Now more than ever we are all cooking at home. For a lot of us who eat out, you might be facing a serious wake up call in the kitchen. Getting your pantry prepared and well organized is one of the most important steps not only in a professional kitchen, but your home one, too, so we’ve create a guide to the prepared pantry. Having and keeping the staples in your pantry or cupboard as well as in your fridge and freezer can make cooking at home just plain simple and fast because you already have the ingredients. Don’t forget to make a list before you leave to shop. (Download our printable shopping list here.) It’ll help you become a more efficient shopper, think in terms of meal planning, and use what you already have on hand.
Since we are all spending more time doing home projects, like cleaning out our closets, why not spend some quality time taking a good look at what’s already in your pantry, fridge, and freezer? If you haven’t used an item in a year, it might be time to throw it out! Although expiration, best by, and sell by dates can be confusing, they tend to be a good guideline on making the decision to keep or pitch. Take a good look at what you have left. Fill in the missing holes with items you’re consistently using and find yourself always cooking with. Just by adding a couple fresh ingredients, those pantry staples can give you so many options for baking and cooking.
Your Guide to the Prepared Pantry Checklist
Here are some of my staples that I try to have on hand to help me cook every day. For the most part, they are items that have a shelf life. Don’t wait until these run out to restock them. Instead, think about creating a par level at home so you can always come up with something delicious to cook!
>>DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE TO THE PREPARED PANTRY CHECKLIST<<
Or, keep reading below!
OILS & VINEGARS
BASIC:
– Extra-virgin olive oil
– A neutral cooking oil like canola or grapeseed
– Red-wine vinegar
– White vinegar
– Apple cider vinegar
ADVANCED:
– Peanut oil
– Coconut oil
– Sesame oil
– Sherry or balsamic vinegar
– Walnut oil
– Rice vinegar
– Mirin
DAIRY & CHARCUTERIE
BASIC:
– Eggs
– Milk
– Butter
– Cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Cheddar, Gruyère, feta
– Plain full-fat yogurt or sour cream
– Bacon
– Hard salami or sausages
ADVANCED:
– More cheeses like Pecorino Romano & blue
– Pâté
– Prosciutto or other cured artisan ham or meats
GRAINS & STARCHES
BASIC:
– Long-grain white rice
– Whole grains like quinoa or farro
– Dried pastas
– Plain bread crumbs
– Crackers
– Canned beans
ADVANCED:
– Dry lentils
– Rice noodles
– Specialty rice like basmati or Arborio
– Brown rice
– Panko bread crumbs
– Dry beans
– Specialty pastas like bucatini or farfalle
– Whole grains like spelt, pearl barley, or teff
NUTS & NUT BUTTERS
BASIC:
– Peanut butter
– Almond butter
– Pecans
– Walnuts
– Almonds
– Peanuts
ADVANCED:
– Pumpkin seeds
– Pistachios
– Tahini
– Pine nuts
– Hazelnuts
SPICES & DRIED HERBS
BASIC:
– Kosher salt
– Red pepper flakes
– Ground Cayenne
– Chili powder
– Curry powder
– Bay leaves
– Black peppercorns
– Sweet paprika
– Ground cinnamon
– Ground cumin
– Garlic powder or granulated garlic
– Dried thyme and dried oregano
ADVANCED:
– Flaky salt
– Ground coriander
– Dried dill
– Turmeric
– Smoked paprika
– Cardamom
– Za’atar
– Allspice
– Fennel seeds
– Dry mustard
– Garam masala
– Chinese 5-spice powder
– Whole nutmeg
– Sumac
– Cumin seeds
– Coriander seeds
CANNED & JARRED GOODS
BASIC:
– Soups
– Tuna
– Tomato paste
– Diced tomatoes
– Tomato sauce
– Chicken or vegetable stock
– Beans
– Pickles
– Fruit jams and preserves
– Anchovies
– Olives
– Maple syrup
ADVANCED:
– Clams
– Sardines
– Cornichons
– Preserved lemons
– Unsweetened coconut milk
– Capers
– Pickled hot peppers
– Kimchi
CONDIMENTS & SAUCES
BASIC:
– Dijon and yellow mustard
– Mayonnaise
– Ketchup
– Hot sauce
– Salsa
– Soy sauce
– Worcestershire sauce
– BBQ sauce
ADVANCED:
– Whole grain mustard
– Hoisin
– Thai red curry paste
– Fish sauce
– Anchovy paste
– Harissa
– Gochujang
– Mango chutney
– Miso
– Wasabi
– Chinese oyster sauce
– Asian chili bean pastes
BAKING
BASIC:
– All-purpose flour
– Cornmeal
– Rolled oats
– Cornstarch
– Baking soda
– Baking powder
– Pure vanilla extract
– Granulated sugar
– Light brown sugar
– Dark brown sugar
– Confectioners’ sugar
– Bittersweet baking chocolate
– Semisweet chocolate chips
– Raisins or other dried fruits
– Cocoa powder
ADVANCED:
– Cake flour
– Whole wheat flour
– Dark baking chocolate
– Vanilla beans
– Almond extract
– Powdered gelatin
– Molasses
– Light corn syrup
– Buttermilk powder
– Active dry yeast
PRODUCE
BASIC:
– Garlic
– Onions
– Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
– Lemons
– Carrots
– Celery
– Apples
– Oranges
– Bananas
– Greens like lettuce or kale
– Broccoli
– Parsley
– Any favorite herbs
ADVANCED:
– Ginger
– Avocados
– Cilantro
– Scallions
– Limes
– Jalapeños
– Shallots
– Specialty herbs like mint, rosemary, and lemongrass
– Peppers
FREEZER
BASIC:
– Chicken
– Ground beef
– Sausage
– Thick fish fillets
– Shrimp
– Sliced bread
– Frozen veggies like corn, peas, and spinach
– Frozen fruits like peaches, berries, and mangos (excellent for baking or smoothies)
– Ice cream
– Bread dough or rolls
ADVANCED:
– Puff pastry
– Pancetta
– Stock
– Fresh pasta
– Vegetables like green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, edamame, and artichoke hearts
Check Out These 5 Meals to Make from the Prepared Pantry List
1. Beans & Greens
2. Clam Pasta
3. Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas
4. Restaurant-Style Tomato Soup
5. Caramel Banana Cake
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