Prepare your pantry with the best foods to stockpile for any emergency. From high-energy survival foods to stockpile to essential foods to stockpile in emergencies, this guide covers everything you need to stay nourished and ready. Discover the top emergency foods to stockpile and the best foods to stockpile for survival so you can build a reliable, long-lasting food supply today.
When disaster strikes, stress can drain your energy faster than usual, which is why having the survival foods to stockpile isn’t just smart—it’s essential. I always focus on the best foods to stockpile for survival, choosing items that are high in energy and protein while remaining shelf-stable. In an emergency, these foods to stockpile in emergencies give you the fuel you need to keep going strong.
There are plenty of options to build a reliable food supply. I make sure to stock up on canned goods, clean drinking water, teas, powdered milk, protein sources, grains, cooking oils, seasonings, and even a few treats for comfort—these are the emergency foods to stockpile that cover both nutrition and morale. Pairing these with other essentials like multivitamins, medicine, first aid kits, hygiene items, paper goods, batteries, and solar lights ensures your survival foods to stockpile aren’t the only things keeping you ready, safe, and self-sufficient when the unexpected happens.
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Foods to Stockpile
Canned Food
Canned foods are a cornerstone when it comes to the best foods to stockpile. They’re shelf-stable, versatile, and there are countless options to support your family’s diet—and don’t forget your pets! Stockpiling canned goods ensures you always have reliable, long-lasting nutrition on hand when you need it most.
Even though canned foods last a long time, it’s important to rotate your supply regularly. Incorporate your stockpiled items into meals before they reach their expiration dates to avoid waste, and always replace what you use. By doing this, your foods to stockpile in emergencies stays fresh, effective, and ready whenever an unexpected situation arises.
I have a post about how to stock a working pantry for further information. How to Stock a Working Pantry: Plus Tips to Use Your Stockpile
Can Openers
Make sure to keep a supply of different types of can openers near your foods to stockpile in emergencies. Having a variety ensures that every family member can access your best foods to stockpile for survival when needed. There are can openers designed for older adults, kids, and everyone in between—making it easy for all ages to handle your emergency foods to stockpile safely.
If you include battery-operated can openers in your setup, keep extra batteries on hand to make sure they’re always ready to use with your survival foods to stockpile. And when all else fails, you can teach your family a backup method—like opening a can with your bare hands in just a few minutes, demonstrated in my other post—so your best foods to stockpile are always accessible. My teenage son demonstrates just how easy it can be to open a can of food with your bare hands, for when you or your children are caught after a disaster, and you cannot find any can openers.
Water
Stockpiling water in your pantry is an absolute must when preparing your best foods to stockpile for survival. Water is essential for life, cooking, and overall survival, so make sure you have enough for every member of your family—and don’t forget your pets!
There are several ways to store water as part of your foods to stockpile in emergencies, from bottled water to large refillable containers, ensuring you always have a reliable supply to pair with your emergency foods to stockpile and other survival foods to stockpile.
I like to create a bottled water tower in my pantry with those large packs of bottled water that have 40 bottles. Every time I make a shopping trip, I buy one of those and add it to my water tower by stacking them as high as I can. Since I have cats that love to climb, I keep my stacked bottled water tower in an area to which my cats do not have access, since their claws will poke holes in the water bottles (ask me how I know!) I also keep it covered with a black king-size sheet because I also like my pantry to be neat and tidy.
Stackable 3-Gallon Water Tower
Another great option for storing water is using stackable 3-gallon water containers. These are perfect to keep in your pantry alongside a bottled water tower as part of your foods to stockpile in emergencies. While the bottled water is ideal for drinking, these 3-gallon containers can be reserved for cooking, cleaning, and hygiene, making them a practical addition to your best foods to stockpile for survival setup.
Because water is heavy, it’s important to store it in manageable, easy-to-handle containers. These stackable 3-gallon units are designed for easy lifting, refilling, and stacking, ensuring your survival foods to stockpile and emergency water supply stay organized and accessible when you need them most.
Outdoor Water
Rain Barrels for outside.
Rainwater harvesting is essential for your outdoor garden. You can install them by your downspouts to collect rainwater. You can use your harvested rainwater for your plants and livestock.
This rainfall harvest calculator is a helpful tool to help you learn about the rainwater you could potentially collect and about how many rain barrels you may need to get the biggest rainwater harvest you can for your garden and livestock (if you have any livestock).
Teas
Teas are comforting and beneficial to our health. Herbal teas provide many health benefits that can help treat and manage many ailments we may suffer from. Provide a nice stockpile of herbal teas in your pantry since dried teas are shelf-stable.
Start and grow your own herbal tea garden. You can learn more about how herbal teas are beneficial to our health by reading my article called 16 Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden Now.
You never know when you might want a cup of tea!
Powdered Milk
Remember to stockpile powdered milk in your pantry. You can use powdered milk in dry mixes that create soups and sauces by keeping powdered milk and other dry ingredients mixed together in jars or other containers for your convenience. I have written a helpful guide on how to actually use your powdered milk! Surprising Ways to Use Powdered Milk in Your Recipes
You can find a good recipe of mine from my other post discussing how SOS Mix is Essential for Your Survival Pantry and why you need this recipe, since it can basically replace any cream-of-something soup or create a base for any soup or sauce.
Keeping a good stockpile of powdered milk in your pantry makes cooking much easier for recipes where you want a creamy texture in your food.
Protein
Beans
Beans are a powerhouse of protein and an essential addition to your best foods to stockpile for survival. Store a variety of dry beans in food-grade buckets—they’re shelf-stable for the long term, making them perfect foods to stockpile in emergencies.
I also like to grow a few favorite varieties in my garden. Beans are easy to cultivate, yield a large harvest, and make an excellent addition to your homegrown survival foods to stockpile. The best part? You can even plant a dry bean to grow more beans, creating a sustainable cycle of protein-packed nutrition for your family.
Check out my post about how to Stock Your Survival Garden with Bush Beans Seeds
Oats
Oats are an excellent choice for your best foods to stockpile for survival. They’re shelf-stable for the long term and versatile enough to use in a variety of recipes—add them to bread, muffins, pancakes, or enjoy them as a simple fruit-flavored oatmeal. Keeping a few large buckets of oats in your pantry ensures you have a reliable source of protein among your foods to stockpile in emergencies and survival foods to stockpile, helping keep your family nourished no matter the situation.
Peanut Butter
Stockpiling peanut butter is a smart strategy for your best foods to stockpile for survival. It’s packed with protein, adds flavor to recipes, and provides a healthy source of fat for extra calories.
One of the biggest advantages of peanut butter is its shelf stability, making it perfect for your foods to stockpile in emergencies. Keep a supply of jars in your pantry, and consider adding peanut butter powder to extend your stock even further. You can rehydrate the powder into a spread or use it in recipes like muffins and pancakes, giving your survival foods to stockpile versatility and long-lasting nutrition.
Poultry Protein
Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, making them a valuable addition to your best foods to stockpile for survival. While store-bought eggs aren’t shelf-stable for long, there are ways to ensure your family has a reliable egg supply in an emergency.
If you have space, a small backyard chicken coop with a few egg-laying hens can provide fresh, farm eggs that last longer than grocery store eggs—especially if you avoid washing them. Another great option is egg powder, which can be stored in your pantry as part of your foods to stockpile in emergencies. Egg powder has a long shelf life and can be used for baking or cooking, making it a versatile addition to your survival foods to stockpile.
Seasonings and Spices
Seasonings and spices are great to stockpile in your pantry and are shelf-stable. They help flavor food and make eating more enjoyable.
If you can, it is best to stockpile these items in their whole forms, meaning they are not ground up as powder. You can buy whole peppercorns, whole nutmegs, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and whole seeds, which will provide a longer shelf life.
Then invest in a good manual grinder to grind up your whole spices. Be sure to keep your manual grinder clean between uses. Having a manual grinder available in your pantry offers you a more self-sufficient option to grind your spices rather than relying on an electric one if you need it for power outages or an off-grid living situation.
Cooking Oil
Cooking oil is an essential pantry staple with a long shelf life, making it a key item for your best foods to stockpile for survival. It’s versatile, perfect for both cooking and baking, and provides essential fats to keep your family nourished.
For maximum flexibility, keep a variety of oils in your stockpile, including both liquid and solid options. Liquid oils can include vegetable, avocado, grapeseed, canola, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils. Solid oils, such as coconut, palm, shortening, lard, and butter, are great for baking and frying. By including a mix of oils in your foods to stockpile in emergencies, you ensure your survival foods to stockpile are as versatile and useful as possible.
Grains
Grains are simple, versatile, and essential for your best foods to stockpile for survival. They’re incredibly shelf-stable when stored properly, making them a cornerstone of any long-term food supply. Stockpiling a variety of grains in bulk—stored in large food-grade buckets—ensures you have reliable nutrition for your family in any situation.
Some excellent grains to include in your foods to stockpile in emergencies are wheat berries, barley, quinoa, rice, rye, popcorn kernels, and flour. Keep your family’s dietary needs in mind, and include gluten-free options if needed. Don’t forget dried pasta, which can also last long when stored properly. I like to keep different types of pasta in separate food-grade buckets in their original packaging, labeling each container for easy organization. This way, your survival foods to stockpile are ready to use whenever you need them.
Sweets and Sweeteners
Stockpiling sweets and sweeteners is a smart addition to your best foods to stockpile for survival, perfect for baking, sweetening teas, or adding a touch of comfort to meals. Keep a variety of sugars and sweeteners in your pantry, as they’re highly shelf-stable and easy to store.
You can also stockpile dried sweets like dried fruits, dates, figs, and raisins. These not only add natural sweetness to your recipes but also enhance teas and snacks, making them a versatile part of your foods to stockpile in emergencies. For a special treat, try brewing a home-brewed tea with dried fruits—simple, flavorful, and a comforting addition to your survival foods to stockpile.
To Recap: Foods to Stockpile
Here’s a quick recap of the essential best foods to stockpile for a well-prepared pantry:
- Canned Food – Shelf-stable, versatile, and perfect for family meals (don’t forget pets!).
- Water – Essential for drinking, cooking, and hygiene; store in manageable containers.
- Teas – A comforting and long-lasting beverage option.
- Powdered Milk – Shelf-stable dairy for cooking, baking, and nutrition.
- Protein – Beans, peanut butter, eggs (or egg powder), and other protein-packed staples.
- Seasonings and Spices – Add flavor and variety to your meals.
- Cooking Oil – Both liquid and solid oils for cooking, baking, and nutrition.
- Grains – Wheat, rice, barley, quinoa, flour, pasta, and other shelf-stable staples.
- Sweets and Sweeteners – Sugar, honey, dried fruits, and other treats to enhance meals and teas.
These foods to stockpile in emergencies create a strong foundation for your survival foods to stockpile, keeping your family nourished and ready for anything.
Nonfoods to Stockpile
Multivitamins
It is vital to stockpile multivitamins and natural alternative medication supplements in your pantry. Sometimes, medicine in pharmacies is the first to go when panic shoppers buy them out during a crisis, emergency, or natural disaster. We know this from experience, watching pharmacies and grocery stores become out of stock during pandemics or natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
So be sure to keep these supplements in your pantry to help you get by during an emergency situation to help keep you and your family healthy.
Medicine
It is also essential to stockpile the medicine you and your family may need. Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet in your pantry. A good supply of anti-inflammatory medication, blood thinners if necessary, diabetic supplies, allergy pens, and anything else you and your family may need medically is also good to stockpile.
Keep cold and flu medicine available in your medicine cabinet to help fight off these viruses. It is also important to keep pain medication available to help with any pain or stress related to an emergency.
First Aid Kits
It is smart to keep a first aid kit fully stocked in your pantry for emergencies. You can have peace of mind knowing that you have a good stock of your own medical supplies right in your pantry, which is now your survival pantry.
You can hang your first aid kit in an easily accessible place in your pantry where everyone can have access to it and where everyone knows where to find it, including your kids. If something happens to you, you can send your child to grab the first aid kit and know that they will not have any issues finding it or reaching for it.
Personal Hygiene
Stockpiling shelf stable personal hygiene is important. Remember when the COVID pandemic broke out globally and we could not find personal hygiene items, including toilet paper? This should be a learning experience for us to keep our own stockpile of these items right in our own pantry.
A good list of personal hygiene products to keep in your pantry includes toiletries, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, mouthwash, Q-tips, cotton balls, bath sponges, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, soaps, and anything else you and your family need to keep fresh and clean.
Household Supplies
You also need to keep a good stock of household supplies like paper towels, dish detergent, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, Lysol, bleach, and anything you need to keep a clean and healthy home.
Batteries
Batteries can be stockpiled for long-term storage. Be sure to stockpile a variety of sizes and types of batteries that are required for all your battery-operated products.
Solar Lights
I am so glad you are still with me because I wanted to share a self-sufficient tip for important items to stockpile in your pantry, and that is solar lights.
When the power goes out, you can save battery life with the use of solar lights. Solar lights can last indefinitely, so they are self-stable. You can keep those tabs in them until you are ready to use them. They are reusable and can be placed back in your pantry to be stored away until you need them again. One thing about this option for your lighting needs is that if the power goes out, you will need to use your other light sources while the solar lights are charging in the sun.
Once they are charged during the day, you can bring them in at night to place them around your home where you need light. Keep putting them outside for charging during the day until you no longer need them. This is a great option for a long-term power outage or if you are living off the grid.
Is It Worth It Though?
While it may seem like a hassle to recharge your indoor solar lights every day, you will have free off-grid, non-battery-operated lights to light up your home. A good way to do this is by placing them all in an easy-to-carry basket with the solar panels facing upwards in groups and placing the whole basket of solar lights out in the sun for the whole day. Then all you need to do is bring in your basket and place your lights around the house.
If you do not mind doing that small, tedious task, then it is a great idea to stockpile solar lights that come in a variety of different styles, shapes, and sizes.
Conclusion
In the end, stockpiling survival foods isn’t just about preparing for the worst—it’s about giving yourself and your family peace of mind. I’ve learned that having the right supplies, from nutrient-dense foods to multivitamins, medicine, and first aid essentials, can make all the difference when times get tough.
It’s not just about food; personal hygiene, household supplies, and even things like batteries and solar lights ensure you can stay safe and comfortable no matter what comes your way. If you haven’t started yet, now is the time. Take small steps, build your stockpile, and be ready for whatever the future holds.
Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.
- Top Emergency Foods to Stockpile Just In Case – By Real Simple
- What Should Your Emergency Pantry Look Like? – By Mississippi Office of Homeland Security
- Foods to Stockpile In Your Storm Shelter – By Ground Zero Storm Shelters (good lists here!)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do survival foods last?
Most canned goods last 2-5 years, while freeze-dried and dehydrated foods can last 10-25 years if stored properly. Always check expiration dates and rotate your stockpile.
2. Why should I stockpile multivitamins?
In a crisis, fresh food may be scarce, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Multivitamins help fill nutritional gaps and keep you healthy when your diet is limited.
3. What are the most important non-food survival items to store?
Beyond food, stock up on medicine, first aid kits, personal hygiene products, household supplies, batteries, and solar lights to stay safe and prepared.
4. How can I store my stockpile to make it last longer?
Keep food in a cool, dark, and dry place. Use airtight containers for dry goods, vacuum-seal where possible, and rotate items regularly to maintain freshness.
Summary
I hope I have inspired you to prep your pantry to be better prepared for your friends and family and have your own grocery store on your pantry shelves!
If you were encouraged by this post, I invite you to check out my FREE Printables Page for fun free printables, planners, and charts.
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Here are some more of my canning inspiration posts to check out!
Pumpkin: How to Make Canned Pumpkin
How to Make and Can Pumpkin Butter
Quince: How to Make and Can Fall Spiced Quince Chutney
Quince: How to Can Quince
Carrot Cake Butter: How to Make and Can Carrot Cake Butter
Peach Pie Filling: How to Make and Can Peach Pie Filling
Pear Pie Filling: How to Make and Can Pear Pie Filling
The Best Winter Pantry Staples to Stockpile Now!
Grapes: How to Make and Can Grape Jam
Apple Cider: How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar
How to Make and Can Cherry Plum Jam
How to Make and Can Apple Butter In Crockpot
More Fun Posts
Stockpiling Condiments for Survival: Learn How I Do It!
How to Make and Can Vegetable Pot Pie Filling
Easy Canning Applesauce Recipes to Stalk Your Pantry!
How to Make Peach Jalapeno Jam
Cherries: How to Make Cherry Pie Filling
Cherries: How to Make Cherry Syrup
Salsa: How to Make and Can Cherry Salsa
Peaches: How to Make and Can Peach Salsa
Canning Supplies You Need Now for a Successful Canning Season!
How to Make and Can Balsamic Onion Jam
Cranberry Sauce: How to Make and Can Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce
How to Make and Can Cranberry Merry Jam
How to Make and Can Strawberry Shortcake Jam
Cherry Jam: How to Make and Can Cherry Pie Jam
Carrot Cake Jam: How to Make and Can Carrot Cake Jam
Quince Jam: How to Can a Year’s Supply of Quince Jam
Root Beer Float Jelly: How to Make and Can Root Beer Float Jelly
Blessings,
The Off Grid Barefoot Girl
