One of the best ways to start stockpiling emergency food supplies is by using canned food. Canned foods are relatively cheap and have a long shelf life. They also don’t have any special storage requirements. The best canned foods for survival and emergency prepping depends on what you like to eat.
Canned food isn’t the best thing for long-term emergency food, but as long as you rotate your stocks regularly, they will be much better than nothing. Keep reading for more information on the best canned foods for survival.
Common Canned Food versus Canned Survival Food
Store-bought canned foods are different than canned survival foods. When we are talking about canned food in this article, I am primarily talking about typical canned food you find at your local grocery store. The contents of this canned food are usually wet or have lots of moisture.
Canned survival food has a long shelf life and is for emergency use. They commonly contain freeze-dried meals, dried fruits, or other dry food. Canned survival food can last a decade or more.
You Need to Rotate Your Canned Food Stockpile
Most canned foods have a best-by date of two or three years from production. Some may be a little longer.
If you store canned food in a cool, dry place, it will likely last years beyond the best-by date. I still recommend rotating your canned foods before reaching the best-by date.
Store Canned Food you Regularly eat
The easiest way to keep your canned foods rotated is by buying things you enjoy eating regularly. It’s much easier to incorporate rotation of your canned food if you don’t have to work at it.
In the past, I bought some canned items which weren’t part of my regular diet. I forgot about them and eventually tossed them when I moved because they were beyond the best-by date.
I keep things like canned beans, canned meat, canned chunk chicken breast, and chicken noodle soup because I like eating them.
Don’t Risk Botulism!
Canned foods beyond their best by date can still be prone to botulism. The Clostridium bacteria can get into canned foods if the can is damaged. This bacteria produces the botulism toxin, which is highly toxic to humans. If you eat food with botulism, you risk severe injury and even death.
If any of your cans are bulging or if they release pressure or bubbles when opened, this is a good sign botulism may be present.
If in doubt, do not risk botulism poisoning!
How to Store Canned Foods
The best place to store canned food is in your pantry or indoors in a similar position. Ideally, you want to avoid storing canned food in areas with extreme temperature swings like most garages.
Extreme heat and cold can cause canned food to spoil faster. Freezing temperatures will make cans of food rupture. Any ruptured cans should be thrown out and not eaten.
Keep Canned Food off the Floor
Storing canned food on the floor exposes them to more moisture and potential damage, especially in places like basements or garages.
I like getting free wood pallets from local stores to store my emergency food and water. Many stores will give them for free, and they work great. You can also cut them up and use the wood for shelving and other things.
Canned Foods are Just the Beginning
Canned goods can work decently well as survival food, but the limited shelf life means it isn’t ideal. The bulk and weight of canned food can be a problem should you need to relocate or transport your food.
As a relatively advanced prepper, I still use canned food as part of my emergency food storage. Still, most of my supplies are dry foods packed in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Even the best canned food has a relatively limited shelf life compared to dry foods.
By using mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, many dry foods can last for decades. I don’t need to rotate them, and they are relatively lightweight.
When you’re ready to upgrade your food storage, check out our posts on the best food storage containers.
The Best Canned Foods to buy for Survival
Canned Meats and Other Proteins
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Canned bacon
Canned poultry
Mackerel
Sardines
Sausages
Beef
Ham
Turkey
Beans
Lentils
Chickpeas
Canned Vegetables
Canned Tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Corn
Peas
Baked beans
Green beans
Carrots
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Canned Fruits
Tomatoes
Peaches
Pineapples
Pears
Cherries
Canned Meals
Soups
Chili
Spaghetti-Os
Ravioli
Beans and rice
Other Canned Foods
Canned soups
Powdered milk
Condensed milk
Coconut milk
Pate and spreads
Gravy
Pudding
Bread
