Here are the top 100 prepper foods that you absolutely need to know about when preparing for the long haul. Following this list are some tips to prolong shelf life. Please note that you can sort and filter the table below. or scroll to the button below the table to download the complete spreadsheet loaded with serving information, brands and nutritional data.
Disclaimer: PrepperPirate.com, it’s authors and publisher are not nutrition experts and offer no health advice. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We cannot be held liable for incidents resulting from its use. Always refer to the manufacturer for final information.
| Category | Shelf Stable Item (unopened cans & jars) | Typical Shelf Life HIGH* |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Goods | Black Beans (dry) | 20 years |
| Dry Goods | Boxed Pasta (Rotini) | 2 years |
| Dry Goods | Boxed Pasta (Penne) | 2 years |
| Dry Goods | Boxed Pasta (Fettuccine) | 2 years |
| Dry Goods | Boxed Pasta (Spaghetti) | 2 years |
| Dry Goods | Chick Peas/Garbanzo Beans (dry) | 5 years |
| Dry Goods | Red Kidney Beans (dry) | 20 years |
| Dry Goods | Lima Beans (dry) | 20 years |
| Dry Goods | Pinto Beans (dry) | 20 years |
| Dry Goods | White Rice (dry) | 20 years |
| Dry Goods | Instant Freeze Dried Coffee | 10 years |
| Dry Goods | Roast Coffee | 1 year |
| Dry Goods | Instant Mashed Potatoes | 15 years |
| Dry Goods | Instant Powdered Drink Mixes | 3 years |
| Dry Goods | Instant Ramen Noodles (dry) | 2 years |
| Dry Goods | Lentils (dry) | 20 years |
| Dry Goods | Pancake/Biscuit Mix | 1.5 years |
| Dry Goods | Popping Corn (vacuum sealed; jarred) | 10 years |
| Dry Goods | Powdered Eggs (Whole Egg Powder) | 10 years |
| Dry Goods | Powdered Milk | 10 years |
| Dry Goods | Steel Cut Oats/Oatmeal (dry) | 10 years |
| Dry Goods | Tea (black) | 5 years |
| Dry Ingredients | Granulated White Sugar | 10 years |
| Dry Ingredients | Baking Powder | 2 years |
| Dry Ingredients | Baking Soda | 3 years |
| Dry Ingredients | Brown Sugar | 10 years |
| Dry Ingredients | White Flour (bleached) | 10 years |
| Dry Ingredients | Yeast (dry) | 2 years |
| Seasoning | Herbs (powdered) | 4 years |
| Seasoning | Ground Black Pepper | 4 years |
| Seasoning | Salt (iodized) | 10 years |
| Seasoning | Spices (powdered) | 4 years |
| Sauce Mixes | Brown Gravy Mix | 3 years |
| Sauce Mixes | Chicken Gravy Mix | 3 years |
| Fats & Oils | Bottled Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 1.5 years |
| Fats & Oils | Bottled Vegetable Oil | 2.5 years |
| Fats & Oils | Canned Cooking Spay | 2.5 years |
| Fats & Oils | Lard | 3 years |
| Fats & Oils | Coconut Oil (solid) | 2 years |
| Misc. | Powdered Coffee Creamer | 3 years |
| Misc. | Pancake Syrup | 2 years |
| Misc. | Honey | 25 years |
| Misc. | Molasses | 10 years |
| Fish | Canned Anchovies | 5 years |
| Fish | Canned Crabmeat | 5 years |
| Fish | Canned Mackeral | 5 years |
| Fish | Canned Salmon | 5 years |
| Fish | Canned Sardines | 5 years |
| Fish | Canned Tuna (in water) | 5 years |
| Fruits | Canned Fruit Salad | 3 years |
| Fruits | Canned Peaches | 3 years |
| Fruits | Canned Pears | 3 years |
| Full Meals | Canned Beef Stew | 5 years |
| Full Meals | Canned Brunswick Stew with Chicken | 5 years |
| Full Meals | Canned Chili | 5 years |
| Full Meals | Canned Hash | 5 years |
| Full Meals | Canned Ravioli (beef) | 2 years |
| Meats | Canned Chicken | 5 years |
| Meats | Canned Corn Beef | 5 years |
| Meats | Canned Ham (shelf stable type) | 2 years |
| Meats | Canned Roast Beef | 5 years |
| Meats | Canned Spam | 5 years |
| Ready to Eat | Canned Spray Cheese | 2 years |
| Ready to Eat | Almonds (vacuum sealed; jarred) | 2 years |
| Ready to Eat | Beef Jerky (vacuum sealed) | 1.5 years |
| Ready to Eat | Crackers (Saltines) | 9 months |
| Ready to Eat | Dark Chocolate | 2 years |
| Ready to Eat | Peanut Butter | 2 years |
| Ready to Eat | Dry Roasted Peanuts (vacuum sealed; jarred) | 2 years |
| Ready to Eat | Toaster Pastries | 1 year |
| Ready to Eat | Granola Bars | 8 months |
| Ready to Eat | Sunflower Seeds (vacuum sealed; jarred) | 2 years |
| Soups | Beef Broth Bouillon (dry cubes) | 1.5 years |
| Soups | Canned Beef Broth | 5 years |
| Soups | Canned Vegetable Beef Soup | 5 years |
| Soups | Canned Chicken Broth | 5 years |
| Soups | Canned Vegetable Soup | 5 years |
| Soups | Canned Tomato Soup | 2 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Baked Beans | 3 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Beets | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Black Beans | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Red Kidney Beans | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Pinto Beans | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Lentils | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Chick Pease | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Corn (golden sweet whole kernel) | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Green Beans | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Sweet Green Peas | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Lima Beans | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Potatoes | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Spinach | 5 years |
| Vegetables | Canned Tomatoes | 2 years |
| Jar/Can Sauces | Tomato Sauce (jarred) | 2 years |
| Jar/Can Sauces | Canned Beef Gravy | 5 years |
| Jar/Can Sauces | Canned Chicken Gravy | 3 years |
| Jar/Can Sauces | Canned Cranberry Sauce | 2 years |
| For Pets | Canned Cat Food | 2 years |
| For Pets | Dry Cat Food (kibble) | 1.5 years |
| For Pets | Canned Dog Food | 2 years |
| For Pets | Dry Dog Food (kibble) | 1.5 years |
* Indicates typical shelf life across brands based on grocery store purchased items. HIGH shelf life typically involves repackaging, refrigerating or taking additional steps to prolong usable life.
Prepper Food Storage Tips
The shelf life shown in the below table assumes maximum freshness when stored in an airtight package in a cool, dark place. I like to vacuum seal in thick plastic then combine weeks or months’ worth of food into airtight pails or buckets for easy access.
If you can spend $40 to $100 on a vacuum food sealer and bags, it’s well worth it. If not, glass mason jars and food-rated plastic containers with an airtight seal also work great for long term food storage.
You can download the fully detailed prepper food spreadsheet at this link. It contains sample brands, more shelf life information and all available national data for each item. You can use this to easily plan out the health benefits of the best food combos and prep accordingly!