Stockpiling emergency food and prepping for the unknown is a little jarring. What do you need? How much? Add in a dietary restriction, like being vegan, and you have another issue to worry about.
I am hoping to calm your worries and help you get prepared. This is a comprehensive guide to stocking up on vegan emergency food and being prepared in general.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox.
Why Stock Up on Food?
There are many reasons why I recommend having an emergency food supply:
- Hurricanes
- Flooding
- Snowstorms
- Pandemics
- Earthquakes
- Tornadoes
- Power outages for other reasons
I realize those are all pretty scary words and events, but it is simply reality. Food and essential supplies can become scarce before, during, and after disasters and quarantines. I have personally experienced 5 out of 7 of those events.
We have always had a small supply of things, but with the recent pandemic and the panic surrounding it, I have prepared even more. We have personally purchased a chest freezer, along with canned goods, pantry staples, extra dog food, and extra toiletries.
It seems as if everyone is toggling between panicking and preparing. Some people are not concerned at all. I am someone who needs to feel prepared so I do not panic. The rumors spreading on social media definitely don’t help. Conflicting information and government inaction is another story.
Keep in mind that what you will need will vary depending on the event and your personal circ*mstances – like whether or not there is a power outage, road accessibility, if you have a generator, etc. This list is meant to cover all bases.
Stay vigilant and well. My heart goes out to anyone affected by an emergency situation. I hope you find this resource helpful, regardless of the situation you are preparing for.
The good news is the majority of canned ingredients and other basic pantry supplies are already vegan!
When you are done reading through this guide, head over here for recipe ideas:
Canned Goods
I have also included jarred ingredients in this list.
- Canned beans (white beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans)
- Canned refried beans (not all are vegan, check the label!)
- Canned vegetables (green beans, peas, corn, carrots, mixed vegetables)
- Canned potatoes
- Canned pumpkin
- Canned fruit (pineapple, peaches, pears, mangoes)
- Canned jackfruit
- Coconut milk & cream
- Mushrooms
- Tomato products – tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes
- Marinara sauce
- Roasted red peppers
- Jalapenos
- Chiles
- Curry paste
- Pickles
Boxed & Canned Meals
It helps to have some pantry stable meals on hand, too. I have included links to specifically vegan products.
- Canned & boxed soup
- Amy’s Kitchen
- Well Yes!
- Progresso Garden Vegetable
- Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods
- Imagine Creamy Tomato Soup
- Ramen
- Nissin Top Ramen (Soy Sauce and Chili flavors only)
- Koyo (ALL types are vegan! Garlic Pepper is my favorite.)
- Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup
- Zatarain’s boxed meals (just don’t add meat!)
- Red Beans & Rice
- Dirty Rice Mix
- Jambalaya Mix
- Rice-A-Roni
- Spanish Rice
- Vegan Chili
- Trader Joe’s Organic Vegetarian Chili (it’s actually vegan!)
- Hormel Vegetarian Chili with Beans (again, vegan)
- Amy’s Chili
Pantry Staples
- Pasta
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Taco shells
- Dried beans
- Dried lentils
- Instant Potatoes
- Potatoes
- Textured Vegetable Protein
- Nut & seed butter
- Nuts and seeds
- Granola
- Cereal
- Protein bars
- Dried and freeze-dried fruits
- Vinegar
- Oil
Baking Ingredients
Making bread at home is a great idea if you have access to an oven. Also, make cookies with the kids to keep you all sane!
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts
- Cocoa powder
- Powdered egg replacer
Shelf-Stable Liquids
- Water, of course!
- Vegetable stock
- Shelf-stable non-dairy milk (soy milk, almond milk)
- Juices boxes
- Chocolate Flaxmilk boxes
Snacks & Treats
Especially for the kids. Snacks and fun treats are important to keep things fun!
- Granola bars
- Popcorn
- Chips
- Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Trader Joe’s Sunbutter Cups
- Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks
- Nutter Butter cookies (accidentally vegan!)
- Oreos (accidentally vegan!)
- Applesauce
Seasonings
Don’t forget the spices! Bland food sucks even during an emergency.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Taco seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Curry powder
- Parsley
- Bouillon (great as a replacement for vegetable broth)
Produce That Doesn’t Need Refrigeration
These fruits and vegetables do not require refrigeration – some will last longer than others sitting on the counter.
- Bananas
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Apples
- Avocados
- Pears
Vegan Freezer Items
Thankfully, we have only experienced power outages during a couple emergencies. For the flooding we experienced in our city, our home did not flood or lose power but many roads were impassable. For a pandemic like COVID-19, power outages should not be a concern. Which means we can use our freezer!
Even when experiencing a power outage, you are able to eat out of the freezer for a couple of days. See this guide for more info.
Having a stocked freezer is beneficial in many scenarios.
- Vegetables (green beans, broccoli, peas, corn)
- Fruit (berries, mangoes, pineapple)
- French fries and tater tots
- Diced potatoes
- Gardein products
- Some Morningstar products (not all are vegan)
- Vegan pizza (Daiya, some Amy’s Kitchen)
- Non-dairy ice cream (a total necessity!)
The following items are not found in the freezer section, but we buy extra and freeze them to have on hand.
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Vegan butter
- Vegan coffee creamer
- Fresh veggies and fruits that have been washed and chopped
- Field Roast sausage
- Beyond Sausages
- Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon
- Bagels
- Tortillas
Tools & Other Kitchen Items
- Can opener (manual)
- Sharp knife
- Scissors
- Utensils
- Paper plates and plastic utensils (in case of water restriction)
- Strainer (for draining canned goods)
- Grilling utensils
- Cast iron pots & pans (very versatile – can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, grill, over a fire, and even to bake bread in.)
- Multitool
Pets
- Pet food
- Pet treats and toys
- Cat litter
- Vet records
- Tags for collars and microchips (in case of separation)
Babies & Young Kids
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Formula
- Purified water
- Bottles/sippy cups
- Pureed food
- Children’s medication
First Aid Kit
We purchased a first aid kit that is already put together so we didn’t have to buy individual items, similar to this one on Amazon. However, if you cannot find a kit, here are some items you can purchase to make your own:
- Cold pack
- Band-aids
- Gauze
- Cloth tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Gloves
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
- Antibacterial ointment
- Aspirin
Additional Supplies
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, lotion, etc.)
- Toilet paper (just don’t hoard it, y’all!)
- Wipes
- Paper towels
- Hand sanitizer
- Cleaning products
- Laundry detergent
- Medicine (this will vary on your personal needs and the situation)
- Supplements (we always have vitamins C, D3/K2, and B12 on hand)
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Weather radio
- Blankets
- Solar and/or hand-crank lantern
- Matches and lighters
- Portable Phone Charger
Where to Store Emergency Food & Supplies
We don’t live in a tiny home, but we also don’t have a ton of empty storage space, a spare bedroom, or a basem*nt. Thankfully, we do have a fairly decent-sized pantry where most of our vegan emergency food is kept.
We decided to clear out and utilize part of the linen closet in the hallway to store additional food. We also have a chest freezer which I have found to be a worthwhile investment.
Because of temperature fluctuations, storing food in the garage is not a good idea.
Regardless of where things are stored, staying organized is key! Write down everything you have, keep like items with like items, and make sure to go through your storage twice a year to use up items before they expire.
Also, be aware of your shelves’ weight capacity. AKA – make sure they are sturdy enough to handle holding a ton of canned goods! Crashing shelves are no fun.
The Privilege in Stocking Up
I recognize the incredible privilege it is to be able to purchase extra food and other supplies. We were once on the unfortunate side of this, completely broke and not sure what to do.
Reach out locally to see if there are any resources for you. Do not hesitate to reach out to neighbors and friends if you need food.
For the future, try to buy a few extra cans of food during your routine grocery trips to slowly build up a stockpile.
You can also start canning your food. I have personally not done this, but I highly recommend heading over to A Modern Homestead and checking out her canning guides.
What vegan foods do you stock up on? Please let us know in the comments! It’s always helpful to hear what other people do.
