When preparing for emergency scenarios, we can all agree that having a stockpile of nutritious, long-lasting canned goods is essential.
By exploring the best canned foods for survival, focusing on variety, shelf life and dietary balance, you can create an emergency food supply to sustain health and energy when needs arise.
In this article, we'll cover the must-have canned goods to prioritize, from ready-to-eat meals to fruits and vegetables, along with tips for storage, managing expiration dates, nutritious recipes and more.
Introduction to Survival Preparedness
Being prepared for emergencies and survival situations requires having access to nutritious, long-lasting foods. Canned goods play a critical role in emergency food stockpiles due to their extended shelf life, preservation of nutrients, and convenience. This article explores the key benefits of stockpiling canned goods and provides guidance on the most nutritious and practical options to include in your food supply.
The Role of Canned Foods in Survival Scenarios
Canned goods are an integral part of any emergency preparedness plan. Canning allows foods to be shelf-stable for 1-5 years or longer, making canned items a reliable food source when fresh produce is unavailable. The canning process kills bacteria and seals out air and moisture, preventing spoilage.
Common canned goods like fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, meats, and seafood provide essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and calories. Having a diverse stockpile of canned foods ensures nutritional needs can be met during power outages, natural disasters, or other crises that disrupt normal access to perishable groceries.
Easy-to-prepare canned foods also save precious time and fuel when cooking from scratch is difficult. For example, during winter storms when heating sources may be impacted.
Advantages of Canned Goods for Long-Term Storage
Stockpiling canned goods has many benefits compared to other preservation methods:
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Long shelf life: Most canned foods last 2-5 years stored properly in cool, dark places. Some can last even longer, providing reliable nutrition for years.
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Space efficiency: Canned goods are tightly packed, allowing more food to efficiently fit in storage spaces compared to bulk ingredients.
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Affordability: Many nutrient-dense canned items like beans, tuna, and vegetables can purchased inexpensively in bulk.
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Convenience: Canned goods are fully cooked and ready-to-eat, saving time and preparation effort.
Prioritizing canned goods with long shelf lives, like beans, canned meats, fruits packed in juice, and low-sodium vegetables ensures you can rely on having emergency food on hand for years to come.
What is the best canned food to stockpile?
When building your emergency food supply, canned goods should be a top priority. Canned foods are shelf-stable, meaning they can be stored for years without refrigeration. This makes them perfect for emergency situations when power and refrigeration may not be available.
Some of the best canned goods to stock up on for survival preparedness include:
Canned Tuna and Salmon
Canned tuna and salmon provide excellent sources of protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients. The cans are portable and ready-to-eat, making them ideal for bug-out bags. Aim for water-packed varieties to limit sodium content.
Canned Sardines
Like tuna and salmon, sardines offer protein and healthy fats. Since they have small bones, sardines also provide calcium. Look for sardines packed in olive oil or water.
Canned Beans
Beans of all varieties are packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and complex carbs. They are versatile, nutrient-dense additions to any emergency food supply. Focus on low-sodium or no-salt-added beans.
Shelf-Stable Fruits and Vegetables
Having a variety of fruits and veggies on hand provides vital micronutrients. Go for canned produce packed in juice or water rather than heavy syrups.
When building your canned goods stockpile, focus on nutrient density, variety, and adequate calories to sustain energy. Favor options with minimal processing and low sodium to promote health.
What is the best food to stock up on for survival?
When building an emergency food supply, commercially canned goods are one of the best options to consider. Canned foods have a number of advantages that make them well-suited for survival stockpiles:
Long Shelf Life
Canned goods are processed in a way that allows them to be shelf stable for years. As long as the can remains undamaged and properly stored, most canned foods will be safe to eat for 2-5 years past their printed expiration date. This makes canned items perfect for an emergency pantry, as you can stock up on food now and rely on it still being edible when you need it, even if that's several years down the road.
Nutrient Retention
The canning process involves heating the food to kill any bacteria before sealing it air tight. This heating process can destroy some nutrients, but overall canned foods retain a significant amount of their original nutritional value. Having a supply of canned fruits, vegetables, beans, and meats will help sustain energy, vitamins, minerals, and protein during an emergency situation.
Convenience
Canned goods are fully cooked and ready to eat straight from the can. All that's required is opening the can and eating - no prep or cooking required. This makes canned foods very convenient to rely on when normal cooking facilities may not be available. At most, you may want to heat up certain canned items if the taste or texture is improved by warming.
When building your emergency food stockpile, be sure to store a variety of canned goods - fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, meats, and full meals. Variety will help provide balanced nutrition to promote health. Also be mindful of dietary restrictions like sodium, sugar, or allergies when selecting items. With some planning and foresight, canned goods can sustain you nutritionally for extended periods of time in an emergency.
Are canned foods good for survival?
Canned foods are an excellent addition to any emergency food stockpile or survival stash. Having a variety of canned meats, fruits, vegetables, beans, and ready-to-eat meals on hand serves several key purposes:
Long Shelf Life
Canned goods typically have a shelf life of at least 1-2 years when stored properly, with some products lasting 5+ years. This makes canned foods perfect for prepping and ensuring you have nourishing options available if stores close or supply chains are disrupted. As long as the can remains intact and not compromised, the contents should remain safe to eat for years.
Nutrition
While fresh is best, commercially canned foods retain many of their vitamins and minerals. Canned fruits and veggies provide valuable fiber, vitamins A, C, B-complex and more. Canned meats like tuna, salmon, chicken, and beef supply protein. And ready-to-eat canned meals offer balanced nutrition in an emergency.
Convenience
Canned goods require no refrigeration or special preparation - just open and eat. This makes them handy during power outages or when minimal cooking fuel is available. Their lightweight portability also makes canned foods easy to transport if evacuation is necessary.
So stock up on a variety of canned meats, fruits, veggies, beans and more. With their long shelf life, balanced nutrition, and convenience, canned foods check all the boxes for survival food essentials.
What should I stock up on in case of war?
When preparing for an emergency situation like war, it's important to stock up on shelf-stable foods that don't require refrigeration and are lower in salt content. Here are some of the best options to include in your stockpile:
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables canned in water or juice have a long shelf life and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Prioritize nutritious options like carrots, green beans, peaches, and mixed fruit. Avoid added sugars or heavy syrups.
Canned Beans and Legumes
Beans offer protein and fiber. Opt for low-sodium varieties of black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils. They make good additions to meals.
Whole Grains
Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, and whole-wheat pasta store well and give you long-lasting energy. Make sure to stock up on a manual can opener.
Canned Meats and Seafood
Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, and other meats are tasty sources of protein. Seek lower-sodium options packed in water.
In addition to food, essential emergency items include best canned goods for survival, batteries, flashlights, a radio, copies of important documents, medical supplies, and pet food. Tailor your stockpile to your family’s unique needs. Rotate and replenish items as you use them.
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The Best Canned Foods to Store for Survival
Canned goods are an essential part of any emergency food stockpile. When building your supply, focus on nutrient-dense options with a long shelf life that provide protein, fruits, vegetables, and meals.
Prepping Canned Meats for Protein Needs
Canned meats like tuna, salmon, chicken, and spam can be lifesavers in an emergency. Seek out options packed in water rather than oil, and go for lower sodium versions when possible. Canned beans are also great for protein - choose versatile beans like black, pinto, kidney, or chickpeas. Round out your canned protein supply with peanut butter and other nut butters.
When stocking up on canned proteins:
- Focus on versatility and nutrition
- Seek out lower sodium options
- Include plant-based proteins like beans
Stocking Up on Canned Fruits and Vegetables
In addition to proteins, having canned fruits and veggies on hand provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and variety.
Great vegetable options include:
- Carrots
- Mixed vegetables
- Green beans
- Corn
- Tomatoes
For fruits, choose shelf-stable classics like:
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Mandarin oranges
- Applesauce
Prioritize fruits packed in juice rather than heavy syrups.
Ready to Eat Meals: A Convenient Option
Shelf-stable prepared meals like stews, chili, and soups make quick, convenient options during an emergency. Seek out meals with:
- At least 15-20 grams of protein
- Plenty of vegetables
- Whole grains when possible
Avoid heavily processed meals high in sodium. Instead, choose meals resembling homemade versions.
By stocking a variety of canned goods covering different food groups, you'll be prepared with quick, nutrient-dense foods when they're needed most. Evaluate your personal nutritional needs and stock up accordingly.
Food Stockpile Checklist for Emergency Preparedness
Having a well-stocked supply of canned goods is an essential part of preparing for emergencies. Here is a checklist of important items to include in your food stockpile:
- Canned fruits and vegetables - prioritize nutritious options like beans, tomatoes, carrots, peas
- Canned proteins like tuna, salmon, chicken, beef stew
- Ready-to-eat canned meals like chili, ravioli, soups
- Canned broths and stocks to use in cooking
- Canned milk, coconut milk, and nut milks
- Dried grains like rice, quinoa, pasta, oats
- Dried beans and lentils
- Nuts, seeds, dried fruits for snacks
- Comfort foods like chocolate, coffee, tea
- Manual can opener and cooking supplies
When building your stockpile, focus on nutrient-dense foods with long shelf lives. Have at least a 3-month supply and routinely cycle out old cans with new purchases. Properly store cans in a cool, dry place and check expiration dates.
Comprehensive Canned Food List for Your Pantry
Use this canned goods checklist when shopping for survival food supplies:
Fruits and Vegetables
- Canned tomatoes, sauce, paste
- Canned beans - kidney, black, pinto, etc.
- Canned carrots, potatoes, yams
- Canned fruit like pineapple, pears, applesauce
- Canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes
- Canned olives, pickles, sauerkraut
Proteins
- Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, turkey
- Canned ham, corned beef, Vienna sausages
- Canned chili, beef stew, soup with meat
Ready-to-Eat Meals
- Canned pasta meals like ravioli, spaghetti
- Canned soups - vegetable, tomato, chicken noodle
- Canned stews and chili
Other Essentials
- Canned coconut milk, evaporated milk
- Broths and stocks - beef, chicken, vegetable
- Canned beans - garbanzo, black, pinto, etc.
- Peanut butter and other nut butters
- Dried pasta, rice, grains, cereal
Shop for items you already eat and recipes you can make with canned goods. Focus on nutrients and calories.
Grocery Shopping Tips for Building a Canned Goods Reserve
Follow these tips when buying canned goods for your emergency stockpile:
- Check expiration dates and select latest dates possible
- Inspect cans to ensure no damage or leakage
- Buy from high-turnover stores for freshest stock
- Compare nutrition labels for best nutritional value
- Build supply over time - buy a few extra cans each trip
- Store properly in cool, dry place upon arriving home
- Rotate stock using FIFO (first-in, first-out)
Buying canned goods when they are on sale or in bulk can save money. Just be sure to have storage space and maintain rotation.
Managing Rotation and Expiration Dates
To maximize freshness and shelf life of your canned goods:
- Label cans with purchase date when you buy them
- Use oldest cans first following the FIFO system
- Check expiration dates every 3-6 months
- Create an inventory list to track stock
Canned goods typically last 2-5 years when properly stored. Replace expired cans with fresh supplies as you use up older cans. Proper rotation and date checking ensures you have an adequate supply of usable food for emergencies.
Following a canned goods checklist, shopping carefully, and managing your stockpile will help ensure you have abundant nutrition available if disasters occur. Stay vigilant in maintaining your supplies.
Utilizing Canned Goods: Recipes and Meal Planning
Canned goods can form the basis for nutritious, hearty meals when incorporated thoughtfully. Getting creative with recipes and meal planning helps put your stockpiled canned essentials to good use.
Hearty Meals with Canned Meats
Canned meats like tuna, salmon, chicken, and spam make excellent high-protein additions to pasta dishes, casseroles, soups, salads, and more. Try recipes like:
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Tuna noodle casserole - a classic comfort food combining tuna, pasta, cream of mushroom soup, veggies, and topped with crispy fried onions.
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Salmon cakes - delicious patties made by combining canned salmon with eggs, breadcrumbs, seasonings, and herbs. Pan fry and serve with lemon wedges.
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Spam fried rice - a quick one-pan meal with eggs, rice, frozen mixed veggies, soy sauce, and diced spam.
Versatile Canned Fruit and Vegetable Dishes
Canned fruits and veggies can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Some ideas include:
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Fruit salad - mix chunks of canned peaches, pears, mandarin oranges, and pineapple with fresh banana slices. Top with toasted coconut.
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Three bean salad - chickpeas, kidney beans, and cannellini beans tossed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, parsley, and red onion. Chill before serving.
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Creamed corn - combine canned corn with butter, cream, salt, and pepper. Cook until thickened.
One-Pot Wonders: Making the Most of Canned Foods
One-pot meals like stews, chilis, and casseroles help simplify cooking while making the most of your canned stockpile. Examples include:
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Beef stew - brown stew meat along with onions, carrots, and potatoes. Add canned diced tomatoes, beef broth, herbs and simmer until tender.
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White chicken chili - saute onion, garlic, and chicken. Add canned white beans, corn, green chiles, and cumin. Simmer in broth until heated through.
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Tuna casserole - boil egg noodles and mix with canned tuna, peas, and cream of mushroom soup topped with cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake until hot and crispy.
With some creativity, you can transform basic canned ingredients into appetizing, nutritious meals your family will love. Making use of what's in your stockpile helps ensure nothing goes to waste.
Canned Foods With the Longest Shelf Life
When building your emergency food stockpile, it's important to focus on canned goods with long shelf lives. The right selection of non-perishable foods will sustain you when access to fresh ingredients is limited.
Optimizing Shelf Life: Selecting the Right Canned Foods
Canned foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, and meats can often last years past their 'best by' date if stored properly. Acidic options like tomatoes and pineapple tend to have shorter shelf lives of 12-18 months, while less acidic foods like carrots, green beans, and canned meat can last 2-5 years when kept in a cool, dark place.
Prioritize low-acid vegetables, fruits packed in juice rather than syrup, and canned proteins like tuna, salmon, chicken, or beef. Avoid cans with dents, rust, or swelling. Also be wary of flip-top lids, as they don't seal as securely.
Non-Perishable Food List: Essentials for the Long Haul
When stocking up on canned goods for emergencies, focus on nutrient-dense foods that will provide long-lasting energy. Here are some must-have categories:
- Canned vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, green beans, potatoes, and beets
- Canned beans including pinto, black, kidney, cannellini, and chickpeas
- Canned fruits like pineapple, pears, peaches, and apple sauce
- Ready-to-eat canned meals like chili, ravioli, soups, and stews
- Canned proteins like tuna, salmon, chicken, roast beef, and Spam
Having a variety covering multiple food groups ensures balanced nutrition in times of crisis.
The Art of Preserving Nutritional Value in Canned Goods
To retain nutrients and flavor, avoid exposing cans to extreme temperature fluctuations. Store them at a consistent 50-70°F if possible. Stack cans tightly on shelves to prevent light exposure and inspect them every 6 months, using up ones that show early signs of deterioration.
You can also carefully re-can opened canned goods into sterilized glass jars. Only re-can what you’ll consume in the next few days and refrigerate after opening.
Following proper storage methods, you can safely rely on canned goods for years, making them a cornerstone of your survival stockpile. With the right choices and rotation system, they'll provide reliable nutrition when you need it most.
Conclusion: Safeguarding Nutrition with Canned Goods
Canned goods are an essential part of an emergency food stockpile because of their long shelf life, nutritional value, and variety. Key reasons to stockpile canned goods include:
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Extended shelf life: Properly stored canned goods can last for years, ensuring you have nutritious food on hand when needed most.
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Balanced nutrition: Canned fruits, vegetables, beans, and meats provide carbs, protein, vitamins and minerals to sustain energy and health.
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Variety: Having an assortment of canned goods allows for meal versatility during emergencies.
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Easy storage: Canned goods are shelf-stable at room temperature, taking up less space than other perishables.
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Affordability: Canned items are budget-friendly to stockpile over time. Bulk cases of canned goods when on sale help maximize savings.
When building your canned goods stockpile, focus on fruits, veggies, beans, soups, and meats to meet basic nutritional needs. Ready-to-eat meals are also handy for quick, hot meals during disasters. Rotate and replenish items as you use them to ensure freshness and a reliable stockpile.
Key Takeaways for Best Canned Goods for Survival
- Stock up on nutritious fruits, vegetables, beans, soups and canned meats for balanced nutrition.
- Prioritize shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals for quick sustenance when utilities are out.
- Buy affordable bulk cases of canned goods when on sale to save money.
- Rotate stock routinely to maintain freshness and use cans before expiration.
Final Thoughts on Preparing Your Canned Good Stockpile
Start building your canned goods stockpile now – buy a few extra cans each grocery trip. Focus on nutritional essentials like fruits, veggies, beans and proteins. Invest in bulk cases of your family’s favorite canned foods when they go on sale. Check expiration dates routinely and use older cans first to maintain a fresh supply. An ample canned goods stockpile takes time to build, but gives priceless peace of mind knowing you have nutritious food reserves in any emergency.
