Eight Great Meal in a Jar Recipes - Make-Ahead Meal Mom (2024)

FAQs

What is the shelf life of meals in a jar? ›

They are easy to prepare and in most cases you just add water to cook them. These meals are easy enough children can cook them. The Shelf Life of the Meals in a jar is around 5-15 years, depending on the ingredients used.

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.

Store them in a clean, cool, dark, dry place. Don't store jars above 95 F. Don't store near hot pipes, a range, a furnace, in an uninsulated attic, or in direct sunlight. Under these conditions, food will lose quality in a few weeks or months and may spoil.

A can of tuna, an apple with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter, a handful of nuts, a cup of plain air-popped popcorn, a half-cup of cottage cheese or a hard-boiled egg all make excellent options. Though they do contain calories, they're high in protein, so you won't be tempted to overeat at your next meal.

The Bottom Line

Potatoes, fish, oatmeal, oranges, and apples top the list of the most filling foods. As a rule, opting for whole foods, such as meat, seafood, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, is the best way to eat fewer calories while maximizing food intake, satiety, and health benefits.

High-fiber foods not only provide volume but also take longer to digest, making you feel full longer on fewer calories. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains all contain fiber. Popcorn is a good example of a high-volume, low-calorie whole grain. One cup of air-popped popcorn has about 30 calories.

How long can food in jars last? ›

High acid foods such as tomatoes and other fruit will keep their best quality up to 18 months; low acid foods such as meat and vegetables, 2 to 5 years. While extremely rare, a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum is the worst danger in canned goods.

The Shelf Life of Refrigerated Meal Preps

Typically, refrigerated meal preps last between 3 to 5 days, depending on the ingredients used. However, this relatively short window can be a challenge for many people, as it requires diligent planning and scheduling to ensure that all meals are consumed before they spoil.

Once opened, however, our jars should be stored in the refrigerator with the cap on and kept only for either 2-3 days (each jar has specific instructions for either 2 or 3 days). Pouches should be resealed and refrigerated after opening. Prepared cereal should be covered and stored in the pantry for up to 30 days.