It can be challenging to decide what is worth investing your money in, whether you are stocking up for a long-term doomsday type scenario or want to have a few extras in the cupboard "just in case."
Buying the appropriate goods the first time will keep you prepared and save you a ton of money. It is useless to buy items with a limited shelf life because most people won't be able to afford the expense of rotating old products for new ones.
Do you need help determining the finest long-shelf life food items to stock up on? You'll always be ready for anything if your pantry has long shelf-life items. How long do these foods last, though? Do foods that have long-shelf life ever go bad?
What Do Dates on Food Labels Mean?
Consumers often find the different dates on food labels confusing, and some individuals contend that they contribute to food waste by causing people to throw away food that may not be at its best but is still completely safe to eat.
Infant formula is the only item with a "use by" date required by federal law, and it should never be used after that date.
In addition, manufacturers choose the dates on the label as criteria to guarantee the highest quality:
- Best-By: this is the manufacturer's recommendation for the product's optimal flavor and quality. Nothing about this relates to safety.
- Use By: the last day the product's manufacturer advises consumers to consume it (except infant formula, which should always be kept from its use-by date).
- Sell By: also unrelated to safety, but a guide for retailers regarding how long to keep a product on display
- Freeze By: manufacturer's recommendation to maintain quality after a product has expired
If stored properly, many goods are perfectly safe to eat after these dates.
How vulnerable the food is to bacterial growth is an essential question when figuring out a food's shelf life.
The food is sealed against bacterial growth, and the amount of bacteria is reduced to safe levels throughout the commercial canning process.
You should rely on your senses to determine whether something is still safe to consume if it is old. Throw away anything that only appears poor, has apparent mold spores, has a black, oily appearance, has symptoms of a pest infestation, or packaging with water damage. Cans with dents, swelling, corrosion, or rust should be thrown away.
Make sure it smells good if it looks well. The fact that naturally existing oils included in the item can eventually go rancid is one of the main problems with non-canned shelf-stable substances.
Any unpleasant smell, mainly grassy or paint-like, indicates the food has gone bad.
Foods That Last 25 Years or More
Some food varieties can be stored for a long time—up to 25 years or even longer—than others. These food items are created to have a long shelf life and continue to supply vital nutrients even after prolonged storage.
These items include freeze-dried meals, fruits and vegetables that have been dehydrated, powdered milk, grains (including rice, wheat, and oats), beans, pasta, and specific kinds of canned goods.
Usually, these products are packaged in airtight cans or containers to maintain their freshness and stop spoiling. Proper storage practices, such as keeping the food out of direct sunlight and extremely hot or cold temperatures, can further increase its shelf life.
1. Dried Beans Last For 3-40 Years
Dried beans include a ton of vitamins and healthy fats in addition to a ton of proteins. They can last forever if kept in a cold, dry place.
When stocking up on dried beans, make sure they come in an airtight bag or sealed container because, often, if you find them in large quantities, they will cost much more than if you were to buy them unpacked by the pound. These will cost extra because they are marketed to preppers rather than the broader public, like your regular dried beans that aren't packaged.
If this is the situation in your area, purchase them in bulk, place them in vacuum-sealed bags, and include an oxygen absorbent before sealing them.
2. Powdered Milk Lasts For 2-25 Years
Many proteins can be found in powdered milk; if stored properly, they will last you for at least 20 years. The issue arises when you open the ziplock bags, which are typically sealed, and they come into touch with air.
Once these are opened, you must consume them within a few weeks because the oxygen and even temperature changes will cause them to spoil.
In the worst situation, the powder may become chunky due to water condensation; at this point, the products are still edible, but their shelf life is significantly reduced.
Be aware that most powdered milk's "best before" marking refers to flavor rather than quality.
3. Canned Foods Last For 2-30 Years
Many types of canned foods are available, including canned meat, some canned fruits and vegetables, and canned foods.
However, there are some canned foods, particularly canned meats, that have an unusually long shelf life, even beyond 25 years. In addition, you will discover the survival meals that endure forever.
4. Liquor Lasts For 25+ Years
The majority of people usually don't keep liquor on hand, but as a prepper, you should always do so because it has an almost endless shelf life and may be used for bartering in addition to being consumed.
Just be cautious because only hard liquor has a lengthy shelf life and not wine and beer, which are softer alcoholic beverages.
Although wine grows with age, today's wine market is flooded with artificial wines created from chemicals and powders that lack the characteristics of traditional wine.
5. Pasta Lasts For 4-30 Years
Pasta is simple to prepare, has a long shelf life, and doesn't require specific storage conditions. Although there are many different kinds of pasta, not all kinds have a long shelf life.
Dried pasta can be stored for a long time, but precooked pasta cannot. The same is true of any pasta you find in a can or with a sauce, as the sauce will cause the pasta to spoil over time.
If properly and stored correctly, pasta has a long shelf life, making it one of the finest survival meals.
6. Dehydrated Fruits Last For 5-25 Years
While thousands of various types of dehydrated foods are on the market, most of them have a very short shelf life.
Dehydrated fruits are one of those meals that you are better off making yourself. Because not all dehydrated foods have the same shelf life and the fruits with the lowest shelf life will begin to go bad and contaminate the other fruits, bags of mixed dehydrated fruits pose the biggest concern.
Additionally, the majority of packaged dried foods contain a lot of chemicals and preservatives. If you choose dehydrated fruits, check to see if they are vacuum-sealed and contain only one type of dehydrated fruit.
7. White Rice Lasts For 5-30 Years
Most preppers prefer rice to stockpile because it is inexpensive, easy to prepare, nutritious, and relatively simple to store. Although buckets can be used to store them, it is best to add an oxygen absorbent and seal the bucket.
White rice has a longer shelf life, but if you buy it in bulk, there's a good chance the rice isn't of the greatest quality, and your container may also include dirt, insects, and insect eggs. By including an oxygen absorber, any insects will be killed off and the bug eggs will not hatch.
8. Oats Last For 2-25 Years
Oats are high in fiber and carbs, whether rolled, powdered, or any other form. One of its advantages is that, with proper storage, they may easily last for 25 years and still be delicious.
They are also quite affordable and versatile when it comes to preparation. Oatmeal can satiate you quickly since it will swell in your stomach quickly, making you feel full much more quickly than with most other types of meals.
9. Cheese Lasts For 1-35 Years
While not every cheese is suitable for long-term storage, those that will last for decades if kept in the right conditions.
Parmesan cheese is the greatest choice because it contains very little water. Many hard cheeses are available; however, consider how you should keep them before purchasing them in large quantities. If you must place them in the refrigerator, their shelf life will be short.
10. Wheat Lasts For 1-25 Years
You will have no trouble purchasing wheat in bulk for a reasonable price because it may have an incredibly long shelf life when handled properly.
White flour has a long shelf life as long as it is not in touch with water, even though you must usually process wheat into white flour before using it.
11. Powdered Eggs Last For 10-30 Years
Despite having a very long shelf life, powdered eggs can be consumed alone or in combination with other dishes.
One of the main issues with powdered eggs is that they are quite susceptible to temperature changes. If you decide to store them, ensure they are in a place with good ventilation, in airtight container or a waterproof bag, and as an extra precaution, even in an oxygen absorbent.
12. Whole Nuts Last For 1-30 Years
Whole nuts can last a very long time if they are stored properly. Make good care you vacuum seal them and store them in a cool, dark place.
13. Sugar Lasts For 5-30 Years
If stored properly, sugar has an unusually long shelf life. Since sugar prefers to take water from the air, humidity is its primary issue. If there are significant temperature swings, this can happen rather readily.
14. Honey Can Last Forever
Honey has an extraordinarily long shelf life—by long, not just a few hundred years, but thousands of years.
There are many instances where individuals have discovered honey in ancient Egyptian pyramids that are still edible. Since sugar is present in practically all foods we purchase today, people frequently misjudge our dependence on it.
Honey is a fantastic substitute for sugar if you can't find it in an SHTF environment. Due to its antibacterial properties, honey can treat various diseases and wounds in addition to its high nutritional value.
15. Maple Syrup Lasts For 1-50 Years
The sugar concentration in maple syrup is substantial and has a very long shelf life. Similar to honey, it can be used as a food source and a temporary glue to cure some small wounds.
The largest danger to maple syrup's shelf life is oxygen, which can cause mold to grow on top of it if it is exposed to it for an extended period of time. If the mold is removed and the lid is correctly closed, the maple syrup, in this instance, is still edible.
16. Cocoa Lasts For 3-25 Years
Given its lengthy shelf life and low price, cocoa is more of a spice than a food product. Even though all food products have an expiration date, these are typically still safe to eat after that date.
One thing to watch out for is cocoa combined with milk, sugar, and other items because these do not have as long shelf life as dark chocolate. Purchase dark brown chocolate in its purest form for a longer shelf life.
17. Bouillon Cubes Lasts For 2-25 Years
Although they have a very long shelf life and are frequently used to prepare certain soups and sauces, bouillon cubes have essentially no nutritional value other than the salt they contain. However, adding bullion cubes to any dish is a tasty way to spice it up.
18. Salt Lasts For 5-25 Years
In addition to having an almost endless shelf life, salt is vital for human life. Lack of salt can lead to various health issues, including weariness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
For thousands of years, people have used salt not only for eating but also for food preservation. Any form of meat may be preserved with merely salt and in certain circumstances, smoking it. Salt absorbs moisture and also kills bacteria.
19. Baking Soda Lasts For 2-25 Years
You can easily get baking soda in bulk for a low price and use it as a cleaning agent in addition to cooking; just be careful not to let it come into touch with water, as this will significantly shorten its shelf life.
20. Cornstarch Lasts For 50+ Years
Although you can produce your cornstarch from dried corn, there is no need to because cornstarch is widely available and reasonably priced in large quantities. In addition, cornstarch can be used as food and a temporary glue.
21. Pemmican Lasts For 5-25 Years
While the Native Americans made pemmican with meat, fat, and vegetables, the contemporary pemmican you can buy in supermarkets is primarily made of meat and is laced with preservatives.
Making your pemmican is an option I recommend; all you need is some meat, animal fat, and vegetables. It is best to combine all the components, adds a lot of salt, and smoke the mixture before putting it in a vacuum-sealed bag because it is sensitive to humidity and temperature changes.
22. MREs Last For 5-30 Years
Most frequently used by the military, meals ready to eat typically have a shelf life of only a few years.
One of the main issues with these long-term MREs is that they are quite expensive for something you might never use.
However, as the prepping community and industry grow, you can now find MREs with a shelf life of over 25 years. If you still choose to use MREs to stockpile your food pantry, you should be aware that most of these only contain everyday items in special bags that have been pumped full of preservatives.
23. Ghee Lasts For 5-30 Years
While some people refer to ghee as butter, it is a purer form of butter used for thousands of years in ancient India.
Ghee has a far longer shelf life than conventional butter, which has a very short one. The issue with ghee is that it typically costs too much to be effectively stored.
24. Hardtack Lasts For 5-30 Years
Although it is not very nourishing and has a terrible flavor, hardtack has been used for thousands of years, notably by troops.
However, it does survive for a very long period. Since insects love hardtack, and some even use it for their larvae, how you store them poses the biggest threat to them, as sailors have known for decades.
25. Instant Coffee Lasts For 2-25 Years
Instant coffee has a nearly limitless shelf life as long as it doesn't contain natural dairy ingredients. It can be used as a barter item in addition to being used for its nutritional worth.
26. Ramen Noodles Last For 1-25 Years
Like pasta, ramen noodles are a great food to keep on hand for long periods. As long as they are in dried form; otherwise, their shelf life will be reduced to a few months if they are already cooked or covered in sauce.
27. Soy Sauce Lasts For 3-25 Years
Soy sauce has a very long shelf life and a very high sodium content (salt) level. Some soy sauces contain so much sodium that you could theoretically pickle other things or use them to preserve meat after the liquid evaporates and only the salt is left.
Remember that getting water will be difficult during a major SHTF, and since soy sauce contains a lot of salt, you will need a lot of water to digest it.
28. Spam Lasts For 5-25 Years
Spam is not typically thought of when considering long-term foods, but in addition to being affordable and highly nutritious, it also has a very long shelf life. It does contain some preservatives, but its high salt content is what makes it nonperishable for a long time.
29. Tea 2-25 Lasts For Years
Since tea has been consumed for thousands of years, what once considered expensive products are now available in every market. Before purchasing tea, it's crucial to remember that tea blends with fruits have a much shorter shelf life than pure tea leaves.
30. Corn Lasts For 5-40 Years
The world is full of corn, which is regarded as a staple meal in many nations. Be careful while hoarding corn; always choose dried or dehydrated varieties since canned corn has a shorter shelf life than dehydrated varieties.
For up to two years, canned corn can be kept in storage without becoming bad, but after that point, the can will start to swell and become unsafe to eat.
Choose Your Long-Term Survival Foods Wisely!
Always keep in mind that even food that has been properly stored might be impacted by rodents, weather, water, people, or other disasters when making prepping for the future. Planning and having backup survival strategies are essential. Food that lasts 25 years, must still be usable when you return to it; simply storing it for 25 years is insufficient.
