Winter storms can hit hard.
Even in places where winter is typically quite mild, unpredictable winter storms can come through and make life uncomfortable.
We want to equip you with some of our easiest and most nutritious winter storm ideas that you can make for yourself and your family that require minimal effort and, importantly, almost no modern appliances.
Here are twenty one easy recipes for a power outage.
The Ultimate Winter Storm Recipe List
1. Tuna Salad with Crackers
Canned tuna is a staple in most pantries, and it’s perfect for creating a protein-rich meal without needing to cook.
Mix canned tuna with mayonnaise, mustard, or olive oil, and for added flavor, chop up some pickles, onions, or capers.
Serve it with crackers, bread or tortillas for a satisfying, nutritious meal that doesn’t require any to whip together.
2. Peanut Butter and Honey Wraps
Peanut butter is a shelf-stable protein source that pairs well with both sweet and savory toppings.
To create these wraps, spread peanut butter on a tortilla, drizzle with honey or jam, and roll it up for a quick, no-cook meal.
You could also add some banana slices or dried fruit for extra texture and nutrition.
This is not only a delicious, no-fuss winter storm meal, but will keep you energized and can be pulled together in a couple of minutes.
3. Canned Soup with Toast
I’ve got lots of cans of soup on hand at any given time because I was caught unprepared many years ago during a power outage with nothing substantial to eat.
These are perfect winter storm meals because they can be heated on a gas stove (or a camp stove).
Pair it with some bread toasted over the same stove or grill for a carb-dense and, depending on the soup, protein-rich meal.
4. Quesadillas on a Skillet
Quesadillas are another easy, versatile meal that can be cooked on a stovetop or BBQ.
Simply fill tortillas with shredded cheese or any canned beans, veggies or cooked meat you have.
Heat them in a skillet or on a grill until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted.
I love quesadillas because they take no time to prepare and you can serve them with things like salsa, sour cream or guacamole for added flavor and nutrition.
5. Bean and Rice Burritos
Beans and rice are essential pantry staples that can make most meals instantly more hearty.
If you have a gas stove or BBQ, cook the rice and mix it with canned beans, spices like cumin or chili powder and any other canned vegetables.
Then, spoon the mixture into tortillas, roll them up and enjoy a filling, warm burrito.
If you’ve got hot sauce, salsa, or shredded cheese on hand, you can easily make a burrito more interesting.
6. Pasta with Canned Sauce
Any emergency preparedness pantry should be well stocked with pasta and jars of tomato sauce.
You can boil the pasta on a gas stove or camp stove and heat the canned or jarred sauce separately.
Mix them together for a comforting, carb-rich meal that is simple and delicious.
If you have them on hand, canned vegetables or spices are great at elevating the flavor of canned/jarred sauces.
7. Cold Cut Sandwiches
Cold cuts like ham, turkey, and salami, paired with bread or tortillas, make for an easy no-cook meal.
You can add cheese, pickles, mustard or any vegetables you have on hand to create a quick, satisfying sandwich.
If you’re facing a long power outage, ensure you’re consuming your refrigerated meats early to avoid spoilage.
Here’s a helpful article from the USDA on meat safety.
These sandwiches require no cooking and can be assembled in just a few minutes.
8. Chickpea Salad
Canned chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber, making them a pantry must-have.
For a quick, no-cook meal, mix chickpeas with olive oil, lemon juice, and whatever herbs or spices you have available.
Add chopped onions, canned tomatoes, or even some feta cheese if you have it.
This Mediterranean-inspired salad is fresh, nutritious, and can be prepared without heating anything.
9. Skillet Breakfast Hash
If you have access to a gas stove or BBQ, a breakfast hash is a warm and hearty option.
Dice potatoes, onions, and any other vegetables you have, and fry them in a skillet with a bit of oil.
Add leftover cooked meats or eggs for extra protein. This one-pan meal is filling and can be customized based on what you have in your pantry or fridge.
I usually add bacon, chopped garlic and cherry tomatoes to mine and it’s an amazing breakfast – even better served on toast.
10. Instant Noodles with Extras
Instant noodles are another one of those pantry staples.
Prepared with just boiling water, you can make it more of a meal by adding canned vegetables, cooked meats or even an egg cracked into the hot broth (a power outage ramen).
They’re quick, comforting and adaptable, allowing you to create a warm dish with very little effort when the power is out.
11. Sardines on Crackers
Canned sardines or other canned fish like mackerel or salmon make for a nutritious and shelf-stable meal.
Spread the sardines on crackers or bread and top with mustard, pickles or onions for added flavor.
Sardines are rich in healthy fats and protein (one of the highest omega 3 and lowest mercury content fish out there), and this no-cook meal can be prepared in just minutes, giving you a nice boost of energy when you need it.
12. Foil Pack Vegetables and Sausages
If you have access to a grill or BBQ, foil packs are an easy and fun option.
Toss pre-cooked sausages with sliced vegetables like potatoes, peppers, and onions, wrap them in aluminum foil, and place the packets on the grill.
It only takes 10-15 minutes for you to have a hot, flavorful meal with very little cleanup.
13. Cold Bean Salad
If you’ve got canned beans like black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas – you can quickly throw together a quick cold bean salad.
Mix the beans with canned corn, diced onions, bell peppers and olive oil or vinaigrette.
This no-cook meal is filling, full of fiber, and can be prepared in minutes with pantry staples.
14. Pita Bread with Hummus and Veggies
Hummus is a versatile, non-perishable item that pairs well with pita bread or crackers.
You can create an easy meal by dipping pita bread into hummus and serving it with canned vegetables like artichokes, olives, or roasted peppers.
It’s a no-cook nutritious option that requires very little preparation and can be eaten straight from the pantry.
15. Rice and Lentils
Rice and lentils are shelf-stable and require minimal cooking.
Boil rice and canned lentils together with a little water and spices such as cumin or turmeric.
You can add canned tomatoes, onions, or garlic to enhance the flavor, and it can all be easily whipped up on a gas stove or camp burner for a warm, satisfying winter storm meal.
16. Nut Butter and Fruit Sandwiches
Nut butters like peanut butter or almond butter are pantry favorites and can be turned into a meal when spread on bread, wraps, or even crackers.
Add slices of fresh or canned fruit like bananas, apples, or pears for extra sweetness and nutrition.
This is a fantastic no-cook option that makes a great, quick meal during a power outage when you’re looking for a nutritious snack with some nice natural sweetness.
17. Canned Chili with No-Bake Cornbread
Canned chili is one of those things I always have in my pantry for an emergency one-pot meal that only requires heating if you’re really desperate, you can have it cold.
Canned chili is hearty, filling, and full of flavor, making it a great go-to meal during a power outage.
You can heat the chili on a gas stove, and the cornbread you can do in a skillet on a gas stove-top.
18. Pasta Salad with Canned Veggies
Pasta salad is another great meal for power outages and winter storms that require very minimal ingredients.
You’ll need to boil pasta and toss it with canned vegetables like olives, artichokes, or roasted peppers.
Add olive oil, vinegar, and spices for a refreshing and easy meal. You can also add canned tuna or beans for extra protein.
It’s a cold dish that holds up well even without refrigeration.
19. No-Cook Oatmeal with Dried Fruit
For a filling, no-cook option, mix oats with milk or water and let them soak for about 15 minutes until they soften.
Add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries or apricots, and top with nuts and honey for sweetness.
This meal is hearty, healthy, and can be prepared without any cooking.
It’s perfect for when you need something substantial but don’t have access to heat.
20. Tuna and White Bean Salad
Tuna and white bean salad is another excellent no-cook option for a quick, satisfying meal during a power outage.
You can throw this together with simple, shelf-stable ingredients like canned tuna, white beans, and olive oil for a protein-rich dish that doesn’t require heat.
Mix the tuna and beans with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt for a light, refreshing meal.
If you want to punch it up a bit, add in some chopped red onion, canned olives, or capers for extra flavor.
21. No-Cook Bean and Corn Salad
A fresh and zesty salad, black beans, and corn is the perfect power outage combination when you need a filling, nutritious meal without cooking or fuel.
Combine pantry staples like canned black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and chopped red onions, simply tossing the ingredients together with olive oil, lime juice (or white wine vinegar), and spices.
This is a flavorful and protein-packed meal that you can put together with no power in just a few minutes.
It’s great on its own or paired with tortilla chips.
