Ultimate Survival Pantry
47 Long-Lasting Foods Every Prepared Household Should Store
From pantry staples that last decades to foods that may never expire, this guide explains what to store, how long it lasts, and how to maximize shelf life.
Grains & Staples:
- Soft Grains
- Hard Grains
- White Rice
- Oats
- Flour
- Pasta
- Hardtack
HARDTACK – Hardtack is otherwise known as the bread that lasts forever. This used to be a food staple for soldiers during the Civil War. Although most soldiers hated it during that time, it was something to keep them going during times when food was a mere commodity. You can’t purchase them at stores anymore but hardtack is easy to make. It only requires two (or three) ingredients: water, flour and if you want, salt. Want to make some at home?
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 absorber for a maximum shelf life.
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 its “best by” date in its original packaging. If it’s sealed with oxygen absorbers it can last much longer. I recommend purchasing pasta from a supplier of long-lasting food.
RAMEN NOODLES – Ramen is not the healthiest meal to sustain you during difficult times, but it’s easy to prepare and will last a couple years in its original packaging if stored under the right conditions.
CANNED SPAGHETTI – Canned spaghetti can easily last up to 2 years and perhaps longer if it’s kept in ideal conditions. Make sure no botulism is present when opening.
DRIED BEANS – Dried beans that are sealed with oxygen absorbers can last up to 5 years. I would recommend you don’t store them any longer than that. If you do, they’ll still be safe to eat but they will take too long to cook and become more difficult to chew. (Don’t store pinto beans and split peas for more than 3 years. Overtime they will get very hard and even if you boil them for hours, they won’t be soft enough, making them also harder to digest.
Canned Foods: Rather than repeating “watch for botulism” under every canned product, create one Food Safety Note:
Food Safety: Never consume canned food from bulging, leaking, severely dented, or corroded cans. When in doubt, throw it out. That eliminates repeated text throughout the article.
CANNED BEANS – Canned beans can likely stay good for up to 6 years if stored under the best conditions, possibly longer. As always with cans, check for signs of botulism prior to eating since botulism can be deadly.
DRIED LENTILS AND LEGUMES – Just like dried beans, the maximum shelf life for lentils and legumes is anywhere between 4 and 5 years. After that, they may take too long to cook and still be too hard to eat.
DEHYDRATED FRUIT – The trick with dehydrating food is to make sure all the m
oisture is removed from it. Once you’re ready to store it, add an oxygen absorber. Properly dehydrated fruit, such as raisins, apricots, and apples, can last up to 30 years. I recommend you make your own at home. The dehydrated fruit from the grocery store will not last nearly as long since the fruit is not completely dehydrated and sometimes moisture is re-absorbed during its packaging process. Check your fruit periodically to make sure there are no signs of spoilage. Another good option is to purchase fruit from long-term storage food companies. Their dehydration process guarantees a shelf life of up to 15 years.
DEHYDRATED VEGGIES – The shelf life of veggies can vary, depending on the moisture content of each vegetable. Just like dehydrated fruits, if you purchase dehydrated vegetables at the grocery store their shelf life might be considerably less than if they’re properly done at home. In my opinion, it’s better to make and package your own if you know how. Carrots, for instance, can last up to 20 years if dehydrated and stored in ideal conditions.
FREEZE-DRIED CORN – Freeze-dried corn has a shelf life of up to 15 years so long that it’s free from moisture. Popcorn can last indefinitely if it stays free from moisture.
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.
DRIED MEAT – Meat jerky that you buy at the store can last approximately 2-years unopened. Keep in mind that the leaner the meat is, the longer its shelf life. Fat will make the jerky get rancid quicker. Making your own might be a better choice for those who want to have control over its curing process, the preservatives used (or lack of) and the amount of time given to allow it to dry. It must be kept free from oxygen and away from sunlight. Use oxygen absorbers if you’re making your own.
FREEZE-DRIED MEAT – Professionally packaged freeze-dried meats guarantee a shelf life of up to 15 years when stored in ideal locations. Of course, the package has to remain unopened. This is a great option for those who want to have several packages on-hand.
CANNED MEAT – Spam, canned chicken, corn beef, canned ham, and tuna can last from 2 to 5 years after the can’s printed date, so long that it’s stored in ideal conditions. Always check for signs of botulism in cans prior to eating, as botulism can be deadly. When purchasing canned meat for storage, it’s best to read the labels first and choose the meats whose ingredients are just meat and salt.
PEMMICAN – Pemmican is also known as the ultimate survival superfood because it can last fifty or more years if made and stored correctly. Pemmican is a blend of powdered lean meats mixed with berry powder and animal fat. It’s perhaps not the tastiest survival food, but it’s a good dose of protein for emergencies. Want to make your own?
POWDERED WHOLE EGGS– Powered eggs are an excellent shelf stable option. This is a product you’ll most likely have to buy from a professional long-term food company, but it guarantees you a shelf life of up to 15 years.
PEANUT BUTTER – Powered peanut butter boasts a 15-year shelf life but if you prefer the kind that comes in a jar, it’ll stay good for up to 2-years if kept in ideal conditions.
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.
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.
GHEE – Ghee is clarified butter. When butter is boiled for a long time, all the moisture evaporates and the remaining liquids are fat (ghee) and milk solids. 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.
MAPLE SYRUP – Unopened pure maple syrup stored in a glass jar can be kept indefinitely. If opened, leave it in the fridge or freeze it. Keyword here is “pure” maple syrup. Aunt Jemima Maple Syrup is not only a cheap version but also fake (read the ingredients- maple syrup is not one of them). No surprise there, but the point is to never settle for anything less than the real thing!
CORN SYRUP – Corn syrup has an indefinite shelf life. It doesn’t matter if the jar’s seal is opened or unopened, just make sure it’s stored in a dark place at room temperature. Also, keep the lid on tight always.
SUGAR – White, brown, cane, and powdered sugar can be stored indefinitely if it’s kept hermetically sealed. Adding a moisture absorber to the package and re-sealing it can help maximize its freshness. Make sure that bugs (ants especially!) don’t invade your sugar.
RAW HONEY – Raw honey can be kept indefinitely. Water will spoil it so make sure to keep it free from moisture. It’s possible that it will crystalize at some point, but don’t let that scare you! To un-crystalize it, just place the honey jar in a bath of warm water (without allowing the water to get inside the honey) and in time it will get back to its original state. You can also take crystalized honey by the spoonful and dissolve it right into tea or other hot drinks.
HARD CANDY – Most hard candies will last between 1 to 2 years but they can last indefinitely if stored in a dark location and dry climate. The drier the atmosphere its stored in, the longer the shelf life.
DRY JELLO MIX – An unopened box of Dry Jell-O Mix, or unflavored gelatin, will last indefinitely in the pantry. Just make sure no moisture is present.
CORN STARCH – Unopened corn starch can be kept indefinitely when stored in a cool and dark place. It may lose some of its thickening properties over the years.
SOY SAUCE – An unopened jar of soy sauce can last indefinitely. Once opened, it will last between 2 to 3 years.
VINEGAR – White and Apple Cider Vinegar will last indefinitely. ACV has many nutritional and cleaning properties, so its uses go way beyond the typical salad condiment. Make sure you keep ACV or white vinegar in your long-term food storage pantry.
ALCOHOL – Unopened bottles of hard liquor can be stored indefinitely. Wine will age overtime and can turn into vinegar. To prevent this, keep unopened bottles of wine for a maximum of 2 years, unless you know the exact shelf life of the wine. Each type of wine (merlot, sauvignon, etc.) has a different shelf life. Store wine in a dark, cool cellar with the bottle at an angle so that the cork always stays wet. Some high-quality wines can keep for hundreds of years so if that’s what you want, make sure to do your research and be ready to pay a lot of money for it.
PURE VANILLA EXTRACT – Due to its alcohol content, 100% pure vanilla extract can last indefinitely in a cool and dark place. The key word here is “pure” since the artificial extract will not have nearly the same nutritional properties nor an indefinite shelf life. This is one of those products that it’s worth spending the extra money for the real thing.
SALT – Salt will store indefinitely without losing quality. White table salt is highly processed so I recommend you to store pink Himalayan salt or sea salt. Make sure to keep the salt free from moisture.
STOCK/BOUILLON – Bouillon, in its powdered form, can be stored for up to 10 years but its shelf life can be significantly increased if the cubes (or loose powder) are sealed in a Mylar bag with an oxygen and moisture absorber.
DRIED HERBS AND SPICES – Dried herbs can last between 1 to 3 years, depending on how they’re stored. Spices can last up to 4 years if unopened and stored in a cool, dark place.
BAKING SODA – Baking soda can be stored indefinitely. It’s important to keep it dry and free from moisture. If you fear that your baking soda has gone bad, don’t throw it out. Instead, use it as a home cleaning product. Don’t be shy to buy it in large quantities!
INSTANT/FREEZE-DRIED COFFEE – Instant and freeze-dried coffee can last up to 25 years on the pantry shelf, but will last indefinitely if stored in the freezer.
POWDERED MILK – Powdered milk can last up to 25-years if properly stored. Make sure it’s completely sealed and stored in a dry, cool place where no moisture becomes present. Adding a moisture absorber to the package might enhance its shelf life. If the Powdered milk becomes yellow or begins to smell rancid, consider that you’re warning that it has gone bad.
RAW CACAO/COCOA POWDER– Raw cacao can last between 2 to 3 years. Pure cocoa powder can last up to 2 years or more. The quality, flavor and nutritional properties may decrease over time, especially if it has been opened for more than two years. Make sure to store it in a cool and dark place.
TEA – Tea, whether in a bag or in its loose-leaf form, can last for up to 2 years (as claimed by most tea producing companies). All you risk in consuming tea past its expiration date is quality. You won’t get sick from drinking expired tea. Make sure to watch out for bugs and store it in an airtight container for maximum shelf life.
MRE’s (MEALS READY TO EAT)– The shelf life of MRE’s really depends on the manufacturer. One of the leading companies in MRE’s is Mountain House. They guarantee their meals to last up to 30 years. You’ll find other companies, like Backpacker’s Pantry, whose product shelf lives are between 5 to 10 years. Each company offers a different variety of meals so you have a lot of freedom to choose what meals are right for you.
FREEZE-DRIED MEALS – Emergency Food companies pride themselves in making meals that last up to 25 years. They are great options to have because they provide you peace of mind without having to worry about expiration dates and having to rotate your supply constantly.
CANNED FOOD – The general recommended storage for canned food is between 1 to 3 years. Considering your storage location is ideal, they could probably last up to 6 years or more. Some people claim that cans can last indefinitely, and while they might be right, the nutritional value will deteriorate regardless after the first couple years. No matter how long you store your cans for, always check for signs of botulism. If your can is badly dented, corroded, or has been exposed to extreme temperatures, then they may be unsafe to eat. Always inspect cans for signs of botulism, since botulism can be deadly.
Food Safety: Never consume canned food from bulging, leaking, severely dented, or corroded cans. When in doubt, throw it out.
Disclaimer: Shelf-life estimates are approximate and depend on packaging, temperature, humidity, light exposure, and storage conditions. Always inspect food before consumption and follow current food safety recommendations.
Read More About Canned Food Safety Here!
