Spam is one of those food items that has been talked about, almost jokingly, in many circles as a staple to have in a prepper pantry.
More times than I can count, I have heard something along the lines of “I’m all ready to go because I have my beans, band-aids, and Spam.”
Of course, the above statement is a bit tongue in cheek, but I know plenty of people who love this salty meat, and on occasion, so do I.
Obviously, Spam isn’t as good as fresh meat, but canned meats do have an advantage:
They can last a lot longer.
With all the talk I have heard about Spam, I’ve come across two questions a lot:
- “How long does Spam last?”
- “Is Spam a good survival food?”
After thinking about this for a good long while, I have concluded that Spam would be a decent survival food, in part because it does last quite a while.
SKIP AHEAD
Reasons To Have Cans of Spam
Health
The health risks with Spam are a concern for many people. During normal times, I can see why people generally frown upon consuming it.
While it has high levels of protein, it also has high levels of sodium and fat.
Most of us have diets that could be better, and when we are eating three meals a day supplemented by drinks and snacks, eating Spam regularly probably isn’t the healthiest choice.
But remember, like the key with most things in life, moderation is key.
In a survival situation, it is likely that we are not going to be eating three square meals a day and physical activity will be increased.
Salt can be hard to come by naturally, it’s required by our bodies, and we lose it through sweating. Fat is used as an energy source, and protein is needed for our muscles.
When you consider that our diets and physical activity will change in a survival situation, you can start to see how a little bit of Spam could be beneficial.
Versatility
I like Spam because, like all canned meat, it can be eaten or cooked in several different ways:
- It can be eaten cold right out of the can. (Gross! But sometimes you do what you gotta do.)
- It can be sliced and put onto a sandwich.
- It can be fried up and served with eggs, which by the way, I think is very tasty!
- It can be cut up into cubes, pierced with a stick, and cooked over an open fire. Mmm…Spam kabobs!
- Small chunks of it can be added to bland soups or stews to help give it a bit more flavor.
Does Spam Expire? Shelf Life
Like a lot of canned goods, cans of Spam that I have seen do not have expiration dates but a “best by date.”
This may be confusing…
As long as the can remains sealed and undamaged, the contents will remain good for many, many years beyond the date on the can.
However, results are varied on its edibility, or how it tastes, when it comes its long shelf life. Regarding its freshness, the consensus seems to lean towards a lifespan between two to five years.
This doesn’t mean Spam goes bad after this period, it just means spam starts to lose its freshness and won’t taste as good the further away you get from the manufacturing date or best-by date.
However, even on the low end of that range, a two-year shelf life for an item that doesn’t need refrigeration is a pretty good deal.
How To Store Spam Cans
Storing Spam is as easy as storing any other canned good item. Canned meat, as well as all canned goods, should be stored with the following kept in mind:
Spam should be stored in a cool location
The warmer it is, the quicker the contents in a can will begin to break down, possibly go bad, and not taste as good.
Spam should be stored in dry location
Spam is, of course, stored in can. Given the right conditions and time, the can will rust. When this happens, the integrity of the can starts to become compromised.
Cans should be stored in a dry location, off the floor and away from a wall.
Spam should be stored out of direct sunlight
Like all canned meats, keep Spam out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will heat the can beyond ideal storage temperatures.
Avoid Food Poisoning
Consuming spoiled Spam (and other spoiled foods) is going to give you more than just a belly ache; it can be downright deadly. Spoiled Spam can contain bacterial growth which can come with a host of health risks.
Whenever you are going to eat canned Spam, or any other canned foods for that matter, there are some steps you should follow to practice good food safety guidelines.
Check expiration date
I know, a good section of this article has been about how the expiration date on a can of Spam kind of doesn’t matter. But it’s a good idea to always check the expiration date on a canned good before eating so it lets you know how fresh it should taste.
check for damage on the can
Always check for damage on a can of Spam and other canned meats (including canned clams, deviled ham, canned chicken, canned tuna, canned corn beef, and really all other canned foods).
Visible signs of damage on a can include rust, dents, bulges, and broken seals.
Pressurize contents
When you open canned food, a little bit of liquid or food may come out because the can was moved during the process.
However, food or liquid should NEVER squirt out as though it were under pressure – nor should you hear a “hiss” of air when the seal is broken. Canned contents that are under pressure are a good sign that bacterial growth has taken place, and the contents should not be eaten.
Odd smell or look
Canned food shouldn’t smell like something else (or awful) when it’s opened.
After opening a can of Spam, if the contents don’t look or smell the way they are supposed to – don’t eat it. Visual indicators include mold or any other type of growth and cloudy-looking liquid
Pros and Cons of Spam
Pros
- Long shelf life = long term storage
- Provides a source of canned meat
- A variety of recipes available
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the healthiest choice
- Doesn’t taste as good as fresh meat
What is Spam made out?
Surprisingly Spam only has six ingredients listed on its can. They are pork, salt, water, sugar, potato starch, and sodium nitrite.
Final Thoughts
In a survival situation, Spam will help to provide salts, fats, and proteins that our bodies need. But like most things, moderation should be used.
Having a few cans of Spam in your pantry wouldn’t be a bad idea, but planning to survive on it alone is not going to be the healthiest choice.
When properly stored, Spam’s shelf life can be very long. Spam and other canned meats can safety be eaten well beyond their expiration dates. As long as Spam is store properly and you follow the food safety guidelines above, expired Spam (according to its expiration date) can be eaten. But for maximum flavor, its always best to eat canned goods as close to their manufacturing dates as possible.
Thanks for reading and stay prepared!
Spam is one of those food items that has been talked about, almost jokingly, in many circles as a staple to have in a prepper pantry.
More times than I can count, I have heard something along the lines of “I’m all ready to go because I have my beans, band-aids, and Spam.”
Of course, the above statement is a bit tongue in cheek, but I know plenty of people who love this salty meat, and on occasion, so do I.
Obviously, Spam isn’t as good as fresh meat, but canned meats do have an advantage:
They can last a lot longer.
With all the talk I have heard about Spam, I’ve come across two questions a lot:
- “How long does Spam last?”
- “Is Spam a good survival food?”
After thinking about this for a good long while, I have concluded that Spam would be a decent survival food, in part because it does last quite a while.
Reasons To Have Cans of Spam
Health
The health risks with Spam are a concern for many people. During normal times, I can see why people generally frown upon consuming it.
While it has high levels of protein, it also has high levels of sodium and fat.
Most of us have diets that could be better, and when we are eating three meals a day supplemented by drinks and snacks, eating Spam regularly probably isn’t the healthiest choice.
But remember, like the key with most things in life, moderation is key.
In a survival situation, it is likely that we are not going to be eating three square meals a day and physical activity will be increased.
Salt can be hard to come by naturally, it’s required by our bodies, and we lose it through sweating. Fat is used as an energy source, and protein is needed for our muscles.
When you consider that our diets and physical activity will change in a survival situation, you can start to see how a little bit of Spam could be beneficial.
Versatility
I like Spam because, like all canned meat, it can be eaten or cooked in several different ways:
- It can be eaten cold right out of the can. (Gross! But sometimes you do what you gotta do.)
- It can be sliced and put onto a sandwich.
- It can be fried up and served with eggs, which by the way, I think is very tasty!
- It can be cut up into cubes, pierced with a stick, and cooked over an open fire. Mmm…Spam kabobs!
- Small chunks of it can be added to bland soups or stews to help give it a bit more flavor.
Does Spam Expire? Shelf Life
Like a lot of canned goods, cans of Spam that I have seen do not have expiration dates but a “best by date.”
This may be confusing…
As long as the can remains sealed and undamaged, the contents will remain good for many, many years beyond the date on the can.
However, results are varied on its edibility, or how it tastes, when it comes its long shelf life. Regarding its freshness, the consensus seems to lean towards a lifespan between two to five years.
This doesn’t mean Spam goes bad after this period, it just means spam starts to lose its freshness and won’t taste as good the further away you get from the manufacturing date or best-by date.
However, even on the low end of that range, a two-year shelf life for an item that doesn’t need refrigeration is a pretty good deal.
How To Store Spam Cans
Storing Spam is as easy as storing any other canned good item. Canned meat, as well as all canned goods, should be stored with the following kept in mind:
Spam should be stored in a cool location
The warmer it is, the quicker the contents in a can will begin to break down, possibly go bad, and not taste as good.
Spam should be stored in dry location
Spam is, of course, stored in can. Given the right conditions and time, the can will rust. When this happens, the integrity of the can starts to become compromised.
Cans should be stored in a dry location, off the floor and away from a wall.
Spam should be stored out of direct sunlight
Like all canned meats, keep Spam out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will heat the can beyond ideal storage temperatures.
Avoid Food Poisoning
Consuming spoiled Spam (and other spoiled foods) is going to give you more than just a belly ache; it can be downright deadly. Spoiled Spam can contain bacterial growth which can come with a host of health risks.
Whenever you are going to eat canned Spam, or any other canned foods for that matter, there are some steps you should follow to practice good food safety guidelines.
Check expiration date
I know, a good section of this article has been about how the expiration date on a can of Spam kind of doesn’t matter. But it’s a good idea to always check the expiration date on a canned good before eating so it lets you know how fresh it should taste.
check for damage on the can
Always check for damage on a can of Spam and other canned meats (including canned clams, deviled ham, canned chicken, canned tuna, canned corn beef, and really all other canned foods).
Visible signs of damage on a can include rust, dents, bulges, and broken seals.
Pressurize contents
When you open canned food, a little bit of liquid or food may come out because the can was moved during the process.
However, food or liquid should NEVER squirt out as though it were under pressure – nor should you hear a “hiss” of air when the seal is broken. Canned contents that are under pressure are a good sign that bacterial growth has taken place, and the contents should not be eaten.
Odd smell or look
Canned food shouldn’t smell like something else (or awful) when it’s opened.
After opening a can of Spam, if the contents don’t look or smell the way they are supposed to – don’t eat it. Visual indicators include mold or any other type of growth and cloudy-looking liquid
Pros and Cons of Spam
Pros
- Long shelf life = long term storage
- Provides a source of canned meat
- A variety of recipes available
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the healthiest choice
- Doesn’t taste as good as fresh meat
What is Spam made out?
Surprisingly Spam only has six ingredients listed on its can. They are pork, salt, water, sugar, potato starch, and sodium nitrite.
Final Thoughts
In a survival situation, Spam will help to provide salts, fats, and proteins that our bodies need. But like most things, moderation should be used.
Having a few cans of Spam in your pantry wouldn’t be a bad idea, but planning to survive on it alone is not going to be the healthiest choice.
When properly stored, Spam’s shelf life can be very long. Spam and other canned meats can safety be eaten well beyond their expiration dates. As long as Spam is store properly and you follow the food safety guidelines above, expired Spam (according to its expiration date) can be eaten. But for maximum flavor, its always best to eat canned goods as close to their manufacturing dates as possible.
Thanks for reading and stay prepared!
