We Taste Tested the Best Survival Food Kits and Were Pleasantly Surprised (2024)

ReadyWise is one of the top names in survival food kits and offers a gluten-free version and a breakfast-only option of this kit that contains foods ranging from granola to pasta alfredo to vanilla pudding. It comes with 124 servings, but you can choose from different quantities ranging from 52 to 298 servings, depending on your needs and family size. Each meal contains a few servings, is freeze-dried, and individually wrapped. There is one instruction card included in the kit that tells you how to make every variety of the included meals.

We bought this kit and tested some of its offerings. We found the red, gold, or silver pouches a bit difficult to open and had to use scissors, but the cooking process was quick and easy. The flavors of the orange drink, cheesy macaroni, and vanilla yogurt we tried are pretty light but each pouch makes a lot of each dish, including the drinks, so you never have to worry about running out of food. While none of the meals we tried tasted like they come from a Michelin-star restaurant, in an emergency situation, or while out hiking or camping, they certainly hit the spot.

Size:11 pounds |Number of Meals Included:124 servings, for about 31 meals |Types of Foods:Breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, drinks |Shelf Life:25 years | Storage: Lidded bucket with handle

Because of the sheer volume of food they provide, most survival food kits can get pretty pricey, but this option from Augason Farms is a great value for the money. This kit offers a lot more variety than other options on the list, with 11 different meal types, including dessert. In total there are 92 large servings, allowing you to divvy up the number of meals based on your needs, in white easy-to-open pouches with the nutritional information for one serving, ingredients, and instructions listed.

We put the value to the test to find out if it is worth the budget price and were very pleasantly surprised. Both the sweet chocolate pudding and savory Italiano marinara pasta we prepared took a bit more time than others, but were super fragrant and flavorful, and made a bunch of food. This kit doesn't come with any breakfast options, but it is still a winner in our eyes.

Size: 11.63 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 92 servings | Types of Food: Lunch, dinner, dessert | Shelf Life: 25 years | Storage: Lidded bucket with handle

Most experts recommend having a three-day survival food kit on hand for potential evacuation situations, and this option from Mountain House fits that bill. Smaller than most of the other options on this list, this kit contains 18 servings in a total of nine meals, making it a great option for one person. Each day you’ll get around 1,700 calories. One of the major benefits of these meals is that they can be made with room-temperature water, which is a necessity when you lose power and don’t have the means to boil water. This kit also has one of the longest shelf lives of any of the options out there.

We tried two of the offerings in the kit and found them to be easy to make. Because the pouches are resealable, it is easy to pour boiling or cool water inside and let it sit if necessary. It also makes this kit great for on-the-go while hiking or camping, because you can save leftovers. Each pouch and its serving size is smaller than other survival food kits', but the chicken fried rice and blueberry granola we tried are flavorful and filling.

Size: 3.6 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 18 servings, about 9 meals | Types of Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Shelf Life: 30 years | Storage: Cardboard box

The Wise Company 1 Month Emergency Food Supply makes disaster prepping for your family effortless. It has everything you need to feed two adults and four children or four adults for an entire month. There are 240 servings total, with breakfast options like Apple Cinnamon Cereal and Strawberry Granola Crunch as well as heartier dinners, like Loaded Baked Potato Casserole and Savory Stroganoff, in the mix. All of the foods are freeze-dried and divided into four-serving Mylar pouches to reduce potential waste and keep them fresh for as long as possible.

This kit, which comes neatly packaged in a stackable bucket, has a 25-year shelf life and can feed up to four adults or two adults and four children for a month.

Size: 44.3 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 240 servings (enough for 2 meals a day for 4 adults, or 2 adults and 4 children) | Types of Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Shelf Life: 25 years | Storage: Lidded bucket with handle

It can be tough to follow a gluten-free diet, especially in emergency situations. While we wish there were also some breakfast options,this bucket contains nine days worth of lunches and dinners like hearty tortilla soup, loaded baked potato casserole, teriyaki rice, and more. All that is needed to make the meals is boiling water and 15 minutes. The bucket makes it easy to store and the meals have a shelf-life of 25 years.

Size: 10.7 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 84 | Types of Food: Lunch and dinner options | Shelf Life: 25 years | Storage: Lidded bucket

What we like about this survival food kit is its versatility. It includes 307 servings of foods like maple brown sugar oatmeal, mashed potatoes, cheese broccoli rice, creamy potato soup, macaroni and cheese, creamy chicken-flavored rice, hearty vegetable chicken-flavored soup, banana chips, and milk.

Each pouch contains a couple of servings, and with the help of handy food supply meal calendars, you can plan to spread them out within 30 days or 45. Of course, you also can make a schedule of your own. However, be sure to note that the bags are not resealable and will need to be properly stored if only a serving or two is used and some is left inside.

Size: 29.8 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 307 servings for 30 through 45 days | Types of Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, snacks, drinks | Shelf Life: 25 years | Storage: Lidded bucket with handle

Many survival food kits are made either for storage or to take while camping or hiking, but this one stores in a box that fits perfectly in your car, can be used in case of an emergency, and doesn't cost a lot. It not only comes with food, but a 3-day US Coast Guard-approved supply of drinking water and a thermal blanket to keep you warm and hydrated. There is enough for 9 "meals"—but keep in mind that the food is divided up into 9 400-calorie bars with a slightly sweet taste. In the end, this kit isn't one to get for the taste but for the practicality and affordability.

Size: 3.2 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 9 | Types of Food: Food bars, water Shelf Life: 5 years | Storage: Cardboard box

While most survival food kits are designed to supply around 1,500 to 1,700 calories per day, the meals in this kit offer 2,667 calories daily. This is an excellent option for anyone with higher calorie needs, or in a situation where you may be injured and require more energy and strength for regaining your health. There are a total of 42 servings split up into nine meals, and five different types of entrees—enough for one person to eat over the course of three days. All meals are freeze-dried and only require the addition of water.

Size: 4 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 42 servings, enough for 9 meals | Types of Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks | Shelf Life: 25 years | Storage: Lidded bucket with handle

If you’re looking for a survival kit with high-quality vegetarian food, the Survive2Thrive food kit has everything you need to feed one adult for 40 days and nights. There are 298 total servings of high-protein foods like beans, lentils, and chickpeas. There are also sources of slow-acting carbohydrates, like oats and brown rice, that can provide much-needed energy during emergency situations.

One thing to note: Unlike other food kits that have complete meals, this one comes with each ingredient individually vacuum-sealed, so you’d have to mix and match to create a complete, balanced meal.

Size: 36 pounds | Number of Meals Included: 298 servings, enough for 40 days and nights | Types of Food: Oats, seeds, beans | Shelf Life: 15 years | Storage: Lidded bucket

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