Have you ever wanted to make a quick meal at home but just don’t feel like heading to the grocery store? If you ever opened your fridge and asked yourself “What should I make tonight?” know that that a well-stocked kitchen can really help. With the right pantry staples on hand, whipping up a quick and healthy meal will be a whole lot easier!
Pantry Staples
When my daughter moved into her first apartment at college, she was excited to cook in her own kitchen. I created this pantry shopping list for her so that she could shop less often and create quick and healthy meals.
Canned & Bottled Goods
- tomato sauce/puree/crushed tomatoes
- pasta sauce
- pesto sauce
- peanut/almond butter
- beans (black/kidney/chickpeas/other)
- chicken broth
- olives
- tuna
- soup
Bread & Grains
- oatmeal
- cereal/granola
- pancake mix
- breadcrumbs
- bread
- rice (white/brown/other)
- grains (quinoa/couscous/other)
- pasta/egg noodles
- snacks (pretzels/popcorn/other)
Oils, Vinegar, Sauces, & Condiments
- olive oil
- vegetable oil
- vinegar (red/white/rice/apple cider/other)
- mayonnaise
- mustard
- ketchup
- soy sauce
- sriracha
- salsa
- pickles
- jelly/jam/preserves
- nuts
- seeds (chia/pumpkin/other)
- dried fruit (raisins/dates/other)
Baking Items & Sweeteners
Even if you are not a baker, these items are often used in recipes.
- flour
- sugar (granulated/confectioners/brown/other)
- baking soda
- baking powder
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- honey
- maple syrup
Beverages
- coffee
- tea
- hot chocolate
- sparkling water
Dried Herbs & Spices
Spices can last a long time especially if stored in an air-tight container away from heat and light. A good way to test their freshness is by giving them a sniff. If you can’t smell them, it’s time to replace them. You can read more about spices here.
This list will vary depending on the type of cuisine you like but I think it is a good start. For example, you may want to add curry powder for Indian cooking or cajun seasoning for Creole dishes.
- kosher salt
- fine salt
- pepper
- basil
- chili powder
- crushed red pepper
- garlic powder
- ground cinnamon
- onion powder
- oregano
- paprika
- nuts & seeds
Perishables
Remember to keep an eye on the freshness and expiration dates for these items stored in your fridge and freezer.
Dairy
- milk
- yogurt
- cheese (grated/sliced/snacking)
- butter
Fresh Produce
- lemons
- limes
- avocados
- fresh fruit (apples/bananas/oranges/other)
- fresh vegetables (broccoli/carrots/cauliflower/other)
- leafy greens (spinach/kale/mixed/other)
- lettuce (iceberg/romaine/mixed/other)
- onion
- garlic
- peppers
- potatoes (white/sweet/other)
Miscellaneous
- eggs
- hummus
- tortillas
Frozen Foods
- fruit (berries/mangoes/other)
- vegetables (corn/peas/other)
- meat & poultry
- bread
- ice cream
Pantry Organization Tips
Just because they are called pantry staples doesn’t mean you need a walk-in closet. Everything can be stored in your kitchen shelves or even on the counter.
I like to create zones in the pantry. So all of your condiments can be grouped together on a shelf with your canned goods stacked on another. This makes it easier to see what needs to be replenished when making your weekly grocery list.
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I find that corraling certain foods together into labeled baskets also helps. For example, keeping all of the Asian ingredients in one basket and the Tex-Mex flavors in another. Now when it’s time to make a stir fry or a chili, it’s easy to grab one container with most of the needed ingredients.
I also bought a few containers made specifically for dry cereal and used gallon-sized plastic storage bags to hold open cartons such as pancake mix. You can easily repurpose a wicker or wire basket to hold onions, garlic, or potatoes.
Take some time to look through your pantry and see if there is anything you need. Then download my free shopping list to take with you on your next shopping trip!
And remember, you don’t have to buy every single item on the list. Start with your favorites and add the rest over time. What pantry staples would you include? Please share in the comments below!
