A multitude of non-perishable foods exists that do not rely on refrigeration, many of which demand no cooking and possess extended shelf lives spanning years, if not decades.
These food items prove invaluable for assembling an emergency stockpile and are equally suitable for activities such as van life and camping.
Rather than detailing each specific food item individually, I’ve categorized them for your convenience, and within each category, I’ve provided a list of non-perishable foods that fit the description.
As you accumulate non-perishable foods for your stockpile, ensure a harmonious blend of carbohydrates, proteins, fruits/vegetables, and wholesome fats. Striving for this balance prevents a scenario where your diet consists solely of dry pasta or canned peas. Embracing variety guarantees more nourishing and appealing meal options.
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Grains
Including grains like wheat berries, rice, flour, pasta, and oats in your long-term food storage strategy is pivotal, particularly given their capacity to withstand storage without the need for refrigeration or freezing. The grains listed below offer an extensive array of possibilities:
Wheat berries surpass flour in terms of longevity, yielding flour that has enhanced freshness and flavor when ground. It’s advisable to procure a suitable grain mill or flour grinder to produce your flour as required, ensuring a steady supply of fresh flour. To determine if storing wheat aligns with your objectives, assess whether the cost savings associated with grinding your own flour make it a viable option for you.
Here is a list of various grains and related products suitable for long-term storage, including a range of wheat varieties, flours, rice types, and pasta options:
Wheat Varieties:
- Hard Red Winter Wheat
- Hard Red Spring Wheat
- Soft Red Winter Wheat
- Durum Wheat
- Hard White Wheat
- Soft White Wheat
Flour Types:
- All-Purpose Flour (hard and soft red wheat)
- Whole Wheat Flour (stone ground wheat berries)
- Bread Flour (hard red spring wheat)
- Cake Flour (soft white wheat endosperm)
- Pastry Flour (hard white wheat endosperm)
Rice Varieties:
- White Rice
- Jasmine Rice
- Basmati Rice
- Wild Rice
- Red Cargo Rice
- Parboiled Rice
- Black Rice
- Rosematta Rice
- Brown Rice
- Arborio Rice
- Camargue Rice
- Sticky Rice
- Sushi Rice
- Valencia Rice
Pasta Selections:
- Spaghetti Pasta
- Fettuccine Pasta
- Penne Pasta
- Macaroni Pasta
Oats and Cereal:
- Rolled Oats
- Quick Oats
- Steel Cut Oats
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
This diverse range of grains, flours, rice, pasta, oats, and cereal options forms a comprehensive selection to consider for your long-term food storage needs.
Canned and Dried Meats
Protein constitutes a vital component of any diet, underscoring the importance of including a diverse range of long-lasting meats that do not necessitate refrigeration or freezing in your food reserves. Using preservation techniques like dehydrating, freeze drying, and canning presents effective avenues for securing shelf-stable meats, thereby enhancing your long-term food storage strategy.
Below is a compilation of various meat options that can be safely stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration. Additionally, you can explore comprehensive insights into the freeze drying, dehydrating, and pressure canning of meats and other food items for more detailed information. If you want to know which food are high in protein and that have a long shelf life then check out my recent article High Protein Foods With Long Shelf Life ( Top 21 ).
- Canned Tuna
- Canned Sausage
- Dehydrated Deli Meats
- Freeze Dried Sausage Crumbles
- Canned Chicken Breast
- Canned Spam
- Freeze Dried Beef Dices
- Canned Beef Soups or Stews
- Freeze Dried Ground Beef
- Dehydrated Chicken
- Canned Roast Beef
- Canned Smoked Ham
- Canned Vienna Sausages
- Dehydrated Fish
- Canned Salmon
- Canned Corned Beef Hash
- Canned Spaghetti with Meatballs
- Jerky
Legumes and Beans
Beans and legumes, whether in canned or dried form, are well-suited for extended storage without the need for refrigeration. Dry beans exhibit impressive longevity, with many types lasting up to 25 years when appropriately stored in Mylar bags or #10 cans equipped with oxygen absorbers. Canned beans also offer a decent shelf life, lasting several years. If you want to know which survival foods have the longest shelf life then check out my recent article Survival Foods With Long Shelf Life ( Top 36 ).
The following compilation is suitable for extended storage, whether in dried or canned form:
- Cranberry or Roman Beans
- Kidney Beans
- Lima Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Split Peas
- Adzuki Beans
- Black Beans
- Garbanzo Beans
- Lentils
Powdered Milk & Dairy Products
Milk and various dairy products play a significant role in the daily diets of many, featuring prominently in numerous meals and recipes. Traditionally, dairy items are perishable and demand refrigeration to maintain their freshness. Nevertheless, there exist noteworthy dairy alternatives that offer extended shelf life without the need for refrigeration. If you want to keep your avocados fresh for a longer time then check out my recent article Should Avocado Be Refrigerated? ( How To Store Them ).
- Dehydrated or Freeze Dried Yogurt
- Dried Whole Egg Powder
- Buttermilk Powder
- Powder Milk
- Dried Scrambled Egg Mix
- Freeze Dried Cheese
- Sour Cream Powder
- Butter Powder
Fruits and Vegetables
Dehydrated, freeze-dried, or canned fruits and vegetables are capable of enduring prolonged storage without requiring refrigeration, often spanning years. These preserved options can be enjoyed in their dried state or easily rehydrated for culinary purposes.
Berries:
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Citrus Fruits:
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Tangerine
Stone Fruits:
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Peaches
Tropical Fruits:
- Avocado
- Jackfruit
- Kiwis
- Mango
- Pineapple
Other Fruits:
- Apple Slices
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Coconut
- Grapes
- Mixed Fruit
- Star Fruit (Carambola)
- Watermelon
Vegetables preserved through freeze drying, dehydration, or pressure canning
- Eggplant
- Swiss Chard
- Corn
- Carrots
- Beans
- Squash
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Yam
- Celery
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Green Beans
- Zucchini
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
- Kale
- Pumpkin
- Potatoes
Nuts and Seeds
Maintaining a well-rounded food storage is crucial, encompassing a harmonious blend of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, as these form the cornerstone of essential macronutrients. Nuts and seeds, rich in both protein and healthy fats, also offer a wealth of vitamins and minerals, enhancing the nutritional value of your provisions.
When it comes to storing nuts and seeds, there are important considerations to bear in mind, much like with any other food items. Opt for dry roasted and salted nuts, as they tend to have a longer shelf life compared to raw nuts. Here’s a list of nuts and seeds suitable for inclusion in your extended storage plan:
Nuts:
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Cashew nuts
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamias
- Pecans
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
Seeds:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Flax seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Psyllium seeds
- Chia seeds
Sugars
Sugars have an extended shelf life without requiring refrigeration or freezing. Typically, long-term storage involves utilizing 5-gallon buckets equipped with gamma lids to achieve an airtight seal. Alternatively, sugars can be stored in mylar bags for an even more prolonged and potentially indefinite storage duration.
Here is a list of sugars that are recommended for your extended storage:
- Brown Sugar
- Jams
- Powdered Juice Mix
- Molasses
- Syrup
- Jello Mix
- Corn Syrup
- Powdered Sugar
- White Sugar
- Honey
Freeze Dried Meals
Freeze dried meals stand out as highly convenient foods for prolonged storage without necessitating refrigeration or freezing. These meals are versatile for camping, backpacking, grab-and-go bags, travel, and emergency preparedness, offering an easy solution to various scenarios.
Freeze dried meals offer several notable advantages, such as their simple rehydration process using just water, their ability to retain nutritional value, and their taste that closely resembles the freshness of the original meal, akin to the way leftovers taste.
Below, you’ll find a list of freeze dried meals known for their extended shelf life without requiring refrigeration:
- Cheese Steak
- Jambalaya
- Soup
- Mashed Potatoes
- Beef Stroganoff
- Roast Turkey Dinner
- Chicken Parmesan
- Enchiladas
- Casseroles
- Ham Fried Rice
- Chili
- Hash Browns
- Lasagna
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Meatballs
- Fajitas
- Roast Beef Dinner
- Pizza
- Chow Mein
- Rice
- Meat Loaf
- Pasta
- Scrambled Eggs
- Stew
Additional Non-Refrigerated Shelf Stable Food and Snacks
A variety of foods and snacks exist that has extended shelf life without requiring refrigeration or freezing. Seek out items with best if used by dates extending a couple of months or more, and those that remain edible well beyond that timeframe. Check out the list below for inspiration.
- Peanut Butter
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcohol
- Dried Soup or Bullion
- Canned Soups
- Crackers
- Pancake Mix
- Cocoa Powder
- Granola Bars
- Protein Bars
- Trail Mix
- Candy
- Chocolate
- Pudding Mix
- Bread Crumbs and Croutons
- MREs or other Instant Meals
- Boxed Meals
- Ramen
- Multi-vitamins
- Protein Powder
Key Takeaways
Creating a stockpile of shelf-stable foods with extended storage lives, independent of refrigeration or freezing, is a crucial step in readiness for unforeseen emergencies or crises. Those who dedicate effort to assembling such a supply of the mentioned foods will cultivate assurance and tranquility, recognizing that they possess the means to nourish their loved ones under any circumstances.
