Best Survival Foods And Meals
- Last Updated: October 20, 2022
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Why should you purchase survival food? Why is food an important, if not the most important aspect to include in your survival kit? Which food should you purchase for your survival kit? These are amongst the most commonly asked questions from novice survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts alike which of whom are unsure where to start in regards to survivalist food. If you’re one of these people, don’t worry, we’re here to help your find the best survival foods.
Survivalist food is not only essential but also an investment. So it would be best to first do your research. There are many different brands and types of survivalist food on the market, making the process of choosing products ever difficult for those new to emergency food. In the effort to make this process a bit easier, we’ve done the work for you by compiling a list of the top ten best survival food out on the market today.
In a Rush? The Winner after 19 hours of testing is:
- Calorie sufficient meals
- Eat directly from the pouch
- Portable pouches require only water
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
- Mountain House Just In Case 14-Day Emergency Food Supply
- Nutristore Freeze Dried Vegetable Pack
- Wild Planet, Wild Pink Salmon
- Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply
- NorthWest Fork Gluten-Free 30 Day Emergency Food Supply
- MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) Genuine U.S. Military Surplus Assorted Flavors
- SOS Food Labs Emergency Ration
- Wise Foods Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food
- Patriot Pantry Ready Hour
- Case / 14 SOPAKCO MRE Emergency Ration Meals Ready to Eat
Quick Comparison
- Calorie sufficient meals
- Eat directly from the pouch
- Portable pouches require only water
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
Value: 96
Effectiveness: 96
Durability: 95
Portability: 97
Bottom Line: 96
Our Rating: 96
- 30 day or 100 servings food supply
- 25-year shelf life
- Perfect for vegans or vegetarians
- Quality premiere vegetables
Value: 94
Effectiveness: 95
Durability: 94
Portability: 97
Bottom Line: 95
Our Rating: 95
- No drain necessary
- Non-GMO & gluten-free
- 340mg of EPA & DHA Omega 3
- Skinless, boneless & without fillers
- Generous quantity of food
Value: 94
Effectiveness: 94
Durability: 94
Portability: 97
Bottom Line: 95
Our Rating: 94.8
- Calorie sufficient meals
- 30 Day & 45 Day Meal Planner
- Up to 25-year shelf life
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste for survival food
Value: 96
Effectiveness: 92
Durability: 95
Portability: 93
Bottom Line: 93
Our Rating: 93.8
- 30-day food supply
- Six different, 15-serving sized meals
- 10-year shelf life
- Kosher, vegan and gluten-free
- Quality taste
Value: 94
Effectiveness: 93
Durability: 92
Portability: 93
Bottom Line: 92
Our Rating: 92.8
- Calorie efficient meals
- Genuine Military MREs
- Considerable shelf life
- Quality food with good taste
- Generous quantity of food
Value: 92
Effectiveness: 92
Durability: 90
Portability: 94
Bottom Line: 90
Our Rating: 91.6
- High Caloric Value
- Small and portable for everyday carry
- Considerable shelf life
- Cinnamon, non-thirst provoking flavor
- Quality taste
Value: 90
Effectiveness: 93
Durability: 90
Portability: 90
Bottom Line: 90
Our Rating: 90.6
- Heavy-duty Mylar pouches
- Variety of meals
- Up to 25-year shelf life
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
Value: 89
Effectiveness: 90
Durability: 90
Portability: 90
Bottom Line: 89
Our Rating: 89.6
- Sturdy locking ammo can with gasket seal
- Calorie Sufficient Intake
- Up to 25-year shelf life
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
Value: 88
Effectiveness: 90
Durability: 90
Portability: 88
Bottom Line: 88
Our Rating: 88.8
- Ready to Eat Meals
- Includes Flameless ration heaters
- Shelf life of 5-10 years past inspection date
- Generous assortment of food
- Decent taste
Value: 88
Effectiveness: 88
Durability: 88
Portability: 88
Bottom Line: 87
Our Rating: 87.8
Our Reviews
1 Mountain House Just In Case 14-Day Emergency Food Supply
Mountain House Just In Case 14-Day Emergency Food Supply is another option to consider for solo survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts. This emergency food supply kit provides a ready to eat meal plan of 14 days in prepackaged portions. It provides 100 total servings with approximately 1,800 calories per day.
Calorie Sufficient
Each day of Mountain House Just In Case 14-Day Emergency Food Supply provides you with a daily calorie intake of about 1,800. This amount is sufficient for emergencies, surpassing the recommended daily minimum of 1,500 calories.
Eat Directly from the Pouch
With the Mountain House Just In Case 14-Day Emergency Food Supply, you can eat directly out of the pouch. Simply add water and you have yourself a meal.
Cost and Value
Mountain House Just In Case 14-Day Emergency Food Supply provides a variety of prepackaged calorie sufficient meals that can be eaten directly from the pouch. Because of these factors, this is great for both solo survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Calorie sufficient meals
- Eat directly from the pouch
- Portable pouches require only water
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
- Calorie intake may be too low for some
- Only provides 14 days worth of meals
2 Nutristore Freeze Dried Vegetable Pack
Nutristore Freeze Dried Vegetable Sample Pack is another food survival supply for vegan and vegetarian survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts. This kit contains a total of an astounding 100 serving freeze-dried veggies with a shelf life of 25 years.
100 Total Servings
Nutristore Freeze Dried Vegetable Sample Pack provides consumers a supply of 100 total servings of food. These premiere freeze-dried veggies are divided into 3 assortments of 40 and 20 total servings: corn, peas (40) and broccoli (20).
25 Year Shelf Life
Because these veggies come freeze-dried, they have a shelf life of 25 years. The Nutristore Freeze Dried Vegetable Sample Pack gives you peace of mind knowing you have access to nutritious and delicious vegetables.
Cost and Value
Nutristore Freeze Dried Vegetable Sample Pack provides a 30-day food supply or 100 serving food supply with a shelf life of 25 years. This emergency survival foods kit is ideal vegans, vegetarians or those wanting to have vegetables added to their survival kits.
- 30 day or 100 servings food supply
- 25-year shelf life
- Perfect for vegans or vegetarians
- Quality premiere vegetables
- Come in large containers
- Servings are not proportioned
3 Wild Planet, Wild Pink Salmon
Wild Planet’s Wild Pink Salmon is a great option for people who prefer to have a pescatarian diet or fish for an addition to their survival foods kit. Not only is the Wild Pink Salmon skinless, boneless and with no fillers, but it is also a non-GMO nutritional powerhouse.
Nutritional Powerhouse
Wild Planet’s Wild Pink Salmon offer high-quality nutrition with their “fresh-from-the-sea” flavored salmon. With 340mg of EPA and DHA Omega 3 per 2 oz serving, you won’t have to worry about missing out on your daily nutrition intake.
Non-GMO
You don’t have to bend your eating habits for the sake of survival. Wild Planet’s Wild Pink Salmon is always gluten-free, non-GMO and OU Kosher Pareve. Quality fish without the extra fillers.
Cost and Value
For the amount of salmon (5oz cans in a pack of 12), it’s quality and affordable cost, this is another worthy investment for anyone wanting to add an additional source of protein to their survival foods kit.
- No drain necessary
- Non-GMO & gluten-free
- 340mg of EPA & DHA Omega 3
- Skinless, boneless & without fillers
- Generous quantity of food
- Not sufficient caloric intake for a meal
- Taste can be not for some
4 Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply
Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply is another great option to consider adding to your survival kit if you’re a solo survivalist. They provide a 30-day meal plan alongside 8.5-gallon watertight pail. Furthermore, each day averages about 1,854 caloric intake and a shelf life of up to 25 years.
Calorie Efficient
Each day of Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply provides you with an average caloric intake of 1,854. While this may seem low, it is still over the recommended daily minimum of 1,500 caloric intake.
Shelf Life
With a shelf life of up to 25 years, Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply is truly an emergency food supply. Sealed in an 8.5-gallon watertight pail, this food supply is made for survival.
Cost and Value
Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply has an astounding shelf life, sufficient caloric intake, generous 30-day assortment of food as well as its food planner. Due to these factors, this is a survival foods kit worth considering.
- Calorie sufficient meals
- 30 Day & 45 Day Meal Planner
- Up to 25-year shelf life
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste for survival food
- Gallon pail not entirely portable for some
- Not recommended for outdoor enthusiasts
5 NorthWest Fork Gluten-Free 30 Day Emergency Food Supply
NorthWest Fork Gluten-Free 30 Day Emergency Food Supply is for the vegan, vegetarian, gluten intolerant or kosher survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts! This kit comes packed with a generous assortment of meals for 30 days and a shelf life of 10 years.
30 Day Food Supply
NorthWest Fork Gluten-Free 30 Day Emergency Food Supply provides its buyers an assortment of 30 days worth of food. Not only is the food healthy and tasty, but you are also given a variety of six 15-serving sized meals.
10 Year Shelf Life
With a shelf life of up to 10 years, NorthWest Fork Gluten-Free 30 Day Emergency Food Supply will give you a peace of mind knowing your food was made to last. Never worry about last-minute preparations.
Cost and Value
NorthWest Fork Gluten-Free 30 Day Emergency Food Supply is gluten-free, vegan and kosher. Moreover, they provide a 30-day food supply with a shelf life of 10 years and a choice of six different 15-serving sized meals. This emergency kit is ideal for those with dietary concerns.
- 30-day food supply
- Six different, 15-serving sized meals
- 10-year shelf life
- Kosher, vegan and gluten-free
- Quality taste
- Come in large bags
- Servings are not proportioned
6 MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) Genuine U.S. Military Surplus Assorted Flavors
MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) Genuine U.S. Military Surplus is one of the most popular and purchased survival/emergency foods in today’s market. They provide a surplus of assorted US War Fighter Ration meals in a pack of four, each with a shelf life of 3-5 years.
Shelf Life
With a shelf life of 3-5 years (depending on the manufacturer’s directions), the MRE’s Genuine U.S. Military Surplus is made to last. Rest assured that your food will stay intact for future use.
Calorie Efficient
Each meal within MREs Genuine U.S. Military Surplus is designed for “maximum endurance and nutrition”. They are calorie efficient, providing an average of 1,250 calories per meal.
Cost and Value
Because of MREs Genuine U.S. Military Surplus shelf life, calorie efficiency and a generous four-pack assortment of food, it is definitely worth considering investing in for any coming outdoor excursions or for your survival kit.
- Calorie efficient meals
- Genuine Military MREs
- Considerable shelf life
- Quality food with good taste
- Generous quantity of food
- Heating pad can be faulty
- Assortment not customizable
7 SOS Food Labs Emergency Ration
SOS Food Labs Emergency Food Rations is a perfect emergency food bar. Ideal for emergencies, this comes in a pack of nine ready to eat pre-rationed bars, each providing 3600 calories. Furthermore, these bars have a shelf life of 5 years under any climatic condition.
High Caloric Value
SOS Food Labs Emergency Food Rations food bars may seem small, yet they are by no means low in calories. Each nine of the ready to eat pre-ration bars provides a whopping 3,500 calories.
Perfect for Emergencies
SOS Food Labs Emergency Food Rations food bars are small enough to everyday carry be it in your home, car or backpack. Because of their portability, they are ideal for emergency situations.
Cost and Value
Due to SOS Food Labs Emergency Food Rations high-calorie value, shelf life, and portability, they are perfect for emergencies. Their small size allows you to everyday carry the bars or bring them along for your next outdoor excursion.
- High Caloric Value
- Small and portable for everyday carry
- Considerable shelf life
- Cinnamon, non-thirst provoking flavor
- Quality taste
- Food bars, not meals
- Perhaps best for outdoor recreation
8 Wise Foods Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food
Wise Foods Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food Favorites Sample is something to consider for solo survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts with hot water at their disposal. In this freeze-dried food favorites sample kit you are given a total of 16 servings of Wise Foods’ favorites.
Heavy Duty Mylar Pouches
Each package of Wise Foods Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food comes seals in heavy-duty Mylar pouches. This ensures that your food is safely stored for future consumption.
Up to 25 Year Shelf Life
With a shelf life of up to 25 years, Wise Foods Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food is made for survival. In case of an emergency never worry if your food is outdated or expired.
Cost and Value
Wise Foods Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food provides a variety of prepackaged meals safely sealed in Mylar pouches that have a considerable shelf life. Because of these factors, this emergency food kit is ideal for both solo survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Heavy-duty Mylar pouches
- Variety of meals
- Up to 25-year shelf life
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
- Requires hot water for consumption
- Only provides 16 servings of food
9 Patriot Pantry Ready Hour
Patriot Pantry 1 Week Food Supply Ammo Can is another form of assurance. This one-week supply provides easy to prepare 1,500+ per day meals delivered in an ammo can. Ideal for survivalists seeking further assurance and preparedness.
Ammo Can with Gasket Seal
The Patriot Pantry 1 Week Food Supply Ammo Can deliver its 1-week food supply in a sturdy locking ammo can with a gasket seal. This assures your food is safely secured and compactly stored.
25 Year Shelf Life
Lasting up to 25 years in storage, the Patriot Pantry 1 Week Food Supply Ammo Can is perfect for emergency situations. Simply store the can in your pantry, garage or can for future use.
Cost and Value
The Patriot Pantry 1 Week Food Supply Ammo Can is a great supply kit for solo survivalists. This kit is equipped with all you need for emergency situations. The food is easy to prepare, calorie sufficient and is of variety.
- Sturdy locking ammo can with gasket seal
- Calorie Sufficient Intake
- Up to 25-year shelf life
- Generous assortment of food
- Quality taste
- Requires hot water for consumption
- Only provides a 1-week food supply
10 Case / 14 SOPAKCO MRE Emergency Ration Meals Ready to Eat
The SOPAKCO MRE Emergency Ration Meals Ready to Eat is another MRE kit on the list. This factory sealed case provides 14 ready to eat, pre rationed meals with flameless ration heaters.
14 Ready to Eat Meals
With 14 ready to eat, pre rationed meals you can rest assured that you will have a food supply in case of an emergency. You are provided with at least a week’s worth of meals made in the USA.
Flameless Ration Heater
SOPAKCO Emergency Ration Meals’ come pre-equipped with flameless ration heaters. These heaters do the job in producing sufficient heat, ensuring you a warm meal in the worst of situations.
Cost and Value
The SOPAKCO MRE Emergency Ration Meals provides 14 pre rationed meals equipped with flameless ration heaters. This kit is made for emergencies. If you’re seeking an MRE supply to add to your survivalist kit, this is one to consider.
- Ready to Eat Meals
- Includes Flameless ration heaters
- Shelf life of 5-10 years past inspection date
- Generous assortment of food
- Decent taste
- Assortment not customizable
- Only provides 14 meals
Buying Guide
Value
Value is perhaps by far the most important factor to consider when purchasing just about anything. In regards to the best survival foods, in order to determine whether or not the food supply you’re considering purchasing will bring you the most value is for you to first determine your needs and lifestyle.
If you are a solo survivalist or outdoor enthusiast, your needs and lifestyle will differ from someone who is looking to purchase survival food for numerous people, bit it for a group or family. So first, determine your needs whilst putting into consideration your lifestyle. Second, put into consideration your tastes and dietary restrictions. From there, you should be able to decide whether or not the survival food you’re considering purchasing will bring you value or not.
Effectiveness
There are several factors to be considered in determining the effectiveness of survival food. For this list, factors such as the food quality, assortment, preparation requirements, and shelf life were put into consideration in order to determine the effectiveness of the food on this list. Why? Because each of these factors plays a hand in how effective the survival food will be as each depends on one another.
However, keep in mind that effectiveness is a criterion that can be subjective. Consider first your needs, usage, lifestyle, and dietary concerns (for some). These factors too could be a game-changer in determining whether or not the chosen survival food will be effective or not for you and your unique needs. Nonetheless, if you are still uncertain, go for a survival food kit with a long shelf life and little to no preparation requirements.
Durability
Purchasing the best survival foods kit means that it is meant to last. This means both the food and the packaging it comes in should be durable. There is no point in spending your money on a kit that comes with deficient packaging and thus, ruins your food supply or shortens the projected shelf life.
It’s smart to look into the type of packaging the survival food is stored in. What type of material is the pouch made of (if applicable)? What type of food is being stored? Is it truly non perishable foods? What do the reviews say about the packaging? These are all valid questions to be made in determining the durability of the survival food as well as its packaging.
Portability
It should be portable. However, keep in mind that the items on this list come in a variety of different packaging so portability is dependent on a few other things. Whether the food comes prepackaged or pre-rationed in individual pouches or you’re left alone to pack or portion the food on its own, they should be portable.
Furthermore, if it comes in a larger storage bin, this also should be portable for the most part. Whether you intend on storing the bin, bags, gallon tub or box in your car, garage or pantry, it should be designed to be stored away for future use.
Bottom Line
The bottom line considers all the criteria mentioned above into one final, bottom line. Value, effectiveness, durability, and portability each together is what determines the item on this lists’ bottom line.
Is it truly valuable? Is this product effective? Is it time tested and durable? Is it portable to away in a safe place while having the ability to everyday carry in pre-packaged or be hand portioned for outdoor excursions? If so, the item received a good score for its bottom line.
Expert Tips
Non Perishable Food
In order for survival food to serve any purpose for you, it should be non-perishable. This applies to food such as freeze-dried meals, canned goods, bulk dried foods or dried meats, vegetables and fruits. These foods are non-perishable and therefore can last a long time. Processed food, while non-perishable, is processed, therefore has a longer shelf life than organic food. Canned foods such as fish, soups, vegetables, fruits, legumes can also be considered to be non-perishable.
Storage
Store your survival food supply in a cool, dry place. Places such as a dry basement or attic could be best to consider for storing if you have either at your disposal. If not, consider storing your food high up in a pantry. At the end of the day, you want to keep your supply safe and away from pests, vermin or the elements.
Other Factors to Consider
Materials
Always purchase survival food that is packaged with quality materials. You are guaranteed to get your money’s worth when choosing survival food packaged with quality material. If otherwise, you lose out on its shelf life and the food will no longer serve its purpose.
Take into account the materials used for the packaging as well as the storage container if it comes in one. At the end of the day, the best survival food should be packaged in durable and dependable material.
Ease of Use
The ease of use is another factor to consider when purchasing survival food. That is to say, is the food easy to prepare? Some of the survival food on this list requires hot water to prepare or water in general while some require no water.
Put this into consideration as this can be a determining factor in deciding which and what type of survival food is best suited for you. This factor is subjective so consider your purpose of purchasing survival food first.
Brand
It is important to consider the brand when purchasing your chosen survival food. As always suggested, do a quick search on the brand online if you’re unsure of their reputation.
Online outdoor reaction or survivalist communities are very vocal in their favorite and most trusted brands, review their online community forums if desired (some do require you to register first, however). If you can’t be bothered, go on Amazon and vet through the reviews.
Size
In speaking of the size of the survival food, we speak mainly of the size of the storage container (if applicable). This is another factor to put into consideration before making your purchase.
Depending on your intended use and desired form of storage, the size of the container should be put into consideration. Again, this factor is too subjective to your needs and usage. For outdoor enthusiasts, this may defer from survivalists.
Weather Resistance
Weather resistance is the final factor you may want to put into consideration. Why is this factor important? Because of the materials used in the packaging cannot withstand extreme elements, this may hinder their ability to serve their very purpose.
If you intend on keeping this stored away in a cool dry place, this factor may not apply to you, nonetheless, depending on your intended usage and or environment, this is a factor to put into consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is food important in a survival kit?
A: Emergency food is important for a variety of reasons. In short, in the effort of preparedness given any emergency such as floods, hurricanes, blizzards, pandemics, or outdoor excursions went wrong, it is important to ensure that your or your family’s food supply is in stock and readily available.
Q: What are the best survival foods?
A: The Best Survival foods are generally non-perishable and or processed foods. Any and all foods with a long shelf life. Basic survival food groups included the following: water, freeze-dried meats, vegetables and fruits, canned fish such as tuna or salmon as well as any nuts and grains.
Q: What foods should be in a survival kit?
A: When building or creating a survival food kit, it is best to consider foods with a long shelf life. This is non-perishable or processed foods as well as canned foods. For survival food kits that are needed for everyday carry or hiking/camping expeditions, pre-packaged foods that require little to no effort or requirements to prepare are best. This can include grains, nuts, canned fish, and dehydrated meats, fruits or vegetables. And of course, never forget your water supply.