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If you have dry goods laying around and want to store them away for later, you have plenty of amazing options. Storing food away for the long term is a great thing to do for emergencies, or when you just need some extra food handy. This is also a great way to take advantage of bulk food shopping, since you can safely store dry goods for a later date without concerns over spoiling or going stale!

We all have our own reasons for wanting to store away some extra food. It is a great thing to do if you are able to. You never know when you might find yourself needing a spare bag of rice or some dried beans. These long-term storage solutions are the perfect way to store your dry food for later safely and effectively.

Cans with Lids

Storing food in tin cans is a great way to store dry goods long-term. They are airtight and are easy to put away for a later day.

You will need to purchase (or better yet, reuse!) food-safe cans that come with some kind of lid. They need to be made for food since they should have a protective lining on the inside. The biggest downside to cans is that they can begin to rust in moist environments.

Foil Bags

Foil food storage bags are made specifically for long-term food stores. They are made up of several layers of aluminum and food-grade plastic. These bags are a great way of storing food for later in a convenient way since they don’t take up much room.

Just make sure that you buy from a trustworthy brand that sells high-quality products meant for food storage.

Glass Jars

From peanut butter jars to pickle jars to jam jars, glass jars are a perfect storage option since we all have them laying around.

Because they are glass, oxygen can not seep in as it can with plastic. Making this a more long-term solution for storing your dry goods. You will want to keep them out of the light since light can deteriorate the food inside of the jars.

Plastic Bottles

Plastic containers or bottles with ‘’Pete” or “Pet” are safe to use for long-term dry goods storage. This is a great way to use up your old soda bottles or food containers! Just make sure that you never store food in containers that stored non-food items.

Make sure you thoroughly wash and dry the plastic bottles before using them. Also, keep in mind that this method of storage is convenient, but it will not last as long as other methods. Over time, oxygen will slowly seep into the plastic and make your food spoil. So, it is best to use this method for food storage intended for a few years.

Plastic Buckets

You can buy food-grade plastic buckets that are perfect for dry goods storing. They are large and sturdy, making them perfect for storing large amounts of dry goods. They are also pretty easy to store away from sight.

As with plastic bottles, this is not a very long-term solution since oxygen can seep into the plastic over the years. 

What Dry Goods Store the Best

Now that you know how to store dry goods in the best possible ways, here are a few foods that store the longest. These are great options and can come in handy one day!

Grains 

Any kind of dried grain such as rice, quinoa, or wheat tends to store very well long-term. This is because they have a remarkably long shelf life as is and will not go bad unless they are exposed to something like moisture.

This is also a great option since grains are a great survival food and can make many types of meals in a pinch.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are another great option when it comes to storing dry goods. They are nourishing foods that are great to have around for whenever you might need them.

The only downside to storing nuts and seeds long-term is that they do have an expiration date, as the fat and oil in them can spoil or go rancid. 

Legumes

Dry legumes are possibly the best food that you can store for later. This is because they are so hardy and can practically last forever if stored properly.

Legumes are delicious and nutritious, creating the perfect food to store away for later. They make delicious meals and can easily be cooked up when there is nothing else around.

Dried Pasta

Dried pasta is another great option since it can be stored away for quite some time. Pasta is very useful and can make a variety of delicious meals in a very short amount of time.

The only thing that you have to watch out for is the pasta going stale. It is still edible even if it goes stale, but it will not taste nearly as good.

Dried Vegetables

If vegetables are completely dehydrated, they are also a great option of dried goods to save for later. They are great in soups especially, but you can rehydrate them to make all kinds of dishes.

If stored correctly, they can last for a number of years and are very handy if you don’t have any fresh produce on hand.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a sweet option that is great to have around. If completely dehydrated they can last about as long as the dried vegetables.

They make the perfect sweet snack in a pinch and are great for when you don’t have access to fresh fruit.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

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