Canned Goods 4 Survival

Yes, canned goods are the form of survival food that everyone knows best. Can after can of a dizzying variety of different foods can be found in your local grocery store. They are easy to store in your pantry and make for affordable survival food. They typically have a shelf life of several years but may last longer depending on storage conditions. Warning: Any canned foods in a swollen can or a partially opened can should be discarded and not eaten. If you live in an area that is prone to weather events and other disasters that require you to shelter in place, it is a good idea to practice backstocking. Backstocking simply involves purchasing a few extra cans of food in addition to what is needed in order to develop an emergency reserve you can depend on to provide days or even weeks of backup food. When shopping for your backup or survival canned goods, here are some ideas to consider:

  • Use a FIFO (First In First Out) approach which uses the oldest food in stock first before the newer food, preventing food waste and maintaining freshness
  • Survival canned foods should be stockpiled based on calories, nutritional content, meal variety, and personal taste
  • Backstocking a mix of canned foods that includes proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains and pastas, soups and stews will provide nutrition and variety in your diet

The health and welfare of those eating the food should also be considered. Excessive sodium, artificial preservatives, food additives and dyes, and other allergens should be considered when purchasing canned foods for backstocking. While most canned foods contain large amounts of sodium or sugar, in many cases, a low sodium or low sugar alternative is available. Some canned foods commonly used for backstocking include:

  • Roast Beef
  • SPAM
  • Beef Stew
  • Chunk Chicken
  • Tuna packed in oil
  • Baked Beans
  • Chili
  • Pasta Products
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Corned Beef Hash
  • Sausage Gravy
  • Sloppy Joe Sauce

Proper storage and safe use of canned goods is important to maintain your health in a period of survival following a cataclysmic or disastrous event. Here are some ideas to consider: 

  • Store food in a cool and dry location away from sunlight or heat source
  • Don't eat food from cans that are bulging
  • Don't eat food from cans that are leaking
  • Don't reseal cans, use the whole can
  • Note: Holding canned goods past expiration may result in taste being affected, but if can is not bulging or leaking it may be safe to eat

Being creative and adaptable means using what you have on hand to make the best out of your emergency canned foods. Here are some of our favorite recipes made from our list of survival canned foods: