Hey guys!  Are you trying to figure out where to start on food storage?  What recipes to use?  How much you need?  OR, you don’t have the time to get it all figured out?

Good NEWS!

In September finished up a YEAR series on a Food Storage Challenge!  That was all on my old blog.

Since this is the new and improved blog… and I have new readers, I decided to do a quick condensed version for those of you who missed out.  The condensed version includes the basics:

• shopping lists
• where to shop
• recipes

for easy reading.  Also, so you can have it all in one spot.  All of the tips I included with the last version, will be posted throughout the year with updated and improved information… so make sure you follow and keep in touch!

This post may contain affiliate links.  Read my affiliate link disclosure here

Food Storage Challenge

If you BUY everything on this list… YOU will have enough food storage to feed a family of 4 for 4 months… breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Download your FREE Food Storage Plan with shopping lists and recipes included.  

Here’s the deal… I estimated you needing to spend $25-30 a week to completely buy ALL the times on the list.  But some items cost more than that, so I made a “bulk” month to month list.  You will want to “save” $25-30 a week, and buy all the ingredients on the list at once to make your life easier… I promise!

There are 13 lists total!  One for each month.   Yes… I know there are only 12 months.  The 13th list is the list of the 4 $25 shopping lists that showed up 4 x throughout the year with your extra paycheck.

This means…each shopping list should cost about $100-$125.  Prices may vary depending on your stores and locations.  

Shopping Lists

Each  shopping list tell you where I typically bought the items from, how many, and the estimated price.  For the freeze dried items I gave you a serving number you’ll want to get… in case you are getting canned items.

All prices for the freeze dried items are estimates… prices could change.  If you choose to buy canned items, prices WILL vary. 

January

Honeyville, Augason Farms, Thrive

• 2 #10 cans of Freeze Dried Diced Beef; $98.58 OR 56 servings of canned beef

Walmart/Aldis

• 4 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup; $3.16
• 3 cans Baking Powder (8.1oz); $3

Total: $104.74

February

Walmart/Aldis

• 8 boxes Onion Soup Mix (2 pkg in a box); $6.50
• 16 cans Cream of Chicken Soup; $13
• 2 Raisins (20 oz) Containers; $6
• 1 Steak Seasoning Container; $1
• 1 24oz Hershey’s Syrup; $2.28

Costco/Sams Club

• 1 8lb Popcorn Kernels Container; $9.50
• 2 72 oz bags Chocolate Chips; $20
• 1 gallon Syrup; $7
• 1 16 oz Vanilla; $8
• 2 80 oz Honey Jars; $28
• 1 Brick Yeast; $4.50

Total $105.78

March

Honeyville/AugasonFarms/Thrive

• 1 Freeze Dried Chicken; $43; OR 26 servings if buying canned
• 2 Freeze Dried Bell Peppers; $42
• 1 Freeze Dried OR Dehydrated Onions; $14.10
• 1 Re-fried Bean Flakes; $11.19 OR 18 1/2 c servings; OR 6 16oz cans

Total: 110.29

April

Honeyville/AugasonFarms/Thrive

• 2 Freeze Dried Chicken; $84.18 OR 52 servings if buying canned
• 2 Re-fried Bean Flakes; $22.38 OR 36 1/2 c servings OR 10 16oz cans

Total:  $106.56

May

LDS Cannery ORHome Storage Center/Honeyville/Augason Farms/Thrive

• 4 28oz or 1.8 lb bag Powder Milk; $25 OR 116 (3 Tablespoon) servings if buying #10 cans.
• 5 #10 can sugar; $21.25 OR 19 cups
• 2 #10 can Potato Flakes; $9 OR 78 (1/3 cup) servings
• 4 #10 cans Noodles; $17 OR 312 (1/2 cup) servings
• 8 #10 cans Quick Oats; $26 OR 216 (1/2 cup) servings
• 1 25 lb bag Wheat; $6 OR 2 #10 cans OR 39 cups

Total:  $104.25

June

LDSCannery OR Home Storage Center/Honeyville/Augason Farms/ Thrive

• 16 28oz OR 1.8 lb bags Instant Powdered Milk; $100

Walmart/Aldis

• 4 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup; $3.16

Total:  $103.16

July

LDSCannery Home Storage Center/ Honeyville/Thrive

• 5 Water bottles with Filters included (purifies 200 gallons); $70 OR 135 gallons water
• 6 25lb bags of Wheat; $36 OR 11 #10 cans OR 233 cups

August

Honeyville/Thrive/AugasonFarms

• 2 #10 can Cheese Powder (You can by FD shredded cheese, but it’s more expensive);  $45.18  OR 82 (1/4 cup) servings if buying something different
• 1 #10 Re-fried Bean Flakes; $11.19 OR 18 (1/2 cup) servings… OR 6 16 oz cans
• 1 #10 cans of Freeze Dried Diced Beef;  $49.29  OR 28 servings of canned beef

Total:  $105.66

September

Honeyville/Thrive/AugasonFarms

• 2 Freeze Dried Chicken; $84.18 OR 52 servings if buying canned
• 1 #10 can Wheat Gluten; $14.99

Aldis/Walmart

• 4 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup.  $3.16
• 1 box baking soda. 50 cents

October

Costco/Sams Club

• 7 40oz BBQ;  $34.93
• 9 40oz Jars Jam;  $62.91

Walmart/Aldis

• 5 48oz Oil (vegetable or canola, whichever you prefer); $9.4

Total:  $107.24

November

Honeyville/Thrive/AugasonFarms

• 2 #10 cans Pudding; $28.58  OR 112 servings if buying in different packaging.
• 3 #10 can Powdered Eggs;  $66.87

Aldis/Walmart

• 4 2lb bags Brown Sugar.; $4.76
• 3 26oz Salt; $1.17
• 4 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup;  $3.16

Total:  $104.54

December

Walmart

• 6 6lb Large Peanut Butter; $77.04; OR 510 (2 Tablespoon) servings
• 2 6lb Large Shortening; $19.56  OR 454 (1 Tablespoon) servings
• 3 6pack (makes 2 Quarts each) containers of Drink Mix; $6

Total:  $102.60

Extra Month

Aldis or Walmart

• 16 bags of 5lb white flour; $22
• 16 24oz Spaghetti Sauce; $16
• 4 8oz Baking Cocoa; $8.76
• 16 Box Stuffing Mix (any flavor); $14.24
• 16 28oz cans Baked Beans; $22.24

Honeyville/Thrive/AugasonFarms

• 1 #10 can Powdered Butter; $25.59

Total: 108.83

Recipes

Breakfast Recipes

Biscuits- Makes 8

***Oven time 45 min***

2 c white flour
2 tsp baking powder
4 Tbsp shortening
½ tsp salt
¾ c milk (¼ c powder & 1c water)

Start by heating the oven to 425. Next, combine all dry ingredients (including milk powder). and cut in shortening. Then start adding water gradually until dough is soft, and kneed for about 30 sec. Finally, shape and bake 12-15 min at 425 degrees

*included 1 Tbsp Jam per person
*included 1 Tbsp butter per person = 4 Tbsp powder + 4 Tbsp water

Oatmeal- serves 4 (1 c cooked each)

***Stove time about 30 min***

2 c oats
4 c water
1 tsp salt

Start boiling salt and water.  Then add oats and cook 30 sec – 2 min. Let set to cool.

Milk– to add to cereal if desired, or to drink. One cup per person.
4 c water
1 c powdered milk
Mix according to directions on package.

Oatmeal Bars- makes 8×8 in pan to serve 4

***Oven time 30 min***

Mix:
1/3 c brown sugar
1 egg  (2 ½ Tbsp “whole egg” powder + 2 ½ Tbsp water)
¼ c white sugar
½ c milk  (2 Tbsp powder + ½ c water)
1 Tbsp oil
1 tsp vanilla

Then Add:
¾ c wheat flour (Grind ½ c wheat)
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ c oats
½ c dried fruit – raisins

Finally, spread in greased 8×8 pan. Bake at 350 for about 20 min until done.

Pancakes- Serves 4

***Stove time 30 min***

2 whole powdered eggs  (about 5 Tbsp “whole egg powder” + 5 Tbsp water)
3 c wheat flour (grind 2 c wheat)
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp oil
2 ½ c milk (¾ c powder  + 2 ½ c water)
*Included 4 Tbsp water on Shopping List if needed for more liquids

Start by mixing all the ingredients together. The batter will be lumpy.  Then cook on skillet.

Toppings
1 c syrup (¼ c per person)
1 Tbsp butter per person  ( 4 Tbsp butter powder + 4 Tbsp water)

Wheat Cereal– Serves 4 (1 c cooked each)

***Stove time about 30 min***

4 ½ c water
1 ½ c wheat, cracked
6 Tbsp sugar + 1 Tbsp for extra sugar to top cereal
¾ tsp salt
6 Tbsp powdered milk

Begin by combining dry milk and water; bring to boil at med/high heat.  Next, add wheat, sugar, salt. Lastly, cover, reduce to simmer for 20 min stirring occasionally. Makes 4 ½ c cereal

Milk– to add to cereal if desired, or to drink. One cup per person.
4 c water
1 c powdered milk
Mix according to directions on package

Vanilla Muffins- Makes 1 dozen, serves 4

***Oven time 30 min***

1 ½ c wheat flour (Grind 1 c wheat)
¼ c white flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 eggs  (5 Tbsp “whole egg” Powder + 5 Tbsp water)
6 Tbsp oil
½ c sugar
½ tsp salt
2/3 c milk  (5 Tbsp powdered milk + 2/3 c water)
1 ½ tsp vanilla

Preheat Oven 400 degrees. Start by mixing the dry ingredients.  Then add wet. Next place batter in muffin tins. Bake 20-25 min.

Toppings:1 Tbsp butter per person  (4 Tbsp butter powder + 4 Tbsp water)

Lunch Recipe

Peanut Butter and Jam-serves 4

¼ c peanut butter- regular peanut butter
OR
Powdered = 1 c PB powder + ½ c water
4 Tbsp jam = 1 Tbsp jam per person

Bread (Honey Whole Wheat)– makes about 3 loaves

You will need to make about twice a week for four people.
***Oven time 1 hr***

3 Tbsp yeast
3 ¼ c warm water
6 Tbsp Powdered Milk
½ c honey
½ c oil
7 c wheat flour (Grind 5 c wheat)
2 c white flour
4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp Wheat Gluten

Start by dissolving yeast in warm water.  Next add sugar, salt, oil, whole wheat flour, and powder milk. You will need to beat/mix this for 4 min.  After 4 min, add White flour and knead until smooth and elastic. Then let rise in bowl 15 min. Finally, divide into 3 loaves. Preheat oven to lowest setting (about 170) and turn off.  Place the bread in warm oven to rise for 25-30 min. Do NOT open oven. Then turn oven on to 375 and bake bread 25-30 min. Take bread out and cool on towel or cooling rack.

Drinks

2 Quarts Juice- makes 8 cups, 2 cups per person

8 c cold water
1 container drink mix

Dissolve drink mix into water. Serve.

Dinner Recipes

I used to use bottled meat for my food storage, then switched to freeze dried since I got sick of rotating glass bottles around.

BBQ Chicken and Biscuits- Serves 4

***Stove/oven time 1 hr***

Chicken
2 c Freeze Dried Chicken
+ 4 c boiling water to re-hydrate chicken
2 c BBQ sauce

Start with your chicken.  Mix it in boiling water, cover and let sit 5-7 min; drain off extra water.  Then shred chicken and stir in BBQ sauce.

Biscuits
2 c white flour
2 tsp baking powder
4 Tbsp shortening
½ tsp salt
¾ c milk = ¼ c powdered milk
+ 1 c water

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine dry ingredients then cut in shortening. Finally add water gradually until dough is soft, and kneed for about 30 sec. Shape and bake 12-15 min. Makes 8 small biscuits.

Chicken Stuffing Casserole- serves 4, makes 8×8 pan

***Oven time 1 ½ hr***

1 pkg Stove top Dressing Mix
1 ½ c water
2 c Freeze Dried Chicken
+ 4 c water to re-hydrate chicken
1 can Cream of chicken Soup

Boil 4 c water, mix chicken and water, let sit 5-7 min; drain off extra water. Then boil 1 c water and add the dressing mix. Pack ½ dressing mix into 8×8 pan. Mix soup, ½ c water put on top of dressing, and then add chicken. Put rest of dressing mix on top. Bake 45 min at 350 degrees in oven.

Corn Bread and Beans- serves 4

***Oven time 40 min…Stove time 20 min***

1 can Bush baked beans

Corn Bread– makes 1 pie pan or 8×8 pan
¾ c cornmeal (grind ½ c popcorn kernels)
1 ¼ c wheat flour (grind between ¾ c and 1 c)
¼ c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 c water
1/3 c powdered milk
1 egg = 2 ½ Tbsp “whole egg” powder
+ 2 ½ Tbsp water for egg

Start by warming up the beans.  Then, in a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add water and stir well. Pour into pan. Cook at 400 degrees for 20 min.

Topping
1 Tbsp butter per person = 4 Tbsp butter powder
+ 4 Tbsp water for butter

Flank Steak Fajitas- serves 4

****Stove time 30 min***

2 c Freeze Dried Beef
+ 4 c water to re-hydrate beef
1 c Freeze Dried Bell Peppers
+ 3 c water to re-hydrate bell peppers
2 tsp steak seasoning
¼ c dehydrated onions

Boil 4 c water, add beef, cover and let stand 5-7 min; drain off extra water. Place Bell peppers in 3 c water and let sit 15-20 min until fully re-hydrated. In sauce pan cook beef, peppers, seasoning, and onions until warm. Serve over tortillas.

Tortillas
1 ½ c white flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
3 Tbsp shortening
¾ c warm water

Mix dry ingredients and cut in shortening. Add warm water (NOT hot) a little at a time until dough is soft and not sticky. Knead dough for a few minutes. Pull dough into balls (about 6) and let rest for 10 min. Set pan on med/high heat. Roll out dough and cook for a few seconds on each side until you see light brown spots.

Fried Burritos- Serves 4

***Stove time 30 min***

Beans
2 c dried re-fried beans
2 c water

Add beans to boiling water, stir briefly and cover. Let sit 10min

Cheese
4 servings of cheese blend
1 c water

Combine cheese blend with hot water and stir until smooth

Tortillas
1 ½ c white flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
3 Tbsp shortening
¾ c warm water

Start by mixing the dry ingredients and cut in shortening.  Then add warm water (NOT hot) a little at a time until dough is soft and not sticky. Knead dough for a few minutes. Pull dough into balls (about 6) and let rest for 10 min. Set pan on med/high heat. Finally, roll out dough and cook for a few seconds on each side until you see light brown spots.

Spaghetti with Noodles- Serves 4

****Stove time 30 min***

3 c noodles
1 jar Spaghetti sauce
4 c water

Boil water, add noodles. When the noodles are cooked, drain and mix in sauce until warm.

Swiss Steak and Mashed Potatoes- Serves 4

***Stove time 45 min***

2 c Freeze Dried Beef
+ 4 c water to re hydrate beef
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
¼ c water
2 tsp salt added to boiling water

Boil 4 c water, add beef, let soak for 5-7 min. Drain off extra water. Mix rest of ingredients with beef.

Potatoes– makes about 4, ½ c servings
2 c boiling water
1 ½ c potato flakes
Mix potato flakes with boiling water. Serve with Beef mixture

Desserts

Brownies-makes 8×8 pan

***Oven time 1 hr***

1 c shortening
2 c sugar
1 ¼ c wheat flour (Grind 1 c wheat)
2 Tbsp water
4 eggs = 10 TBSP “whole egg” powder
+ 10 Tbsp water for eggs
2/3 c baking cocoa
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp Hershey’s syrup

Make your “eggs”.  Then mix shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs and mix.  Finally, add flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Mix. Bake 350 degrees until done (25-30 min)

Cookies- makes about 1 ½ – 2 dozen

***Oven time 1 hr***

1 c shortening
¾ c white sugar
1 tsp water
2 c flour
1 tsp salt
¾ c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs = 5 Tbsp “whole egg” powder
+ 5 Tbsp water for eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 bag chips

Start by creaming sugars, shortening, vanilla, water and eggs.  Then add dry ingredients, then chips. Bake 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Pudding- Serves 4

1 c dry pudding mix
3 c milk = ¾ c powdered milk
+ 3 c water

Mix, let set, serve.

Finally,

you have it!  Now that you can start collecting your food storage, it’s important to learn how to use it!  Read HERE for some tips on using your food storage.  Remember, start one week, one month at a time.  Gathering food storage isn’t a sprint, it’s a very long marathon.  It takes training, patience, practice, and determination.  It is worth it in the end to have that amazing feeling of being prepared!

What’s holding you back from staring your food storage?  Comment below so we can help!

Further Reading:

7 tips for picking food storage meals
Should I have Comfort Food in my food storage?
100+ food storage recipes

Do you like the recipes and want some more options?  Check out my Etsy shop TheMerrillProject.  Sets of 7 breakfast or dinner menus already made!

DISCLAIMER: I have found these recipes from various sites on the web, different recipe books, and adjusted them that I DO NOT REMEMBER exactly where they came from. I did so much of this research years ago… I am NOT taking ANY credit for coming up with these on my own. If you DO know where one came from, feel free to post it in the comments below so I can add the link to the recipe. Thanks!