So, you have a hurricane headed your way. Even if there’s no direct damage to your house, one thing is for sure: there will most likely be a power outage in your neighborhood at some point. As you mentally prepare yourself to brave the chaotic masses of people emptying out grocery shelves to stock up on non-perishables, you might be dreading the coming days of living on cold canned foods and saltine crackers. After all, there’s no way to eat a decent meal when you have to forgo the luxuries of water and electricity, right?
Wrong! If you really think about it, living with no electricity is really not much different than camping. With a small amount of planning, preparation and creativity, you can turn those pantry goods into meals that are sure to make your time without electricity more bearable.
Hurricane Meal Plan
Breakfast
Cereal
- Any cereal
- Powdered or boxed milk
- (optional toppings: honey, nuts, dried fruit)
Fruit salad
- Canned pineapple
- Canned peaches
- Canned sweet pears
- Canned mixed fruit
- Canned vanilla pudding mix
- Canned cherries
Super Bagel
- Bagel
- Peanut butter
- Sliced bananas
- Honey
Lunch
Turkey salad wrap
- Canned turkey
- Mayo packet
- Crushed walnuts
- Dried cranberries
- Tortilla
Tuna salad sandwich
- Canned tuna
- Mayo packet
- Jarred olives
- Sliced bread
Curried chicken salad in a pita
- Canned chicken
- Mayo packet
- Curry powder
- Cumin powder
- Cashews
- Raisins
- Pita bread
Dinner
Mixed bean salad
- Canned black beans
- Canned pinto beans
- Canned red beans
- Canned corn
- Diced tomatoes and chiles
- Lemon juice
- White vinegar
- Olive oil
Nachos
- Tortilla chips
- Salsa
- Refried beans
- Squeeze cheese
- Sliced jalapenos
Kid-Friendly
Frito Pie
- Fritos
- Canned chili
- Squeeze cheese
Mini Hot Dogs
- Vienna sausage
- Hot dog bun (cut in fourths)
- Mustard
S’mores
- Marshmallow fluff
- Nutella
- Graham crackers
Dirt pudding
- Chocolate pudding (premade or from mix)
- Crushed Oreos
- Gummy worms
Hurricane Grocery Shopping List
- Water (1 gallon per person per day), flavored water, sports drinks
- Canned meats (chili, tuna, turkey, chicken, Vienna sausage, etc.)
- Cereal
- Boxed or powdered milk
- Honey
- Nut butter and Nutella
- Nuts (walnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc.)
- Dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, etc.)
- Canned fruits (pineapples, peaches, mandarins, apricots, pears, cherries, mixed, etc.)
- Pudding powder or non-refrigerated prepared pudding
- Tortilla chips, fritos, crackers, Graham crackers
- Fresh fruits (apples, bananas, mandarin oranges)
- Breads (bagels, hot dog buns, sliced bread, tortillas, pita, etc.)
- Individually packaged condiments (mayo, mustard, ketchup, etc.)
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, sugar, sweetener, curry, cumin, herbs, etc.)
- Canned beans and corn
- Canned tomatoes, Rotel, etc.
- Lemon Juice
- White vinegar
- Olive oil
- Squeeze cheese
- Sliced japanenos
- Marshmallow fluff
- Oreos
- Gummy worms
Other Essentials
- Paper goods (disposable plates and cups, toilet paper, paper towels, feminine products, wet wipes)
- Supplies for pets, babies and elderly in your care
- Flashlights, lamps
- Lighters, matches, unscented small candles
- Batteries
- First aid kit (pain medication, bandages, etc.)
- Prescription drugs, vitamins
- Eye care
- Extra batteries
- Non electric can opener
- Battery-powered radio
- Trash bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Generator, external phone battery