ULTIMATE GUIDE: 131 SURVIVAL FOODS
CHAPTER 1
BEANS AND LEGUMES
[thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]Love them or hate them, beans and legumes are a great source of protein (22%), vitamins and minerals.
Survivalists and preppers have used beans as a staple for their food storage for many years, simply because they are cheap to buy and store very well indeed.
Store bought dried beans typically have a shelf life of 1 year or more. However, when stored away from light and with an oxygen absorber (we recommend using #10 cans) they can store for 10 years plus.
Some of the types of beans you can store include:
1) Adzuki Beans
2) Black Turtle Beans
3) Blackeyed Peas
4) Garbanzo Beans
5) Kidney Beans
6) Lima Beans
7) Mung Beans
8) Pinto Beans
9) Chick Peas
How to cook beans
To cook and eat your dry beans you will need to:
Step 1 – Soak them in cold water for 24 hours using a ratio of 1 cup of beans to 3 cups of water.
Step 2 – Rinse the beans with fresh cold water and add to a pan
Step 3 – Cover the beans with cold water in the pan and simmer gently for 3-4 hours
Rehydrated and cooked beans generally require some form of seasoning or spices to make them more palatable.
If you have bean seeds that will not rehydrate then these will need to be ground down into bean flour.
Here is a video on making your own bean flour:
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR2Yk0hR0sw[/responsive_video] [/thrive_custom_box] [/page_section] [page_section color=’#eff9e8′ textstyle=’dark’ position=’default’ shadow=’#e5f9d1′ padding_bottom=’on’ padding_top=’on’]HERBS AND SPICES
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Herbs are our culinary friend. They can turn a dish from ok to wow, and some herbs such as basil, can form a dish all on their own (pesto).
Let’s look at some of the herbs you should store for a survival scenario:
10) Basil
11) Thyme
12) Rosemary
13) Sage
14) Chives
15) Oregano
16) Mint
17) Tarragon
Whilst herbs at very little in the way of nutritional value, the do make a world of difference when cooking a meal from your preps.
The also store practically indefinitely if dried and you can dry and mill your own fresh herbs.
In the video below you will learn how to dry fresh herbs in just 2 minutes!
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BAixNDE_aU[/responsive_video]
There is also an option of making your own flavored oils by adding fresh or dried herbs directly to a bottle of oil, most commonly olive oil.
This can be used for salad dressings and on meats etc.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]18) Salt
Salt has been used for over 6,000 years and evidence of it’s first use was in Romania where they would boil sea water to extract the salt.
Today only 6% of all salt is used in human diets. The rest is used for deicing our roads, treating water and and in industrial chemicals.
Whilst we use salt to flavour our meals it can also be used for cleaning, preserving and most of all to barter.
As salt will keep for years, there is a good chance that when TSHTF you will need goods that you can trade and exchange for items you don’t have.
With the daily recommended salt intake for human’s being just 5g, you should stock up on plenty so that you have ample to trade with when needed.
19) Pepper
There are many forms of pepper, here we are talking about your everyday black or white pepper in particular.
Historically black pepper was used to cure a number of illnesses, such as:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Gangrene
- Indigestion problems
- tooth decay
- Liver and heart problems
The truth is that there is no modern medical evidence that black pepper has these healing abilities. Still it is used in modern day indian medicine for a sore throat and coughs.
Our use of pepper would be for food flavouring and for trade purposes. You can either stock up on whole peppercorns or but the pre ground pepper from the store.
Either way, keep them in an airtight container and away from moisture to ensure longevity.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]20) Paprika
A part of the chilli family, paprika was originally discovered in Mexico and taken to Spain where it remains a cooking staple.
There are many forms of paprika, such as hot, mild, sweet and smoked. One word of warning if you are buying smoked paprika – make sure it’s the real thing and not just an added ‘smoked flavour’.
For sweet paprika double check the label for any added MSGs which are often added to provide the ‘sweet’ element.
That said, it enhances most dishes in both color and flavour. A great addition to our prepper pantry and a must have spice.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]21) Cinnamon
Cinnamon makes the list not for us to perform the “Cinnamon Challenge”, but to add flavour to both out savoury and sweet dishes. We can also use cinnamon in alcohol making and in pickling.
In addition to its culinary uses, since 2000 BC cinnamon has be used to treat medical conditions such as sore throats, arthritis and coughs. According to the U.S National Library of Medicine, cinnamon is used for a number of other natural remedies too:
- Infection
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Muscle Spasms
- Colds and Fevers
- Fungal Infections
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s
There is also evidence to suggest that cinnamon rich diets can help negate the body’s negative response to high fat meals.
So plenty of reasons to add this spice to your store cupboard.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]22) Chili Powder
I’m sure you all have some form of chili powder in your home for popular everyday dishes such as Tacos, Beef Chili and Enchiladas.
Did you know that you can actually make your own chilli powder? Here’s how:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 1 ¼ teaspoons Cumin
- 1 ¼ teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
- ¾ teaspoon Onion Powder
Simply combine all of the ingredients above and adjust the quantities to your specific tastes.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]23) Turmeric
Turmeric is typically used as a key ingredient in many asian dishes along with indian medicine practices for stomach and liver problems.
I have an Indian friend who’s wife makes him a warm drink that contains plenty of Turmuric, chili and other spices when he has an upset stomach and he swears it works every time.
From Wikipedia:
The active compound curcumin is believed to have a wide range of biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, which indicate potential in clinical medicine.
Which may explain why it is used frequently in medicine as well as culinary delights.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]24) Cumin
As with Turmeric, cumin can also be used to treat stomach upset and the common cold. Adding it to hot water brings out the intense flavors and healing properties.
Cumin is also great for adding to curry dishes, enhancing basmati rice and can also be added to bread products as they do in France.
For both medicinal and food use, be sure to add cumin in your survival foods list.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]25) Coriander
When you see Cumin in a recipe you enevitable will see Coriander. Together they taste great and form the basis of many traditional indian and asian dishes.
The coriander plant is unique in that all of the plant is edible. You can dry and store the fresh leaves and stalks to add as a finishing touch to meals, and the seeds can be used whole or ground.
One great benefit of adding coriander to your food is that is contains phytochemicals, which can delay or prevent the spoilage of food seasoned with the spice.
You must be aware that coriander has been known to cause an allergic reaction in some people. It is likely that you will already know if you have an allergy to coriander or not, however just be aware.
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DRIED AND DEHYDRATED
[thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]26) Baking Powder
Baking powder is one of our pantry staples that has been used since the late 1800’s.
It is used primarily as a raising agent in baking, both to increase the volume and also lighten the texture of baked goods.
Baking powder can lose it’s effectiveness if exposed to high heat and a moist environment.
If you stock this in your survival pantry you can test it’s effectiveness by adding 1x 5ml teaspoon of baking powder into a mug full of hot water and mix well.
If the mixture foams and bubbles, then the powder is still active.
Making Your Own Baking Powder:
Shop bought baking powder is both cheap and readily available. However in a survival situation or if we had to go back to primitive times you may wish to make your own. Here’s how:
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder = ½ teaspoon Cream of Tartar + ¼ teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
Simply combine the cream of tartar and the bicarbonate of soda together.
Storing Baking Powder:
As with most dried foods, baking powder must be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Your pantry or kitchen cupboard is ideal.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]27) Baking Soda
People often confuse baking soda and baking powder, they are in fact two similar substances, however they are used in different ways.
First off baking powder contains baking soda (Bicarbonate of soda). Baking soda is used on cookies and baking powder is used in cakes and biscuits.
Storing Baking Soda:
As with baking powder, it should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]28) Powdered Butter
Whilst not a life sustaining food, butter can breath life into mundane dishes. Typically an unopened can of powdered butter will store for up to 5 years, or longer given the right conditions (cool and dark).
Using powdered butter as a substitute is as simple as:
1 part butter to 1 part water.
So a half cup of butter would consist of a half cup of water and a half cup of butter powder.
Powdered butter is best used in recipes where the butter adds a layer of flavour. It is not recommended for frying as the final reconstituted product will be runnier than the regular stuff.
Where can you buy powdered butter?
We have found Amazon stock a wide range of powdered butter products.
You can check them out here. (they also sell peanut butter powder!)
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]29) Cheese Powder
Another optional but delicious food to add to your survival food supplies is powdered cheese. Cheese can add another level of flavour that will be a great pick-me-up in a survival situation.
Below we show you how you can make your very own powdered cheese. What’s more, once you have tried this simple technique you can also make a tasty cheese sauce by just adding milk.
How to make your own powdered cheese:
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km7vDIwxC_c[/responsive_video][thrive_accordion_group title=”Homemade Powdered Cheese Steps”] [thrive_accordion title=”Equipment” no=”1/3″ default=”no”]
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Hard Cheese
- Cheese Grater
- Dehydrator
Step 1 – Grate your hard cheese – the thinner the better
Step 2 – Line your dehydrator sheets with paper towels
Step 3 – Add grated cheese to your dehydrator sheets (about 4oz per sheet)
Step 4 – Set the dehydrator to high (approx drying time 12-14 hours)
Step 5 – After 4 hours remove drying trays. The cheese will appear greasy
Step 6 – Remove paper towels and replace with fresh. Dab off any excess grease from the cheese.
Step 7 – Place dryer trays back into dehydrator and complete the drying process for a further 8-10 hours.
Step 8 – Cheese is completely dehydrated if it snaps when broken.
Step 9 – Allow cheese to cool completely and grind using a hand mill or an electric blender.
Step 10 – Vacuum seal or place in mylar bags with oxygen absorber for longer term storage
[/thrive_accordion] [thrive_accordion title=”Reconstitute the cheese” no=”2/3″ default=”no”]Step 1 – 1 cup of cheese powder = 5oz shredded cheese
Step 2 – To reconstitute work on the ration of 1-1. One part cheese powder to 1 part boiling water
Step 3 – Mix together well and form into small balls
Step 4 – Flatten cheese ball with your fingers to the required thickness and place in fridge or use immediately.
[/thrive_accordion] [/thrive_accordion_group] [/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]30) Dehydrated Potato
Dehydrated potato or “instant mash” potato as it is also know, has already been through the cooking and mashing process and then dehydrated to form a powder that can be reconstituted using hot water and sometimes milk.
The final reconstituted product does differ slightly to the real thing, however it still tastes great.
The primary concern with instant mash potato is the higher levels of sodium It contains. Still, just 100g of instant mash potato will provide you with 11% of the RDA vitamin C intake.
Despite the nutritional differences, taste wise there are things we can do to enhance the flavour of our powdered potato dramatically, using just a few of our store cupboard staples:
- Add stock bullion cubes (chicken, beef or vegetable work great)
- Add rehydrated powdered milk
- Add rehydrated powdered butter
- Rehydrated vegetables (carrot, peas, turnip)
31) Dried Honey Powder
Whilst you can store natural honey for years and years and it will not go bad, powdered honey is another option if space is tight but you still want the benefits that honey brings to a preppers pantry.
The first thing to note is that honey powder is just dehydrated honey, that has been heated to a high temperature and then sprayed to cool. Which is why it has a slightly off-white appearance and not the golden yellow/orange we are used to seeing.
The downside to powdered honey is that other ingredients such as sugars (maltodextrin and fructose), starch and other stabilizers are added to keep the powder from clumping and becoming unusable.
If you are a natural eater than perhaps powdered honey is not for you and you should stick to the real thing.
You should also be on the lookout for honey that is mixed with corn syrup and labelled as 100% natural honey.
How to make your own powdered honey:
[thrive_accordion_group title=”Homemade Powdered Honey Steps”] [thrive_accordion title=”Equipment” no=”1/2″ default=”no”]- 100% Natural Honey
- Dehydrator
- Thinly spread the honey onto your fruit roll-up dryer sheets or use parchment paper cut to size
- Set your dehydrator to 120 degrees and keep a close eye on it. DO NOT LET IT BURN
- Once you see that the honey starts to harden and break up you can test a piece by attempting to break it with your fingers. If it snaps, its ready.
- Once the honey has cooled, use your blender to create a sugary type powder from the dried honey
- Store in an airtight and dry container away from high heat.
32) Dried Corn
Corn or Maize has been a staple for many years. It contains plenty of Fibre and vitamin C and it’s a great idea to add dried corn to your survival foods list.
We can also grind dried corn into flour, for which there are plenty of recipes. Such as:
- Various bread products (cornbread, spoonbread johnnycakes and hushpuppies)
- Cheezies and Cheeto snacks
- Batter for corndogs
- Corn muffins
- Cornmeal pancakes
- Pan
- Knife
- Dehydrator or Oven
Step 1 – Remove the corn husks and blanche in boiling water for 3-5 minutes
Step 2 – Slice the corn kernals away from cob using a sharp knife (hold the cob upright)
Step 3 – Spread out the corn onto your drier sheet in a single layer with room between each kernal
Step 4 – Dry at 120 degrees for 12-14 hours until completely hard
Step 5 – Allow to cool and add to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place. Canning jars are a great option.
[/thrive_accordion] [/thrive_accordion_group]Once you have your dried corn, you can then turn that into corn flour to extend it’s use.
How to make your own corn flour:
In the video you can see that it takes 3 passes through the grinder mill to turn what was hard corn kernals into a floury corn that we can use for our favorite…corn bread!
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV1JbL81HeM[/responsive_video] [/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]Freeze Dried Fruits
You know those little pieces of fruit you see in your cereal…well those are freeze dried.
They taste great and maintain virtually all of their vitamin and mineral content when going through the freeze drying process.
The main benefits of freeze dried fruit are:
- The don’t spoil
- They are 100% natural
- No chemicals or preservatives
- Easy to pack and store
- Take up very little room
- Hold their nutritional content
- Taste exactly the same as fresh fruit – some may say even better!
You can buy freeze dried fruits online, Amazon stock an impressive range to brighten up any bland post-apocalyptic meal.
Here is a selection of freeze dried fruits you can buy:
33) Strawberry
34) Mango
35) Banana
36) Pineapple
37) Coconut
38) Raspberries
39) Blueberries
40) Apple
41) Pear
42) Tangerines
43) Tomatoes
Whist they can be expensive to buy, there is a cheaper alternative. Bird feed.
Ok so the fruit that is sold as bird feed is not organic and perhaps hasn’t been cleaned as well, however it’s super cheap in comparison.
If you are prepping on a budget and are ok with knowing that not everything you will put in your mouth post SHTF will be organic, then go for it.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]Jerky
I love jerky! I have made it many times at home both in the oven and also the dehydrator. There is just one problem…it very rarely lasts long enough in our home to make it into the prep stores!
If you’re new to jerky you’re in for a treat.
Jerky is a meat that has been dried slowly over a long period to preserve and prevent spoilage. It will keep for a long time in zip lock bags.
What’s important is that you buy meat with a low fat content and prepare the meat well by removing as much of the fat as possible.
There are many types of meat you can use for making jerky, such as:
44) Turkey
45) Beef
46) Deer
47) Elk
48) Caribou
49) Springbok
50) Bison
51) Moose
One 30g portion of jerky packs 10-15g of protein, which is why it’s such an important food for us preppers.
How to make your own jerky:
Here are two great video’s that show’s you the steps:
Making Jerky In An Oven
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZiRrf2Zip4[/responsive_video]Making Jerky In A Dehydrator
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD3yGOTUjAo[/responsive_video] [/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]52) Dried Milk Powder
Dried or powdered milk is been around for very long time – in fact Marco Polo wrote about it in “The Book of Ser Marco Polo, Book 1”)
Nowadays, the process of making powdered milk is by spraying nonfat skim milk, whole milk, or buttermilk into a heated chamber. It almost evaporates immediately because of the very dry and warm environment.
The main reason powdered milk is such valuable item is the very long shelf life. It’s quite a large range at least two years but up to 10 or more depending on the brand and the storage environment. If you compare that to fresh milk, you’ll see that the there isn’t even a comparison.
The other reason is that powdered milk is only about 10% of the weight of regular, hydrated milk. So if you had to travel you’re much better off carrying powdered milk than regular milk even if you have the option.
Basically all you need to do with powdered milk is mix-in clean water then you have your reconstituted milk.
In addition you can actually make mixes (like pancake or biscuit mix) where the mixture is flour, baking powder, powdered eggs, powdered milk, and so on, so that all you have to do is add water and you’re able to make pancakes, biscuits, or waffles.
This technique is often used by lightweight backpackers and camping enthusiasts.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]53) Powdered Eggs
Whole eggs typically store for a few weeks in the fridge or store cupboard. Powdered eggs (which are simple dehydrated eggs) on the other hand will keep for 5-10 years if properly sealed and stored in a airtight container.
There are many advantages to adding powdered eggs to your survival food list.
- They keep for a decade
- They are easier to store
- They reconstitute well
- They are cheaper to make yourself and you avoid inflation
- No refrigeration required
- Require no rehydration when used in baking
Powdered whole eggs can be expensive to buy from the store and online. So we prefer to make our own.
How to make your own powdered eggs:
[responsive_video type=’youtube’ hide_related=’1′ hide_logo=’0′ hide_controls=’0′ hide_title=’0′ hide_fullscreen=’0′ autoplay=’0′]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppiWt9jvQh4[/responsive_video] [/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]54) Powdered Super Greens
We all know we should eat our greens. The trouble is the average American doesn’t consume nearly enough dark green vegetables as they should.
Image credit: nextlevelnutritionist.com
Because greens help the body to reduce inflammation, detoxify and maintain healthy acid levels, getting enough into your body in a survival situation is vital.
Powdered super greens are considered a supplement, and they come in a variety of forms, powder, capsule and juice form. The best by far is the powdered variety as just 1 scoop of powder is the equivalent to taking 30-50 capsules.
One of the best ways to consume your powdered greens in with a daily ‘smoothie’, or juice mixed with water or other fruits and vegetables.
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]Sugar
Yes we know that the SAD (Standard American Diet) has WAY too much sugar already. However for a SHTF scenario you may be ready just to eat about anything. Also you never know when you need that little “pick-me-up”.
Sugars are a carbohydrate that can provide a boost of energy when you need it, think of those sports drinks that consist of mainly sugar, syrup and glucose.
They can be used to sweeten foods such as cereal or your morning coffee, however they are also a vital ingredient in preserving foods that would otherwise spoil.
There are a few different types of sugar we can stock:
55) Granulated – Can be used to make jams, marmalades and candied fruit.
56) Milled Sugar – A fine powder such as icing sugar, used for dusting baked goods.
57) Brown Sugar – The same as granulated sugar, however the grains have been coated in molasses to give that dark color. (Also used in baking, confectionary and toffee).
The key benefit for preppers is that sugars will last indefinitely (brown and milled sugar is best consumed within 2 years, but we all know those best before dates are just a guideline right).
[/thrive_custom_box] [thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#ffffff” border=”#ffffff”]Flour
No survival foods list would be complete without flour.
Flour can be used for all manner of things from cooking and baking to ant deterrent and homemade glue.
The main use is of course baking. Items such as bread, cookies, cakes and biscuits will be a real treat in a doomsday scenario – plus they are sure to make you a ton of friends!
Some of the more useful types of flour to store are:
58) All Purpose flour
59) Cornstarch
60) Cornmeal
61) Bean Flour (grind your own dried beans)
62) Self Raising flour (or just add baking powder to plain flour)
63) Semolina
64) Type ‘00’ pasta flour
65) Durum flour
66) Whole wheat flour
How to store flour:
To store flour you should freeze it for around 30 days (below 0 degrees) and add to clean food grade buckets with a sealable lid.
If kept in a cool dry place it will keep for a minimum of 5 years but most likely 10-15 if stored properly.
It is a good idea to bag up portions of the flour into smaller packages before sealing away, that way you can use just the amount you need without breaking the seal on the rest of the flour.
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