Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them.
One day, it might seem like nothing could possibly go wrong…
And the next we might wake up to a whole different reality.
For example, did you hear what recently happened at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport?
Two Chinese researchers were caught smuggling a dangerous fungus into the U.S., which is considered to be a potential weapon for agro-terrorism.
It’s called Fusarium graminearum, and it’s responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.
It also causes side effects to any human that consumes it, that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy’s pet!
Prosecutors said this could target our food supply.
Yup, imagine our country’s crops going down and our grocery prices spiking because of this fungus – which was folded in some tissues in a researcher’s backpack!
It sounds like the plot of a sci-fi movie.
And yet, sometimes that's all it takes for our way of living to get shaken up.
That’s why we’re doing something special today.
We’re going to see how to tackle a (not-so) unlikely emergency with confidence.
We've created a practical 7-day meal plan to show you exactly what a week of meals from your food storage actually looks like. Real breakfasts, lunches, and dinners using a mix of #10 cans and regular pantry items.
Meals your kids will recognize. Flavors your family already loves!
Because in times of uncertainty, the only way to build confidence is with smart preparation.
Before You Begin
This meal plan assumes you have a mix of:
- Some #10 cans of freeze-dried or dehydrated foods
- Regular pantry staples (pasta, canned goods, spices)
- Basic cooking ability (if you can boil water, you're set!)
Don't have freeze-dried beef? Use canned chicken from your pantry. Missing powdered eggs? Regular shelf-stable items work too.
The beauty of food storage is mixing what you have to create what you need.
Your 7-Day Emergency Meal Plan
Day 1: Starting Strong
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Breakfast: Hearty Pancakes
- Use Ready Hour Buttermilk Pancake Mix (or your regular mix)
- Add your favorite toppings (Try Strawberry slices - yum!)
- Serve with Fortified Instant Milk for a quick vitamin & mineral boost.
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Lunch: Classic Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
- Canned tomato soup from your pantry
- Honey Wheat Bread
- Regular cheese, if you have it, or cheese powder mixed into the bread
-
Dinner: Beef & Rice Bowl
- Freeze-dried beef dices over white rice
- Season with soy sauce and garlic from your pantry
- Snack: Cinnamon Apple slices with peanut butter
Day 2: Comfort Classics
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Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs & Toast
- Scrambled Egg Mix
- Toast from yesterday's bread
- Glass of Orange Energy Drink Mix for delicious hydration
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Lunch: Black Bean Burritos
- Rehydrated black beans
- Rice
- Tortillas from your pantry (or make flatbread)
- Add hot sauce and canned salsa if you have it
-
Dinner: Chicken Alfredo Night
- Regular pasta from your pantry
- Freeze-Dried Cooked White Chicken
- Add Freeze-Dried Broccoli to get some much-needed greens in
- Snack: Trail mix with nuts and freeze-dried berries
Day 3: Simple Satisfying
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Breakfast: Oatmeal Bar
- Oats with different toppings: cinnamon apples, berries, honey
- Let everyone customize their bowl
- Coffee for the adults
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Lunch: Vegetable Stew
- Mixed vegetables for stew
- Add any canned beans you have
- Thicken with a bit of flour
- Serve with crackers
-
Dinner: Taco Tuesday (on a Wednesday!)
- Beef crumbles
- Canned refried beans
- Regular taco shells or tortillas
- Top with canned corn and jarred salsa
- Snack: Freeze-dried cinnamon apple slices
Day 4: Getting Creative
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Breakfast: Breakfast Muffins
- Ready Hour Breakfast Muffins Mix
- Serve with honey butter (butter powder + honey)
-
Lunch: Pinto Bean Soup
- Pinto beans
- Chopped onions (freeze-dried)
- Season with cumin and chili powder from your pantry
- Add canned tomatoes if available
-
Dinner: Sweet & Savory
- Orange chicken from Beyond Outdoor Meals pouch (or make your own)
- Served over rice
- Sweet potato dices as a side
- Snack: Pudding made from mix with powdered milk
Day 5: International Night
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Breakfast: French Toast
- Use whole egg powder, milk, and cinnamon
- Made with stored bread
- Top with freeze-dried berry blend
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Lunch: Pasta Salad
- Cold pasta with vegetables
- Italian dressing
- Add canned olives if you have them
-
Dinner: Chili Mac (Another comfort winner!)
- Beyond Outdoor Meals Chili Mac pouch
- Serve with bread
- Snack: Granola bars from your pantry
Day 6: Weekend Vibes
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Breakfast: Strawberry Creamy Wheat
- Ready Hour Strawberry Creamy Wheat
- Add extra freeze-dried strawberries
- Side of toast with peanut butter
-
Lunch: Mushroom Rice
- Rice cooked with freeze-dried mushrooms
- Season with soy sauce and garlic
- Add freeze-dried green beans
-
Dinner: Spaghetti Night
- Regular spaghetti with jarred sauce
- Freeze-dried beef crumbles for meat sauce
- Sprinkle with Italian herbs from your pantry
- Side salad, if you have canned vegetables
- Snack: Hot chocolate made with cocoa powder and powdered milk
Day 7: Sunday Special
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Breakfast: Big Breakfast Skillet
- Scrambled eggs with all the fixings
- Add freeze-dried vegetables
- Serve with pancakes on the side
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Lunch: Leftover Buffet
- Set out various leftovers from throughout the week
- Make new combinations
-
Dinner: Beef Stew
- Soup & Stew Starter Kit
- Serve with fresh-baked bread
- Snack: "Movie night" popcorn (if you stored kernels)
Making It Work: Practical Tips
- Water Management: Keep track of your water usage for reconstituting foods.
- Spice It Up: Use your spice rack to improve even simple meals.
- Mix Fresh and Stored: Combine garden or fresh items with shelf-stable ingredients.
- Keep It Fun: Theme nights like Taco Tuesday boost morale.
The Peace of Mind Factor
Looking at this meal plan, you might notice something: these aren't "survival rations." They're real meals. Familiar foods. Dishes your kids already love.
That's the whole point.
When you know you can feed your family well—not just adequately—for an entire week using your food storage, that knot of worry loosens. You've tested your system. You know it works. And more importantly, you know your family will be okay.
Looking for an Easier Solution?
Creating your own meal plan from individual ingredients is rewarding, but we understand it can feel overwhelming to coordinate everything yourself.
That's why we've put together our 2-Week True Survival Kit—it includes balanced, ready-to-prepare meals that take all the guesswork out of emergency meal planning.
Just add water and enjoy delicious meals without having to figure out portions, combinations, or variety.
However you choose to build out your food storage, remember that the most important thing is not finding the perfect plan... It's taking action.
