Long-lasting foods are a benefit whether you are preparing for emergencies, shopping and saving, or just enjoy a fully stocked pantry, lots of food can live quietly in your pantry for years, beautiful right?  Some food items never expire!  The trick is knowing what food to stock up on, and knowing how to store it.

In this guide, we’ll cover 30 pantry staples and categorize them by best-to-eat by dates:  from 5-10 years, over a decade, and never expiring.  It’s the ultimate list of foods you will always be happy you had available!  Let’s jump in.

Foods that Last 5-10 Years

These are solid pantry staples with great shelf life and good flexibility.  They won’t last forever, but if stored sealed, dry, and cool, will last many years. 

1. Canned Beans

Canned beans are a good source of protein and fiber and will last up to a decade (after many years and can be an available, eatable source of calories in an emergency or a quick meal last minute). 

2. White Rice

White rice will last 5-10 years or longer when stored in an airtight container. Just make sure it is placed in a cool and dry place. Excellent grains that are great bases for many footholds.

3. Rolled Oats

Rolled oats can technically last longer when vacuum sealed, but will still last 5–10 years in a traditional pantry setting.

4. Pasta Sauce (Canned or Jarred)

Unopened canned or jarred pasta sauce can last for several years. Just store the sauce in a cool, dark space and check the cans for bulging or rust before use.

5. Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar will last indefinitely. Much like salt, these thick, viscous items will start to lose some flavor after several years, though still usable.

6. Dried Fruits

Dry fruits (used as snacks and garnishing) like cranberries or raisins can be stored for up to five years (or longer) if put in vacuum sealed bags or airtight containers. 

7. Bouillon Cubes

Bouillon cubes have great flavor, and they have a long shelf life (or endless potential!) as long as they are vacuum-sealed. These little dehydrated cubes will spice up a soup, stew, or rice.

8. Powdered Milk

Powdered milk is also good for baking and emergency situations, and it can be viable for nearly a decade in optimal storage conditions.

9. Canned Tuna

Like many other canned meats (chicken or spam), or canned foods (canned vegetables), canned tuna’s safe and appetizing quality will last for years as long as the can is not rusted or bulging.

10. Soy Sauce

Common in many American homes, soy side is found in stir-fries in particular, its high sodium content helps to preserve its freshness.

Foods With Shelf Lives of 10+ Years

With the right storage conditions (like airtight containers or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers), these foods can last long-term.

11. Honey

Nature’s only immortal food. Archaeologists have discovered edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs. Crystallization is normal, simply warm it back up.

12. Dried Lentils

Dried lentils full of protein and fiber can last for 10-20 years if stored in a cool, dry place.

13. Instant Ramen Noodles

They’re not only a memory from college, they’re designed to last. The seasoning may lose flavor, but the noodles remain edible for over 10 years.

14. Baking Soda

Baking soda is used for cooking and cleaning, but it never goes bad. However, it may lose its potency. To be safe, replace it every 10-15 years if you use it for baking.

15. Dried Split Peas

Dried split peas are healthy and durable just like lentils; doing well in storage for over a decade if stored properly.

16. Maple Syrup (unopened)

Real, unopened maple syrup can last at least 10 years if kept relatively cool. Opened maple syrup need to be refrigerated and eaten within a year.

17. Hard liquor

Unopened liquor (vodka, rum, and whiskey) won’t expire if stored upright in a cool dark place. Good for emergencies or bartering.

18. Wheat Kernels 

These whole kernels are better at being stored than flour and end up lasting 30 years with vacuum sealing. You just grind as needed. 

19. Rolled Oats (Vacuum Sealed)

Oats are filling, healthy and versatile. Vacuum sealing rolled oats gives you a shelf life of at least 10 years. 

20. Powdered Eggs (Freeze Dried) 

Perfect for campers or preppers. Freeze dried eggs can last as long as 25 years unopened, and they are a great protein backup.

Foods That Never Expire

Some foods are literally good forever if stored correctly. These should be a staple in any pantry.

21. Dried Pasta

Hard pasta does not go bad. Store in an airtight container and keep away from moisture and pests.

22. Instant Coffee

Instant coffee (freeze-dried instant coffee, to be exact) is practically immortal. Will keep caffeine lovers prepared for anything.

23. Salt

As stated above, salt never goes bad. You may notice that salt [may form clumps], but it is safe to use and super handy! 

24. Sugar

We’re circling back to sugar because it belongs on this list, too. First of all, if it hardens, but it’s still usable. You just need to break it up and keep it dry. 

25. Cornstarch

Cornstarch, as long as you keep moisture away from it, will last forever. Cornstarch is great for thickening sauces or if you are baking.

26. Pure Vanilla Extract

Real vanilla extract has a high enough alcohol content that it will never expire! Just keep it sealed tight.  

27. White Rice

Although white rice is already somewhere on our 5-10 year shelf stable list, some storage methods (vacuum sealing it with oxygen absorbers) can essentially preserve white rice forever.  

28. Hardtack

The survival staple. Hardtack, which is basically flour and water (crackers), will last a long time if properly stored!

29. Pure Cocoa Powder

Although unsweetened cocoa powder will not spoil when sealed and dry, it may lose some flavor. It is still safe to eat. 

30. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is another self-preserving food, like regular white vinegar, so it will not go bad. It has many uses in eating and for health reasons.

Conclusion

Having a stocked pantry is not only for preppers; it’s smart, practical, and comforting. These 30 foods are anything but bland carbohydrates, they’re carbs, protein, flavor, and shelf-stable. Whether you need to plan for an emergency or you just appreciate the peace of mind that comes with a stocked kitchen, pantry staples are a smart choice.

And, let’s be honest, it’s the pancakes that decided what you added to your cart, not the random bags of flour and sugar laying around. If you were to use these items, you’d find that they’re not waiting for a disaster in your pantry, they’re flavors, they’re tasty, and you can enjoy them any day, at any time.

The next time you’re at the grocery store, skip the impulse buys, snack buys, and go ahead and grab those shelf-stable essentials. Also share this with your friends and family.