With the state of the world right now, you have probably wondered how to make your own survival food. This is something everyone should be aware of, particularly if you like to go to remote places.
Making your survival food pack or kit doesn’t mean you have to cook everything, it just means you have to be prepared and pick the right items.
What is survival food?
Survival food is a general term to encompass all of the foods that don’t spoil over a long time. This also includes water, which is essential for survival in any situation.
Some foods keep better than others due to their water content and sodium content, but there are some things you can do to preserve foods for a longer period.
Here are some of the best long-term foods:
- Rice—this food can keep for years and it is high in carbohydrates and calories for when you need them the most.
- Grains—including rye, flour, and oats.
- Beans—these are great sources of protein and fiber and when dry, they can keep for a very long time.
- Canned food—whether it is canned meat, vegetables, or fruits, these foods can last for years.
- Honey—while not necessarily an essential food, this sweetener can be life-saving when it comes to energy and calories.
You can check out this guide on the best foods to store long-term, which is a great start for your survival food list.
Now that you know what survival food means, let’s dig into some of the 4 tips to make your own survival foods at home:
Tip #1: You can buy survival food
It may seem redundant, but the truth is, buying survival food is the easiest way to prepare. In any grocery store, you will find many types of canned foods, packed water, dried fruits, and more.
Another reason why buying survival food is a good idea is that you can store it away for years without worrying about spoilage.
Most of these foods are meant to be kept in dry storage, though you can dry freeze others for longer keeping.
Tip #2: You can freeze dry your food, or buy it already freeze-dried
The main reason why people don’t freeze-dry their food is that it can be very expensive. The cheapest freezer-dryer is over a thousand dollars, but buying freeze-dried food can be expensive as well. At this point, it is all about convenience and what makes sense to you.
If you do decide to get a freeze-drying machine, you can store all sorts of foods, from crops to fruits and vegetables, and meat and eggs.
However, if you can’t afford the appropriate equipment, some of the best freeze-dried foods you can find include:
- Raw meat to cook later
- Cooked meat that is ready to eat
- Fruits, like strawberries, berries, and bananas
- Eggs, which are usually in powder form ready to be cooked with water
- Ice cream
Tip #3: Home canning saves you time and money
Canning at home isn’t too hard, and it is a great way to save money. Not only can you buy your food in bulk and preserve it for a long time, but you can also make mixes of food that you like for future use.
The best foods to can at home are fermented and pickled foods, jams and jellies, and acidic foods. Keep in mind though that there are various canning methods and you should know which ones to use.
For high acid foods, like fruits and some vegetables, you can use a water bath canner, which only requires a stockpot and glass jars. If you have medium to high acid foods, you can use steam canning, which raises the temperature higher.
However, for foods that are very low in acid, like meat, the only safe method to use is pressure canning.
This last method requires that you use a pressure canner, which is a special tool that has a pressure gauge. This tool will raise the temperature above the boiling point and kill any microorganisms.
Tip #4: Keep your food in a safe place and ready to go
Finally, before you go anywhere, you should be sure to have your food ready to go somewhere. If you don’t know where to start, this list of things to do for long-term food storage can help.
Remember, that in a rush, or during an emergency, you will need to grab things quickly. It is always best to have a kit ready to go with the essentials, and don’t forget to make a checklist that you can review frequently.
It’s always best to be ready!
Now that you know all about the process of food storage, you are ready to tackle how to make your own survival food. Remember that homemade preserves, canned food, and dry food may require you to label accordingly and check for spoilage. With these tips, you will never be at a loss anymore.
