How To Make Hardtack: The Survival Food That Never Goes Bad

In survival situations, do you know how to make hardtack? Check out this modern hardtack recipe video tutorial below!

DIY Survival Food: How to Make Hardtack

How Long Does Hardtack Last?

Hardtack, aka ship biscuit, is called so because it is hard. Hardtack history dates all the way back to more than a hundred years ago. These were found in the civil war rations; merchant ships had these long ago when traveling overseas. They would take these because hardtack doesn’t go rotten. They have these in museums, and although the civil war hardtack pieces are 150 years old, they’re still edible.

We make these and we store them in our food supply. We’re trying to work out a one-year food supply in case of a disaster or emergency. When you think about it, if something bad happened in the world, how long do you think the food at the grocery store will last? Maybe one or two days at the most.

If you don’t have food at your property or if you don’t have the ability to grow it, you don’t have the seeds, you’re not raising chickens, or have food storage, you are going to get hungry and starve to death. So, we’re trying to be prepared for any kind of disaster.

What you’ll need to make hardtack biscuits:

• Flour
• Water
• Rolling pin
• Mixing bowl
• Knife/pizza cutter
• Salt
• Fork
• An oven, of course

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Put some flour into the mixing bowl, filling it about halfway.

Add water.

Then some salt to help in dehydrating and drying.

Mix them all together. When it becomes really sticky, add a little more flour,then start kneading it.

Spread some flour on the countertop.

Take your dough and knead it together.

Fold, press, repeat, until the ingredients are all mixed in well.

Step 2: Flatten the Dough

Take the rolling pin and roll it out until you get the thickness you want.

Step 3: Put Holes in the Dough

When you get the preferred thickness, put holes in the dough using the fork. This is to release the moisture and pop any air bubbles.

Step 4: Cut Into Shapes

Take your pizza cutter and slice the dough into rectangles or whatever shape you prefer.

Step 5: Start Baking

Put them on a cookie sheet. Make sure the cookie sheet is clean and oil-free.

You don’t have to keep the pieces far apart since they will not rise.

Heat your oven to 370°F. Set the timer to 28 minutes.

When the time is up, open the oven slide the sheet out a little bit.

Flip them over and bake for another 28 minutes.

How to Eat Hardtack

To eat your hardtack, soak them in milk for about 15 minutes. Water can also work as a softener.

Check out this video from Carl & Jinger Family for the step-by-step guide on how to make  hardtack:

As you can see, making hardtack on your own isn’t so hard. Nothing should stop you from preparing for your emergency food supply in case SHTF. Do know there are other hardtack recipe variations. Our very own ‘Above Average’ Joe also wrote a post about hardtack. Check it out here.

For awesome survival gear you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Do you have a favorite hardtack recipe? Share it with us in the comments!

Up Next: Wise Food Storage For Long-Term Survival

Editor’s Note: This post was originally posted on May 27, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.