13 Shelf-stable Food Items for a Tiny House with No Fridge in the Philippines

Here’s something I realized: you don’t really need a ref.

Of course, that’s the clickbait. The reality is that it is on a case-to-case basis. It depends on the kind of food you eat, the frequency you get your produce, and even how you prepare your food. For example, if you meal prep, you definitely need a fridge.

However, for our little family, we still don’t see a need for a fridge for now. Primarily, we don’t have the budget for it right now, as a fridge is definitely not a one-time cost.

In this article, I will share with you a list of food items that do not need to be refrigerated as well as ideas on how to prepare them for your family. Enjoy!

Pros and Cons of a House Without a Fridge

Francis and I are sure living without a fridge and air conditioning (until we save enough for solar power) will come with lots of challenges, especially in this weather and with a one-year-old. But in the Philippines, we have a [toxic resiliency] proverb, “Kapag maiksi ang kumot, magtiis mamaluktok.”

(When the blanket is short, ending having to bend.)

Just yesterday, our local electric cooperative here at San Jose City announced that they are raising their rates for residential establishments – yet again! It truly seems that we are now working just to pay for electricity, aren’t we? Now, add the ever-increasing gas and commodity prices. How can an aspiring homemaker cope?

Now, I would rather keep my opinions on the state of the Philippines to myself. But everyday seems to reinforce our decision not to get a fridge for the house we are constructing. Even in our parents’ house nowadays, they are turning off the fridge once in a while to save on electricity.

Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of not getting a fridge:

Advantages

You save money from buying a fridge.
You save money from electricity bills.
You only buy what you need (less risk of “forgotten” groceries).

Disadvantages

You have to buy fresh food everyday.
You have to finish all cooked food for the day.
May be more expensive if not properly managed

What are Shelf-Stable Foods?

Shelf-stable foods are foods that may be safely stored in the pantry for at least one year. They don’t have to be cooked immediately (except for canned foods once opened), and do not have to be refrigerated.

Whether you’re still using your fridge or not, your family will definitely need to have these items in your kitchen. They will be useful as day-to-day food, and even for times when natural calamities strike and the power gets temporarily cut off.

Without further ado, here is a list of shelf-stable healthy ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores in the Philippines.

Pantry Staples

Rice

Favorite Alternative: Quinoa

Preparation Ideas:

Steamed Rice
Garlic Fried Rice
Lugaw/Congee
Kichari
Rice milk (soak overnight)

(Photo by Darío Méndez on Unsplash)

Flour

Preparation Ideas:

Stovetop bread
Pancake and waffle
Muffins and bread
Veggie fritters

(Photo by Olga Kudriavtseva on Unsplash)

Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa

Preparation Ideas:

As you prefer
As ingredient in baked goodies
Chocolate: Champorado (hack: get tablea from Cebu!)

(Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash)

Breakfast

Oatmeal

Preparation Ideas:

Plain
With toppings of your choice
Blend with smoothie
Homemade granola
Oatmeal muffins or bread
Replacement for rice in champorado, ginataang mais or ginataang munggo

(Photo by Micheile Dot Com on Unsplash)

Lunch and Dinner

Pasta and Noodles

Preparation Ideas:

Pancit guisado
Sopas
Pinoy-style Spaghetti

(Photo by Karolina Kołodziejczak on Unsplash)

Dry Beans

Preparation Ideas:

Chickpeas/Garbanzos: Curries, Hummus
Mung Beans: Ginisang Munggo, Ginataang Munggo

(Photo by Thoa Ngo on Unsplash)

Canned Food

Types: (must be consumed once opened)

Chickpeas/Garbanzos
Corn kernels
Green Peas
Olives
Tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomatoes

(Photo by Sara Dubler on Unsplash)

Snacks

Nut and Seed Butters (Non-Natural)

Preparation Ideas:

ON THE SPOON
With bread (peanut butter and banana sandwich dreams!)
Topping for oatmeal or smoothie bowl
For kare-kare

(Photo by Marion Cervela on Unsplash)

Dried Fruit

Preparation Ideas:

As is
Trail mix
Toppings for oatmeal or cereals
Ingredient for savory dishes (ask your family first)

(Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash)

Nuts and Seeds

Preparation Ideas:

Pan roasted
Trail mix
Toppings for oatmeal and cereals (pulverize before adding on baby’s food)
Plant-based milk (soak for at least 8 hours)
Sauce for pasta
Homemade nut or seed butter

(Photo by Sandi Benedicta)

Popcorn

Preparation Ideas:

Plain
With olive oil and rosemary
With salt and pepper
With caramel sauce
With chocolate syrup

(Photo by Eduardo Casajús Gorostiaga on Unsplash)

Nori Sheets

Preparation Ideas:

As is
Gimbap or sushi rolls
Onigiri (in picture)
Crumbled and sprinkled on popcorn

(Photo by Sarah Chai on Pexels)

Other Ingredients that Don’t Need Refrigeration

Oils
Condiments
Sugar

How to Store Shelf-stable Items Without a Fridge

Here are some very useful information we learned in grade school about food storage:

Check the expiration date before buying.
Make sure to only buy what you will surely use during its shelf life.
The one with the earliest expiration date must be consumed first.
The shelf life of food is reduced once its original packaging is opened.
Transfer opened food in air-tight containers.
Keep food in a cool, dry place that is away from heat-producing appliances such as stoves, ovens, and electric kettles.
Needless to say, keep pests away.

How about you? What other shelf-stable do you stock in your pantry? How do you store them? Please share with this amateur mama!

Mama and Papa and Sprout

13 Shelf-stable Food Items for a Tiny House with No Fridge in the Philippines