Last winter during a really nasty ice storm my family was without power for 23 hours and we were snowed in. Being the prepared and organized homemaker that I am I popped into our pantry, craned my little neck upwards and spotted three cans of cream of mushroom soup.
My gaze then wandered back down the shelf and landed on a box of stale saltine crackers and a jar of peanut butter that expired in 2022.
It was a humbling moment for me to say the least. We got through the storm.
We always do. But it made me realize that Iowa weather, especially in the Winter and Spring, can be extremely fickle.
We needed to be better prepared for emergencies in case we weren’t able to get out of the house.
Emergencies are scary. Emergencies can be a weather event, financial, even a loss of employment.
Emergencies are the times that you can’t leave the house, can’t make it to the grocery store and money is tight. Emergencies are unpredictable.
But if you’re prepared, have an emergency food pantry, it makes dealing with an emergency a whole lot easier and helps us feel like we’re retaining our sanity and dignity.
I’m going to share with you my emergency food pantry items that we always keep on hand. You’re not going to find buckets of freeze-dried, military-style MREs here.
Nope. Nor will you find 50-gallon buckets of wheat berries.
No sirree. What you WILL find is a list of common grocery store items that we purchase on a regular basis anyway that will be eaten by my family and not tossed aside if we had to rely on our emergency pantry.
So here is my Emergency Food Pantry list…
1. White Rice
Properly stored in a food-grade bucket, white rice has a shelf-life of about 25 years. Rice is an inexpensive and versatile food.
It can be added to salads, soups, stir-fries, used in casseroles and so much more. I’d recommend a 20 pound bag to ensure your family will be well-fed.
2. Dried Pasta
This is another item that is easy to keep on hand as it lasts a long time as long as you have a few pounds in rotation so you use it before it goes bad, is inexpensive and will be embraced by your children without complaint. Have a couple of different shapes on hand such as penne, spaghetti, and rotini, to help ward off dinnertime despair.
3. Rolled Oats
Rolled oats will last up to 2 years in an emergency. They can be used for hot cereal, baking, adding to your own granola recipes and can stretch your ground meat.
It’s more economical and creates less trash to purchase a large canister than individual packets.
4. All-Purpose Flour
You can make so many things from scratch using AP Flour including breads, pancakes, biscuits, etc. It makes a good coating for meats if you’re doing some frying, can be used to thicken gravies, soups and more.
Keep in an airtight container, like a bin with the flour in a bag, to keep out bugs and protect from humidity.
5. Cornmeal
Cornmeal will last about a year if you store it in an airtight container. You can use it to make cornbread, polenta*, thicken soups, make batters, etc. *In case you’ve never had polenta my husband had two bowls back in February.
Neither my husband nor I had ever had it before, but he devoured it. It’s very hearty and filling.
6. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Another item that’s versatile and lasts a long time. All you need is hot water to prepare a quick and filling meal.
You can also use these to thicken soups or stews if needed. They last several years so make sure to have some of these on hand.
Add some canned butter or some powdered milk for a tasty treat.
7. Crackers
I know crackers may not sound like an emergency food to some, but I’m sure you’d be happy to have a few of these stashed away in case of an emergency. These can be used as a bread alternative, dipped in peanut butter (another pantry staple), layered with canned fish, etc.
They are a comfort item and would be welcomed when times are lean. Have an assortment of crackers including buttery rounds, saltines, whole grain, etc.
Just like with peanut butter these will eventually go stale due to the amount of fat so make sure to check the expiration dates on your emergency stash.
8. Canned Tuna
High protein
No cooking required
Can be stored under normal conditions for 2-5 years
I know that canned tuna isn’t exactly exciting, but when your teenagers are willing to eat canned tuna straight from the can, you know that item belongs in your emergency food pantry. Use it straight from the can, pile it onto a cracker, add it to a salad, or layer it over pasta.
It’s quick, easy, and nutritious.
9. Canned Chicken
I know that canned chicken has a bad rap, but I’m telling you, once you try it, you’ll be converted. It’s one of the quickest, easiest sources of protein out there.
Add it to a casserole, a soup, a pasta dish or eat it on a cracker with some hot sauce. Keep a few (I suggest 4-6) cans of chicken in the pantry and I promise you’ll be thankful you did.
High protein
Lasts for several years in pantry
10. Canned Salmon
This one’s a little more expensive than its counterpart, canned tuna, but it has similar storage guidelines and lasts just as long. Plus, canned salmon is an amazing source of calcium and omega-3’s.
Use it in salmon patties, toss it into salads, stir it into pasta, or just enjoy it with some crackers.
High protein
Great source of omega-3’s
Lasts several years
11. Canned Beans
Canned beans are an inexpensive source of protein and an incredibly versatile item to keep on hand. Add them to tacos, toss them onto a salad, throw them into a soup or stir them into rice.
Kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans, navy beans…the list goes on and on. Stock up on canned beans and you’ll never worry about getting enough fiber and protein.
Inexpensive source of protein
No soaking required
Lasts several years
12. Dried Lentils
Lentils are an inexpensive, about two dollars a bag, versatile, high-protein item that can be added to an amazing number of dishes. Use lentils in taco filling, toss them into soups and stews or add them to pasta sauce.
Unlike other dried beans, lentils don’t need to be soaked. Just give them a rinse and cook them for 20 minutes and you’re ready to eat.
Store them in a tight-sealed container and they’ll last a year.
High protein
Inexpensive
Versatile
13. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter. It’s such an easy one.
It lasts up to two years in the pantry though it just needs to be refrigerated once it’s opened, it’s full of healthy fats and protein, and it’s one of the rare emergency items that can be eaten by the spoonful, straight from the container. Keep at least two or three big jars on hand.
14. Canned Tomatoes
Whether in the form of diced, crushed, or otherwise chopped-up tins, canned tomatoes are one of the best sources of flavor and nutrition on a budget. They last 2-5 years on the pantry shelf and can be added to a number of meals, from a quick pasta sauce to soups to chili to a shakshuka to a quick braise over some other source of protein.
I always have at least a dozen cans of diced or crushed tomatoes in my pantry at any given time.
15. Canned Tomato Paste
Similarly to canned tomatoes, canned tomato paste, which only takes a couple tablespoons to liven up a drab plate of pasta or rice, lasts several years and comes in teeny, tiny tins, meaning you can tuck a bunch of them away in a crack in the pantry.
16. Canned Corn
If you’re anything like my kids, you probably already love corn. It’s one of the few foods that can be considered a side dish on its own, simply heat and add some butter, but can also be tossed into a number of dishes like soups, rice, chili, and tacos.
Because it fits into so many recipes, it’s a pantry item that will get rotated in and out of your emergency supply easily.
17. Canned Green Beans
I can’t think of a better use of emergency prep money than canned green beans. They last for years, cost next to nothing, and are one of the only sources of actual veggies that will store well on the pantry shelf for an emergency situation.
Who wants to live on starches and protein for days upon days? Morale would plummet.
18. Canned Fruit
And I’m not just talking about fruit snacks, although those are always a hit with my kids. During tough times, teens’ food expectations are pretty basic, so a ‘real treat’ will go a long way.
Consider canned pears, peaches, mandarin oranges, pineapple… any fruit will do. Not only are they a morale booster, they’re also loaded with vitamin C and sugar.
19. Canned Coconut Milk
Canned Coconut Milk can be stored for 18 months to 2 years and is a great addition to an emergency food pantry. This tasty ingredient is a favorite of those who are dairy-free because it adds a nice, creamy texture to dishes.
Try using coconut milk in soups, rice dishes and curries. It’s delicious stirred into oatmeal, too.
Adding coconut milk to your emergency food storage is an easy way to jazz up meals that can be made using emergency supplies.
20. Canned Soup
Plain ol’ chicken noodle soup, minestrone, tomato, you-name-it soup will be welcomed during an emergency. Especially if there’s a pot of it, nice and hot, waiting to be eaten.
Add some rice or pasta to make it a more substantial meal. One of the best things about adding canned soup to an emergency food storage is that you can eat it on a regular basis to keep the supply fresh.
21. Chicken or Vegetable Bouillon Cubes
Another item on the list of foods to stock up on for an emergency are bouillon cubes. Just add hot water to make a tasty chicken or vegetable broth that can be used to make gravies, sauces, soups or added to rice or pasta dishes.
Bouillon Cubes keep for two years and take up very little storage space.
22. Soy Sauce
Soy Sauce adds an earthy umami flavor to rice, noodle dishes, meat dishes, stir fries, marinades and more. Stock up on soy sauce and use it to enhance dishes made with your emergency supplies so dinner will be a meal, and not just rations.
An unopened bottle of soy sauce will keep for years. Once opened, soy sauce will keep on the pantry shelf for months.
23. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce will last 3-5 years in an unopened container and several months after it is opened without being stored in the fridge. Eating the same foods day after day during an emergency would be a challenge and a hot sauce would help.
Tabasco, Frank’s and Cholula are great additions to your emergency pantry.
24. Salt
Believe it or not, salt is an item that many home preppers overlook. Meals made with canned or preserved foods do not taste very good without it.
Salt is an absolute necessity to cook and prepare basic foods. Iodized salt is very inexpensive and will never expire.
Keep at least 2 large containers of salt in your food storage at all times.
25. Sugar
Sugar is another item that lasts indefinitely as long as it’s stored in an airtight container. Sugar is a pantry item that can be used for so much besides just sweetening your morning cup of coffee.
Baking, sweetening hot oatmeal, preserving foods and making simple syrups are just a few of the items that require a supply of sugar in your pantry. Sugar also lifts the spirits when life becomes difficult and your emergency sugar stash will come in handy if you decide to bake a batch of sugar cookies or make a single-serving cake in a mug.
Keep at least 5 lbs of sugar on hand at all times.
26. Honey
Honey also lasts forever. Archaeologists have discovered pots of honey that are more than 3,000 years old in Egyptian tombs and the honey is still edible.
Honey can be used to sweeten drinks, replace sugar in many baked goods, soothe a sore throat and can be used to treat wounds. Having a large container of honey in your emergency food pantry is a great idea especially if you can work through what you have on hand before it’s needed which would keep the supply fresh and organic.
27. Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil
You can’t cook without fat! Vegetable or canola oil is inexpensive and very versatile.
It’s great for frying, baking, sautéing and making salad dressings. Oil has a shelf life of 1-2 years.
Keep at least 1 large container in your pantry at all times and replace it once it’s been opened.
28. Olive Oil
Olive oil lasts about 18 months to 2 years, depending on the bottle, and adds so much more flavor to food. Use it for a finishing oil, simple vinaigrettes, roasting veggies, drizzled over pasta…the options are endless.
29. Apple Cider Vinegar
A few bottles of apple cider vinegar only cost a few dollars at most grocery stores and will last almost indefinitely. ACV is the base for many salad dressings, enhances soups and sauces, rinses hair, helps with digestion, and cleans.
This inexpensive item is incredibly useful.
30. Baking Powder and Baking Soda
If you have flour, sugar, oil, and baking powder, you have pancakes. Add baking soda and a splash of vinegar and you have cake.
BP and BS are the items that will take your emergency foods from “we have food” to “we have meals” status. Baking soda also cleans, deodorizes, and scrubs for little to no cost.
31. Powdered Milk
Powdered milk isn’t glamorous, but can last anywhere from 2-10 years depending on storage. It’s nice to have on hand in case of an emergency for baking, in a bowl of cereal, added to coffee, etc.
We love having some on hand for snowy days for cereal. It’s a great addition to oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, baked goods, and cream soups.
32. Evaporated Milk
Like powdered milk, canned evaporated milk is an easy, economical item to add to your pantry. The shelf-life is only about 1 year, but you’ll be surprised how versatile evaporated milk is compared to powdered.
We keep a 6 pack in our pantry and use them in soups and sauces, baked goods, mashed potatoes…any recipe that calls for milk or even heavy cream. Having a six-pack in the pantry makes it easy to rotate them out into everyday items.
33. Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea is a morale-booster. Store coffee in an airtight container in your freezer for longevity.
Freeze tea bags as well. We use a couple of mason jars to keep tea and coffee in the freezer.
We rotate out coffee/tea as needed.
If there was a fire and you could save one item from your food storage, coffee or food, what would you save? Coffee, obviously.
Coffee has many health benefits including calming nerves and reducing stress. During an extended stay-at-home period coffee would be my grounding item of normalcy and sanity.
Stock up on coffee, tea, anything. Tea will keep YEARS and coffee MONTHS.
Check your pantries. Chances are you have tea way past its expiration and coffee that is a couple of months past its prime.
Stock up on more.
34. Multivitamins
Depending on the foods you’re eating during an emergency situation they may not always be the most nutritious. This is where multivitamins can help.
Have a bottle in your emergency food pantry but remember to change that bottle out yearly. Remember, perfection has gone out the window during an emergency, your goal is simply to keep your family fed, healthy, and functioning.
35. Comfort Food, Whatever That Means for Your Family
This item doesn’t necessarily have to be nutritious but is necessary for morale. Each family should have at least one item in their emergency food pantry guidelines list that’s dedicated to morale.
In our family it would be brownie mix, Nutella, or microwave popcorn. It could be candy, a favorite breakfast cereal, Nutella, whatever brings a smile to your family’s face during a trying circumstance.
Don’t knock anyone for keeping a couple of these items in their pantry because it’s priceless to hand one of these goodies to your child who has gone through hardships. It will mean so much more to them than the item’s actual worth.
And then there’s that day that an ice storm hits out of the blue. Are you going to be glad you have a well-stocked emergency food supply?
Or are you going to wish you had something besides expired peanut butter? Which one of those do WE want to be?
Building a well-stocked emergency food supply does NOT have to happen in one shopping trip. In fact, that’s not what we’re encouraging at all.
That would be a lot like panic-buying or hoarding. Each time you go to the grocery store, pick up a couple items from the checklist.
Next time maybe pick up 5. Maybe another trip you’ll pick up 10 items.
Little-by-little, those shelves in your pantry are going to be FILLED with great items.
Emergencies happen…chaos happens…jobs get affected…storms happen…be READY. Your household CAN be self-sufficient.
I hope this list of inexpensive and helpful items gives you some ideas on what to add to your pantry.