Get Creative Making Delicious Meals from Your Prepper Pantry
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.
When my husband and I got married, we quickly realized how challenging it could be to make ends meet, especially with a tight budget. We had to get creative with our meals, finding ways to stretch our dollars while still making something tasty and satisfying. Looking back, I realize that those early struggles taught me valuable skills that have served me well in the years since.
Now, as someone who believes in being prepared for emergencies, I have built a prepper pantry to help my family weather any unexpected situations. And while stockpiling can seem intimidating, I’m so excited to show you that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, cooking with prepper pantry ingredients can be not only practical but also delicious.
Through my experience, I have learned that having a well-stocked pantry is crucial for preparedness. Having the right ingredients and knowing how to use them can make a big difference in a pinch. And that’s why I’m excited to share with you some of the delicious meals you can make using your prepper pantry.
So, whether you’re just getting started with prepping or you’re looking for new ways to use the items in your pantry, this post is for you. With some tips on how to build your pantry, stockpile cooking basics, and delicious recipes for every meal, you’ll be well on your way to being prepared for anything that comes your way.
Building a Prepper Pantry
Having a prepper pantry is one of the best ways to ensure you and your family are prepared for any emergency situation. However, before you start stockpile cooking, you need to build your prepper pantry. Here are some tips to help you get started:
My experience of struggling at the beginning of my marriage gave me an advantage when it came to building my prepper pantry. I had already learned how to cook with ingredients that have a long shelf life, such as canned goods, dry beans, and rice. These are the foundation of any prepper pantry, and I recommend starting with these basic items. Here is a basic list of prepper pantry items to get you started:
- Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, meat, fish)
- Dry beans (black beans, lentils, kidney beans)
- Rice (white, brown, or wild)
- Pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, noodles)
- Oats
- Flour (all-purpose, whole wheat)
- Sugar (white and brown)
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil (olive oil, vegetable oil)
- Spices and herbs (cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, oregano)
Once you have your prepper pantry stocked with these essentials, you can start adding other items that your family enjoys. Just make sure you select foods that have a long shelf life and can be stored properly.
Properly storing your food is essential to maintaining its quality and longevity. Make sure to store your food in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You can also use airtight containers or Mylar bags to keep your food fresh for longer periods.
Lastly, remember to rotate your stock. This means using the oldest items first and replacing them with new items. This ensures that your food stays fresh and that nothing goes to waste. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a well-stocked prepper pantry.
Stockpile Cooking Basics
When it comes to stockpile cooking, having the right equipment and pantry staples can make a big difference in the taste and quality of your meals. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cooking equipment: In addition to your regular kitchen appliances, it’s a good idea to have a few items specifically for prepper pantry cooking, just in case you need alternatives for power outages. Consider investing in a butane stove (for indoor cooking), a camping stove, a portable grill, and a cast-iron skillet. These items are durable, versatile, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Pantry staples: As mentioned in the list above it’s important to have a few pantry staples on hand to add flavor and variety to your meals. Some essential items to include are seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You may also want to have cooking oil (such as olive oil or coconut oil) and sweeteners like honey or sugar.
By having these basic cooking supplies on hand, you can create a variety of delicious meals using the items in your prepper pantry.
Recipe Ideas From Your Prepper Pantry Ingredients
Now, let’s dive into the fun part – cooking delicious meals using your prepper pantry ingredients! Here are some meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast
Prepper Pantry Granola
Ingredients
- 2 C Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 C Chopped Nuts
- 1/2 C Dried Fruit
- 1/4 C Honey
- 1/4 C Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
- Combine the oats, nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan, melt the honey and coconut oil together over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the granola out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the granola is golden brown and crispy.
- Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet before storing it in an airtight container.
I’ve made a version of this recipe that includes a 1/4C of peanut butter and it was super tasty!
Lunch From Prepper Pantry Ingredients
Simple Lentil Soup with Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 C Dried Lentils
- 4 C Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- 1 Diced Onion
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic
- 2 Carrots peeled & diced
- 2 Celery Stalks diced
- 1 15oz can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the lentils, removing any debris.
- In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add in the carrots and celery, and cook until softened.
- Add in the lentils, broth, diced tomatoes, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the lentils are tender.
- Serve hot with a crusty bread or crackers.
This recipe would be great to utilize any freeze-dried ingredients as well!
Prepper Pantry Dinner Recipe
Pantry Pasta with Chickpeas and Spinach
Ingredients
- 8 oz Pasta (penne, fusilli, or any other short pasta shape)
- 1 15oz can Chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 15oz can Diced Tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
- 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
- 2 C Spinach Leaves
- 1/4 C Grated Parmesan
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the canned chickpeas and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano, basil, and thyme. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Let the mixture cook for about 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add the spinach leaves to the skillet and stir until wilted.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
How Best to Use Your Prepper Pantry
When I was living on a tight budget, one of my saving graces was to get creative with the ingredients I had. I would mix and match different foods to create new dishes and stretch my prepper pantry as far as it could go. Another way I made the most of my small pantry was to meal plan and batch cook. I know, I know, people are so over meal planning these days. But honestly, meal planning doesn’t have to be intricate or difficult. For me, it was just a matter of writing down a main dish for four days of the week on a calendar and doing leftovers between. That could be as simple as writing the word “spaghetti” so I knew what I was thinking of for that day. Then I would add sides on the fly as the day approached. These simple strategies helped me save money and ensure that my family always had enough to eat.
Tips for Meal Planning and Batch Cooking
Meal planning and batch cooking can be a lifesaver when it comes to using your prepper pantry effectively. Here are some tips to make it work for you:
First, create a meal plan for the week based on what you have in your prepper pantry. This will help you make the most out of your ingredients and avoid waste. Take inventory of what you have, plan out your meals for the week, and make a shopping list for any additional items you need.
Next, don’t be afraid to get creative with your ingredients. Mix and match different foods to create new dishes and experiment with new flavor combinations. This will help you avoid getting bored with your meals and keep things interesting.
Finally, consider batch-cooking meals that can be easily reheated for quick and easy meals throughout the week. This can save you time and effort in the long run, especially if you have a busy schedule. Just make sure to properly store your leftovers in the fridge or freezer and reheat them safely.
Creative Cooking With Your Preps
Building a prepper pantry and learning to cook delicious meals from your prepper pantry may seem like a daunting task, but it can be a rewarding and practical way to make sure you’re prepared for any situation. By following the tips and recipes we’ve shared, you can learn how to use your prepper pantry ingredients to create delicious and nutritious meals that will keep you and your family well-fed and happy. So why not start experimenting with your prepper pantry and discover the benefits of stockpile cooking for yourself? With a little bit of planning and creativity, you’ll be amazed at the tasty dishes you can whip up in no time!
