The Best Canned Foods to Stockpile for Emergency Situations Our Expert Guide Reveals All
Introduction
When disaster strikes, are you ready? Everyone should be, but especially those with young children. The American Red Cross recommends having an emergency food supply. Stock your pantry with long-lasting canned goods. Make sure they're easy to open! Remember, many canned foods are high in sodium. To ensure proper nutrition, get canned meats, vegetables, and fruits.
Read on for the best canned foods for emergency situations:
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Stockpiling canned fruits and veggies is a must for emergency situations. They are shelf-stable, plus no time-consuming prep is needed. Here's the lowdown on the best canned goods to store. Plus, the advantages of each will be discussed too.
Canned fruits
Canned fruits are an amazing way to get your daily nutrition during a food shortage. Plus, they last for years under ideal conditions! They are also a relatively cheap and delicious option. However, keep in mind that brands with high sugar content will reduce nutritional benefits.
When selecting, try to find products with the least amount of added sugar. Also look for options without preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors. Many manufacturers offer reduced-sugar versions now.
Be sure to pay attention to expiration dates! Heat can reduce the quality of the canned fruits. Store them in a cool place for long-term use.
Some widely available options include:
- Canned pineapple chunks in juice
- Canned sliced apples in syrup
- Canned pears in light syrup
- Canned peaches halves in juice
- Cranberry sauce
Canned vegetables
Canned veggies are key for emergency prepping. They're shelf-stable, lightweight and easy to transport. There's a wide range of canned veggies at the grocery store, so you can get lots of different types.
Canned veggies need more processing than other canned foods, to make them safe. Bacteria can't survive the heat treatment or high pressure.
Choose carefully – some canned veggies have salt added for flavor and shelf-life. Look for low-sodium or low-salt options, or rinse before eating.
Common Canned Veggies Include:
- Corn – a great source of calcium and Vitamin C. Replace it within one year.
- Green Beans – packed with Vitamin C and fiber. Avoid added salt or sauce.
- Mixed Vegetables – carrots, peas, corn and potatoes. Keep nutrition and freshness with canning. Perfect for emergency meal plans!
Canned Meats
Emergency prepping? Getting high-quality canned meats is key. But with so many options, which one's the best? Here's the scoop. We'll go over the types of canned meats ideal for emergency prep, plus the health perks of each:
Canned fish
Canned fish is a winning choice for emergency stockpiling. It's sustainable, versatile, and full of protein. It's got an impressive shelf life and offers nutritional value. Tuna, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring, and salmon are all viable fish-based options. Each has proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins A and D1.
Canned tuna is a favourite due to its mild flavour. It's great in salads, sandwiches, and pastas. Besides eating on its own, it can be used to add flavour to stocks, soups, and stews. Canned fish is ideal for convenience – no need to cook from scratch – just heat it up!
When choosing canned fish for emergency situations, consider the quantity per can. Bigger cans are cost-effective, but may contain more than you need at once. Think of it when calculating your food supplies for longer term shortages or power outages.
Canned poultry
Canned poultry is a great item to have in any emergency food stockpile! It's highly nutritious, shelf-stable and versatile. You can usually find it at any grocery store or large retail chain.
Canned poultry includes chicken, turkey, duck and more. It's cooked before being packed into cans, so it preserves flavor, nutrition and texture. It's also prepared with natural ingredients like sea salt or maltodextrin, to keep vitamins A and E at optimal levels.
If a recipe calls for multiple types of poultry, you can combine them without compromising taste or quality. For example, chicken and turkey make a delicious, not-too-greasy or salty meal.
Canned poultry is a nutritious source of protein. It provides iron, zinc, phosphorus, omega-3 fatty acids, and helps regulate hormones and maintain skin health. Plus, it's budget-friendly – most canned poultry products last up to three years when stored properly. All these benefits make it an essential emergency food item for any pantry!
Canned beef
Canned beef is the perfect food for emergencies! It can be stored for two years or more, and it's easy to prepare. Plus, it's high in protein – 12-18 grams per 1/4 cup serving. The most popular types are already cooked, like corned beef and pot roast in gravy.
You can eat it straight from the can, or use it to make tacos, salads, casseroles, burgers, and more. It's great for camping or hiking, too – it's transportable and doesn't need refrigeration. Stock up on canned beef for your next emergency!
Canned Beans and Grains
Stock up on canned beans and grains for emergency situations! They are both nutritious and easy to store. Canned beans are great for protein, and grains are full of carbs to keep your energy up.
This guide will discuss the different kinds of canned beans and grains you can have on hand. Plus, we'll cover the nutritional benefits!
Canned beans
Canned beans are a nutritious, easy-to-make option when stocking your pantry! They come in many types, like pinto, garbanzo, black, and kidney. They provide plant-based protein and can be added to almost any dish.
Monitor the ingredients used to make canned beans. High sodium and processed sugar levels should be avoided. Organic options are chemical-free.
Store canned beans in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity may spoil them. Rusty or bloated cans mean bacteria is present, so throw these out!
Ready-to-eat beans with great flavor are available from major brands. Check all labels for ingredients before buying.
Canned beans last for years. Look for expiration dates into the future. Stock up on your preferred type today!
Canned grains
Many people forget to store canned grains for emergencies. But it's an important step in preparation. Not all grains can be canned. So choose safe and beneficial ones.
Canned grains are processed and packaged. Common ones are white and brown rice. Specialty types include wild rice, quinoa, farro and mixed grain medleys.
Choose nutrient-dense grains with long-term benefits. White and brown rice are best. They're versatile and full of calories, carbs, B vitamins and minerals like iron, phosphorus and zinc. Read labels carefully when choosing canned grains. This helps you make an informed decision.
Canned Soups and Stews
Canned soups and stews are ideal in an emergency. But remember: too much salt is bad for health! So, look out for high protein levels, few additives and low sodium content in canned foods to stockpile. Let's explore what's available!
Canned soups
Canned soups and stews are great for emergencies. Flavors and thicknesses vary, from thick stews to light broths. These soups store well, require no refrigeration and are ready-to-eat!
When stockpiling, it's important to know what your family likes. Add a variety of veggie and meaty soups to give everyone multiple options.
Vegetarian Soups:
- Split pea
- Mushroom barley
- Vegetable primavera
- Minestrone
Meat Soups:
- Chicken noodle
- Beef stew
- Creamy chicken wild rice
- Cheesy beef chili mac stew
Canned stews
Canned stews are perfect for those emergency moments when you have no time to cook. Usually, they contain ready-to-eat ingredients like beef, potatoes, carrots and other veggies. Canned stews guarantee that you won't go hungry in a crisis and you can heat up a meal quickly.
You can choose from different flavors of canned stews. They can be served plain or on steamed rice or potatoes. Popular brands offer gourmet flavors such as beef tips and mushrooms, beef stroganoff, tequila lime chicken and Italian style meatballs.
When selecting canned stews for emergencies, opt for high quality brands with good reviews. Read the nutritional label before making your decision. Note that some cans may require cooking instructions to re-heat their contents while others may only require heating.
Canned Dairy
Canned dairy is a must-have in any emergency food stockpile. It offers vital nutrients needed in an emergency. Canned dairy has a long shelf-life and can last months or even years.
In this article, we'll look at the types of canned dairy, the nutrition it provides, and the best brands for stocking up for an emergency.
Canned milk
Canned milk is essential for every household's emergency food supply. It's incredibly convenient and can last up to two years if stored correctly. It doesn't need any refrigeration before opening, or special storage or prep.
Evaporated milk is the most popular type. It has a thick, creamy texture and lightly sweet taste, without any sweetener. It's about 60% of its initial fluid volume, as half the water has evaporated. It's less likely to spoil due to fewer lactose sugars that can carry bacteria. It's great in recipes, like coffee creamer, marinade, soups, sauces and casseroles – or simply enjoyed with cereal or hot chocolate!
Other types include condensed whole milk, with more than double the fat content of regular whole milk. Plus, there are shelf-stable modified milks made with vegetable fats instead of cow's milk fat. These are excellent dairy substitutes when real dairy isn't available due to temperature restrictions.
Canned cheese
Canned cheese is a great choice for stocking up your pantry. It's non-perishable and offers delicious cheese without the need to shop. With a shelf life that lasts longer than other dairy products, canned cheese is also easy to store and prepare.
You can find a range of canned cheeses with different textures, flavors and fat content. Popular types include cheddar, cream cheese-like spreadables, Parmesan, processed gouda or Swiss, and white sauce-based cheeses like American or Muenster. Béchamel sauce-based cheeses like Gouda softened with steam are also available. The texture may not be the same as fresh cheese, but it's great for topping dishes like pizza or pasta. Or try it in recipes like macaroni & cheese, hamburger helper casserole skillet dishes, quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches.
When buying canned cheese, look for cans with no dents. Choose cans with expiration dates approaching first, if needed right away. Make sure the lids aren't too loose or too tight – they should fit snugly.
Canned Juices
Canned juices: a sweet, nutritious snack for emergencies! Fruit and veggie juices – so many to choose from. Let's talk about the best canned juices for your pantry. From flavors to nutrition – what's the top pick?
Canned juices
Canned juices are a must-have for your pantry in case of emergencies. They offer nutrition and can be used to add flavor to dishes or drinks. You can find flavors like apple, orange, pineapple and even seasonal ones like cranberry. The shelf life of canned beverages changes, but most can last several months when unopened.
When selecting canned juices, read the ingredients and nutrition facts carefully. Some brands offer organic, all-natural options with no added sugar. Others are formulated with vitamins or minerals that provide health benefits.
Stock up on different kinds of canned beverages so you have plenty of options when it's time to use them in recipes or just enjoy them!
Conclusion
To wrap up, when it comes to stockpiling canned food, stick with the tried-and-true. Don't buy something that may not be eaten due to its qualities or shelf life. Prioritize beans, lentils, canned meats, and soup. These have many culinary uses and longer shelf lives. Canned fruits and veggies are great for snacking or adding nutrition when fresh produce is not available.
It's smartest to stock up on canned food when stores are well-stocked. Buy smartly and get the most variety at the lowest prices. Look out for sales and stock your pantry while saving money. That way, you'll be prepared in emergency situations!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the shelf lives of canned foods?
A1: Canned foods can last up to two to five years from the production date.