We have more than 30 foods ideas for our vegan foods with the longest shelf life! If you are looking for some pantry survival ideas, we have you covered.
We have put together this list of vegan foods with the longest shelf life in order to help you know what to purchase when facing natural disasters or weather related storms, quarantines, or prepping for medical necessity.
When you go into a store and notice a lack of items like toilet paper and soap, pasta and rice, panic begins to set in. Especially, in a country like the United States.
The lack of having access to things needed is not something that we normally deal with and we know that it is a first world problem to actually have to worry about what it would even mean not to have easy access to the things that we need, when we want them.
If you go into a store right now and where shelves, normally overflowing with multiple different brands of goods, are empty, it’s alarming and can be very overwhelming.
Often times people stock up because of the unknown. Are we going to have food rations? Will inflation pricing set in? Will I be able to leave my house?
These questions and more can cause panic.
The first step needs for everyone to take a deep breathe because panicking is never a good thing for your mental health or body.
But on the other hand, what do you even stock up on?
You want food that won’t go bad in the event that this whatever is happening, whether a pandemic or natural disaster, ends quickly. You don’t want to stock up on a ton of food that is going to spoil in the next 3-6 months.
How should I store food?
If you are planning on only needing to prepare for 3-6 months, then the food on the list will be fine stored in your pantry normally.
However, if you are planning to store your food beyond 6 months and up to a few years, you need to work to keep your food away from moisture, light, and heat.
For most people that’s still in their pantry, but even better is a basement if you have one that doesn’t retain a lot of moisture.
Garages typically aren’t recommended because they are colder in the winter and warmer in the summer and the temperature fluctuations aren’t good for proper food storage.
If you are prepare any of your own dried food, like dehydrated fruits or snacks, then you should look into buying food grade oxygen absorbers and mylar bags will also help.
Also, make sure that you are rotating food by the best by date or If making food by the date you made it.
Vegan Foods with Shelf Life of 2+ Years
Much of our list below focuses on foods that will last at least two years or more. Some of these foods will last much longer if stored properly.
If you are planning for very long term storage, your best bet is to buy food grade oxygen absorbers. These will help prevent your food from spoiling faster.
The vegan survival foods with the longest shelf life include:
1. Grains
Whether soft grains, like quinoa or barley, or hard grains, like red wheat and millet, grains are one of the longest lasting foods that you can buy. Soft grains last around 8 years, whereas hard grains can last 10-12 years.
Use quinoa to make our black beans and quinoa tacos.
2. Rice
White rice, if stored properly (oxygen free) can last up to 20 years. Normally white rice can last 4-5 years.
Brown rice, however, is only good for about 8-12 months.
Use rice to make our vegan garlic turmeric rice.
3. Oats
Rolled and Quick oats can last 2 years stored in a pantry; however, if you use oxygen absorbers, it can last up to 30 years.
Make our vegan peanut butter and jelly overnight oats.
4. Pasta, Including Ramen
Pasta in a pantry can last 2 years, or when no moisture is present up to 30 years.
5. Flour
Unground flour can last up to 25 years; however, most people aren’t buying unground flour. To extend the shelf life, flour can be stored In a freezer. Normally it can last up to 8 months past the printed date, getting most people close to 2 years (depending on the date obviously).
Corn flour can last longer and corn meal even longer.
Whole wheat flour has a shorter life span.
Check out our vegan everything dough.
6. Dried Beans and Lentils
Dried beans can last up to 5 years. Pinto beans and split are more like 3 years. It is easy to sprout beans so if you need longer than 5 years, it’s optimal to try to grown your own.
After this time it’s harder to cook them and get them soft enough to digest properly.
Use lentils to make our vegan hot dogs.
7. Canned Goods
Canned goods can last up to 6 years if stored properly. Anytime that you are using canned goods, it’s best to check for botulism.
The best type of canned goods to stock up on are canned beans, canned tomatoes, canned corn, and other canned vegetables. Many meals can be made with the first three listed making them ideal.
Use beans, corn and tomatoes to make our Vegan Tex Mex Rice.
8. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
A variety of dehydrated fruits and vegetables can last up to 20-30 years if made and stored properly. To get this type of shelf life, it’s best that you dehydrate on your own.
However, even store bought dehydrated goods will last at least 2 years.
Dehydrated vegetables are great in soups.
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) is a great protein or “meat” substitute.
9. Popcorn
If left moisture free, popcorn is a food with an almost indefinite shelf life. It makes a great treat.
11. Nutritional yeast
When stored properly, nutritional yeast can last up to 2 years. It’s a great source of vitamins, especially B12.
10. Nut Butters, Tahini
Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, Tahini and more can last up to two years not opened. J
Just as a note, jelly is good for 1 year.
Make our peanut butter chocolate energy bites.
12. Oils (Coconut, Olive, etc)
Cooking oils have at least a 2 year shelf life. Coconut oil specifically has been known to last unopened for longer.
Try our vegan spicy coconut chickpeas with garlic turmeric rice.
13. Sugar
Cane sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and even maple syrup, if unopened can almost be sealed indefinitely.
14. Sauces/Condiments
Soy sauce is another item that can be stored almost indefinitely.
Other sauces like ketchup, bbq sauce, and mustard will last at least 2 years.
15. Vinegar
White and Apple Cider Vinegar can last almost indefinitely. Plus, they double as cleaning items and ACV has health benefits, so this is a must on our list.
16. Pure Vanilla Extract
The keyword is pure. Because it’s almost all alcohol it can last indefinitely.
17. Salt, Herbs & Spices
Pink Himalayan or sea salt are the best salts to store for a long time, almost lasting indefinitely. Table salt is too processed.
Dried herbs and spices can last up to 4 years unopened.
Make sure to keep moisture free.
18. Baking Soda
Another item that lasts almost forever plus it also doubles as a cleaning agent.
19. Instant Coffee and Tea
Tea can last up to 2 years for best quality; after than it’s still safe but the quality might not be as great.
Instant coffee is one that will last up to 20+ years.
20. Shelf Stable and Powdered Dairy Free Milk
There are now shelf stable almond and soy milks and even powdered soy milk. It’s best to look at the dates on the products you’re buying but most will last 2 years if stored properly.
21. Raw Cacao
2-3 years especially if stored unopened.
22. Yeast
Yeast is great for making bread, cinnamon rolls, and other things and when stored properly will last 2 years.
Check out our vegan everything dough.
23. Nuts
Most nuts only last a year unopened; however, if stored in the freezer can last up to 2 years.
24. Alcohol
Another item that can be stored almost forever is hard liquor.
Wine has at least a 2 year shelf life; after that wine can turn into vinegar depending on the wine. Wine is best stored in a cool, dark place at an angle so the cork is always wet.
25. Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate, unopened can be stored for 2 years.
A Note about Frozen Fruits and Vegetables:
Both frozen fruits and vegetables are a great option for short period of time, but both only last about a year. If you know that you are going to be only stocking up for a short period of time and there’s no threat of power outages then it can be a great option.
What produce last the longest?
If you know that you are going to be stocking up just for a few weeks, up to 2 months, then buying fresh produce that lasts a long time and won’t spoil quickly is still a great option.
Otherwise, it’s best to buy frozen fruits and vegetables for produce sources.
- Garlic – Has health benefits and can last 3-5 months if stored in a cool, dry place
- Apples – If stored between 30-40 degrees (fridge) can last up to 6 months.
- Onions – Up to 2 months.
- Cabbage – Wrapped in plastic and stored in fridge will last 2 months
- Beets – Cut off the tops and store in an ziploc with all the air removed and they can last 2-4 months
- Winter Squash – Including butternut, spaghetti, acorn and more can last 1-3 months.
- Potatoes – Including yukon gold, red, sweet, and fingerling can last up to 5 weeks. Cool, dry place and away from onions as they can spoil potatoes faster.
- Carrots and Celery – 4 to 5 weeks. Remove any green tops from carrots if you purchase that way.
- Oranges, Grapefruits, Lemons, and Limes – 1 month or more if stored in the fridge. Great source of healthy vitamin C.
Foods like bell peppers, broccoli and spinach and are great to store in the freezer.
*Disclaimer: This post is informational only and should be used as a guide. We have done our best to provide accurate information. It’s best to look for dates on packaging that have the longest date from when purchasing. Please reach out to a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Free Printable!
We have made a free printable to help you at the store! You can print out your free copy easily. Just click here.
Michael C Faycheck
Thanks.
LarishaBernard
You’re very welcome