continuously refrigeration. Freezing it will also extend the shelf life for at least 3 months. .
Pasta Sauce
I prefer canned pasta sauce to stock pile but I’m sure jars last a long time too.
Sweet Potatoes
Properly stored, raw sweet potatoes will last for 1 to 2 weeks at normal room temperature.
White Rice
Cooked rice can last up to 6 days in the fridge. It can also last up to 6 months in the freezer. Cooked white rice should never be left out longer than an hour room temperature.
I hope you enjoyed this list of staple foods for any emergency situation.
