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Have you thought about keeping a pantry but felt overwhelmed?
Here’s a list of essential pantry items that have made life so much easier over the years as a busy mom.
Keeping a well-stocked pantry is a huge help when you are trying to save money on groceries and time shopping.
This has always been true but when emergencies hit you’ll be even more grateful that your pantry supplies are stocked up.
But it’s important to remember that you don’t have to build your pantry all at once.
It’s ok to take a few months or longer to build up a stock of basic ingredients so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Once your pantry is set up you’ll find it so easy to make up a batch of chili or homemade sandwich bread anytime you like.
Make A List
I’ve included a list of my essential pantry items but what your family likes to eat might not be the same as mine. So you can easily make changes or start your own list from scratch.
Start by making a list of your favorite recipes. Then write down all the ingredients that you use in each. You’ll probably find that many of the same ingredients are used through multiple recipes.
When you start making your master pantry list by planning it around food your family likes to eat you’ll be much more successful.
After all, it doesn’t matter how much of a deal that canned tuna is if no one is going to eat it.
Decide How Much You Need
After you’ve decided what ingredients you need to buy, take a little time and figure out how much of each item you really need.
If you eat pasta once a week, then 1 can of tomato sauce is likely enough for a family of 4 per week. But if you plan on making rice dishes or casseroles that use tomato sauce you’ll need to increase that.
Also, make sure you have enough proper storage to keep your pantry items safe. Most foods need to be stored in airtight containers.
Leaving bags of flour sitting on your pantry floor instead of in a sealed bucket can mean you end up with a bug problem and wasted food and money.
Pantry
Baking Supplies
Keeping basic baking supplies on hand makes it so much easier to whip up a cake or your favorite cookie recipe whenever you feel like it.
Store supplies in airtight containers away from direct light and heat for the best results.
- Cornstarch
- Yeast
- Unflavored gelatin
- Cream of tartar
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- Chocolate chips
- Evaporated milk
Sweeteners
Humidity can turn sugar into a lumpy mess, so remember to keep them in airtight containers. Place them in a cool, dry area if possible.
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Confectioners sugar
- Honey
- Molasses
- Light corn syrup
- Maple syrup
Flours
Flour is the most essential item in your pantry list. From baking desserts, breading meat, or thickening gravy it’s good to keep a few varieties on hand.
Store flour in airtight containers at room temperature for one year. Whole wheat flour is best stored in the freezer.
- All-purpose flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Cake flour
Rice, Grains, And Dried Beans
A must-have for making quick side dishes rice, beans, and cornmeal should be stored in airtight containers in your pantry.
- Cornmeal
- Brown rice
- Long-grain white rice
- Oats
- Navy beans
- Black beans
- Cannellini beans
- Split peas
Dried Pasta
Keeping dried pasta on hand helps you make many tasty meals quick and easy.
You can keep pasta in its original packaging and after opening transfer unused pasta to an airtight consenter. Dried pasta is best used within 1 year of purchase.
- Egg noodles
- Spaghetti
- Fettuccine
- Rigatoni
- Lasagna
Nuts & Dried Fruit
Dried fruit and nuts make quick snacks and can be added to many recipes for a quick flavor boost.
Store dried fruits in an airtight container for up to a year at room temperature.
But for longer storage try keeping them in the refrigerator. Dried nuts are best stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Peanuts
- Pecan halves
- Walnut halves
- Pine nuts
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Raisins
- Currants
- Dates
- Dried apricots
- Figs
Oils
It’s pretty hard to cook or bake without good oils, they are such an important part of your kitchen.
Keep vegetable oils in bottles in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months but don’t refrigerate them. Temperatures that are too cold cause them to turn solid.
- Olive oil
- Peanut oil
- Canola oil
- Corn oil
Canned & Bottled
Keeping canned or bottled ingredients on hand makes cooking meals so easy.
Most canned and bottled products are good for up to 1 year after purchase when unopened but make sure to pay attention to expiration dates.
After opening, make sure to place canned goods in airtight containers in the fridge. Glass bottles should also be refrigerated after opening.
- Chicken broth
- Beef broth
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Green or black olives
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Chickpeas
- Tuna
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Mayo
- Pickles (dill & sweet)
- Canned fruits
- Jam
- Jelly
- Chutneys
Dried Herbs And Spices
Having just the right spice or herb for your dish can really make the difference. Keep them in airtight containers away from the heat.
Storing them above your stove may be handy but it’s not the best conditions for long term storage.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Bay leaves
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Crushed red pepper
- Dill seed
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Ground cumin
- Ground ginger
- Ground nutmeg
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
Vinegar
Store vinegar up to one year in a cool area in their original bottles.
- White vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Rice wine
- Red wine
Fresh Fruit And Vegetables
Don’t forget fresh fruits and vegetables when stocking your pantry.
You can store potatoes in your pantry but remember to keep them out of direct sunlight so they don’t turn green. Onions and garlic can also be stored in your pantry in baskets or hung from nets.
Fresh greens should be kept chilled in your refrigerator and used within a week.
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Celery
- Lemons
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Green onions
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Bananas
Refrigerator
Dairy And Eggs
Keep your fridge packed with staples for snacks and adding flavor to recipes. Milk will last to it best before date in the fridge but you can also freeze milk, butter, and cheese for long term storage.
- Milk
- Butter
- Plain yogurt
- Cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Eggs
Freezer
Meat
Always keep basic meats on hand for quick meals. Not only are these fast to cook but they can’t often be substituted for each other in recipes.
- Ground beef
- Italian sausage
- Chicken breasts
- Bacon
Frozen Vegetables
While having fresh veggies on hand is always great, keeping frozen vegetables on hand makes cooking so much easier.
These basics can be used as a quick side dish or added to your favorite recipe. Frozen vegetables last up to 1 year when stored in airtight containers.
- Peas
- Corn
- Spinach
Frozen Fruit
Keep frozen berries on hand for making quick pies, tarts, or jam. They’ll last up to 1 year when stored in airtight containers.
- Frozen strawberries
- Frozen raspberries
- Frozen blueberries
- Frozen currents
- Frozen peaches
Doughs
Frozen doughs can last up to 3 months in your freezer and are so helpful to keep on hand. You can buy frozen pie crusts, pizza or bread dough or make your own and freeze for later use.
- Pizza dough
- Bread dough
- Pie crust
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Kim Mills is a homeschooling mom of 6 and lives on an urban homestead in Ontario, Canada. Blogging at Homestead Acres she enjoys sharing tips to help you save money, grow and preserve your own food.