There are many benefits to having a well stocked pantry in your home. Always having the staples on hand means that you can spend less time running out to the store every time you need to cook a meal. It is also helpful when you have a limited amount of time to get dinner on the table amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In this blog I am going to show you what you need to have on hand for each area of the kitchen because it will make your meal time a little easier. Once you have these things at your fingertips, all you need is to grab fresh produce as needed.
Stocking Your Dry Goods
This is going to be the longest list of products that you will need however, most people have these things on hand. This list was written from the perspective of stocking an empty pantry at a new home.
- Flour (all-purpose, self-rising, whole wheat etc)
- Sugar (granulated, light and dark brown, powdered etc)
- Baking powder and Baking Soda
- Salt and Pepper
- Spices (a small list of my staples)
- Garlic and onion powders
- Paprika (sweet, smoked, and hot)
- Oregano
- Italian Seasoning
- Dill
- Cayenne
- Cumin
- Cinnamon
- Cajun
- Grilling seasonings
- Vinegar (red wine, apple cider, white wine, distilled white)
- Oils (canola, olive, avocado)
- Pasta noodles, rice, oatmeal
- Cornmeal
- Dried beans
- Nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews)
- Honey, peanut butter, jelly
- BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce
- Flavor extracts (vanilla, almond, etc)
- Shortening
- Bisquick mix
- Pancake mix and syrup
- Olives, Roasted red peppers, jarred artichokes
- Boxed broths (chicken, beef, veggie)
- Canned Veggies (corn, green beans, carrots, peas, etc)
- Canned Tomato products (diced, crushed, sauce, paste, peeled etc)
- Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, applesauce etc.)
A Well Stocked Freezer
Keeping your freezer full is generally always a good idea. You will always have meal ingredients ready, just make sure to plan ahead if anything needs to be thawed out before using.
- Meat (chicken, hamburger, steak, pork, brisket, roasts, bacon etc)
- Frozen vegetables (corn, peas, green beans, mixed vegetables, stir fry vegetables etc)
- Frozen fruits (peaches, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple etc)
- Breads
- Freezer meals
- Treats (ice cream, popsicles etc)
- Ice
Keep Your Refrigerator Well Stocked
These will have to be purchased more frequently, and always keep an eye on expiration dates.
- Milk
- Cheeses (shredded, blocks, cream cheese, slices etc)
- Eggs
- Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Bacon
Fun Foods
Don’t forget that sometimes we just need a snack, not a full meal. Keeping these handy will help.
- Crackers
- Potato Chips
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Fresh Fruit
