What to Eat When the Electricity Goes Out
Forget milk and eggs: if your power goes out, the last thing you need is a refrigerator full of perishable food. Instead, here’s what to stock up on and how to plan ahead for power loss.
Buy what you really like
Don’t stock up on tuna if you hate tuna (unless that’s the only thing left in the store). Instead of protein, you can try canned salmon, chicken, or beans. “I’ll eat it by candlelight when I’m hungry and desperate” is a romantic idea when it doesn’t.
And shop with food in mind. Will you eat packaged canned chicken? You better take the cakes.
If your grocery store shelves are empty, don’t be afraid to get creative. You can make PB&J sandwiches on hot dog buns – and don’t let anyone tell you it’s a bad idea.
Your Master List of Less Perishable Items
- Water. If there is a chance that you will lose water, fill all available containers now.
- Bread, crackers, tortillas, buns
- Canned beans, chickpeas, lentils
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Peanut butter and its analogues
- Soy milk, almond milk, or any other milk-like substance sold on the shelves rather than in the refrigerator compartment. You will want to refrigerate them after opening, but until then, they can remain in your pantry.
- Flakes (including oatmeal if you can cook them)
- Everything in the bag requires just a couple of minutes of microwave heating or boiling. If it says pre-cooked or ready-to-eat, you can simply eat them cold.
- Snack Bars, Protein Bars, Clif Bars … whatever you want in bar form.
- Anything that is on the shelf when you buy it. Just check to see if the package says what you need to refrigerate after opening.
Things in the fridge that will be fine
Our refrigerators store a lot of things that really should n’t be. Jam, for example, will last longer in the refrigerator, but it won’t kill you at room temperature. Some things you can save from the fridge even if the electricity has been out for a while:
- Hard cheeses
- Jams, jellies, syrups
- Peanut butter
- Bread and baked goods
- Many condiments, including soy sauce and vinaigrette (see Still Tasty Shelf Life Guidelines ).
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Butter
The USDA has a list of which chilled foods are still good after a power outage .
Freeze everything
Before the storm hits, put a few important items in the freezer:
- Water bottles, which can then act as ice packs to keep the rest of the food cold.
- Perishable food such as meat or leftover food. After a few days, if they still feel partially frozen, you can cook and eat them as if they were in the refrigerator all the time.
- Frozen foods that you plan to eat when they are partially thawed.
Plan ahead for when your technique won’t work
If the electricity is turned off, you will miss most of your household appliances: there is no way to turn on a microwave oven or an electric stove. If you have a gas stove that will work even with a power outage, you may be able to light the burners with a long range lighter, so grab this lighter now.
Is your can opener electric? Get manual.
Will you die without hot coffee? Grab a thermos and make yourself a joe pot as soon as you start worrying about a power outage.
If you have a balcony or courtyard, consider the old-fashioned way of cooking – on a real fire. Take propane or charcoal and grill all your meals, or dig up the camping stove you use when you travel with your backpack. Even if you can only boil pots of water, a cup of hot tea or a bowl of ramen will be a luxury when everything else is warm.