RV Pantry Staples: The Best Long-Lasting Ingredients

When we visited Big Bend National Park, we stocked up just enough for our week there. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize how remote the park was. We left the park expecting to find a grocery store somewhere along our route, but even after hours of driving, we found nothing. This meant we had to get really creative when dinner time rolled around. It also led me to vow never to run out of food again, especially when camping in remote areas, meaning long lasting ingredients were going to be needed. 

The problem with that? It can be difficult to find foods that 1) store well in an RV, 2) stay good for long periods of time, and 3) provide balanced nutrition. Difficult, but not impossible. In this article I will talk about the long-lasting ingredients I like to keep on hand, so we always have something to eat even if we happen to be in an area with no grocery stores. 

Why Long-Lasting Foods Matter for RV Living

The story above should be enough to convince you that stocking your RV with plenty of food is important. That said, if you’re still not convinced, I can provide a few more reasons why your pantry should always be stocked with long-lasting staples. 

Stocking long-lasting ingredients ensures that:

• You won’t run out of meals between shopping trips like we did.
• You save money by avoiding overpriced convenience stores in tourist areas.
• You waste less food because your supplies don’t spoil quickly.
• You reduce stress by knowing your pantry is always well prepared, even in remote locations. 

What to Look for in RV Adventure-Friendly Foods

Keeping a stockpile is important, but what is in the stockpile is equally important. Obviously you don’t want foods that don’t do the job right. Here’s what you’re looking for as you set out to build a solid pantry of foods:

• As mentioned above, you want long-lasting ingredients that go a long time without spoiling.
• Foods that store well in limited RV space.
• Options that provide balanced nutrition for energy and health.
• A variety of options so you don’t get tired of what you have on hand. 
• Meals that can be prepared with limited appliances.

The Core Pantry Staples

Need some ideas that meet the criteria above? Below are some of my favorite foods to keep in our RV pantry at all times. 

Rice

White rice is amazing because it can last up to two years if stored in an airtight container. Brown rice has oils that spoil faster, but it still keeps 6–12 months. Both types of rice can be used as a side dish or stir-fry base. It can also be used in soups, burrito bowls, etc. 

Pasta

I adore pasta, and dried pasta has a shelf life of 1–2 years. It’s great for things like pasta salads, hearty main dishes, soups, and quick one-pot meals, and you can buy pasta with added protein if you feel like you aren’t getting enough protein in your diet. 

Dried Beans & Lentils

Dried beach and lentils will last up to two years if stored in airtight containers. They are an ideal source of protein and can be used in dishes such as chili, soups, stews, and burritos. Keep in mind, lentils cook faster than beans and don’t need soaking, making them perfect for quick meals.

Canned Goods

Canned goods are wonderful because they will keep for years. They are heavy though, so you have to be careful about how many canned goods you carry in your RV, but I still like to stock up before long trips. Some of my favorite things to keep on hand include the following:

• Tomatoes: Sauces, soups, casseroles.
• Beans: Quick protein for tacos, salads, and chilis.
• Vegetables: Peas, corn, carrots, mushrooms.
• Meats: Chicken, tuna, salmon, SPAM, corned beef.
• Fruits: Pineapple, peaches, mandarin oranges.

Oats

Oats are filling, healthy, and perfect for stretching your food supply. I like to use them for oatmeal, granola, baking, and smoothies—and since they last for up to 18 months, I can keep them around for long periods of time. 

Flour & Baking Supplies

The ability to bake opens up all kinds of doors. Keep things like flour, sugar, baking powder, yeast, and salt on hand so you can make pancakes, bread, tortillas, biscuits, and more. These ingredients should last for at least 6 months.

Cooking Oils & Fats

You can’t cook much without some sort of oil. I prefer olive oil, but also keep coconut oil and vegetable oil around. Oils last for 6–24 months and can be used for frying, baking, sautéing, roasting, etc. 

Protein Sources that Keep

Many people believe that the only way to get enough protein is by eating fresh meat. Luckily, that simply isn’t true. Grab some of these shelf-stable options for when you run out of fresh meat and can’t get to a store:

• Canned or pouched meat
• Jerky and other dehydrated meats
• Nut butters
• Shelf-stable tofu or tempeh
• Powdered or freeze-dried protein

Long-Lasting Fresh Produce

Obviously, fruits and veggies are crucial. While some fresh produce won’t keep for long, there are options that’ll stay good for longer than you might expect. Try these fruits and vegetables for your next long trip:

• Root Vegetables — Good for 2–4 weeks if kept cool and dry
• Cabbage — Good for 2–4 weeks in the fridge
• Apples & Citrus Fruits — Good for 2–3 weeks
• Winter Squash — Good for 1–2 months
• Dried or Dehydrated Fruits & Veggies — Good for 6–12 months

Herbs, Spices & Flavor Boosters

Staples are important, but they’ll get old fast if you don’t have any way to spice them up. This is why herbs and spices are a super important part of your RV kitchen. Stock up on dried herbs as well as spices like chili powder, cumin, curry powder, and cinnamon. Condiments like soy sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, and mustard are also helpful, as are bouillon cubes and dry soup bases. 

Snacks & Quick-Grab Foods

Whenever we’re exploring a new place, we might stay out for hours at a time. Add in some long driving days and you can bet we’re going to be doing a lot of snacking. I like to keep a variety of long-lasting, shelf-stable snacks on hand for these occasions. 

Some of my top picks include:

• Trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate)
• Granola bars or energy bars
• Crackers and rice cakes
• Shelf-stable cheese (wax-wrapped or processed)
• Popcorn kernels
• Dark chocolate

Storage & Organization Tips for RV Pantries

It’s no secret that RV pantry space is extremely limited. This can make stocking up on foods—and finding what you need when you need it—difficult to say the least. Fortunately, these are some tricks you can use to make it work. 

1. Stack smartly. Use bins or baskets for grouping (canned goods in one, snacks in another).
2. Label everything so you know what’s what and what’s expiring soon.
3. Store heavy items low to prevent falling hazards while driving.
4. Rotate stock. Use older items first, add new ones to the back.
5. Look beyond the pantry. We store foods in cabinets, under dinette seats, and even behind the couch. 

Sample Meal Ideas with Long-Lasting Ingredients

Not sure how to use the staple ingredients listed? There are tons of great options. Here are a few of the easiest ideas. Use these and then expand upon them with your own twist. 

Breakfasts

• Oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts.
• Pancakes with peanut butter topping.
• Scrambled powdered eggs with canned mushrooms and salsa.

Lunches

• Tuna salad with crackers.
• Lentil soup with carrots and potatoes.
• Wraps with canned chicken, cabbage slaw, and hot sauce.

Dinners

• Pasta with canned tomato sauce, garlic, and dried herbs.
• Chili with canned beans, tomatoes, and dehydrated veggies.
• Stir-fry with rice, canned vegetables, and shelf-stable tofu.

Snacks

• Jerky and trail mix.
• Apples with peanut butter.
• Popcorn with chili powder seasoning.

As you can see, there are plenty of foods that you can keep on hand for those longer and more remote RV trips in order to ensure you always have something good to eat. I adore our RV stockpile and I can rest easy knowing we’ll never run out of meal options again! Ready to create a well stocked pantry of your own?

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