Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
When disaster strikes, no one knows when things will return to normal. In some cases, things may never truly return to normal. With this being the case, it’s a good idea to stock up on foods that are meant for the long haul.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that these foods will only last 20 or more years if they are properly stored in conditions that are dry with stable temperatures and limited light exposure. You can learn more about that in our list of 10 things that will destroy your food storage.
With that said, here are 20 survival foods that can last at least 20 years.
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1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a key baking ingredient with an indefinite shelf life. It’s most commonly used to help bake cookies, cakes, muffins, and similar desserts.
Beyond baking, has many alternative uses—acting as a cleaning agent, a deodorizer, and even an antacid in a pinch. In fact, baking soda is one of the most versatile personal hygiene items, and can even be used as toothpaste.
Its ability to help maintain hygiene and keep your living space clean after a disaster makes it an indispensable item in any long-term food storage plan.
2. Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon cubes have an indefinite shelf life, allowing you to add chicken and beef flavoring to your food long after the SHTF. They are incredibly lightweight and small, making them a space-efficient way to add a little extra flavor to otherwise bland survival meals.
Their high salt content also helps with preserving the cubes and can give your body some much-needed sodium in times of physical exertion or dehydration.
3. Cocoa Powder
Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate during a crisis is actually a possibility thanks to the fact that cocoa powder can last 20+ years. Cocoa powder is not only a morale booster, it also contains antioxidants that are beneficial for health.
Unlike instant hot chocolate mix, pure cocoa powder doesn’t contain added fats or dairy, so it has a much longer shelf life. Plus, you can use it in recipes or as a flavor enhancer in baking, if you have other basic ingredients like sugar or powdered milk.
4. Dehydrated Fruits and Vegetables
If you own a dehydrator, you have the ability to make fruits and vegetables last 25+ years. Dehydrating preserves vital nutrients and allows you to enjoy the vitamins and minerals found in fresh produce long after your last trip to the grocery store.
With fruits, you get the sugars your body craves, while vegetables provide necessary fiber and essential vitamins. All in all, dehydrated produce ensures a balanced diet in survival scenarios.
5. Dried Beans
A survival food staple, dried beans can last over 30 years if they're stored properly. Beans come packed with proteins, one of the most essential macronutrients for muscle repair and energy.
They are also rich in fiber, which is important for digestive health. Beans are incredibly filling and can be cooked in large batches, pairing well with other survival staples like rice and corn.
6. Dried Corn
Whether you eat it as-is, grind it into cornmeal, or store lots of popcorn kernels, dried corn is a great survival food and it has a shelf life of 30+ years. Corn is incredibly versatile and can be a core part of your diet, offering carbohydrates that your body will need for energy.
Popcorn, when stored in kernels, can also be a simple, fun snack. Ground cornmeal can be used to make tortillas, cornbread, or as a thickening agent in soups.
7. Freeze-Dried Cheeses
You’ll get a little less mileage out of freeze-drying cheese, but freeze-dried cheese will still last 20+ years. In a world without access to fresh dairy products, freeze-dried cheese can give your food a touch of flavor. Whether it’s sprinkled on pasta or added to soups, it’s a great way to make meals more comforting.
8. Freeze-Dried Fruit, Meats, & Vegetables
From fruits and vegetables to chicken and beef, you can make most foods last 25+ years if you keep them freeze-dried. This method of preservation locks in nutrients while removing moisture, making these foods lightweight and ideal for storage.
Freeze-dried meats, in particular, are a fantastic source of protein, something that might otherwise be hard to come by during long-term survival scenarios.
9. Honey
Honey has an indefinite shelf life, allowing you to enjoy nature’s sweetener even if the apocalypse lasts a lifetime. It’s also antibacterial and can be used to treat minor wounds and burns.
Honey’s medicinal properties combined with its delicious taste make it a powerhouse survival food. Plus, its dense calorie content can give you quick bursts of energy when needed.
Related: 20 Reasons To Stock Up On Honey
10. Instant Beans
If you prefer your beans not to be dried, instant beans have a great shelf life as well, lasting 25+ years. Instant beans are pre-cooked and require much less water and fuel to prepare compared to dried beans.
In situations where resources are scarce, this can be a significant advantage. Like their dried counterparts, instant beans are rich in protein and fiber, making them an excellent staple food.
11. Instant Coffee
Stay energized post-disaster by stocking up on instant coffee. Stored properly, instant coffee will last 30+ years. In a world without coffee shops, instant coffee will be a luxury item, providing both a mental and physical boost.
The caffeine can help keep you alert and stave off headaches, while the comfort of a hot cup of coffee can offer a much-needed sense of normalcy.
12. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup lasts indefinitely thanks to its high sugar content. Sometimes mold can grow on top, but all you have to do is scrape it off and boil the syrup to kill it all.
Not only does maple syrup provide a natural sweetener for your food, but it’s also rich in minerals like zinc and manganese. You can drizzle it over pancakes, add it to baked goods, or use it to sweeten drinks.
13. Oats
If you enjoy a nice bowl of oats for breakfast in the morning, we’ve got good news: rolled and whole oats are able last 30+ years in the right conditions.
Oats are filling, high in fiber, and contain important nutrients like iron and magnesium. They are easy to prepare and versatile enough to be used in a variety of dishes, from porridge to homemade granola.
Related: How to Store Oats for Decades
14. Pasta
Those who appreciate Italian food will be happy to hear that pasta can last 30+ years. Pasta cooks quickly, stores easily, and can be paired with a variety of ingredients, including freeze-dried vegetables or canned sauces. Its long shelf life makes it a go-to for almost any food storage plan.
Related: How To Store Pasta So It Lasts For Decades
15. Potato Flakes
You won’t be able to enjoy fresh potatoes long after a disaster unless you grow them yourself, but potato flakes will last 20+ years. These flakes are lightweight and easy to store, providing a comforting and familiar side dish or ingredient.
Potato flakes can be rehydrated to make mashed potatoes or used to thicken soups and stews.
16. Powdered Milk
Unless you have a milk cow, enjoying milk post-disaster may be a challenge. Thankfully, powdered milk can last 20 years or more, but only if it’s nonfat.
Powdered milk is a great source of calcium and protein, essential nutrients that might be hard to get otherwise. You can reconstitute it to use in cereals, baked goods, or simply drink as a regular beverage.
17. Salt
Making survival foods taste as good as the cuisine we are used to can be a challenge. Thankfully, salt has an indefinite shelf life, and it has many uses.
Beyond seasoning food, salt can also be used for preserving meats and other perishables, cleaning wounds, and even making homemade saline solutions for first aid.
18. Sugar
You won’t have any problem sweetening your food and drinks as sugar has an indefinite shelf life. Sugar can also be used for preserving fruits (like making jams or jellies), and it provides a quick source of energy during times of physical activity or stress.
Keeping a good supply of sugar in your storage can also allow you to bake familiar treats, boosting morale when needed.
19. Wheat Berries
White flour only has a shelf life of 10 years. Wheat berries, however, have a shelf life of 20 years, allowing you to make your own flour long after your pre-processed flour has gone bad.
Whole wheat can be ground into flour as needed, keeping it fresher for longer. Wheat is rich in carbohydrates, and when paired with other ingredients, it can be turned into bread, pasta, or even used as a thickening agent.
20. White Rice
A large portion of the world gets by on a diet that is heavily dependent on white rice. After a disaster, the number of people sustaining themselves with white rice may increase even more since white rice has a shelf life of 30+ years. It’s easy to store in bulk and can be paired with almost any meal, providing a dependable and filling base.
Take note that you should avoid storing brown rice for SHTF purposes as it has a shelf life of only a few months even when stored in optimal conditions. This is a shame as brown rice is much more nutritious than white rice, but storing it for too long is a bad idea.
Related: How To Store Rice So It Lasts For Decades
Making Your Food Last
It’s worth reiterating that all of these foods will only last as long as stated if they are stored properly. Even foods with an indefinite shelf life can go bad in days given the wrong conditions. That’s why ensuring suitable conditions for your food storage should be just as much a priority as storing enough of it.
The most important rule to follow in regards to food storage is to store your food at normal room temperature in a dry location and out of direct sunlight. Select an area that receives suitable air ventilation, is temperature-controlled to ensure it remains cool, and is also completely free of pests.
Examples of potential locations that meet these criteria include root cellars, bedrooms, pantries, and closets. Examples of locations that do not meet these criteria include most basements, attics, garages, outdoor sheds, bathrooms, and utility rooms. Never store your food outdoors. Here is a list of potential food storage locations.
Even if you do store your food in a location that meets the above criteria, you still need to be very careful how you go about it. Simply placing your food in its original, store-bought packaging may not be the wisest move.
Instead, purchase Mylar bags of varying sizes, plastic food grade buckets also of varying sizes, and desiccant packs. Pour your food into the Mylar bags, making sure that there is only one type of food per bag, and seal the bag using applied heat (such as from a clothing iron).
Take a sharpie and on the outside of the Mylar bag, write down the name of the food and the specific date that you stored it. Proceed to place the Mylar bags in the food grade bucket. Throw one or two desiccant packs into the bucket, then close the bucket tightly. Store the bucket in a room that meets the criteria we discussed above.
Summary:
- Choose a well-ventilated and dry room at normal room temperature and away from direct sunlight.
- Put your food in Mylar bags.
- Seal the Mylar bags with heat treatment.
- Write down the date the food was stored on the outside of the bag.
- Place the Mylar bags in food-grade buckets.
- Place desiccant packs into the buckets to keep moisture out.
- Tightly close the bucket.
This strategy for food storage will go a long way to ensuring that it can last for many years while free of moisture, humidity, pests, and other factors that can cause it to go bad.
As long as you take the right precautions, these 20 foods will last 20 years or more, allowing you to ride out almost any disaster without going hungry.
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