It doesn’t matter if there is an emergency or not, it is always a good idea to have some basic products in your pantry! Learn what to keep in your pantry all the time(not only for emergencies).
Every part of the world could be at any time hit by some natural disasters. Flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, snow storms, mud slides, tornadoes or pandemics are all very scary.
Learn what to keep in your pantry all the time(not only for emergencies)- Emergency or not, basic items in the pantry are a must!
When a natural disaster happens, even if your house is fine, electricity, water, gas, cable and internet are working, you might be stranded in the house for a while.
While you need to stay calm, you also need to prepare your pantry with dried goods that could be useful for at least a few weeks until things go back to normal.
Funny, it never occurred to me that I need to buy all the toilet paper available in the grocery stores, but I do think about buying disposable napkins, more bars of soap and stock up on foods that could last for a while.
As a food blogger, my pantry is always full of all kinds of basic ingredients that can be transformed in wonderful meals. However, I thought that it would be a good idea to make a list of items you should shop for, in case you need to stay at home for at least two weeks.
What To Keep In Your Pantry All The Time(Not Only For Emergencies)
I should start with a big piece of advice. Do not buy stuff that you do not like to eat, just because you found it on this list. Use your own judgment and buy only things that you know you will consume in time.
Also, go through the pantry and make sure that everything you have or plan to buy is going to last for a while. Any kind of canned food is not going to last forever, so check the expiration dates.
#1. Shelf stable ready to eat meals- there are all kinds of brands out there, this is just an example for you to see what I am talking about.
Also soups are perfect for this occasion. Of course, you can make your own broth that it is good for you no matter what, or this wonderful chicken soup made from scratch.
If you have an Instant Pot, (which I totally recommend to have in your kitchen), making various recipes and freeze them is a good idea as well.
However, in case you get sick and not able to cook, ready to eat meals are a life saver.
#2. Crackers and cookies- These are good to have all the time in your house anyway, but in times of emergencies, crackers are a good way to bring a little bit of normality to your daily life. They do not have a lot of nutritional value, but they are a substitute to bread and aid to digestion when you are sick.
#3. Canned or dried foods– This category is a vast one.
- Beans, like pinto, red, black, chickpeas, lentils- I have a bunch of recipes that can be made with beans:
Beans With Pork Shank In The Crock Pot
Chickpeas Green Beans With Pork And Spanish Chorizo
Mexican Pinto Bean Salad with Jalapeño Pepper
- Pork, beef, chicken, fish (tuna, salmon, hering, sardines etc) and seafood cans are a good option for eating protein.
- Shelf stable milk, like evaporated milk, regular milk, or plant based milk if you are a vegan.
- Canned tomatoes
- Jams, honey, canned fruits in syrup, apple sauce etc
#4. Nuts and Dried Fruits, also nut butters
#5. Pasta, Rice, Flour– Pasta and rice are inexpensive items to keep in the pantry, because they can make wonderful meals in no time. Flour is good to have because you can bake all kinds of things, from breads to cookies and anything else you want.
You can also use any type of flour you are used to and that includes gluten free flours, like almond flour, cornmeal etc. Together with the flour, you also need yeast, baking soda and baking powder.
Quick breads are awesome for putting food on the table really fast. Most quick breads are ready to eat in about an hour.
#6. Cereals, oatmeal, granola bars .
#7. Potatoes and onions- Potatoes should be a staple in your household anyway and here are a bunch of ideas on how to cook them.
#8. Hard Cheeses encased in Wax or Plastic– They last longer and can be consumed in sandwiches, as an ingredient in baked dishes etc.
#9. Drink mixes – coffee, tea, Ovaltine, cocoa.
#10. Oil, butter, lard, ghee, coconut oil, vinegars.
#11. Sugar, molasses.
#12. Herbs and spices– as a person who lives in a cold environment, I have a lot of dried herbs and spices in my house. Many times, going to the store in the middle of a snow storm is not feasible, so parsley, dill etc are mostly dried, frozen or salted.
#13. Condiments– mustard, ketchup, mayo, soy sauce, pickles, you get the idea. Get what you use and skip the ones that your family might not like.
#14. Chocolate- good as snack, great for baking, good for the soul.
#15. Pet supplies– Don’t forget about their food and other needs they have.
#16. Vitamins and other medicine supplies
#17. Some junk food– I am not good at that, but you know better than me what you like. In moderation, junk food is good for your mental health. Examples: chips, popcorn, candy bars.
Conclusion:
As a rule of thumb, the best foods to have in your pantry are foods that can sit on the shelf for one to three years and be edible.
What do you have in your pantry?
Learn here how to make easy meals when you are stuck at home.