Forget overpriced MREs and bland freeze-dried kits — this week on the Survival Punk Podcast, we’re showing you how to build your own shelf-stable camping meals that taste better, cost less, and match your specific needs. Whether you’re hitting the trail or packing your bug-out bag, learning to make your own meals is a skill every prepper should have.

Store-bought survival meals are expensive, and you’re stuck with their ingredients and nutrition. Making your own puts you in control.

You can:

This is about control — over cost, health, and survival readiness.

You don’t need fancy gear to start. Head to the store and grab items like:

Package these together into single-meal kits. Vacuum-sealing or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers can take them up a notch for storage.

These aren’t just for camping — they’re grab-and-go meals for emergencies.

Got a dehydrator? Now you’re cooking.

I talk about dehydrating full meals like chili mac — yes, the whole dish. Cook it, dehydrate it, then bag it. Later, just add hot water. It’s the budget version of a $12 freeze-dried meal.

Or, dehydrate components: cooked meat, sauce, veggies, rice — and mix and match later. This keeps things flexible while still shelf-stable.

Food security isn’t just about having something to eat. It’s about having what you want to eat, when you need it — without going broke or compromising your health.

This strategy:

It’s an essential skill in any serious prepper’s toolkit.

If you’ve never tried this before, don’t wait. Start with one meal. Dehydrate a favorite dish or assemble a simple MRE from store items. Build confidence and build skills — your future self will thank you.

Listen to Episode 406 now and take your food prepping to the next level.

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