Top Pantry Staples and Essentials

Your pantry doesn’t need to be fancy. Having the staples and essentials makes all the difference.

It’s important to bear in mind that whatever items you have in your pantry will form the foundation of your family’s favourite recipes. After all, it houses your go-to fresh and canned goods, quick treats and even beverages, among others. From your culinary mainstays to exotic spices, a fully stocked pantry can save your day in many ways.

In this article, we’ll discuss why you should have a well-stocked pantry and how to organise it. We’ll also give a sample list of party staples and essentials.

Why your home should have a well-stocked pantry

From the night cravings and the unexpected visitor to the unscheduled movie nightlife throws us many reasons to have a well-stocked pantry.

• MEAL PLANNING

  When you have a variety of pantry items on hand, you can easily make a range of recipes without having to make frequent trips to the store. This can save you time and money, and also allows for flexibility and creativity when it comes to meal planning.

• CONVENIENCE

  With a well-stocked pantry, you can quickly prepare meals at home rather than relying on takeout or convenience foods. This can be particularly helpful during busy weeknights or unexpected events.

• NUTRITION

  If you’re the type who watches what you eat, make sure you have a variety of healthy options in your pantry. Imagine having nutritious snacks and ingredients that are always available, such as whole grains, legumes and canned vegetables. 

• COST-EFFECTIVE

  Having a well-stocked pantry can save you money in the long run. When you have a variety of ingredients on hand, you can avoid buying expensive pre-packaged foods and instead, make meals from scratch.

• FLAVOUR

  By having a variety of spices, herbs, sauces and condiments, you can add depth and complexity to your meals. This can be especially helpful for people who enjoy cooking and experimenting with different flavours.

• REDUCING FOOD WASTE

  A well-stocked pantry allows you to plan your meals in advance and use up ingredients that you already have before they expire. This helps you to reduce food waste and save money.

• BEING PREPARED FOR GUESTS

  We’ve all had unexpected guests. With a well-stocked pantry, you can quickly whip up a meal or a snack without having to make a trip to the store.

How to organise your pantry

The items in your pantry are only as good as how you organise them. Organising your pantry is an essential step in ensuring that your kitchen runs smoothly. If you can’t readily find the ingredients you need when you need them, then you might need to organise it.

1. START BY DECLUTTERING

   Go through all of your pantry items and get rid of anything that is expired, spoiled, or that you haven’t used in a long time. This will free up space and make it easier to see what you have on hand.

2. GROUP SIMILAR ITEMS TOGETHER 

   Canned tomatoes, canned lentils, canned beans, canned fish—keep similar items together. You may also group all baking supplies in one area and all spices in another. This will make it easier to find what you need and also make it easier to take inventory of what you have on hand.

3. USE CLEAR CONTAINERS

   Clear containers are a great way to see what’s inside without having to open them. This can be especially helpful for items like baking supplies, which are often stored in opaque containers.

4. UTILISE VERTICAL SPACE 

   Make use of the vertical space in your pantry by using stackable bins or shelving. This can help to maximise your storage space and keep your pantry items easily accessible.

5. USE LABELS

   Labels allow you to quickly identify items and keep your pantry organised. You can use adhesive labels or label makers to clearly mark the contents of your containers.

6. KEEP FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS AT EYE LEVEL 

   Keep items that you use frequently, such as cooking oils and seasonings, at eye level for easy access. This will save you time and energy when you are cooking.

7. CREATE A SHOPPING LIST

   To keep your pantry well-stocked, create a shopping list of items you are running low on or that you need to restock. This will help you remember what you need to buy when you go shopping.

8. MAKE USE OF THE DOOR 

   The inside of your pantry door is often unused, but it can be a great place to store items, such as spices, canned goods or even a shopping list.

Pantry Essentials

Now that you know how to organise your pantry, it’s time to stock up! Here is a sample pantry staples list:

PRODUCE

• Potatoes
• Garlic
• Onions
• Fruits (e.g. apples and citrus fruits)
• Vegetables (e.g. beets, radish and cabbage)
• Nuts and seeds

You can get frozen fruit packs in your local grocery stores or opt for these fresh fruit boxes/platters without leaving your home with Manettas.

JARRED OR CANNED FOODS

• Tuna
• Sardines
• Tomatoes
• Cork kernels
• Pickles
• Chickpeas
• Beans and lentils
• Fruit salad in natural juice
• Unsweetened coconut milk
• Beef stock

Nuri spiced sardines in olive oil—not your regular sardines

OILS AND DRESSINGS

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Canola oil
• Vegetable oil
• Avocado oil
• Coconut oil

GRAINS, PASTA AND STARCHES

• White or brown rice
• Quinoa
• Rolled oats
• Dried pasta
• Plain flour
• Rice noodles
• Pearl barley
• Wheat bread
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

SAUCES, DRESSINGS AND CONDIMENTS

• Ketchup
• Hot sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• White wine vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Fish sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Curry paste
• Stock powder

Try this Siciliana pasta sauce (a blend of tomato and eggplant)

SPICES AND DRIED HERBS

• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Bay leaves
• Pepper flakes
• Black peppercorns
• Smoked paprika
• Parsely
• Ground cumin
• Ground coriander
• Ground cayenne
• Dried thyme
• Dried oregano
• Garam masala