When building a survival kit, most would agree that having nutritious, long-lasting foods is essential.
By stocking up on freeze dried foods, you can be confident your food supplies will retain both nutrients and flavor for decades, while taking up little space.
In this guide, you'll discover the ideal freeze dried foods to include for nutritional balance, maximum shelf life, and ease of preparation when you need them most.
Introduction to Freeze Dried Survival Food
Freeze dried foods are essential for any emergency preparedness kit. By removing 98% of the water, freeze drying allows foods to remain nutritious while becoming incredibly lightweight and compact. This makes freeze dried foods perfect for stockpiling and storing for years in your survival stash.
Defining Freeze Dried Foods
Freeze dried foods retain almost all of their nutritional value because the freeze drying process does not use high heat. The water is extracted through sublimation, where ice crystals transition directly into vapor without passing through a liquid phase. This leaves the food structure intact while reducing the weight and volume dramatically. Typical freeze dried foods are only 2-4% of their original weight but reconstitute quickly with hot water.
Benefits for Survival Kits
There are several key benefits that make freeze dried food ideal for survival situations:
- Long shelf life - Properly packaged freeze dried foods can last over 25 years without refrigeration due to their very low moisture content. This allows you to stock up on meals and keep them handy for decades.
- Lightweight - By removing almost all the water, freeze dried foods weigh up to 75% less than conventional canned goods. This reduces the burden when transporting your survival supplies.
- Compact - Freeze dried pouches compress down small, allowing you to store hundreds of servings without taking up too much space in your shelter or bug out bag.
- Fast preparation - Just add hot water, wait 5-10 minutes for rehydration, and your freeze dried meal is ready to eat. No cooking fuel needed.
Selecting the Best Freeze Dried Survival Food
When stocking up on freeze dried foods for your survival stash, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Calorie density - Look for higher fat and protein options like freeze dried meat, eggs, or cheese to provide more calories per ounce for sustained energy.
- Balanced nutrition - Choose meals with a mix of protein, healthy fats, veggies, and some carbs rather than just freeze dried candy or sugary drinks.
- Simple preparation - Opt for freeze dried ingredients you can mix and match into full meals with just hot water instead of pre-made dishes that require precise cooking gadgets.
The top freeze dried survival foods to stock up on are versatile protein sources and fruits/veggies you can use as nutritious meal bases or snacks in an emergency situation.
Top Picks for Freeze Dried Meals
A balanced diet is crucial when relying on freeze dried survival food supplies. Here are some nutritious and easy-to-prepare freeze dried meals to include in your emergency kit:
Mountain House Freeze Dried Food Favorites
Mountain House is known for tasty, nutritious freeze dried meals. The Breakfast Skillet, for example, contains eggs, potato pieces, peppers and onions for a hearty 20g of protein. It's easy to prepare with just hot water and has a shelf life of up to 30 years.
Other top Mountain House picks include:
- Beef Stroganoff - Tender beef in a creamy sauce with noodles. 16g protein.
- Chicken Teriyaki with Rice - Sweet and tangy chicken with vegetables and rice. 13g protein.
Wise Company Cheesy Lasagna
This classic 18g protein comfort food has vitamins A, B6 and C. The tomato sauce helps retain moisture and the pasta cooks in 12 minutes with boiling water. Wise Company meals have a shelf life of up to 25 years.
Augason Farms Vegetable Stew Blend
A hearty mix of carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and celery. Each serving contains 12g of protein, 5g of fiber and a range of vitamins. As with all Augason Farms meals, this stew blend has a 20-30 year shelf life.
When building your emergency food supply, be sure to stock a variety of flavors and recipes to meet all your nutritional needs. Prioritize high protein, vitamin-rich freeze dried food with long shelf lives.
Essential Freeze Dried Proteins
Protein is a critical nutrient for maintaining strength, energy levels, and overall health, especially in challenging survival situations. Freeze dried options are lightweight, non-perishable, and easy to prepare, making them well-suited for inclusion in any emergency kit. Here are some top picks for freeze dried proteins to stock up on:
Mountain House Ground Beef
- 25g of protein per pouch
- Retains texture remarkably well after reconstituting
- Shelf-stable for up to 30 years
- Prepares in just 10-12 minutes by adding hot water
Wise Company Freeze Dried Chicken
- 27g protein per serving
- Low fat
- Tastes very similar to fresh chicken
- Convenient individual pouches
- 25+ year shelf life
Augason Farms Freeze Dried Eggs
- 6g protein and vitamin D per serving
- Can prepare scrambled eggs, omelets, etc.
- Lightweight and compact
- No refrigeration needed
- Lasts up to 25 years when properly stored
Having a good supply of freeze dried proteins is essential for maintaining strength and health long-term. Focus on nutritional balance and sufficient calories when building your food stockpile. Prioritize portable items with long shelf lives that are quick to prepare.
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Extending Shelf Life: Home Freeze Drying
Home freeze drying allows you to preserve everyday foods like fruits, vegetables, meals, and beverages for an extended shelf life. With the right equipment, you can create nutritious and lightweight DIY survival rations perfect for your bug out bag.
Preserving Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Oranges, apples, carrots and other fresh produce retain 98% of their nutrients when freeze dried. The low-temperature process prevents nutrient degradation, allowing you to stockpile garden harvests with a shelf life of up to 25 years.
Start with fresh, ripe produce and clean thoroughly. Slice into 1/4 inch pieces or shred to increase surface area. Arrange in a single layer on freeze dryer trays, leaving space between pieces. Freeze first, then vacuum seal and store in a cool, dark place. Rehydrate by adding hot or cold water before eating.
Creating Your Own Freeze Dried Meals
Cook rice, beans, pasta or other ingredients, then freeze dry into lightweight survival rations for your bug out bag's MRE stash. As the water is removed, the freeze drying process allows the food to rehydrate later with its original texture and flavor.
To make a bean and rice freeze dried meal:
- Cook 1 cup rice and 1 can beans together with seasonings
- Spread cooked mixture in a thin layer on trays and freeze overnight
- Place trays in freeze dryer and vacuum seal when complete
- Store in bug out bag for up to 30 years
Instant Beverages: Coffee and Milk
Stock your shelter with instant coffee that will outlive you. Brew coffee, then freeze dry the liquid into crystals. Do the same with milk or non-dairy alternatives. Store the ingredients separately with an oxygen absorber, then simply mix portions together and add hot water when needed.
With the right techniques, you can preserve a variety of everyday foods for multi-decade shelf life. Extend your stockpile and self-reliance with homemade freeze dried survival rations.
Building a Balanced Stockpile
Create a well-rounded emergency food supply using this checklist of essential freeze dried goods.
20-30 Breakfasts
Choose a selection of freeze dried breakfast foods including eggs, breakfast skillets, cereals, and fruits. Having 20-30 breakfast servings ensures variety while meeting caloric needs. Some great options are:
- Mountain House scrambled eggs and bacon/sausage/ham
- Oatmeal and fruit bowls
- Granola and milk
20-30 Lunches & Dinners
Focus on calorie-dense complete freeze dried meals with meat and vegetables. Good choices are:
- Chili, stew, pasta dishes with beef/chicken
- Rice and bean bowls
- Hearty soups like potato leek or minestrone
Aim for meals around 500-800 calories. Prepare by adding hot water and waiting 5-10 minutes.
Additional Proteins
Have 10-20 pouches each of freeze dried chicken, beef, turkey on hand. These make it easy to supplement meals with extra protein.
Rehydrate in recipes, wraps, rice bowls, etc. Choose shredded or diced textures.
Fruits, Veggies & Snacks
Round out nutrition with freeze dried produce like strawberries, peaches, carrots. Also have hearty trail mixes and nut bars for snacking.
Fruits add vitamin C and fiber. Carrots and veggies provide vitamins A, C, K.
Water & Emergency Items
Always store water packets, first aid kits, flashlights alongside food. Plan for 1 gallon of water per person per day.
Having ample water and medical supplies makes a big difference in an emergency situation alongside your food stockpile.
Trusted Freeze Dried Food Companies
Discover the leading brands in the industry and what makes their offerings stand out in the world of survival foods.
Mountain House: A Leader in Taste and Quality
Mountain House has been a trusted name in freeze dried survival food for over 50 years. Their meals are prepared using high-quality ingredients and then freeze dried to lock in flavor and nutrition. What makes Mountain House stand out is their commitment to great taste - their meals are some of the best tasting in the industry. They offer a wide variety of breakfasts, entrees, sides, and even desserts. With an average shelf life of 30 years and simple preparation by just adding hot water, Mountain House is a reliable choice for any emergency kit.
Wise Company's Variety and Nutritional Balance
Wise Company provides a huge selection of freeze dried foods including breakfasts, entrees, fruits, vegetables, meats and more. Their meals are designed by chefs and nutritionists to provide balanced nutrition. Each meal stays true to the natural flavors of the ingredients. Wise Company also has gluten-free and vegetarian options. Their food comes in individual pouches or larger buckets with 25-30 year shelf lives. With so many diverse meals to choose from, you can build a well-rounded food supply.
Augason Farms' Bulk Offerings
If you're looking to stock up on a large quantity of freeze dried food, Augason Farms has you covered. They specialize in pails and cans containing up to a year's supply of food for one person. Their selection includes breakfast and dinner entrees, meats, vegetables, fruits, baking mixes and more. While some survival food can taste bland, Augason Farms strives for better flavor in their meals. With up to 30 year shelf lives, their bulk buckets allow you to build a substantial emergency food supply. They offer both vegetarian and meat-based options.
Conclusion
Freeze dried survival foods are essential for any emergency preparedness kit. They check all the boxes in terms of being lightweight, nutritious, and having an extremely long shelf life. When building your stockpile, focus on protein-rich freeze dried meals as well as ones that contain nutrient-dense whole food ingredients.
Some of the best freeze dried survival food options include:
- Mountain House meals: Known for their portability and ease of preparation with just hot water. Their beef stroganoff, chicken teriyaki, and lasagna meals provide a tasty balance of carbs, protein, and fat.
- Wise Company buckets: Offer freeze dried ingredients like meat, vegetables, grains and more. Allows you to assemble full meals or use ingredients in other recipes. Their 60-serving entrée buckets provide economical bulk.
- Augason Farms breakfast and entrée assortments: Provide variety across different food groups. Well-reviewed for taste while still delivering nutrition.
No matter which freeze dried food companies you choose, building a diverse emergency stockpile is key. Include freeze dried meals across categories like breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Prioritize nutritional balance focusing on calories, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. This ensures you have hearty, energizing foods to rely on if the grid goes down. With the right planning, freeze dried foods can give you confidence that your survival needs are covered.
