11 foods that never expire or go bad

An empty fridge and hungry stomach may lead you to eat some crazy things. We don’t need a SHTF scenario in order for this to happen. Lets keep in mind that nothing will stay good for ever if not kept in the proper environment. Lets take a look at 11 foods that never expire.

Some of these foods need to be kept in their original packaging. The list of foods below will outlast you if kept properly. This is good to share with the prepping community I suppose. if anyone wants to add to the list, leave your comments below!

Rice
As long as you keep them free of contaminates White, wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life. The exception is brown rice as it has a higher oil content. Store in a cool dry area. Once opened restock in an airtight container.

Salt (Mineral)
While not a food it is good to know this mineral will never go bad, expire if stored in a dry container and environment. A flavor enhancer that can also be used to preserve other foods… salt could one day be worth its weight in gold!

Corn Starch
Great for thickening sauces, puddings and gravies. Keep dry and airtight and it will never expire.

Distilled White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar
Used in salad dressings or marinade, cleaning and hundred other uses, these types of Vinegar also stay virtually unchanged over the decades. More on the many uses of vinegar here.

Pure Vanilla Extract
This stuff keeps for ever. Store in a cool dark cupboard and in an air tight container.

Hard Liquor
While color and taste may change over time, distilled spirits such as rum, vodka, whiskey gin and more will be safe to drink until the end of time.

Sugar
The reason sugar will never expire is because it does not promote bacteria growth of any kind. White, brown or powedered it will stay good indefinitely. To keep it from hardening store it in an airtight container.

Honey
It may crystallize but it will never spoil over time but heating it up will bring back its form. They found some of this stuff in King tuts tomb and it was still safe to consume.

Powdered Milk
This stuff is known to stay good for ever as long as it is in an original, airtight package. If it turns yellow then it has spoiled. Everyone should have some of this stuff.

Soy Sauce
A lot of people did not know this, myself included. Unopened soy sauce does not expire.

Dried Beans
if you store these in a cool dark place in a can or airtight container these are known to last for over 30 years at 80% flavor. While not indefinite, 30 years is a good run. Sunlight and heat will lessen the shelf life of the beans.

Cover Image via Istock Photo