Be sure to also check out my helpful post on how to stock your freezer.

Being a full-time foodie is hard work!  I always have a well-stocked pantry, and below you’ll see an example of what I mean. I buy specialty items sometimes for a nice treat and recipe testing, but here I’m mainly going to focus on staples I absolutely can’t live without.

Tips for how to stock your pantry

Here are some things to keep in mind as you’re stocking your pantry.

1. Buy frequently used items in bulk: If you make quick oats every day or you make pasta once a week, always keep a Costco-sized bag of oats and several packages of pasta on hand. I promise they will get used.
2. Keep a running list and check it before you go to the store:  Nothing ruins my plans more than reaching for balsamic vinegar and having no other substitutions on hand. When a container is half empty, buy another. Treat your kitchen like a business. Always have it in stock. (I’m just going to say it, this is also my number one pet peeve when shopping online as well!)
3. Think about recipes that use the same ingredients:  This one is a huge money saver! A big container of old-fashioned oats can make PB & J Quick Oats for breakfast, Oat Milk, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Energy Protein Bites, even topping for an Apple Crisp. It’s an extremely versatile ingredient.
4. Welcome to Flavor Town: Use basic store-bought condiments to spice up everyday recipes. Mix mayo and sriracha for a sweet potato fry dipping sauce. Get specialty oils, like sesame oil; it can add a nutty taste to a basic soup broth.
5. Recycle to organize: Mason jars or recycled glass containers like old pickle jars are perfect for storing odds and ends and saving space. It’s also way nicer to look at than a bunch of half-filled bags. Pro Tip: label everything including its expiration date.

These storage canisters are my favorite and they are completely eco-friendly. Made from a 1.5L repurposed wine bottle with, smooth fire polished edge. All-natural cork lid included. 40 oz volume. Glass is microwave and dishwasher safe. They come in 4, 6, and 8-inch sizes.

Pantry List by Category

Click on this link (How to Stock A Pantry) to print my PDF checklist. Below you can find more information about each category and some extra things to keep in mind when stocking some of these.

Oils and Vinegar

EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) is arguably the healthiest oil and you should always keep it stocked. It’s versatile and can be used for cooking or drizzling on salads. It’s also a great idea to have some neutral oils for sautéing along with vinegar for making vinaigrettes or adding acidity to cooked dishes.

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Neutral cooking oil (canola or grapeseed)
• Sesame oil
• Coconut oil
• Avocado oil cooking spray
• Red-wine vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• White vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar

Cans and jars

These products have the longest shelf-life, so it makes sense to always have them on hand if you have space. I prefer to buy my canned goods organic and BPA-free, but when times are tough and money is tight, do what you have to do to stay on budget. When it comes to jams and jellies read the ingredients. I like to buy things with simple ingredients that I can understand and pronounce. These are typically healthier options.

• Tomato paste
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Broth (in a carton or powder/bouillon cubes)
• Wild-caught canned tuna
• Canned/carton coconut milk
• Pickles
• Olives (kalamata olives, green olives)
• Banana Peppers/jalapenos
• Jams/Preserves
• Dolmades (these are one of my all-time favorite snacks/lunches in a pinch)
• Soup (always nice to have on hand for emergency dinner prep)

Spices and dried herbs

These are all of the basic spices that you will need on a daily basis while creating recipes, even ones from my blog. I like to use a lot of the same spices because it’s easy and cost-effective. Every once in a while, it’s fun to get a new seasoning mix or rub, but I recommend buying small amounts of those until you know if you love it.

• Pink Himalayan sea salt and kosher salt
• Black pepper & peppercorns
• Crushed red pepper (chili flakes)
• Basil
• Bay leaves
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Curry powder
• Chili powder
• Cayenne Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Nutmeg
• Paprika
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Turmeric

 Condiments

Condiments are essential in the kitchen. These ones are non-perishables.

• Mustard (Dijon and yellow)
• Hot sauce (Franks, Cholula, Tabasco)
• Sriracha
• Hoisin
• Mayonnaise
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salad dressing (ranch, little creek, Italian)
• Pesto (sundried tomato and original)

Grains and starches

These pantry staples combine shelf life with versatility. These are simple and filling go-to items. From soups to polenta, you can’t go wrong with any or all of these in your pantry. Buy organic when possible.

• white rice
• brown rice
• wild rice
• Pasta (spaghetti, fusili, penne, elbow, orzo, lasagne)
• Gnocchi
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Quinoa
• Cornmeal

Beans and legumes

What’s not to love about fiber-filled, plant protein? Dried or canned, both deserve a place in your pantry. Canned beans can last up to two years and some people say dried beans have an infinite lifespan. However, the flavor does suffer after two years. Buy organic when possible.

• White beans
• Kidney beans
• Pinto beans
• Black beans
• Chickpeas
• Fava beans
• Green lentils
• Red lentils

Nuts, Seeds & Nut Butters

Nuts are great for snacking, topping, and baking. Nut butters go a long way in baking, quick oats, and smoothies. They can be expensive but these are nutrition-packed items that are well worth the cost considering their health benefits.

• Almonds (whole and slivered)
• Cashews
• Pecans
• Walnuts
• Peanuts
• Pistachios
• Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• Peanut butter
• Almond/Cashew butter
• Tahini paste
• Hemp seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Flax seeds
• Chia seeds
• And for extra special occasions…Pine nuts

Dried fruits

Dried fruit sweetens baking and is great for quick oats and trail mix recipes. I especially love dates and their versatility in desserts, protein bites, and smoothies.

• Raisins
• Cranberries
• Dates
• Coconut (toasted and shredded)

Produce that is shelf-stable

These essentials can last for weeks if you store them properly. Make sure they are well ventilated in baskets, I like to keep mine out of direct natural light so they last longer.

• Onions
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Potatoes (white, russet, and sweet potatoes)
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Apples

Baking supplies

With these ingredients, you can make tons of dessert recipes, protein bites, biscuits, and bread.

• All-purpose flour (white unbleached and whole wheat)
• Old fashioned rolled oats & quick oats
• Almond flour (or other GF substitutions)
• Corn starch
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Instant dry yeast
• Vanilla extract
• Light brown sugar
• Dark brown sugar
• Applesauce
• Cane or granulated sugar
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Agave syrup
• Chocolate chips (white and semi-sweet)
• Cocoa powder

Snacks

I try not to snack too much and stick to a strict intermittent fasting and eating schedule BUT every now and then I love a little dark chocolate and popcorn. My boyfriend LOVES snacks so here are some essentials I like to get for him.

• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Crackers
• Dark Chocolate bars
• Cereal (breakfast, late-night snack, great for baking which = snack)

Superfoods

These superfoods can add extreme nutritional benefits to any recipe, especially breakfast and smoothies. You definitely don’t NEED these if you have access to fresh fruit and vegetables but they’re definitely a nice way to supplement and elevate your nutrition game.

• Cacao nibs
• Protein powder
• Collagen powder
• Maca powder
• Nutritional yeast
• Matcha green tea
• Coffee (always organic)
• Herbal and green tea

A well-stocked pantry is an investment and everything I’ve always wanted when it comes to staying on budget and living a more sustainable lifestyle. I can make all of my favorite recipes with ease and without an inconvenient detour to the supermarket. Now and especially since the events of 2020 staying home is easier and better than ever. Honestly, I prefer to cook at home!

Be sure to check out my other organizational resources:

• How to Stock A Freezer…coming soon!
• How to Stock A Fridge…coming soon!

If you find these tips useful, I’d love to hear about it! Take some snapshots of your well-stocked pantry, share them with me on Instagram and I will repost on my stories!

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