75 Pantry Essentials Every Cook Needs

 

     Every cook needs a well-stocked kitchen and if you don't already have one, now is the perfect time to start working towards one.  With these items in your pantry, you should be able to whip up a tasty meal quickly.  Being well stocked is like having money in the bank; not only will it make meal time easier but it also makes cooking more enjoyable. 

      Just go through my list and take into account what you do and do not have on hand.  Once you have a list of what you need, just pick up those ingredients the next time you are at the store.  Don't see something you think I should have on hand but it is not listed then just leave me a comment.  I know I'd appreciate it.  Just remember that not every cook needs the same ingredients but at least my list will give you a good start. 

1. Almond extract
2. Apple cider vinegar
3. Applesauce
4. Baking Mix (similar to Bisquick:  Click the link to see how I made my Homemade Baking Mix)
5. Baking Powder
6. Baking Soda
7. Barbecue Sauce (link to my Tangy Homemade BBQ Sauce)
8. Beans: navy, kidney, great northern, pinto and black.  Not only are beans inexpensive but they are also a great source of protein and fiber.
9. Beef broth
10. Black pepper
11. Bouillon (chicken and beef)
12. Cereal
13. Chicken & turkey broth  (link to my Homemade Turkey Stock)
14. Chocolate: semi-sweet, dark, and milk chocolate)
15. Cocoa powder, unsweetened
16. Coconut oil
17. Coffee: regular and decaf
18. Cornmeal
19. Cornstarch
20. Crackers, saltine, club and graham crackers
21. Cream of chicken soup & cream of mushroom soup
22. Cream of tartar
23. Dried fruits (raisins, pears, cranberries, blackberries, bananas, nectarines, pineapples, strawberries, and raspberries.
24. Extra virgin olive oil
25. Flour: all-purpose, self-rising and pastry flour
26. Gelatin
27. Gluten
28. Gravy mix
29. Grits
30. Honey
31. Hot Cocoa
32. Hot sauce
33. Instant potatoes
34. Jelly & Jam (Links to some of my jelly/jam recipes: Corn Cob Jelly, Crab Apple Jelly, and Cherry Amaretto Jam.)
35. Ketchup
36. Malt-o-meal
37. Maple Syrup
38. Mayonnaise
39. Milk: evaporate, powdered/instant, & sweetened condensed milk
40. Molasses
41. Mushrooms 
42. Mustard
43. Oatmeal: instant and old-fashioned oatmeal
44. Olives: green and black olives
45. Panko bread crumbs
46. Onions, dehydrated
47. Pasta: spaghetti noodles, lasagna noodles, egg noodles
48. Pasta sauce (Homemade Spaghetti Sauce)
49. Peanut butter
50. Pickles: sweet, dill and relish (Link to my Sweet Pickle Relish)
51. Pie Fillings (Canning Apple Pie Filling)
52. Popcorn kernels
53. Pork & beans
54. Quinoa
55. Red wine vinegar
56. Rice: white, wild and brown rice
57. Rice vinegar
58. Salsa (Link to my Extra Hot Homemade Salsa)
59. Salt: regular, seasoning salt & sea salt
60. Shortening
61. Soups: tomato, vegetable, and chicken noodle
62. Soy sauce
63. Spices: basil, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cinnamon (ground and whole sticks), cloves (ground and whole), cumin, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley flakes, red pepper flakes, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
64. Steak sauce (Link to my Homemade Steak Sauce)
65. Taco Seasoning (Link to my Homemade Taco Seasoning)
66. Tartar sauce
67. Teriyaki sauce
68. Tomatoes: paste, chopped, stewed and whole
69. Tortillas
70. Tuna
71. Vanilla extract
72. Vegetables, canned:  beets, carrots, corn, green beans, peas, and potatoes
73. Vegetable oil
74. Worcestershire sauce
75. Yeast: regular and instant yeast

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out:  35 of My Most Frugal Tips!

Follow us on Pinterest

Follow us on Twitter

Follow our Youtube Channel

Follow us on Instagram