Emergency food that does not need cooking: a UK no-cook cupboard
Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · 6 min read
Quick checklist
Quick checklist
0 of 8 doneWhat counts as emergency food that does not need cooking
A power cut may stop your cooker, microwave and kettle, so plan on food that needs none of them.
Look for four qualities: it keeps without a fridge, you can eat it straight from the pack, it does not need much water, and your household likes it. If nobody wants it, it will sit there until it expires.
Protein
Protein keeps you full for longer.
- Tinned fish, such as tuna, sardines and mackerel. Ring-pull tins are quicker to open. A multipack of tinned fish (Retailer link coming soon) is usually cheaper per tin.
- Tinned beans and pulses, eaten cold or mixed with a tin of tomatoes. A multipack of tinned beans (Retailer link coming soon) is a staple.
- Nut butter. A jar of peanut butter (Retailer link coming soon) spread on crackers or bread gives a lot of energy. Check labels if anyone has a nut allergy.
- Tinned meat and ready-to-eat pouches, if you eat them.
Carbohydrates
- Crackers, oatcakes, rice cakes and crispbreads, which last a good while in an airtight tin.
- Breakfast cereal with long-life milk.
- Porridge oats. As our reasonable practice, soak porridge oats (Retailer link coming soon) in cold milk or water for a short while, then eat them. Check the pack for the maker's advice.
- Bread and wraps for the first day or two, as they go off quickly.
Fruit and vegetables
- Tinned fruit in juice, such as peaches or pineapple. A multipack of tinned fruit (Retailer link coming soon) is a nice change if you like it.
- Tinned tomatoes, sweetcorn and carrots, which can be eaten cold in a pinch.
- Dried fruit and fruit pouches, which are light and easy to pack in a grab bag.
- Fresh fruit such as apples and oranges, which keep a few days.
Drinks and extras
Unopened long-life (UHT) milk, juice cartons and squash keep without a fridge. Biscuits, chocolate and dried snacks help morale, especially for children. Stock cubes are not much use without hot water, so leave them out of this list.
The tool you must not forget
A manual tin opener (Retailer link coming soon) costs little and works when nothing else does. Test it on a tin today, because a stiff opener is no use at midnight. If you use a tin with a ring pull, take care with the sharp lid.
How much, and how to store it
Aim for enough for each person for three days, built up bit by bit. Do not buy in bulk you cannot afford or store. Our guide to budget pantry essentials shows how to stock a cupboard from the weekly shop, and our guide to rotating tinned food keeps it fresh. For the wider picture, see the power cut checklist.
Keep food in a cool, dry cupboard, away from the cooker and any damp. Put the oldest at the front.
Check dates every six months, as Be Ready advises. Follow Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidance: a use-by date is about safety, and you should not eat food after it. A best-before date is about quality. Tins often stay safe beyond it if undamaged, but throw away anything swollen, leaking or badly dented. Our guide to best before and use by covers it in more depth.
Babies, allergies and special diets
Be Ready lists baby formula (ready-to-feed is best), nappies and wipes for families with a baby. Speak to your health visitor or pharmacist about feeding. Read labels for allergens every time, as recipes change. If someone has a medical diet, ask your GP, pharmacist or dietitian what to keep. Pets need food too.
Do this today (free)
- Open your cupboards and list what you could eat cold for three days.
- Check that your tin opener works.
- Move the oldest food to the front.
- Add two or three missing items to your next shop.
If you have £10, £25 or £50
These are budgets, not quotes. Prices change, so check the current price first.
- About £10: a manual tin opener, a few tins of beans and a jar of peanut butter.
- About £25: add tinned fish, tinned fruit, crackers and long-life milk.
- About £50: build up to three days for two people, with variety.
Questions people ask
What can I eat in a power cut without cooking?
Tinned fish and beans, nut butter on crackers or bread, breakfast cereal with long-life milk, tinned fruit, dried fruit, oatcakes and soaked oats all work. Keep fridge doors shut, eat perishable food first, and keep the long-life items for later.
How much food should I store for an emergency?
The Be Ready campaign advises being ready for three days. For food, that means enough non-perishable items for each person to eat for three days. Build it up gradually and choose items your household will eat, so nothing is wasted.
Do I need a tin opener?
Yes, if you buy tins without ring pulls. A manual tin opener works when the power is out and takes up little space. Test it on a tin today, and keep it with your food, not buried in a drawer.
Is it safe to eat tinned food past its best-before date?
A best-before date is about quality, not safety, according to the FSA. Undamaged tins are often fine to eat after it, but throw away any that are swollen, leaking or badly dented. Never eat food past its use-by date.
Sources and further reading
Sources
firesidefolk.com/food-and-store-cupboard/emergency-food-that-does-not-need-cooking · Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · Fireside Folk