Pemmican
Pemmican is a traditional, highly concentrated survival food originating from Indigenous peoples of North America, particularly the Plains and Arctic regions. It's typically made from dried, pulverized lean meat (like bison, elk, or fish) mixed with rendered fat (tallow) and often combined with dried berries like Saskatoon berries or chokecherries.
🍳 View the full Pemmican recipe →
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Pemmican is an extremely energy-dense food, being very high in fat and protein while being very low in carbohydrates. A typical serving provides a massive calorie load (often 130-150 calories per ounce) along with essential nutrients like iron, B vitamins, and long-lasting energy from fats.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 200 mg |
| Potassium | 250 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
| Zinc | 4 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.5 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin D | 1 mcg |
Per 1 bar (57 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
What makes pemmican unique is its incredible shelf life—when stored properly in a cool, dry place, it can last for years or even decades without spoiling, making it a cornerstone of long expeditions and winter survival. Nutritionally, it's a perfect example of a 'complete survival food,' providing the high calories, fat, and protein needed for extreme physical exertion in harsh environments.
