Maintaining a well stocked kitchen full of pantry essentials is key to running an efficient household. Keeping pantry essentials on hand saves both money and time. There will always be something at home you can cook! If you keep your pantry stocked, you won’t be tempted to grab unhealthy, expensive fast food on your way home, and you’ll need less frequent trips to the grocery store.
This is also a great starter list for someone moving into a new home or apartment.
How To Use the Pantry Essentials List
Each time you make a grocery list to do your regular shopping, consult this Pantry Essentials List for things you need to replenish. You’ll be surprised at the all the meals you can make from your well stocked kitchen!
Place your Pantry Essentials List in a sheet protector, laminate it, or place it in a frame with a glass front. Keep it with your Weekly Meal Planning sheets (laminated or in a sheet protector) or hang it inside your pantry on a clipboard. Check off items as you run out of them with a grease pencil or dry erase marker. Then after shopping, you can wipe off your list and start anew. Convenient and easy!
Pantry Essentials
Listed below are items you should keep stocked in your kitchen. You’ll be able to create numerous meals, snacks, and even desserts with these basic supplies.
Basics
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Vegetable oil
- Vinegar (apple cider, balsamic, red wine, etc)
Baking Supplies
- Flour
- Sugar, granulated
- Powdered Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Biscuit mix
- Cocoa powder
- Cornstarch
- Chocolate chips
- Evaporated milk
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Yeast
- Vegetable shortening
- Food coloring
Beverages
- Coffee
- Tea
- Wine (red and white)
Canned, Jarred, or Bottled Goods
- Broth (chicken and beef)
- Canned beans (navy, white, black, garbanzo)
- Canned fruit
- Canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.)
- Canned tomatoes (diced, stewed, paste, roasted)
- Canned vegetables (green beans, corn)
- Cream of chicken soup
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Marinara sauce
- Salsa
- Honey
- Syrup
Dry Goods
- Beans (lentils, kidney, black, etc.)
- Bouillon (cubes or powder, chicken and beef)
- Bread crumbs or Panko
- Cereal
- Dried onion soup mix
- Old-fashioned oats
- Pasta (spaghetti, lasagna, egg noodles, penne, etc)
- Rice
- Taco seasoning packet
Snacks
- Applesauce
- Chips
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Dried fruit
- Marshmallows
- Peanut butter
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Tortillas
Herbs and Spices
Dried Herbs
- Basil
- Bay leaves
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Fennel or dill seed
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sesame seeds
- Thyme
Spices
- Adobo
- Allspice
- Cajun seasoning
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon (ground and sticks)
- Cloves (ground and whole)
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Montreal Steak Seasoning
- Nutmeg
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Peppercorns
- Turmeric
Produce
Not refrigerated
- Apples
- Bananas
- Garlic
- Onions
- Potatoes
Refrigerated
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale, etc)
- Lemons
- Lettuce
- Limes
- Parsley
Refrigerator
Dairy and Eggs
- Butter
- Cheese (sliced, shredded, block, cheddar, mozzarella)
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Milk
- Plain yogurt
- Sour cream
Condiments
- Barbecue sauce
- Hot sauce
- Jelly or jam
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard (Dijon, Brown, Yellow)
- Pickles
- Salad dressing (Italian, ranch, etc.)
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
Freezer
- Bacon
- Bread
- Chicken (boneless, skinless breasts, wings, legs, thighs, whole)
- Fruit (mango, strawberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Ground beef
- Nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
- Sausage
- Shrimp
- Vanilla ice cream
- Vegetables (peas, corn, broccoli, mixed, etc.)
With these items on hand you’ll be able to create last minute meals even when you can’t get to the grocery store every week. A well stocked kitchen of pantry essentials can make meal time easier when life gets hectic.
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