Article - "How to make Pemmican – The Ultimate Survival Super-Food"

[Andy]

Invented by the natives of North America, pemmican was used by Indian scouts as well as early western explorers. These people spent a great deal of time on the go and depended on having portable, high-energy, highly nutritious, and filling foods that would last for long periods of time.


Pemmican was light, compact, high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and if done properly can last anywhere from a few years (decades) up to a lifetime without refrigeration!


Pemmican consists of lean, dried meat which is crushed to a powder and mixed with hot, rendered fat. Back in those days the natives made it with bison, deer, or elk but nowadays it is usually made with beef. Crushed, dried berries can be added as well.
A man could subsist entirely on pemmican, drawing on the fat for energy, the protein for strength and vitamins for health. There are a few cases in history of people living for months ( in good health) only out of pemmican.

So, it’s easy to understand why I choose pemmican as the ultimate survival-superfood.

How to make Pemmican - The Ultimate Survival Super-Food

 

[jrbfishn]

Later at home, I have another recipe for you. As good or better.

From an idjit coffeeholic

 

[Acera]

Make some hardtack at the same time to give a little variety. It can last for decades also.

 

[TheDan]

I can see the dry ingredients lasting for years, but how does the fat not go rancid?

 

[Tony2]

Pretty interesting. Read about pemmican for years seems to be the perfect survival food.

 

[baboon]

I can see the dry ingredients lasting for years, but how does the fat not go rancid?

Suet is pretty stable. Rendered pork fat is lard. Ever hear of confit?

 

[TheDan]

Ever hear of confit?

Yeah, French carnitas
I didn't know it had a preservative quality, tho.

 

[Se7en62]

Hmmm....I think I'll make some.

 

[jrbfishn]

Quick food cold or with water to make soup or stew. Things you will need: dehydrator and a coffee grinder.
Dried lean meat until very dry and crisp
Dried bean, dried peas, dried carrots and dried potatos. Rice also if you prefer.
Grind everything up to be similarvto a fine ground coffee. Measure it out into desired proportions, mix it up and vacuum pack it in 1-2 cup portions. You can eat small amounts dry if needed or put it in a small cup of warm a cup of water. Only small amounts dry or it will swell and or dehydrate you. Dried banana chips are easy to make and very nutricious to. Mix in ground nuts too.
If you want to, puree some berries, mix in your dried mix and dehydrate again.
Light weight, nutricious and all you need is a small metal cup or pan and some water.

 

[Rebel]

Make some hardtack at the same time to give a little variety. It can last for decades also.

Being a former reenactor, I can vouch for this. I've eaten hardtack that was at least 10 years old (mostly for giggles; we only ever ate the stuff in front of crowds).