20 Essential Items Every Pantry Needs
Identifying the basic items that are crucial for a well-stocked pantry involves considering essential food categories and versatile ingredients. Here’s a comprehensive list:
| Grains: Rice Pasta (various types) Quinoa Oats Legumes: Dried beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas) Lentils Split peas Flour: All-purpose flour Whole wheat flour Alternative flours (almond flour, coconut flour) Sweeteners: Granulated sugar Brown sugar Honey Maple syrup Salt and Spices: Table salt Kosher salt Black pepper Assorted spices (cumin, paprika, garlic powder, etc.) Cooking Oils: Olive oil Vegetable oil Coconut oil Canned Goods: Canned tomatoes (whole, diced, sauce) Canned beans (kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas) Canned fruits (pineapple, peaches) Canned vegetables (corn, green beans) Protein Sources: Canned tuna or salmon Canned chicken Peanut butter Nuts and seeds Dairy and Alternatives: Shelf-stable milk or plant-based alternatives Powdered milk Baking Essentials: Baking powder Baking soda Yeast Dried Fruits: Raisins Apricots Cranberries Condiments: Ketchup Mustard Mayonnaise Pasta Sauces and Condiments: Tomato sauce Pesto Soy sauce Dried Herbs: Basil Oregano Thyme Cereals and Breakfast Foods: Oatmeal Cereal Granola Instant and Quick Meals: Instant noodles Rice mixes Boxed macaroni and cheese Beverages: Coffee or tea Shelf-stable juice Instant coffee Comfort Foods: Chocolate or cocoa Crackers Popcorn Vinegar: White vinegar Apple cider vinegar Canned Soups and Broths: Chicken broth Vegetable broth Canned soups Canned or Jarred Olives and Pickles: Green and black olives Pickles Dried Pasta and Rice Mixes: Flavored rice mixes Assorted pasta types Emergency Food Kits: Energy bars Shelf-stable meals Water: Bottled water Water purification tablets Cleaning Supplies: Dish soap Multi-surface cleaner Trash bags |
Thanks for this list. This weekend I’m heading to a discount grocery store (Sharp Shopper) and will be buying items specifically to stock up my emergency pantry. I’m planning on vacuum sealing the dry items in mason jars. I have the gadget to suck air out of wide-mouth jars. I think I’ll also add an oxygen absorber just to be safe.