What To Stock in Your Pantry

When it comes to cooking meals quickly and inexpensively the best place to start is a well-stocked pantry. We’re not talking stockpiling, just the basic items that can be used in combination with meats, produce, pasta or grains to get a meal on the table on busy evenings.

Having these basics on hand at all times makes it easy to simply shop for fresh ingredients each week. But how do you know where to start? I’m not going to recommend that you run out and buy a bottle of each spice at the grocery store. Not only would that be expensive but who really knows how to use many of them. Listed below are items used in a multitude of recipes and nice to have on hand.

Spices / Seasonings

This list of spices is the most widely used ones in recipes. As you begin to cook more your spice collection will grow.

Salt
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Garlic (Fresh, Powdered or Minced)
Bullion (beef, chicken or vegetable)
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Cloves
Allspice
Cumin
Seasoning Salt such Johnny’s

Dairy

Milk
Butter (Unsalted for most recipes) / Margarine
Eggs

Condiments

Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Worcestershire Sauce
BBQ Sauce
Soy Sauce
Dijon Mustard
Honey
Salad Dressings
Salsa
Lemons or Lemon Juice

Staples / Baking

Flour
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Cornstarch
Breadcrumbs
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Vanilla Extract
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Vegetable or Canola Oil
Bisquick or other baking mix

Extras

There are a few additional items that are not considered staples but are utilized quite regularly in feeding a family so they are good options for stocking up on when they are on sale.