Here, we cover foods with an almost limitless shelf-life, their storage requirements, and how they provide long-term calories for emergency preparedness
In this post, I will cover foods with an almost limitless shelf-life when stored properly. To do this, I have broken the foods into categories so you can also understand a little bit about the proper storage practices and the reasons for their incredibly long shelf-life. The categories are simple: liquids, solids, grains and legumes, and a miscellaneous category of bonus items that you can store long-term for your emergency food supply. These items are easy to store, versatile, and can last almost indefinitely when stored properly. Stick around until the end and I’ll tell you what little I paid for all the items I will show you here and the massive amount of calories they provide. You’ll be surprised. Let’s take a look.
Liquids:
Honey: Archaeologists have found honey that is still edible in ancient Egyptian tombs. Honey is a valuable prepper item due to its long shelf life and versatility. It can be used as a natural sweetener for cooking and baking, a soothing remedy for sore throats and coughs, and a wound-healing salve due to its antibacterial properties. Additionally, honey can serve as an energy boost in survival situations. Honey will pull moisture from the air, so the secret to incredible longevity is to store it in an air-tight container in a temperature-stable environment.
Maple Syrup: Unopened, it can last forever. Pure maple syrup is a beneficial prepper item with several uses. It can serve as a natural sweetener for various foods and beverages, providing a unique flavor and additional nutrients compared to refined sugars. In a survival situation, it can enhance the taste of otherwise bland meals, provide a quick energy source, and even act as a marinade or glaze for meats. Its long shelf life and versatility make pure maple syrup a valuable addition to any long-term food storage.
Corn Syrup: that remains sealed and stored properly can last indefinitely. Corn syrup is a useful prepper item with a range of applications. It serves as a sweetener in cooking and baking, helping to provide energy and enhance flavors. Corn syrup can also be used to prevent sugar crystallization in homemade candy and preserves, and as a binding agent in recipes. Its long shelf life and versatility make it a practical addition to your food storage supplies.
Alcohol: Spirits like vodka, rum, and whiskey can last indefinitely if unopened. You will want to make sure there are no flavors or sugars added to them for the longest shelf-life. These hard spirits are a valuable prepper item with several practical uses due to their versatility and long shelf life. Alcohol can be used as a disinfectant and antiseptic for cleaning wounds and sanitizing surfaces. They also serve as a base for homemade tinctures and extracts and as a solvent for infusing ingredients. Additionally, its high alcohol content makes it useful as a fire starter in emergencies. Just be aware that alcohol burns clear with just a tinge of blue. Here, it is burning but you can’t see it. When sprayed on the skin, it acts as an insect repellent. You can combine it with plants that are known to repel insects, like citronella, rosemary, or mint, for an even stronger repellent. Simply soak the leaves of the plant in the vodka for a few days, then strain off the liquid. You can also make a bendable ice pack with half vodka and half water in a ziplock freezer bag. It will not completely harden, allowing you to mold it around the wounded area or swelling.
Soy Sauce is an excellent prepper item due to its long shelf life and versatile uses. Its high salt content and ferment creation process allows it to last indefinitely, making it a reliable seasoning and natural preservative for various foods. It can add seasoning and umami flavor to boring rations. It also can provide the body with vital salts to maintain physiology under stressful conditions.
Vinegar, including white, apple cider, and organic varieties with the mother, also lasts indefinitely thanks to its high acidity. It serves multiple purposes, such as food preservation, pickling and as a sanitizing cleaner. In a slightly diluted form, vinegar has medicinal uses, like disinfecting wounds or soothing bug bites.
Solids:
Salt is essential for seasoning and preserving food, enhancing flavors, and extending shelf life by inhibiting bacterial growth. It plays a crucial role in our diet, helping regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve function. Despite its health risks when consumed in excess, moderate salt intake is vital for overall well-being. Salt never goes bad and can be stored indefinitely, making it a reliable staple for both cooking and long-term food storage.
Sugar, when properly stored, can last indefinitely. Sugar is a versatile ingredient essential for both cooking and food preservation. It adds sweetness and enhances flavors in a wide range of dishes and beverages. Additionally, sugar helps in preserving foods by inhibiting microbial growth through its ability to draw moisture out, making it a key component in jams, jellies, and other preserved goods. Like salt, sugar has an indefinite shelf life when stored properly, making it a valuable and long-lasting item for any food supply.
Hard Candy can last indefinitely if kept dry. Hard candy is a valuable prepper item due to its long shelf life and energy-providing qualities. Essentially, it is crystallized sugar in a hardened form. It can last several years if stored in a cool, dry place, making it a reliable treat for emergencies or long-term storage. Besides serving as a source of quick energy and a morale booster, hard candy can also be used to sweeten drinks or alleviate dry mouth. Its durability and compact nature make it an easy and practical addition to any emergency food supply.
Grains & Legumes:
Dried Beans can last indefinitely if kept dry and free from pests. They are a great source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making them a valuable addition to any food supply. Dried beans are versatile and used in soups, stews, salads, and a variety of other dishes. In emergencies, they provide a substantial and long-lasting source of nourishment. Though they take longer to cook than canned beans, their nutritional value and indefinite shelf life make them an excellent choice for long-term food storage.
Popcorn: Unpopped kernels can last indefinitely if stored properly in a cool, dry place. Popcorn is a versatile and healthy snack option, high in fiber and low in calories. It can be easily prepared over a stove, in a microwave, or with an air popper, making it a convenient food item for emergencies or long-term storage. Aside from being a tasty treat, popcorn kernels can also be ground into cornmeal if needed, adding to their utility. When stored in an airtight container, they can remain fresh and ready to pop for years, making them a valuable addition to any food supply.
Rolled Oats: can last for decades if stored properly in a cool, dry place, especially when sealed in airtight containers or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Rolled oats are a nutritious and versatile food, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast cereals to baked goods and even savory meals. Due to their long shelf life and easy preparation, rolled oats are an excellent choice for long-term food storage. They provide sustained energy and can be a vital source of nourishment in emergencies or for daily consumption.
White Rice: When stored in airtight containers, white rice can last up to 30 years. White rice is an essential prepper staple due to its long shelf life and versatility. When stored properly in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, it can last for 4 to 5 years or more, making it a reliable source of carbohydrates in emergency situations. White rice is easy to prepare, even after a disaster. Just add water and wait, or bring it to a gentle boil. Its extended shelf life and adaptability make it a key component in long-term food storage.
Miscellaneous:
Cornstarch, as long as it’s kept dry, it will last forever. This is due to the fact that it is dry and compacted in fine dust. Cornstarch is a versatile prepper staple, serving as a thickening agent for cooking, a dry shampoo when water is scarce, and a natural deodorant by absorbing sweat. When applied to the skin, it will absorb moisture and odor, and it will help to prevent chaffing. Its multipurpose nature makes cornstarch essential for survival and household needs.
Baking Soda has an indefinite shelf life if kept dry. Baking soda is another prepper essential with diverse uses, such as a natural cleaning agent for scrubbing surfaces, deodorizing smells, and even extinguishing small fires. In small amounts, less than 1/4 teaspoon, it can also act as an antacid for heartburn relief. It can be used as a toothpaste substitute and a leavening agent for baking when other supplies are scarce. Its versatility extends to personal care, such as using it to soothe insect bites or as a homemade deodorant.
When baked or heated over a heat source in its powdered form, it releases carbon dioxide from the baking soda. This leaves a more caustic sodium carbonate which has a stronger cleaning ability, can be used in water softening, the making of soaps and detergents, and as an additive to modify pH. Baking soda has incredible versatility, so I highly recommend you get some in your prepping supplies and learn its many uses.
Bouillon Cubes have a high salt content and density, resulting in them lasting for many years if kept dry. Bouillon cubes are a valuable prepper item, providing a compact, long-lasting way to add flavor and nutrients to meals, especially when resources are limited. They can also provide critical salts when the risk of dehydration is high. They can be dissolved in water to create broths, enhance soups, stews, and rice dishes, or add seasoning to otherwise bland foods. Their small size and shelf stability make them an easy and efficient way to boost flavor in emergency or survival cooking situations. While these may be packaged with an expiration date, with each cube containing 1,000 mg of sodium, they’ll be good far beyond that printed date.
Freeze-Dried Foods can last 25+ years when stored properly in airtight containers or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, kept in a cool, dry environment. Freeze-drying removes nearly all moisture from the food, preserving its nutritional value, flavor, and texture. A wide variety of foods can be freeze-dried, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and full meals, making them a versatile option for long-term storage. Freeze-dried foods are lightweight, making them easy to transport, and can be rehydrated quickly by adding water.
Instant Coffee is a freeze-dried food, but I place it in a category of its own. In its dry, packaged form, it can last for decades if appropriately stored in an airtight container, away from moisture and light. Instant coffee is a convenient and lightweight source of caffeine, providing a quick energy boost and mental pick-me-up, making it especially valuable in emergencies. Mix it with wax in a candle and burn it as an insect repellant. Its long shelf life, ease of preparation, and portability make it practical for any prepper’s food supply, offering comfort and alertness in challenging situations.
Dried Pasta can last indefinitely if kept dry and stored in airtight containers away from moisture and pests. It’s a versatile and easy-to-prepare food, providing a good source of carbohydrates, which are essential for energy. Dried pasta can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from soups and casseroles to main courses, making it a staple for long-term food storage. Its long shelf life, compact nature, and nutritional value make it a practical and reliable item for any emergency food supply or everyday pantry.
All of these foods will come down to the packaging. Sugar packed in a paper container is too susceptible to moisture and pests, so you’ll want to repackage it. Unopened maple syrup, honey, or corn syrup will be fine if it remains airtight and temperature stable. With each item, consider whether it needs to be repackaged for a limitless shelf-life or it can be put away as it is. I’ll link to two videos here where we explore this topic further and show how you can process these foods for later use.
I’ll let you know that I obtained all of the foods in this video for less than $140. While they aren’t the best nutrition for you by themselves, they do combine for 10s of thousands of calories after a disaster. That will more than keep you alive.
As always, stay safe out there.
