Having a well-stocked pantry is something not many of us rely on, on a day to day basis anymore. With 24/7 grocery and corner stores being open it can seem a lot easier to just run to the store and pick up what you need on an as needed basis
Besides being prepared for unforeseen events such as storms, power outages, pandemics etc, having a stocked pantry will also help you save money in the long run and make cooking from scratch easier.
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Tips For Keeping Your Pantry Well Stocked
- Keep an eye on sales, especially for dried and canned goods which are often discounted if you buy multiple items at once.
- Fully stock the pantry and then periodically restock it once 'half' of an item has been used.
- Rotate older products to the front to ensure nothing goes bad or becomes outdated.
- Tape a list of 'go-to' recipes to the pantry door along with what basic items are needed to make it. You'll never run out of recipe ideas!
- Create a master pantry checklist of items you regularly use. Use this to stay on top of what needs to be replenished.
So what should you stock in a pantry?
When it comes down to it, what you stock in your pantry is really up to you. The items should be ones that have a long shelf life, and things you actually use. There's no sense in stocking beans if you never eat them!
Here are a few suggestions of what you could stock in your pantry to help you get started:
- Rice - both white(such as basmati) and wild rice
- Dried beans - you could also stock a few cans of canned beans if you need to prepare super in a hurry or have no power, see below.
- Lentils
- Flour
- Active dry yeast
- Couscous
- Cornmeal
- Pasta - two different shapes Mediterranean Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers and Artichokes
- Cooking oil
- Vinegar
- Pasta sauce
- Canned tomatoes/ tomato puree
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables (such as beans, peas, or beets)
- Pickles
- Rolled oats or quick oats
- A variety of spices including salt and pepper
- White and brown sugar
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Coffee and Tea
- Condiments - such as ketchup, mustard, mayo, bbq sauce
If you do a fair amount of cooking from scratch, none of these items will seem that out of the ordinary, and you can simply buy a few extra items each time you go to the store.
Of course, keeping many of these dried goods also requires knowing how to use and cook with them. If you need to brush up on some cooking basics or simply wish to learn something new, have a peek at our 'Cooking How To's'!
If you do stock all of the above items on a regular basis, you'll have quite a list of ingredients to draw from to create a wide range of nutritious recipes.
14 Easy Pantry Meals To Make In A Pinch
These 14 easy to make pantry meals are perfect when your low on groceries, trying to save some money, or simply don't feel like heading to the store!
Instant Pot Chili
Homemade Falafel Patties (Using Canned Chickpeas)
Traditional German Spaetzle Recipe
Thai-Inspired Tomato Soup
Easy American Goulash
Chipotle Peach Chili
Italian Lentil Soup
Old Fashioned Molasses and Bacon Baked Beans
Simple Canned Salmon Chowder
Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil
Mexican Bean Salad
Pesto Chicken Pasta
Vegan Lentil Bolognese Sauce
Easy Pea Soup
What's your favourite pantry meal to make at home? Share it in the comments below!
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