Hardtackis one of the oldest and easiest to make long-term storage foods that last 25 years or more in storage. Hardtack dates back as far as ancient Rome, and still, it is better known for its role in the American Civil War as food rations. Hardtack has been known to last for decades (There are even examples still left over from over a century ago, though we wouldn't suggest eating those).
In this article, we will discuss how to make Hardtack as well as an easy go to hardtack recipe and some great adjustments to be used for both short-term storage or extremely long storage times. Hardtack is a food that lasts 25 years or more if stored properly, making it the perfect emergency survival food.
Historically Soldiers were known to survive for months on end, almost entirely on Hardtack. However, cases of scurvy were reported due to a lack of vitamin C.
Though it has extremely old origins, today'sHardtackis still extremely simple and hardy, making them perfect emergency survival food. Hardtack shelf life is incredibly long, However, they can even be modified for a great snack (that still has a long shelf life). Today we'll cover two recipes, one designed for extremely long food storage capabilities and one with a considerably shorter shelf life with higher nutritional content, and tastes much better but still makes excellent backpacking and camping snacks.
Hardtack is still used in some modern-day militaries and can even be found premade online (but it's much cheaper to make yourself)
How to Make Hardtack - Hardtack Recipe
Ingredients
- One LB flour
- 1/2 Pint Water
- 1/2 Tablespoon Salt
Directions
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix the 1LB flour with the 1/2 Tablespoon of salt with the 1/2 Pint of water in a large bowl by slowly adding in a little bit of flour at the time.
- Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into 3″x3″ squares (traditional to dry out evenly), or into whatever size and shape you desire.
- Poke holes in the surface, similar to how a saltine cracker looks.
- Put the Hardtack on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for about 25-45 minutes, flip them over and bake another 25-45 minutes.
- When golden brown on both sides, turn off the oven and let cool inside the oven
How Long Does Hardtack Last and Long Term Storage
How long does Hardtack Last? Up to 25 years if made, and stored properly! For long-term storage place yourHardtackin a food-safe air-tight bag with an oxygen absorber inside Ziploc bags work for this (for optimum prolonged storage capabilities, use heat sealed Mylar) place into a food-safe 5-gallon bucket with lid, and store in a cool, dry place to create a food that lasts 25 years or more if kept properly!
To Make your Short Term Storage Hardtack Recipe 2-3 Months
Ingredients
- One LB flour
- 1/2 Pint Water
- 1/2 Tablespoon Salt
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar (or another sweetener, brown sugar, honey etc.)
- dried nuts to taste
- dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits to taste
- additional seasonings to taste cinnamon, etc.
Directions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix the 1LB flour with the 1/2 Tablespoon of salt and 1/2 Tablespoon sugar with the 1/2 Pint of water in a large bowl by slowly adding in a little bit of flour at the time.
- mix in your dried nuts, dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits, and additional seasonings
- Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into 3″x3″ squares (traditional to dry out evenly), or into whatever size and shape you desire.
- Poke holes in the surface, similar to how a saltine cracker looks.
- Put the Hardtack on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for about 25-45 minutes, flip them over and bake another 25-45 minutes.
- When golden brown on both sides, turn off the oven and let cool inside the oven
Note:Adding additional ingredients to your Hardtack greatly reduces its shelf life. It's perfect for hiking, camping, or as a short-term storage item but should be replaced every 2-3 months.
How to Eat Hardtack
Hardtackis a notoriously hard biscuit. There are many methods for how to eat Hardtack, each working in its way. I suggest trying several for some variety, but all require you to soften your hardtack somehow as it has (literally) been known to break a tooth if eaten unsoftened and has the nickname "Jawbreaker."
Hardtack has several different methods to cook; since it was a traditionally bland item, there have been several creative ways to eat it discovered through the centuries.
The Hardtack Dunk- Soaking your Hardtack in a liquid (Oreo style) is the most common way to eat it. Drop it into some water, coffee, milk (even some liquor works) for around 10 minutes to let it soften and soak up moisture. Gently take your first bite, as it could still be hard in the middle, and you don't want to break a tooth.
Fried Hardtack- While cooking a meal, you can soak your Hardtack in liquid using the above method. With the leftover oils or grease in your skillet (or, if there is none, some butter or oil), you can toss your softened Hardtack into the skillet and fry it into a nice patty.
Gnawed- breaking off a small piece or picking a corner and sucking on it until it softens will extend the time it takes to eat, which can be a great distraction depending on your needs and requires no preparation for a meal on the go.
Smothered Hardtack- Hardtack is still eaten in many countries, and one favorite way to enjoy it is with Jelly and or soft cheese on top. After softening it, you cover it with several different items to increase its palatability.
Crumbled Hardtack- Add some (about 2 TBSP ) butter and sweetener (sugar, honey, etc.) to your loosely crumbled Hardtack and mix together, adding a little bit of water, milk (or liquor) as needed to get chunky puddling like dessert.
Crushed Hardtack- Crush your Hardtack to get a crumbly mixture, then use it like "Panko" to use as a batter to go outside of other items you could fry.
Hardtack Thickener- you can crush your Hardtack into a finer consistency and use it in a thin broth, soup, or gravy as a thickening agent for a more robust meal.
Now Make your Hardtack and Let us Know How it Goes!
Now that you know how to make Hardtack the ultimate DIY survival rations, giveHardtacka go, and let us know how it went for you! For hundreds of years, into the modern age, Hardtack has hung around for one simple reason. It works! It's one of the cheapest and easiest survival foods you can make in bulk and is perfect for experienced preppers to beginners!
If you want a waterproof, weatherproof hardtack recipe card reminding you about exactly how to cook Hardtack, grab theGrim WorkshopHardtack recipe Tip CardHEREor check out all our other awesome Weatherproof Survival Tip CardsHERE
For more, head over to Grim Workshop
