Preparing for the worst is hard work, but it doesn't have to be. We've compiled a list of the best prepper pantries and tips on stocking your own. From water storage to food preservation, we'll help you prepare for anything that might happen.
Read on for more about the best prepper pantries and how to stock your own.
What to Know About Prepper Pantries
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Before diving into this list of some of the best posts I've seen on prepper pantries, I'd like to address some of the common questions we receive on these.
I'd also like to mention that keeping a well-stocked, long-term pantry is part of our regular life. If you're new to our site, I should explain that we homestead off the grid in a remote northern part of Canada.
And long before the events of 2020 occurred, we were working towards securing our family's long-term food supply. We've been dehydrating, canning, and preserving our food for years.
In 2020, we began seeing more and more mainstream articles (like this one from the BBC and this one from the Atlantic) on prepping.
Now we don't consider ourselves hardcore preppers. However, many of the things we do as part of our life out here align with what preppers do.
And so every week, we get emails and Facebook messages asking for our advice.
What is a prepper pantry and how do you stock one?
A prepper pantry is a long-term food storage system that will keep you fed in the event of an emergency or SHTF (an acronym for s*it hits the fan - an expression commonly used to refer to the scenario that will be in place when society collapses).
Prepper pantries aim to keep you and yours fed and watered for three to 12 months.
That way, if something goes wrong in the short term food supply chain, then you can still feed your household over the long term.
How much food do I need?
It really depends on how many family members you have and how much food you want to have on hand at any one time.
Personally, I would recommend that you start off with a three-month supply. However, in our own home, we're also experimenting with indoor gardening, and we raise chickens and turkeys as well as foraging, fishing, and hunting. That way we're better prepared for long-term food shortages.
Also consider your homestead garden goals and what you produce.
For example, do you have an overabundance of tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkin or squash? If so get started pickling, finding ways to cook squash, and learn to preserve tomatoes.
How much space should I have for a prepper pantry?
The first thing that you need to do is start planning on what type of food you will want to store long-term, i.e., for more than just a few months at a time.
There are several factors that you need to consider when choosing the type and quantity of food to store. Firstly, size and space.
Obviously, with a large pantry, you can buy in bulk. And store more food and prepare for a longer period of time.
You might be lucky enough to have a root cellar, bunker, or basement (we don't have any of these where we are.)
However, if you don't have the space, there are some great compact options.
For example, you can purchase #10 cans (which means there are 25 cans per pallet.) Get creative and store these around your house in a bookshelf or under your spare bed.
This is great because many people have space they can put to good use but just aren't sure what to do with it.
How long will my prepper pantry food last?
If you plan on storing food for just a few months at a time, then the shelf life of the food doesn't really matter that much.
Canned food and dried goods are pretty good for a few months, but they do come with an expiration date. So be careful not to over-order.
And if you plan to store your food for years, consider mylar bags and vacuum sealing (watch for an upcoming post on how we're doing this.)
What non-food items should be a part of prepper pantries?
Your prepper pantry shouldn't just be about food storage. It should also include other essential non-food items you can't live without.
This includes things like
- toilet paper
- lanterns
- batteries
- sewing materials
- medications
- herbs
- water filter system
- canning and preserving books
- off grid living books
- homeschool supplies
- fire starters
Depending on the situation, you might find you can't get these items.
And even if you're currently on the grid, you could find yourself in a very different lifestyle if it goes down.
Organizing your prepper pantry
Many preppers will split their pantry into different sections based on the type and amount of food they want on hand.
For example, many people will have a small section dedicated to dry goods, such as unopened pasta and rice. These are two of the most commonly found best foods for prepping.
Another section is set aside for canned foods, such as sauces or syrups. And another section gets used for long-term food storage, for items like 200 servings of freeze-dried meals.
15 Best Prepper Pantries of 2025
Are you creating a pantry that can withstand a snowstorm, a pandemic, or food shortages created by war?
No matter the case, here's a list of some great posts to help you prepare by creating and stocking your prepper pantry.
Regardless of what kind of space you live in, a prepper pantry can be possible. Here are 15 great ideas for building prepper pantries for your home.
15 Best Prepper Pantries: Ideas for stocking your own
You never know when an emergency will strike. You could find yourselves dealing with cleared shelves or even unable to leave your house.
Prepper pantries are perfect for long term food storage solutions, and to help you ensure you’re ready for the worst.
Whether you’re building a pantry that can withstand a snowstorm, or a pandemic, I have put together some great posts that can help you get ready by creating a prepper pantry. No matter what kind of space you live in, a prepper pantry can be possible.
Here are 15 great ideas for building prepper pantries for your home.
Cooking with Freeze Dried Meat ~ Lightweight Emergency Food
Freeze-dried meat is lightweight and lasts a long time. It's a great option for adding protein to your long-term food storage.
Baking Essentials: The Well-Stocked Pantry
Baking items and ingredients can last a long time when stored correctly.
This post includes tips and a good list of baking essentials to stock up on for your prepper pantry.
Mason Jar Food Storage - Buying in Bulk to Save Money - Mason Jar Projects
Yes, I love me a good mason jar. And not just for canning. Learn why mason jars are a must-have in your own prepper pantry.
What Is A Prepper Pantry and Why Should You Consider Starting One?
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a handy video explaining more about what your prepper pantry should include plus why you need one.
Best (and Worst) Emergency Food Suppliers of 2024
Wondering about the best emergency food supplies right now, as well as what you just don't need - or shouldn't grab? Ashley over at Practical Self-Reliance has you covered.
Emergency Food Supply - Pantry Staples You Should Always Have
This list post also includes a handy printable list where you can record your own emergency pantry staples.
Healthy Shelf-Stable Foods (Part 2)
Stocking your pantry involves more than grabbing food items with a long shelf-life. You want them to be healthy as well. Learn more here.
Pantry Essentials: Survival Food Storage List and Ideas
More survival food ideas to include with your long-term food storage items.
Meals In A Jar | Using Dry Ingredients Only
Now here's a really useful list that includes meals in a jar - so convenient because they often only require adding water, maybe some protein, and then heating them up. Bookmark this post for sure.
Healthy Shelf-Stable Foods (Part 1)
The first of a two-part post on healthy shelf-stable foods.
How to Stock a Pantry for an Emergency - Girl and the Kitchen
More emergency pantry staple ideas from Girl and the Kitchen
10 Foods To Have In Your Pantry In Case of Emergency
Apple cider vinegar, M & M's, and a few other often-overlooked ideas for stocking your prepper pantries.
There's no doubt that stocking up on food is one of the most fundamental aspects of prepping. However, this is just one aspect of getting started with prepping.
Remember to consider other essential items you might not find in an emergency.
Learning how long different products last and how they must be stored for the best longevity is important.
This is especially true if you're planning on storing them for years at a time. In addition, the best prepper pantries include a variety of foods that your family will actually eat.
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I spent the first twenty years of my life living like that. The only thing different was that we had power. No bathroom just an outside toilet and no running water. Had to draw water up out of a well with a bucket and rope. Wash our clothes in a tub and scrubbing board. I'm thinking of going back to the prepper pantry.
I was wondering if you knew how to can bacon jam? I see receipe's for it but only for the fridge.
I'm hosting a cookie exchange but we don't do just cookies . Some people do dog biscuits. Some do the mason jar things and do slice and bake or candy etc...
I've done antipasto but this I wanted to do something different and thought bacon jam along with something else in a jar. I just can't find how to perserve it. I know you would need to do a pressure cooker canning.
I sure could use some help.
Not a food staple, but I would suggest gas mask(s) in your pantry planning, 'cuz you can't eat if you've stopped breathing!
Unfortunately, these are all pinterest. I don' do pinterest, so this is useless for me.....
Links to the actual articles would be nice...
Thank you, though for this