Keeping a stockpile of emergency food for the proverbial “rainy day” is important. Even the CDC recommends that all Americans keep extra food on hand at all times. Unfortunately, food doesn’t always stay good in storage which is why it’s a good idea to learn how to extend the life of your emergency reserves.
There are several ways to make your food last beyond its typical shelf life. Dehydrating foods, for example, can help them store for long durations of time and still be safe to consume. The good news is that there are plenty of foods you can dehydrate and add to your stockpile.
Fruits
Dehydrating your favorite fruits is always an option, and there are plenty to choose from. Some fruits that are great to dehydrate include but are not limited to:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Grapes
- Paw paw
- Plums
- Strawberries
- Starfruit
- Pineapple
- Apricot
You can always puree these fruits and dry them on a pan to make a delicious fruit leather as well.
Proteins
We all need protein in our diets to maintain a healthy body. You have a few options when looking to dehydrate meats. One is almost a given, and that’s beef; beef jerky is a widely popular snack.
You can also use duck breast. When salted and dehydrated, this meat is almost like ham. The next option has been around for millennia, and that’s smoked and dried fish — but be careful, some fish may need refrigeration even when properly dried.
Vegetables
Like fruits, there are plenty of veggies to dehydrate and add to your stockpile. Some, like onions, are a great addition to add some flavor to a meal. When looking to dehydrate vegetables to add to your stockpile, look for these:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Celery
- Mushrooms
- Tomatoes
To add some more flavor, you can dehydrate peppers as well, giving you some nice heat on a chilly day, Just be careful to not overdo it; stomach indigestion, heartburn, and diarrhea are not ideal to have when surviving.
Dehydration is a great way to stock up on certain foods and store them long past their normal expiration dates. Check out how to make your own meal-ready-to-eats (MREs) to add even more to your stockpile.
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