The Complete List of Long-Lasting Survival Foods + FREE Printable (2023)

In a prosperous country like the United States, it’s difficult to imagine what “lack” looks like. Walk into any Costco, Walmart, or local store and you’ll notice the shelves are practically overflowing with stuff…all kinds of stuff!

Oftentimes multiple brands offer different varieties of the same type of item. It’s overwhelming, honestly, especially if you’ve seen scarcity in countries that have never experienced such abundance.

Can you envision going to the grocery store and finding aisles and aisles of empty shelves? Venezuela at this moment is facing a major nationwide crisis. A couple of its many problems include the lack of food provisions and huge inflation prices.

A recent report determined the average person has lost 24 lbs over the last year and about 90% of the population currently lives in poverty. This statistic is inconceivable considering Venezuela was one of the richest countries in South America not too long ago.

The depletion of food and provisions is a recurring thing in history and has been experienced around the world too many times. During WW2, there was a major lack of food all across Europe.

During the Great Depression in the United States, people had to count every penny, nickel, and dime to see whether or not they could afford to eat. Countries in extreme poverty deal with this constantly whether they’re involved in a war or not.

Although our country parades abundance in every storefront, it doesn’t mean that we are exempt from a food shortage at some point in our future.

In fact, there is a pattern of food shortages and inflation during every major natural disaster. This is a prime example of stores charging outrageous prices for otherwise cheap items during Hurricane Harvey.

If you’ve observed the news, you may have noticed that shopping around the time that evacuation orders are set in place is almost as bad as shopping during Black Friday. It's crazy, to say the least.

Considering the instability of world economies, it’s important to be prepared for whatever may come. Water and food are our lifelines and we must have plenty of provisions to cover our future needs, not just tomorrow’s. Having long-term food stored at home will also benefit us in short and long-term emergencies.

Don’t wait for your local grocery store to look like this:

If you stockpile food for the next few years you will certainly save yourself from the stress that most other people will have. When there are food shortages you probably won’t be in starvation mode and will be able to live a better life despite the events happening in the world.

If you agree thus far, I’m sure you’ll also agree that it’s wise to stockpile food that will last the longest time on the shelf. I definitely recommend rotating food as you eat it and purchasing food in bulk when possible.

Ok, let’s get to the list!

By the way, some of the items listed below are not “food” items per se because they can’t be eaten on their own but they are fundamental for either enhancing the flavor, consistency and/or nutritional properties of meals and are therefore worth mentioning.

10. DRY 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.

17. DRY MEAT
Meat jerky (like beef 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 cause the jerky to become rancid quicker, thereby decreasing its long shelf life.

Making your own jerky 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. The best way to ensure a long shelf-life is to use oxygen absorbers.

This is a good place to startif you’re planning to give homemade jerky a try!

18. FREEZE-DRIED MEAT
Professionally packaged freeze-dried meats guarantee a shelf life of up to 15 years when stored in ideal locations- such as a dark and dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Of course, the package has to remain unopened.

Freeze-dried meat provides you and your family with a great source of protein during an emergency situation.

This is a great option for those who want to have several packages on-hand.

26. MAPLE SYRUP
Unopened pure maple syrup stored in a glass jar can be kept indefinitely and contains many health benefits. 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 with a high sugar content 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!

28. 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.

For the health conscious, brown sugar might be the best but definitely not the healthiest of food items.

29. 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.

42. POWDERED MILK
Milk is a staple for reconstituting many comfort foods. For this reason, it's an excellent choice for your long-term food storage kit.

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 your warning that it has gone bad.

45. 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 type of food and variety of meals so you have a lot of freedom to choose what kinds of foods are right for you.

46. 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.

We recommend Legacy when it comes to survival food kits because they offer the most nutritious foods. Augason Farms and Wise Company are other known brands but Legacy guarantees the best quality ingredients and largest serving sizes in the industry.

48. CANNED FOOD
Check out this article to learn about the best canned foods to store for survival and emergency situations.

The general recommended storage for canned foods 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 of 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. Read more about canned food safety here!

Tip: Keep a few cans of tomato sauce to complement your pasta!

There are many different methods to preserve food. Food can be cured, pickled, pasteurized, dehydrated, freeze-dried, and heat processed. Food is processed so it can have a longer shelf life while maintaining its nutritional value over a period of months or years.

The packaging that is used to seal the product also has a lot to do with its shelf life. For long-term food storage, packages are often flushed out with nitrogen to remove any oxygen that is present and then an oxygen absorber is also added.

Some of these packages are guaranteed to last in cool and dark locations for up to 30 years or more.

Sealed containers are recommended to prevent rodents from getting into your stash of shelf-stable food. A plastic bag won't cut it if you expect your food to last you through a survival situation! Here are some tips to mouse-proof your food storage.

The best advice I have heard for food preservation is to create an environment that is inhospitable to bacteria by removing the presence of oxygen and moisture. There are products that it’s nearly impossible to do this because they’re very water dense. Most likely, the shelf life of those products will be significantly less than a product which contains less moisture.

Some products can have a longer shelf life if they’re stored in the refrigerator or freezer but they risk losing flavor or nutritional value.

The simplest way to extend the life of your food is to keep it away from light, heat, moisture and oxygen. Typically this is in a pantry or basement where temperatures remain stable year-long. It’s recommended that shelf stable food be stored in the home rather than the garage because the garage typically has greater temperature fluctuations.

One more tip is to rotate your food as you eat it. By rotating your food, you can make sure you’re eating what expires first while maintaining a stocked pantry that can remain fresh for long periods of time.

If you want to prepare your own dehydrated foods from fresh fruits and vegetables look into purchasing a freeze dryer or dehydrator, as well as Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. These things will increase your food’s shelf life significantly if properly sealed. If you’re in doubt about how many oxygen absorbers to use, remember that it never hurts to add an extra oxygen absorber.

Preserving your own food is a great way to ensure you're eating the healthiest foods when a disaster strikes (...or in the event of a zombie apocalypse...just kidding!)

Store as much food as you feel is necessary.

I made a checklist of the long-term survival foods I discussed above. You are welcome to print it out and share it with your friends.

This checklist can serve as a shopping list, as well as a reminder of how long certain kitchen staples will last and when you should rotate them. I left the last column blank for you to fill in based on what your emergency supplies require, since everyone’s list will be different.

My recommendation is to mark your food on the front with a permanent marker. It would be a good idea to write the date (at least the month and year) that the item should be rotated and always use older food first. This is the easiest way to prevent storing expired items.

I hope this article helps you determine which are the best survival foods for your family to keep for long-term storage.

The list of foods above is written with the consideration that the food discussed is in its original packaging and unopened. Of course, anything that has been opened and exposed to fluctuating temperatures will have a much shorter shelf life.

If you’re ever in doubt of food being unsafe to eat, consider your health the priority always and go with your gut feeling. I think most people would agree that it’s better to toss a questionable food item and save yourself from food poisoning or a trip to the hospital.

If you have shelf stable food that is still safe to eat but you no longer want it, donate it to your local pantry rather than throwing it away. You can always bless someone in need!

The best survival food is high in energy and nutrient-dense. Foods like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, whole grains, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, oatmeal and frozen vegetables are all excellent options for stocking up on for survival. These provide essential vitamins and minerals as well as healthy fats and carbohydrates for sustained energy.

Our selection of freeze-dried foods provide hearty servings that are rich in nutrients. They are free of preservatives, low in sodium, low in fat, low in cholesterol, and do not contain GMO’s, MSG, trans fat, artificial flavors, yeast extract, hydrogenated oil, caramel color, or high fructose corn syrup. The best part is that they can be stored for up to 25 years.

These are some of the shelf-stable foods that you should stockpile for survival. Of course, for them to maintain their infinite shelf life, most of the items listed will have to remain unopened.

If you see an expiry date or best-by date on these items, it’s because the company that sells them is legally required to stamp a date on food products.

In any case, it’s recommended that they be kept in a cool dry place or in a sealed container (i.e. glass jars or plastic buckets) with oxygen absorber packets. Once opened, some may have a shorter life span.

• Honey
• Sugar
• Salt
• Cornstarch
• Vinegar
• Pure vanilla extract
• Maple syrup
• Soy sauce
• Bouillon cubes
• Dried beans
• Powdered milk
• Popcorn
• Milled rice

Whether you're preparing for a declared war or a more localized conflict, stocking up on the following items can ensure you are equipped to take care of yourself and those around you:

• Long-lasting foods such as canned goods, grains, dried beans, pasta, and long-lasting freeze dried meals
• Water in jugs or bottles
• Warm clothing and blankets
• Emergency supplies like first-aid kits, flashlights, batteries, and fuel
• Medicines and medical supplies such as over-the-counter drugs
• Weapons and ammunition
• Generators or solar panels for electricity
• Cash in the form of gold, silver, and paper money in small denominations
• A communication system such as a portable radio or walkie talkie
• Essential documents like birth certificates and passports

It is possible to survive on a variety of foods; however, if you were only able to choose three options they should be ones that are high in nutrients and calorie content. Grains, nuts and legumes are all good sources of energy as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants which can boost your immunity. Lastly, dairy products like milk or cheese can give you the necessary protein to stay healthy.

You can survive on a variety of foods, but there are three that are especially important for sustaining life:

• Grains - They provide carbs and energy to keep your body functioning. Complex carbohydrates like oatmeal, quinoa, or brown rice provide long-lasting energy with plenty of nutrients. Other grains include wheat, barley, and corn.
• Fruits and vegetables - These contain important vitamins and minerals which help keep you healthy and energized. Some examples include apples, carrots, broccoli, oranges, bananas, spinach, etc. Dried fruits are full of antioxidants and fiber, and provide you with a great source of energy.
• Protein foods - These provide healthy fats, nutrients, and vitamins that are essential for growth and development as well as helping build muscle mass. Examples include fish, eggs, lentils, nuts, poultry, tofu, nuts and seeds.

The following items are not only affordable, but they also have a very long shelf life. Most of them can also provide substantial nutrition.

• Rice
• All purpose flour (whole wheat flour is a little more expensive but healthier)
• Sugar
• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Canned veggies
• Canned fruit
• Bread
• Cereal
• Oatmeal
• Beans
• Canned meat
• Canned soup and stew
• Canned coconut milk
• Mac and cheese
• Popcorn
• Granola bars
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Bouillon cubes
• Vegetable oil
• Salad dressings (especially if they’re in powdered form)
• Spices
• Baking soda and baking powder
• Tea
• Juice
• Coffee
• Powdered milk