The Top 27 Often Ignored Survival Foods

Generally, the advice to prepare for emergencies is consistent with what you read. Water is at the top of all lists, and for good reason—it's necessary to survive.


But when it comes to food, canned veggies, rice, beans, and pasta are often mentioned as essentials to keep on hand. After that, you typically see things that keep well, such sugar and flour. While many other solutions are frequently disregarded, these are good options.
This is a list of foods and substances that are nutrient-dense and have a long shelf life that you will need in an emergency.

1. Cubes of Bouillon
Less people know about the importance of bouillon cubes. They store indefinitely, occupy minimal space, and, in my opinion, enhance the flavor of a pot of stew by a factor of ten.

2. Coconut Milk in a can
With a two to five year shelf life, canned coconut milk is an excellent addition to any emergency supply cupboard. It is a staple in many Asian recipes and can be used in place of dairy for people who are lactose intolerant. Packed with nutrients and good fats, it can provide you the energy you need to survive. It can be used for baking, cooking, or even as a creamer for your backup coffee supply.

3. Pink Salmon in a can
Pink salmon in a can has a six-year shelf life if kept unopened in a cool, dark cupboard. The fish provides high-quality protein and healthful omega-3 fatty acids, making it a satisfying meal. According to a USDA study, canned pink salmon had marginally greater concentrations of two omega-3 acids than did fresh salmon.

4. Powdered cocoa
Though everyone takes chocolate for granted, did you know that it may soon become an uncommon treat? Consumption of chocolate is rising more quickly than cocoa production. Before long, chocolate might be limited to special occasions.

The good news is that, with the right storage, cocoa powder keeps for decades. It doesn't hurt to have a cup of hot chocolate, even though nobody needs one to survive civilization collapsing.

5. Oil from coconuts
Coconut oil can tolerate high cooking temperatures (such over a fire in a survival emergency) and remains solid at room temperature. It can be used in baking and cooking in place of butter and typically has a shelf life of more than two years.

6. Fruit Dehydrated
In addition to providing calories and a variety of beneficial vitamins and nutrients, most dehydrated fruits can be stored for up to five years. And it's not just raisins and dates; there are many of other alternatives. Try dried banana chips, dried mangoes, dried blueberries, dried plums, dried figs, dried cherries, and dried apricots.
Fruits can be dried in the sun, in a dehydrator, or even in your oven. Remove the shop packaging and replace it with mylar bags or other airtight containers for optimal results.

7. Dried Vegetables
You are aware of the need to preserve canned vegetables, but did you also know that, given the right conditions, dried carrots can keep up to 20 years? Moreover, dried maize can be stored for up to ten years. See our advice on food dehydration for beginners if you have never dried fruit or vegetables before.
8. Dehydrated Edamame
Rich in fiber and plant-based protein, dried lentils are a nutritional powerhouse. They make the perfect survival meal, with a shelf life of up to 30 years when stored properly. Because they don't need to be soaked and cook more quickly than most dried beans, lentils are a practical choice when time and fuel are at a premium. They can be ground into flour and baked with, or used to soups and stews.

9. Split Peas
These are low-cost, high-protein, and tasty beans. They are also known as chickpeas, and they can last up to 30 years or more in storage when they are dry.
10. Quick Coffee
Instant coffee is not necessary, but it can help lift your spirits when things are hard. When maintained properly, it can last practically forever and offer a quick boost of normalcy and comfort. It also contains caffeine, which can increase alertness and energy. Instant coffee is a great addition to your emergency food supplies because it's simple to make with hot water and doesn't take up much room in your storage.

11. Jerky
In an emergency, dehydrated beef in the form of jerky is a valuable source of protein. Jerky preserves nicely for extended periods of time and takes up minimal room in your pantry. You may use your oven, a dehydrator, or even a fire to produce your own jerky from a range of meats. Check out this recipe for tasty beef jerky.

12. Jello
Here's another one that would be handy to have even if it's not essential for surviving a grid-down emergency. Comfort foods are very important. Don't undervalue them. They provide you with something to anticipate and provide a feeling of normalcy, which helps you deal with a great disaster a little bit better.
13. Kamut
Another wholesome grain to add to your pantry is kamut. Compared to ordinary wheat, it is easier to digest and offers more energy. This ancient grain is higher in zinc, magnesium, selenium, and healthful fatty acids and has up to 40% more protein than wheat grown today. It is known as the "high-energy grain" because to its high lipid content.

14. Strings of lentils
Lentils are high in protein and promote healthy digestion, giving you more energy. Dried lentils are less demanding on your water supply and easier to prepare than other beans because they don't require a pre-soaking period. The best part is that, when kept in airtight containers, whole lentils—as opposed to split ones—store rather well for up to five years.

15. Syrup made from maple
Can you picture starting from scratch to make a stack of pancakes and then realizing you are out of maple syrup? It's not the same, but you can eat them without syrup, yes. Another comfort food that helps to ease the pain of life after the collapse is maple syrup.

16. Grass
A less expensive, more wholesome, and satisfying substitute for rice and wheat is millet. It's a fantastic substitute for those who have a gluten sensitivity. Iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B, and good fats are all found in millet. It also provides dietary fiber and protein.

17. Nut Butters Although peanut butter is a staple in many preppers' pantries because to its low calorie content and ease of storage, don't discount the advantages of other nut butters.

Almond butter and sun butter, which are made from sunflower seeds, are two types of butter that are excellent options for long-term storage and nutrition. They are convenient and rapid sources of both nourishment and energy.
18. Seeds and Nuts
Nuts and seeds make a fantastic, portable, and flavorful survival food. In addition to sunflower, pumpkin, and alfalfa seeds, try hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and Brazil nuts.

However, without appropriate storage techniques, nuts and seeds will become rancid due to their susceptibility to heat and humidity. Here are some pantry storage suggestions for nuts and seeds.
19. The Pemmican
It has been said that pemmican is the best food for survival. Pemmican, which was created by Native Americans and is typically made of buffalo or deer, is a low-fat dried meat that is combined with berries and fat before being formed into biscuit-sized pieces and dried over a fire.

A well-prepared pemmican can endure up to fifty years! Here's how to prepare pemmican on your own.

20. Egg Powder
An essential component of so many recipes are eggs. Any eggs you save, however, won't last long if you don't have hens. To solve the problem, substitute powdered eggs. While they aren't particularly tasty on their own, they work well in most recipes as a stand-in for eggs.

Remember that scrambled egg mixtures are more expensive than plain powdered eggs, so avoid them.
21. Milk in powder form
You can only store so much, just like with eggs. Milk spoils quickly; if you don't use it all up in a few weeks, it will. Powdered milk is the answer; when stored properly, it keeps for an unexpectedly long period.

To be honest, a glass of milk produced from water and powdered milk tastes rather bad, but if you're having cereal, it tastes better than nothing at all, and it works fine in most milk-based dishes.

22. Bars of Protein
What makes protein bars special? You could have to perform a lot of manual labor in many disaster scenarios, such as fixing things, felling trees, tending to the garden, and so on. Don't solely rely on high-carb foods if that occurs. They might provide you with a little energy boost, but it usually wears off quickly.

To aid in your muscles' quicker recovery, make sure you consume an ample amount of protein. If you acquire the chocolate variety, be advised that they will melt everywhere if you don't store them in a cold place.

23. Quinoa
Known as the "mother of all grains" by the ancient Incas, quinoa provides eight essential amino acids and eight grams of protein per cup. Quinoa that hasn't been cooked can be kept in your pantry for months in airtight containers.

24. Oats Rolled
Any emergency food supply would benefit from the versatile and nourishing inclusion of rolled oats. They are not only very nutritious and have a long shelf life, but they are also high in iron, protein, and fiber. Oats can be converted into a base for homemade granola bars or used as a simple, substantial breakfast porridge. They can also be used as a thickening agent in soups and stews or mixed into flour for baking.

25. Tomatoes
Naturally, canned tomatoes belong in the emergency supply cabinet. They are useful in sauces, stews, and soups. It's crucial to regularly check tomato containers in the cupboard for spoiling, whether you're storing store-bought or home-grown tomatoes. This video shows you how to can tomatoes.

26. Extract from Vanilla
Another component that keeps forever is this one. Even if it's not extremely essential, vanilla extract may significantly improve the flavor of cookies, pancakes, and other baked goods, so I believe it's worth having nonetheless.

27. Yeast
Although bread can be made without yeast, the quality is usually lower. You must have some yeast on hand if you want to make the traditional, incredibly tasty, home-baked bread. Yeast has the cool quality that it may be continuously activated by periodically adding wheat and water.