In today’s fast-paced world, meal prepping is not just a time-saving strategy, but also an essential part of maintaining a balanced diet and being prepared for unexpected situations. Whether you're planning for busy weeks ahead, striving to meet nutritional targets, or preparing for emergencies, long-term meal prepping offers numerous benefits.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything from meal prep techniques to storage solutions using tools like Wallaby Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. We’ll also provide healthy, long-lasting recipes ideal for storage. Let’s dive in! 

Benefits of Prepping Meals for the Long Term

Meal prepping offers numerous advantages, especially when using quality storage products such as Wallaby Mylar bags:

  1. Cost Savings: Purchasing in bulk is typically more affordable than buying individual servings. By storing bulk foods in Mylar bags, you can reduce waste and maximize your investment.
  2. Convenience: Having pre-cooked, ready-to-eat meals in the fridge or freezer saves time, especially when your schedule gets busy. Whether you’re managing a hectic work week or facing an emergency, long-term meal prep ensures you always have a nutritious meal on hand.
  3. Nutrient Retention: Wallaby Mylar bags protect your food from moisture, light, and air—three elements that can degrade food quality over time. This keeps your meals fresh, nutritious, and ready to use.
  4. Preparedness for Emergencies: Meal prepping isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about being prepared. Whether it’s for a natural disaster, supply chain disruptions, or unexpected events, having a stock of nutritious, long-term meals can offer peace of mind and ensure you're always ready.

The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Long-Term Storage

Here are a few simple, nutritious meal prep recipes using dehydrated or freeze-dried ingredients that you can store for long-term use in Wallaby Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. These recipes are designed for easy rehydration when needed. Simply combine all the ingredients into either an MRE or 1-gallon sized mylar bag, add in an oxygen absorber, seal & store!

Curry Lentil Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • 1 can powdered coconut milk (or powdered milk)
  • 1/4 cup dehydrated onion
  • 1/4 cup dehydrated carrots
  • 1 Tbsp curry powder
  • 1 Tbsp turmeric
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rehydration Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, add 4 cups of water to the Mylar bag mixture. Bring to a boil.
  2. Simmer the soup for about 20 minutes until the lentils are soft and the vegetables have rehydrated.
  3. Stir in additional salt and pepper to taste and adjust consistency with water as needed.

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 4 servings of soup.

2. Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup dried kidney beans
  • 1 cup dried black beans
  • 1 cup freeze-dried corn
  • 1/4 cup dehydrated tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rehydration Instructions:

  1. In a pot, add 6 cups of water to the Mylar bag mixture. Bring to a boil.
  2. Simmer the chili for about 45 minutes, or until the beans are tender and the vegetables have rehydrated.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste and adjust the consistency with additional water as needed.

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 6 servings of chili.

3. Instant Rice and Vegetables Mix

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups instant rice
  • 1 cup freeze-dried mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, etc.)
  • 1 tbsp chicken bouillon or vegetable stock powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rehydration Instructions:

  1. Add 4 cups of boiling water to the Mylar bag mixture. Stir well to combine.
  2. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the water and the vegetables to rehydrate.

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 4 servings of rice and vegetables.

4. Dehydrated Pasta Sauce Mix

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup tomato powder
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rehydration Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine 1/4 cup of the tomato powder mixture with 1 cup of water.
  2. Stir well to dissolve and bring to a simmer.
  3. Add olive oil or butter (optional) for richness to taste.
  4. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 4 servings of pasta sauce.

Tips for Successful Long-Term Meal Prepping

  • Use oxygen absorbers: These are essential for preventing oxidation and spoilage. Wallaby oxygen absorbers help to keep your meals fresh for up to 30 years.
  • Airtight sealing: Use an impulse heat sealer to ensure that your Mylar bags are completely sealed, preventing air and moisture from entering.
  • Label your meals: Label each Mylar bag with the recipe name and date it was sealed. This helps keep track of how long the meal has been stored.
  • Store in the right conditions: Keep Mylar bags in a cool, dry, dark place to ensure the food maintains its freshness and nutritional value.

Conclusion

Long-term meal prepping doesn’t just save time it also ensures that you always have nutritious, delicious meals on hand, whether it’s for emergency preparedness or busy days. With Wallaby Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, you can store meals like lentil soup, vegetarian chili, and pasta sauce for years, while maintaining their flavor, texture, and nutrients. Start meal prepping for the future today, and be prepared for whatever comes your way!

 

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