KitchenHelper.comPantry Stocking
I have a vast array of stuff that I keep on hand all the time and you
probably won't need everything on this list - but I want to give you a
good idea of things to have on hand so you don't have to run to the
store every time you want to try a new recipe.
Pantry items consist of dry goods, spices, canned goods, perishable produce, refrigerator and freezer items.
Dry Goods
- Flour - all purpose
- Sugar
- Coffee
- Tea
- Brown sugar
- Pastas - spaghetti, macaroni, tri-color spirals
- Rice
- Cornmeal
- Nuts
- Bread crumbs - unless you want to make your own
- Peanut butter
- Oils
- Olive
- Canola
- Honey
- Dried fruits
- Shortening
- Oatmeal
- Cooking spray - canola all natural is best
- Vinegar
- Wines - if you are going to cook with wine, buy a wine you would
drink—if it doesn't taste good to drink then it won't taste good
in food either!
- White wine
- Red wine
Spices
All purpose seasonings
- Salt
- Kosher
- Table
- Sea salt
- Pepper - I like it Hot!
- black, red, white peppercorn blend for grinder
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper
- lemon pepper
- paprika
- Garlic - granulated garlic powder is best if not fresh
- Montreal Seasonings
- Steak
- Chicken
- Onion powder
- Celery salt
- Sauces
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce
- Tabasco sauce
- Ground mustard
- Parsley flakes
- Chives
Italian food seasonings
- Italian seasoning
- Rosemary
- Bay leaves
Cajun and Mexican seasonings
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Cilantro
- Tony Cachere's - Cajun seasoning
- Dried chilis
- Crushed red pepper
Indian and Asian seasonings
- Ginger
- Japanese peppers
- Wasabi
- Curry powder
Baking seasonings
- Vanilla - pure extract please!
- Cocoa powder
- Baker's chocolate
- Cream of Tartar
- Lemon peel
- Cinnamon
Canned Goods
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce - 8 oz cans work for me
- Tomato paste - 6 oz cans
- Beans - white, black, pinto, red, kidney
- BBQ Sauce
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Dried mushrooms
- Vegetables - see frozen foods
Produce
- Potatoes
- Red "new" potatoes
- Russet
- Sweet
- Onions
- White
- Red
- Yellow
- Green
- Garlic - fresh is best!
- Apples - use Granny Smith for pies and tarts
- Bananas
Refrigerator Foods
Dairy
- Milk - 2% or skim
- Cream - heavy whipping cream
- Eggs
- Butter
- unsweetened sweet cream quarters for cooking
- spreadable butter with canola oil for table
- Cheese - real cheese does not say cheese food or
product!
- American
- Cheddar - or pizza blend
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan - or Parmesan blend
- Yogurt
- Coffee creamer - if you use it
Produce
- Lettuce - romaine, iceberg, leaf
- Carrots - for salads and cooking
- Celery - for soups and stews
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Tomatoes
- Avacadoes
- Radishes
- Green onions
- Peppers - green, red, yellow
- Mushrooms - Shitake, Portabella, Oyster
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Limes
Condiments & Juices
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Pickle relish
- Salad dressing - Italian, Ranch, French
- Mayo - or Miracle Whip
- Jalapeño peppers
- Lemon juice
- Marinades - there are lots of different kinds
- Coke - a fair marinade believe it or not!
- Beer
Freezer Foods
This is mostly a question of tastes but here are some suggestions.
- Chicken
- Boneless chicken breasts
- Whole chicken - frying
- Legs, thighs or wings
- Beef
- Steaks - sirloin, rib eye, flank
- Roast - chuck, round
- Hamburger - 85/15 for best burgers, lean for rest
- Pork
- Chops
- Ribs
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Ham
- Fish & seafood
- Salmon
- Talapia
- Trout
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Vegetables - yes, you can buy canned but I prefer frozen
- green beans
- peas
- carrots
- Brussel sprouts
- asparagus
- corn
- lima beans
- mixed vegetables
- broccoli, cauliflower, carrot blend
- stir fry blend
- plain blend - good for soups