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When you’re facing an emergency situation where power might be out for days, having reliable, nutritious, and shelf-stable meals becomes essential. This Sustaining Lentil Chili is perfect for those times when you need a hearty and delicious meal that can be made entirely from non-perishable ingredients. It’s ideal for hurricane prep, ensuring that even in tough times, you have good food to rely on.
Want more recipes that you can make with non-perishable, shelf stable ingredients from your emergency food kit? Click here
One of the best parts about this lentil chili is its simplicity. With only a few basic steps, you can prepare a comforting meal for your family without any special kitchen equipment. Just a pot, a stirring spoon, and a heat source like a camping stove or gas burner are all you need. The ingredients are all pantry staples—lentils, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and some basic spices—so you don’t have to worry about refrigeration or fresh produce. These ingredients are easy to store and have long shelf lives, making this chili the ultimate go-to dish when preparing for hurricanes or other emergency situations.
To add some flavor and variety, you can also top this chili with shelf-stable options like canned jalapeños, a drizzle of hot sauce, or some crunchy tortilla chips. And if you’ve managed to keep a few items chilled in an ice chest, consider adding cheese, sour cream, or even fresh onions to give it an extra boost. This recipe makes about nine cups, so you’ll have plenty to go around or save for leftovers.
The Sustaining Lentil Chili combines nutrition, taste, and practicality, making it a top choice for those looking to stay well-fed and prepared. It’s good food for hurricane prep—simple, wholesome, and sure to keep you and your family going through any storm.
PrintSustaining Lentil Chili: Good Food for Hurricane Prep
- Without power, this meal can be cooked on a gas or camping stove
Ingredients
- 6 cups beef or vegetable broth (for a vegan option)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the lentils, broth, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic powder, tomato paste, ketchup, chili powder, cumin, thyme, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 45 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Stir occasionally, and add a little water if the chili becomes too thick while cooking.
- Serve with your favorite toppings. Try shelf-stable options like canned jalapeños, hot sauce, or tortilla chips. If you have an ice chest, you can also enjoy toppings like shredded cheese, chopped onions, or sour cream.
Notes
Want more recipes that you can make with non-perishable, shelf stable ingredients from your emergency food kit? Click here
If you have an electric stove, consider purchasing a camping stove or a butane stove to prepare meals like this during power outages. These portable stoves are affordable, easy to use, and invaluable for cooking non-perishable food for hurricane season or any emergency situation where power may be unavailable.
In emergency situations where washing dishes isn’t practical, stock up on paper plates, paper bowls, and plastic silverware. These disposable options make clean-up quick and easy, allowing you to enjoy meals like this spaghetti with minimal hassle.
Don’t forget the manual can opener!
