Top 15 Pantry Staples

Learning what you need on a weekly basis to cook meals at home can take some time. Our grocery bill was a little higher when we first got married versus now. This is because we just didn’t have any pantry staples at home.

It can be overwhelming to figure out what these staples might be and how you can use them, so I’ve made this list to, hopefully, be helpful!

What are “pantry staples”?

Pantry staple are ingredient to make food (often bought in bulk) that you always keep in your kitchen. These ingredients can help add variety, feed more people, and save you money.

My Tops 15 Pantry Staples, and How I use Them.

For Baking:

All-Purpose Flour- I like to use it for thickening gravy or soups. Also to make breads, biscuits, crackers, or sweet treats for the family. I like to make sure I have plenty around especially if I need to make something else to go with dinner.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda– These two are sharing a space on this list because they are very similar in function. Depending on what you’re making, one or both of these can be used as a leavening agent for those delicious baked good mentioned above.
Sugar – I believe moderation is key when it comes to enjoying sweets. Plus our bodies need a certain amount of sugar. When you do your baking at home you can change up the amount of sugar you use sometimes it can even be substituted for other sweeteners like honey. Sugar is also a flavor enhancer, a little can go a long way in homemade sauces and marinades.
Olive Oil- Or whatever oil you like, I just find olive oil to very versatile. I use it in my baked goods and whenever I need a little drizzle on baked sweet potatoes so they don’t dry out while cooking. If I’m making mashed potatoes, and don’t have any butter, a little bit of olive oil can really help give them the creaminess I’m looking for. I know this one isn’t cheap, but a little can go a long way.

Cheap & Filling

Rice – Rice is cheap and easy to find in bulk. It’s full of vitamins and minerals¹ and is very filling. There are so many different ways to make rice too, I really like a good risotto. Oh, and have you ever had homemade rice pudding? It’s delicious!
Beans & Lentils – Another cheap and nutritious option. I always keep a few bags of dried beans or lentils on hand! They go so well with my rice and a little ham for a hearty meal. And with my pressure cooker, they are easy to make. I’ll make a whole pound at a time, use what I need for a meal, and freeze the rest in little portions. Beans and lentils are must have for stretching a meal too; just add a cup or two to your taco meat and it easily go twice a far and be just as filling!
Potatoes- All types of potatoes are welcome in my pantry! Whether they are sweet, russet, red, or what have you, I’ll have use for them. If stored well, they’ll last long time, and have so many ways to be cooked! I typically keep russet and sweet potatoes on hand. They are my go to for when I need an easy side dish to any meal.
Oats- One of my favorite snacks is a little dish of oatmeal, drizzled with maple syrup. It’s easy, fills me up, fixes my sweet tooth, and has great health benefits². Oatmeal also makes a great and cozy breakfast. And there are so many recipes out there to change up the flavor! Oats can be made into a flour rather easily just by blending it. I like to add it to baked goods for a little nutrition spike. If I’m making gluten free pancakes, I like to use half oat flour and half gluten free all-purpose flour for the perfect texture!

Adds Flavor:

Seasoning– I talk about my top spices to keep in your pantry over here, but seasonings are definitely something to keep in stock! Add a few extra spices here and there to any meal and make it 10 times better.
White Vinegar- This stuff can add a little tanginess to dishes if needed. I use a splash to pasta dishes when I want that acidic taste that tomatoes give when I can’t have tomatoes, or when my coconut aminos makes things a touch too sweet. It’s also a wonderful deodorizer, and helps to break up grease while doing the dishes.
Onions– These potent little bulbs, are a great way to add an immense amount of flavor to many dishes.

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Just in Case:

Powdered Milk- I use powdered milk often for making up pancake or muffin mix. I like to use it when I need a little milk for a recipe but I’m all out of regular milk. It also makes a great substitute for coffee creamer!
Lard- It’s not exactly a “pantry” item but I always try to keep on hand. Lard is what I use to season my cast iron skillets, grease my baking pans, make french fries, or fried chicken in. I’ll use it in place of my olive oil wherever I can, because it’s a lot cheaper and will make the oil last longer.
Eggs– Again, these don’t go in the pantry ( at least not here), but I always have eggs around. They are an easy protein for breakfast, and are another way to stretch a meal by adding them to things like fried rice, or ramen. Eggs are often used in breads, and other baked good as a binder, although you can use substitutes like flax meal to save a little money on eggs.
Pasta– I like to keep a few boxes of pasta around at all times. It can make a easy meal or side dish when I’m short on time. If I need to make something up for my lunch, there’s pasta! It’s also nice to have to make chicken noodle soup if you or someone in your family isn’t feeling well.

3 Bonus Pantry Staples:

Theses are pantry staples that are more of a personal preference to my household.

Coconut aminos- I have a mild soy allergy but I really like cooking different Asian style dishes, so coconut aminos are a must for me to replace soy sauce.
Ginger root- Great for making tea, and for using along with ginger powder in stir fries, soup, congee, and whatever else my heart desires to have a strong ginger flavor in.
Frozen Cauliflower- I prefer to make most veggies from fresh but If I’m running low on time and need a quick vegetable, it’s probably going to be frozen cauliflower. I just need to steam it real quick or put it in the air fryer, and season it however I want.

I know this list might seem overwhelming right now, but this is just a starting point. Use my little list to help get your own pantry staple list started. That way you’ll always have something you can make to eat at home!

So to help you a little further, here is a Printable Version* to take grocery shopping with you.

Click Here to Print!

*You are free to print and share this printable list with your friends and family, but you may not sell them as your own. I recommend using 28lb paper for better quality.

What are some of your your favorite pantry staples?

Leave your comments below, I love hearing from you!

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