If you're facing the prospect of living for a week or so without power, hopefully, you've already visited the grocery store and stocked up on non-perishable food. Maybe you've even cooked up a few things in advance. It's possible you have a small camp stove or an outdoor grill that you plan to use once the storm has passed, but if you don't have a way to cook, we've got some easy no-cook meals to keep you well fed while the power is out.
Of course, there's always peanut butter sandwiches, but that gets old after awhile. The meal ideas below are tasty and nutrient-packed, and you won't feel like you're stuck with freeze-dried survival meals.
One of the easiest no cook recipes is also a good way to start the day. Mix oats with water, cover, and let them sit overnight. In the morning, add dried fruit, nuts, honey or brown sugar, and spices for a tasty and filling meal.
Bread will keep for a few days, but it is one of the first things you want to eat, especially if you're in hot and humid conditions. Make your first couple of meals sandwiches. You can mix up a basic tuna salad with canned tuna and a jar of pickle relish or pair sliced avocados with a white bean spread and tomatoes. Or you can go Mediterranean-inspired and fill a pita pocket with a bean spread and veggies.
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Normally, you'd make Texas Caviar with fresh peppers, tomatoes, and onions, and since those foods keep without refrigeration, you can definitely use those if you have them on hand. If not, a no cook meals hack you can use is jarred salsa. Mix the salsa with canned black-eyed peas, canned corn, and olive oil (you can also add apple cider vinegar or lime juice and seasoning depending on what kind of salsa you have) and eat with tortilla chips.
Beans and Rice
If you've precooked rice, mix the rice with canned beans. Add some seasoning and you've got a nutritious no cook dinner, but you can also add jarred sauce and canned vegetables to make it a tastier, more complete meal.
Mashup canned black beans or white beans and season. You can also add jarred salsa or canned tomatoes. Eat with chips or use as a spread on sandwiches.
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Yes, there are many, many bean-based no cook meals. But with all the different varieties of beans, the possibilities really are endless. You can make a white bean salad or chickpea salad, or take a few different kinds of beans and mix them together for an easy dinner. You can also add canned tuna or smoked salmon if you like.
If you've got pre-cooked, shelf-stable tortillas, you can wrap up pretty much anything inside them. Beans, veggies, canned fish or meat, or a mix of those things, make a filling and easy to eat meal.
Vegetables like avocados, carrots, celery, cucumbers, green beans, peppers, snap peas, and tomatoes don't need to be cooked and they keep at room temperature. You can put together and easy tomato salad or cucumber salad as a side dish, or add these veggies into bean salad or sandwiches for a complete meal.
No Bake Desserts
If you're stuck without power, a little bit of comfort goes a long way. Having a sweet treat can keep your spirits up; these easy no cook desserts will make everyone happy. Mix together fresh fruit like apples and citrus or canned fruit with some citrus juice and a bit of sweetener and sprinkle a few crushed cookies on top. Even if you can't toast the marshmallows, s'mores are a great ending to no cook meals.