What Every Pantry Should Have

Today, it’s all about what every pantry should have. Here’s the deal: we all have our favorite items to stock. It could be salsa, green chilies, olives, or cream of chicken soup. My top items may not be what you want in your pantry; I get it.

But this is a list that almost everyone can use. Some of you have been cooking from scratch for years; maybe some are just learning. Everyone has skills, whether it be cooking, baking, sewing, or whatnot.

Seeing the grocery store shelves barely stocked has been quite a shock. Some shelves are empty, others are only one can deep. In Utah, every fall, I buy case lot sales of foods. Before you say I never eat anything out of a can, please take another look.

We all want fresh vegetables and fruits, but I still buy some canned items. In case you are wondering what canned foods I recommend, here is a post I have written about that issue. Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store

What Every Pantry Should Have

I’m going to break it out into sections. So, let’s get started. Some items may be in other sections; I’m just giving you the heads up here. Once you organize your pantry, you should be able to cook just about any meal from scratch.

You don’t need fancy cookbooks; if you have your mom’s or grandma’s cookbooks, those are the best.

The next time you are out and about, check out thrift stores or garage sales for old cookbooks. Do you LOVE the neighborhood cookbooks as much as I do?

If you have special dietary needs, you may need to add or subtract a few of these items I use all the time. What I like the most is knowing what is in the meals I prepare at home.

When I eat out, which is rare, the food is delicious but has a lot more butter, salt, and sometimes spices that are not my favorite. I guess you could say I’m a simple chick that cooks from scratch at home!

Baking Items

Mark and I love grinding our wheat and making my No-Fail Whole Wheat Bread recipe. But I also like to make Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese frosting.

Do you love the smell of something yummy baking in the oven? Life is so good when you have the skills to bake cookies, bread, or whatever you love to cook in the oven.

• Honey
• Sugar
• Bread Flour
• White Flour
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Vanilla
• Yeast
• Chocolate Chips
• Shredded Coconut
• Instant Milk
• Evaporated Milk
• Buttermilk (dry form)

The Spices I Use The Most

If you have organized spices in your pantry so you can find them quickly and you don’t need to run to the store, say for cinnamon, life is so much easier. Grab your measuring spoons, cups, and a bowl to start.

You can use a hand mixer, a spoon, a Danish Whisk, or a stand mixer to make a meal, a dessert, or a side dish.

• Chili Powder
• Sweet Basil
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Sage
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper
• All Seasons Salt
• Cayenne Pepper
• Paprika
• Crushed Red Pepper

The Perfect Oils

These are my favorite oils; what about you?

• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Canola Oil
• Vegetable Oil

My Favorite Kinds of Vinegar – I Love These

Do you love bread dipped in vinegar and oil? I sure do!

• Balsamic
• Apple Cider
• White Vinegar
• Red Wine

Canned Meats

Sometimes, I need to fix a meal at the last minute, and those cans of meat come in handy. You can add a little mayo or Miracle Whip to make a sandwich. The dried beef makes the perfect Cream Chipped Beef on Toast, right?

• Chicken Breast
• Turkey
• Cooked Ground Beef
• Canned Pork
• Shredded Beef
• Dried Beef in Jars

Canned Foods

Let me know what canned food you would add to my list; I love knowing what others stock.

• Chicken Broth
• Vegetable Broth
• Beef Broth
• Better Than Bouillon
• Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Paste
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Cream of Chicken Soup
• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Cream of Tomato Soup
• Green Beans
• Corn
• Green Chilies
• Sliced and Whole Water Chestnuts
• 100% Pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie cans)
• Cake Mixes (not technically canned, but you get it)
• Instant Pudding
• Gelatin
• Fruit Cocktail
• Crushed Pineapple
• Pineapple Chunks
• Crackers

Best Condiments

I love pickles on sandwiches; my husband introduced that to me over 55 years ago. These are all my favorite condiments.

• Mayonnaise
• Miracle Whip
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Soy Sauce
• Vinegar
• Tartar Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Pickles
• Pickle Relish
• Ken’s Thousand Island Salad Dressing (it’s my favorite)

Pasta, Quinoa, and Rice

If you stock these items, you will never starve. Of course, you need water and a way to cook them, but these are my staples.

• White Rice (Jasmine is my favorite)
• Brown Rice (I stock very little brown rice because it goes rancid within 6 months.)
• Pasta
• Quinoa Red, White, or Black, or Mixed
• Lentils
• Potatoes (dehydrated or growing your own would be the best)

Chocolate

The more, the merrier for me!

• M & M’s (don’t judge me-LOL)
• Dark Chocolate
• Dark Baking Cocoa

Healthy Snacks

I’m a snacker; these are just a few of my favorites.

• Granola Bars
• Peanuts
• Trail Mix
• Cashews
• Raisins
• Popcorn
• Dried Fruit
• Freeze-Dried Fruit
• Pretzels

Pet Foods

We have two female Shih Tzu’s, Izzy and Bailey. I sleep better at night knowing I have at least six months of food for them.

• Dog or Cat Food
• Pet Treats
• Kitty Litter
• Puppy Pads

Final Word

I hope you enjoyed my post today about what every pantry should have. If you can cook from scratch, your children or grandkids will watch you cook and see the joy it brings you and your family.

Life is all about sharing skills and talents. Have fun and eat at home, you’ll love it! May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Crockery Utensils Deposit photos_123721424_s-2019

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