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When it comes to emergency preparedness, most of us understand the importance of protein. It’s one of the main reasons preppers and homesteaders raise chickens and other livestock. Protein is an essential part of a balanced diet, and it’s imperative for surviving off the grid and becoming more self-sufficient.
Thanks to the recent pandemic, many people have stopped and looked at how much food they keep in their homes and whether it can sustain them for a long time. While some people hunt or raise animals for their supply of protein, most of us need to simply stock up on canned meat.
Shelf-stable protein options are important to have in your home. There are all kinds of canned meats out there. Some are great, some are kind of weird, and some are downright disgusting. In this article, we’re going to list the best canned meats that you should stockpile so you’ll have plenty of protein when the grid goes down.
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1. Chili
A can of chili has both meat and beans that provide a lot of protein. You can choose to stockpile chili with or without beans, but either choice will give you a ton of flavor in a ready-to-eat meal. We like this pack of Wolf Brand Spicy Chili.
2. SPAM
Well known in many parts of the world, SPAM is a shelf-stable protein option that has earned its place on your stockpile shelf. It is relatively cheap and full of protein that is edible right out of the can.
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SPAM is best served when fried, which should be easy to do if you’re in a survival situation and already have the fire going. It’s also very affordable, especially if you get a 12-pack.
3. Corned Beef Hash
This variety of Mary Kitchen Corn Beef Hash from Hormel is a good option for preppers looking for a one-stop meal. Each can is 14 ounces, and they come in packs of 12. What’s great about this canned meat is it also comes with potatoes and seasonings to brighten up any meal.
4. Tuna
Whether you choose tuna in oil or water, loading up on cans of this important meat is important. A can of tuna is not only small, which means you can store more of it, but it also is a great way to mix up the monotony of protein choices that you have on hand. As a lean fish, tuna includes omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital to overall health.
Tuna sometimes comes in large packs, like this 48 count pack of Starkist Canned Tuna. Try mixing up your stockpile with the newer tuna foil packets that come in different flavors like lemon pepper or sweet and spicy. While you can get the flavored tuna in large bulk orders, this smaller variety 4 pack is worth considering if you just want to try it out.
5. Chicken Breast
Another great canned meat is canned chicken breast. Chicken can sometimes be a bit on the weary side of the canned meat section, but this set of Kirkland Canned Chicken tastes and looks great. The big chunks of chicken are easy to eat or add to a meal, and each can is 12.5 ounces.
6. Keystone Meats
Keystone Meats is a well-known Ohio based meat company that produces great all-natural meat options to add to your stockpile. They have a wide variety of different meats and flavors that usually come in a 14.5-ounce can. You can purchase this meat online but usually find them cheaper in stores around your local area.
7. Tamales with Sauce
To help add some variety to your meat stockpile, consider picking up a case of these La Preferida Beef & Pork Tamales. Each can is 15 ounces and includes enough spices to create a delicious meal that is a bit different from the rest. These also come in packs of 12.
8. Vienna Sausage
Some of the best canned meats are the ones that can add protein to any kind of dish. Vienna Sausage is one of those options that can be eaten by itself or sliced and added to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We like this box of Libby’s Vienna Sausage on Amazon that weighs a total of 5 pounds.
9. Beef Stew
Opening a can for a complete meal is a good option for preppers. Dinty Moore Beef Stew comes in a 15-ounce can that includes the beef as well as potatoes and vegetables. Warm up the can and add in some water to make a comforting meal even in the worst of times.
Related Article: 10 Ways to Store Meat Without a Refrigerator
Home Canned Meats
When choosing to can your own meat that you either raised on the farm or have harvested yourself, it is vital to learn how to do it correctly to not accidentally harm yourself or your family. Meat is a low acid food, making it the perfect spot for bacteria to grow when canned.
Canning your own meats is a process that can include the whole family. You should be able to can any kind of meat that you raise including chicken, pork, beef, rabbit, and venison. Many preppers also choose to can their own pickled versions of protein like pickled eggs, which can come in handy in a survival situation.
No matter what kind of meat you choose to can, make sure that you research how to make it and can it so that the end product is safe and healthy to eat months or even years down the road.
Protein is an essential part of any emergency stockpile. Meat is an important part of any balanced diet and is a needed component when surviving in an SHTF situation. Stock up on your meat storage by choosing any or all of these canned meats for preppers.
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Libby’s is the only “corned beef hash” that has actual corned beef. The rest just say “beef.”
SPAM is now available marinated several different ways. It’s also available made form turkey. Many people dislike Spam because of three reasons:
1) veterans hate it because it was served excessively by the military.
2) they have only been served plain pork Spam. Plus it was usually served fried.
3) they believe it’s a food only ate by POOR People.
You can find lots of recipes for cooking Spam. This website has lots of them.
I have actually found recipes that date back to the 1940’s. they also came from England. So the odds are good no American’s ate them recently.
Morning, I really like this post and the one I downloaded before that ’20 Best Protein Sources’. Although there were a few that I honestly dislike, there are a few I never thought of, so I’ll try and look for them the next time I’m at the store. I’m new to all of this, which I got into since the Pandemic hit us. There are a lot things I’d like to be doing on my own but have trouble doing so living on a fixed income. I do what I can with what I get. I’m a member of Amazon Prime now and find they have all sorts of items to put in the pantry at decent prices. Thanks so much for being available and the information you give out. I’m trying to set up a pantry in my tiny apartment and the items you listed are going to be on my list to get that I don’t already store in my cupboard.
All the Keystone canned meats are a delight to use and store, The company claims a 5 year shelf life, and I have never seen them in less than 28 ounce cans, not 14.5 as listed above, We especially like the roast beef. It comes in what I would call a ‘pulled beef’ style and we have it over instant mashed potatoes and packaged gravy mix. Served hot it is about three meals for the two of us.
You really need to read the label. Most of the caned meats are over the hill in salt. You are better off canning your own, or being real careful what you buy. Tunna in water has a lot less salt….
Would have been nice to give shelf lives for each option.
Shelf life varies on all canned goods and the most important thing is how and where you store them. They all have a best by date which doesn’t mean they are bad after that date just that they may lose nutrients or flavor. Try doing your OWN research on storing canned goods. You’ll learn a lot more that way.
How long do these items keep?
There are a lot of options available, and personally, I’ve favored stockpiling the Store Brand (like Great Value and Sure Fine) over the Name Brands, simply because they’re less costly. Vienna Sausages are a great example, as they’re typically almost half the cost of the Name Brand.
Selection may be limited, as you won’t see as many flavor options, but that’s the only drawback I’ve found.
Being a retiree on a budget, I’vd limited resources, so I’m tossing this out there because I’m sure there are others with limited means in the Preppin/Homesteading community.