For most, when scouring the grocery store aisles, purchasing foods that can be stored for 10 years or longer is not something to consider. However, it should be.
Preparing for a significant event is imperative to survival, and in today’s world, it is not a matter of if but when this event will take place. Will you be ready?
Below is a list of 50+ foods that will last 10 years. Consider adding some of these items to your survival stockpile today.
Foods With An Indefinite Shelf-Life
While stocking up on foods that will safely last 10 years or more is excellent, some items can last even longer. Here are a few food items that can be stored indefinitely.
Dried Spices: Listen, there is no reason food needs to be bland, even during a crisis. While spices will lose their fragrant aroma over time, they are safe to consume indefinitely.
Raw Honey: Honey has so many amazing uses, and it literally lasts forever. In fact, archeologists discovered edible honey from Ancient Egypt. While honey will crystalize if stored for extended periods, you can enjoy it once again if you gently heat it.
Pure Maple Syrup: Be that guy – the one with delicious maple syrup amid a crisis. All jokes aside, pure maple syrup will last a lifetime. Like honey, you can heat and eat.
Dried Beans: Keeping dried beans on hand is an excellent idea.
Beans can easily be added to almost any meal and are full of powerful nutrients. The older the beans, the longer they need to soak and cook before consumption.
50+ Foods That Last 10 Years
There are plenty of other items that can be stored indefinitely as well. Non-iodized salt, sugar, vinegar, and corn syrup, for example, are all products that will last a lifetime if they are correctly stored.
Canned Goods
Every stockpile should have some canned foods in there. A wide variety of canned foods can be stored away for an emergency.
Ensure cans are stored safely and securely to prevent damage to the can.
Some ideas include: canned green beans, corn, mushrooms, peas, vegetable medley, chickpeas, carrots, asparagus, tomatoes, pasta sauces, fruit salad, chicken, tuna, ham, spam, corned beef, soup, and chili.
Beans And Other Beneficial Foods
Keeping beans on hand is always a good idea. Beans are not only filling, but they are also full of protein and other essential nutrients. You can get a wide variety of beans in a can or purchase them dry. I suggest opting for dry if possible.
Dry beans often last longer and can be stored for more extended periods. They are an excellent addition to any stockpile and come in handy during difficult times.
Along with beans, there are a few other foods that are good options if you are looking to build a healthy, sufficient stockpile. I suggest stocking up on some of the following:
Kidney beans: Excellent source of protein and rich in vitamins and minerals.
Lima beans: They are very rich in fiber.
Black beans: Maintain healthy bones, lower blood pressure, aid digestion, and prevent diabetes.
Flava beans: They are full of nutrients, help bone and blood health, and are immune-boosting.
Mung beans: They aid digestion, prevent stroke, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Fat And Oil Options
Many people fail to think of the basics when creating their stockpile. Oils are one essential that you should have on hand. Your body needs the fat in oil, and it helps you prepare healthy meals.
Oil also has other beneficial uses and can be put on your hair or skin, aid a squeaky door, polish a floor, etc. Various oils can also be excellent for your health.
Be sure to add some oils to your stockpile. I suggest:
Peanut butter: This is one of those things that is expected to be part of your emergency plan unless you have an allergy. Peanut butter is super good for you and will be helpful in a crisis.
Olive oil: Be sure to have olive oil in your homesteader pile. This product is great for cooking, excellent for your hair, nails, and skin, and is also healthy, providing much-needed fat content.
Avocado oil: Excellent for cooking and hair, skin, or nails.
Canola oil: You will be thankful you thought to store some canola oil.
Coconut oil: Another excellent option to store, coconut oil has so many amazing uses.
Sunflower oil: Not as popular as other oils, it is still a good option that keeps well.
Sun butter: An alternative to peanut butter, sun butter is made from sunflower seeds and is also healthy.
Almond butter: The same idea as peanut or sun butter, only made with almonds.
Ghee: A butter alternative, ghee lasts a surprisingly long time.
Freeze-Dried Foods
Storing freeze-dried foods, such as freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, or meats, is a great way to create a sufficient stockpile. Freeze-dried versions of food retain the nutrients but have a substantially longer shelf life than other forms of storage.
Here are some ideas of freeze-dried foods you might want to add to your stockpile: carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, corn, peppers, mushrooms, berries, strawberries, bananas, apples, apricots, eggs, beef, chicken, turkey, hamburger meat, bacon, freeze-dried full meals.
Other Dried Food Options
Freeze-dried foods are not always the best option because some foods do not take well to the process involved. For example, foods high in fat or sugar can quickly fail when you attempt to freeze-dry them.
Still, having dried food options allows you to access things you may not be able to otherwise. Aside from freeze-dried foods, there are many dry items you should keep stored aware in case of an emergency.
Dry chicken noodle soup mix: There is nothing better than a cup of chicken soup to cure your ailments.
Jello mix: Jello is just fun. Kept in a cool dry place, an unopened package can last for a very long period of time.
Powdered milk: This is something that I always ensure is available. It is perfect for cooking or drinking.
Beef jerky: While it is not my favorite thing, the kids love it, and it is an easy way to get some protein.
Making it yourself is not hard, and it’s a much cheaper method than going to the supermarket and buying it.
Dried or instant potatoes: The ideal addition to any meal, instant potatoes are stored unopened for a long time and are super easy to make.
Dry pasta: Be sure to store dry pasta in a dry, air-tight container in a cool place to ensure it lasts.
White rice: As long as it is sealed, white rice will last a long time in storage and can be used in many meals. The best part is that a bit of rice goes a long way.
Rolled oats: This is essential to any stockpile. Rolled oats are super filling and full of healthy nutrients your body will need when SHTF.
Coffee: It is a necessity for sanity – stock up.
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Tea: A great way to relax, stay warm, and get a caffeine fix, tea can also be used in other ways, so be sure to add some to your stockpile.
Wild rice: Real wild rice can be successfully stored for a long time if it is sealed and safe in a cool, dark place.
Flour: While it is probably on your list already, flour is another essential that should be in every stockpile.
Just be sure that it is stored correctly in an air-tight container.
Powdered eggs: An excellent alternative to freeze-dried options, powdered eggs should be part of your food storage plan.
Baking soda: While it is not edible, this is a product you should have available.
Salt: Trust me, you will miss salt if you forget to stock up on it, and SHTF.
Sugar: Another item thought to be essential, ensure you store some away for an emergency.
Dried onions: I use dried onions all the time while cooking. They are much easier to work with and last a long time in storage.
Dried pepper flakes: You will be thankful you stored these away when meals get dull.
Energy bars: The perfect way to fuel yourself on the go, these are a must-have in any stockpile.
I made sure to find ones that were protein-rich and filled with nutrients.
Crackers: I keep a variety of crackers around at all times. They make a great snack or add some weight to a meal.
Other Items You May Want In Your Stockpile
There are basics you want to have stored away, but not everything will stand up for extended periods. Here are some other items that will stand the test of time.
Chicken broth: Just good to have around.
Dark chocolate: Surprisingly good for you.
Hardtack: A dense biscuit made from flour, water, and salt that lasts a long time.
Apple cider vinegar: Great to have handy, has so many uses.
Meals Ready to Eat (MREs): The ideal item for any homesteader pantry.
Pickles: Pickles last a long time.
Apricot jam: Jams can be stored for decades if they are correctly sealed.
Certain hard-waxed cheeses: Many types of cheese can be stored for extended periods.
Soy sauce: A salty addition.
Vinegar: A staple of the pantry, vinegar is commonly used for cleaning, cooking, getting rid of odors, and so many other things.
In fact, vinegar has so many different uses that it should be a part of your preparedness kit in case of an emergency.
Pemmican: A dried, pounded meat paste made with meat, fat, and other ingredients. Here’s the recipe for pemmican in case you want to cook it yourself.
Whole grains: Great to have on hand, healthy, and filling.
Tomato paste: Another cooking staple that is used in many recipes. The best part is you can easily make tomato paste at home.
Garlic powder: A must-have item in my house
Dry mustard: Good to have on hand for cooking
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a list of 50+ items you can add to your stockpile that will remain edible for ten years or more. Obviously, not all the items on this list are independent consumables, and some are meant to enhance other items.
Still, stockpiling even some of the things that appear here is sure to provide you with a boost should SHTF and you find yourself in a position when your stockpile becomes your primary food source.
Can you think of other items that will last in storage for 10 years or more? I would love to hear what you would put aside if you needed to store food long-term.
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