Survival Food With a Long Shelf Life
When you are planning on having a survival situation, one thing you should consider is the foods you will be eating. You can have a good selection of food that will last for a very long time. The food that you will be able to choose from includes items like freeze-dried food, MREs, Bouillon cubes, and more.
Freeze-dried foods
Freeze-dried foods are a great option to consider for long-term storage. They are incredibly durable, have a long shelf life and are easy to prepare.
Some of the best freeze-dried food options are soups, casseroles, pasta, and meat. This kind of food will last longer than many traditional canned foods. If you have an emergency, you can always grab a meal from a freezer bag and cook it in a matter of minutes.
- COMFORT FOOD FOR THE TRAIL – “When you’re camping all alone, but it tastes like you’re warm at home.” The Gluten Free Ground Beef delivers premium taste and unmatched quality, perfect for adventurers, campers, and emergency preparedness.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS & TRUSTED QUALITY – Crafted with high-quality ingredients, with no artificial flavors or colors.
- QUICK & EASY PREP – Just add water and enjoy in minutes, making it ideal for camping, backpacking, and emergency situations. No cooking required for a hot, satisfying meal anywhere.
- LONG-LASTING STORAGE – Backed by our 30-Year Taste Guarantee for freshness and flavor. Store in a cool, dry place to ensure maximum shelf life and reliability when you need it most.
- RESPONSIBLE PACKAGING – Mountain House is committed to sustainability. Recycle used pouches through TerraCycle to help preserve the great outdoors for future adventurers.
Last update on 2026-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Freeze drying is a process that removes 98 percent of the moisture from food. Food is then rehydrated using water. The result is a food similar to the original, retaining more nutrients and structure.
Although this is a great option for long-term storage, freeze-dried foods are a bit expensive. However, the average cost per ounce is significantly lower once the food is prepared.
The shelf life of these foods is typically 25 years or more. This is more than double the shelf life of most other food storage.
To store your freeze-dried food, choose a cool, dry location. It’s also a good idea to keep the container sealed. Moisture and light can damage the flavor and vitamins of your food.
If you are planning to store freeze-dried meals, you may consider purchasing some nutrient-dense varieties. You can find some great-tasting meals that include fruit, vegetables, and meat.
MREs
MREs are ready-to-eat meals that are packed in vacuum-sealed pouches. This packaging helps retain nutrients and flavor in the food, which will help keep it fresh over time.
MREs are available in a variety of flavors and calorie content. The standard package includes an entree, side dish, and a dessert. Most packages contain around 1,200 calories per serving.
These pre-packaged foods have been around for several years. The US Army introduced them in the mid-90s as a viable alternative to canned and other non-perishable food. They are now a staple among hikers, campers, and preppers.
MREs are designed to last for up to three years at average room temperature. However, storing them in a cool and dry location is critical for maximizing shelf life.
A typical MRE includes a main course that may include meat products, vegetables, and bread. For added convenience, the package also includes a flameless heater for on-the-spot cooking.
- TASTES GREAT: Ready Hour freeze-dried food is designed for emergencies but tasty enough for everyday use.
- BE PREPARED: The world is unpredictable. Be ready for anything with our durable and flood-safe container which features a convenient handle for easy transport. Requires no refrigeration.
- LASTS UP TO 25 YEARS: Includes up to 120 total servings. Can be stored anywhere that offers a cool and dry environment.
- USE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED: Made for multiple uses; includes 22 resealable pouches that let you use only what you need and save the rest for later. Re-sealed pouches last up to a year.
- MADE IN THE USA from domestic and imported goods: We proudly manufacture and pack our foods in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Last update on 2026-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The MRE is the perfect choice for high-risk situations since the military doesn’t have time to cook every meal. It can be split into two portions, which helps reduce digestive stress.
Unlike other prepared foods, MREs have a long shelf life, but preserving your foods is not a foolproof way. In fact, it is possible to ruin a whole MRE’s meal by freezing it.
MREs are not TSA-approved. While they are considered safe to eat, they should be rotated out after a month or two. Keeping your MREs for an extended period can cause them to go bad, leading to food poisoning.
Bouillon cubes
Bouillon cubes are an important food to have on hand. They are easy to store and keep fresh for a long time. This food can also be used in a variety of recipes.
The flavor and quality of bouillon can change over time, especially if you do not keep them in an airtight container. If you are not sure whether your bouillon cubes are safe to eat, you should discard them.
Bouillon cubes contain salt, which is a well-known preservative. When stored properly, bouillon can last for several years. You can also freeze them to extend their shelf life. However, freezing requires a stable electric power supply.
- LONG SHELF LIFE CAMPING COOKING ESSENTIALS – Designed for long term storage in your kitchen, camping supplies, or earthquake emergency kit, this bucket of dehydrated prepared meals ready to eat has 119 servings and a 25-year shelf life
- EASY MEALS WITH LOTS OF VARIETY – Spanning 15 meal varieties and providing approximately 22,880 total calories inside a convenient 4 gallon bucket, these emergency supplies for instant meals are great for making quick, healthy breakfasts and dinners
- JUST ADD WATER AND COOK – Just add water and heat on a stove to prepare these ready to eat meals, no advanced cooking equipment or skills needed
- IDEAL FOR TRAVEL AND CAMPING MEALS – This shelf stable dehydrated food survival kit is stored in a durable 4 gallon pail that is portable, convenient, and perfect for outdoor camping food meals or at-home meal prep
- QUICK FOODS – Breakfast & Dinner includes pancake mix, creamy wheat, oatmeal, marinara, fettuccine alfredo, rice & veg, mac & cheese, stroganoff, cheesy broccoli rice, Spanish rice, potato soup, broccoli soup, vegetable stew, chocolate pudding & milk
Last update on 2026-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Some other important factors that determine the shelf life of a bouillon cube are moisture and air exposure. Moisture can cause mold and spores to grow. Air can also make food go bad.
Generally, the best way to preserve a market cube is to store it in the refrigerator. It is also safe to store it in the pantry. A cool, dark place is ideal for storing bouillon cubes.
Using a vacuum sealer can help prolong a bouillon cube’s life. You can use a mylar bag, foil or even a sterile container.
You may consider purchasing low-sodium bouillon cubes if you have trouble controlling your salt intake. These are excellent way to add flavor to your meals.
Thrive Life
Thrive Life is a company that sells freeze-dried foods. Their products are tasty and can be stored long without spoiling. Having these handy survival foods in your pantry can be a lifesaver.
Thrive Life offers a variety of freeze-dried meat products and vegetables. They also offer soy-based vegetarian replacements for meat. The company also has a subscription service. You can buy a year’s worth of food at a time.
The best part about Thrive Life’s products is that they are healthy. In addition, they are also very easy to store. Since they are freeze-dried, they do not need to be refrigerated.
Thrive Life is a great company to look into when you are interested in preparing your own meals. Their products are all-natural and easy to eat. Moreover, they have a variety of shelf-stacking options.
Another good thing about Thrive Life is its customer service. They have an impressive FAQ page, phone numbers, and email addresses. While they do not have a live chat feature, their customer service team is very helpful.
Thrive Life has a wide selection of freeze-dried meat, fruits, vegetables, and even grains. They are a good option for your pantry and camping trips. However, they do not advertise their products as emergency food supplies.
The Thrive Life company has been around for more than fifty years. If you are looking for a company that is not too busy and can provide a reasonable price, Thrive Life may be the right choice.
- COMFORT FOOD FOR THE TRAIL – “When you’re camping all alone, but it tastes like you’re warm at home.” The Gluten Free Ground Beef delivers premium taste and unmatched quality, perfect for adventurers, campers, and emergency preparedness.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS & TRUSTED QUALITY – Crafted with high-quality ingredients, with no artificial flavors or colors.
- QUICK & EASY PREP – Just add water and enjoy in minutes, making it ideal for camping, backpacking, and emergency situations. No cooking required for a hot, satisfying meal anywhere.
- LONG-LASTING STORAGE – Backed by our 30-Year Taste Guarantee for freshness and flavor. Store in a cool, dry place to ensure maximum shelf life and reliability when you need it most.
- RESPONSIBLE PACKAGING – Mountain House is committed to sustainability. Recycle used pouches through TerraCycle to help preserve the great outdoors for future adventurers.
Last update on 2026-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
My Patriot Supply
My Patriot Supply is a food storage solution that offers several products, from starter kits to long-term emergency food. They also offer a variety of other emergency preparedness products, including water filtration systems and first aid kits.
There are a lot of long-term food storage companies, but My Patriot Supply has a distinct advantage. Not only do they have a variety of food items for sale, they also make it easy to purchase all of your essential survival needs in one convenient place.
One of the company’s main focuses is on emergency preparedness, which is dedicated to helping people prepare for the worst. Their website features a variety of helpful guides, checklists, and other tools to help you plan ahead and stay safe.
When it comes to long-term food storage, the best way to go about it is to buy food in bulk. While this can be a pain, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your emergency food is fresh and has a long shelf life.
The Wise Company also offers a variety of long-term food storage options, but they are limited in their dealer network and are not available in bulk. Fortunately, My Patriot Supply offers an alternative with its own line of survival food.
This product includes a series of reusable, resealable food pouches that are great for everyday use. However, they do require you to cook the food in boiling water and do a bit of cleanup.
Mountain House
Mountain House is one of the most popular freeze-dried food brands for camping and backpacking. Their bags are easy to store, use and eat. They are available in a variety of sizes and flavors.
The company has been in business since 1986. Mountain House also offers an emergency preparedness food kit. These food kits are designed to ration the perfect amount of food for a specific period.
A 3-day survival food kit can provide you with 1,700 calories a day. It includes a hearty vegetable chicken-flavored soup, macaroni and cheese, creamy potato soup, cheese broccoli rice, and banana chips. You can get the kit in packs or in #10 cans.
The long-term food from Mountain House has a 30-year shelf life. This is a much longer time than the standard two years. However, it would be best to be careful to store it away from harsh temperatures. It may change the flavor and appearance if stored in temperatures above 24deg C.
When preparing the meal, you will need a little water. The pouches can be cooked on a fire or in a pot. They have no artificial ingredients, and they are made with real blueberries.
The pouches are easy to prepare, and the instructions are simple. They can be stored in the freezer for a short time, but they are best stored at room temperature.
