Pantry Staples Every Home Should Have

No matter your cooking style, there are some pantry staples that every kitchen should have. My 13 years as a wife, mom, and homemaker have taught me that a well-stocked pantry is essential for creating a well-run home and life.

Few things are as counterproductive and annoying as running to the store for one ingredient during meal prep.

Time is precious during busy weeks filled with work, school, and extracurricular activities. A little thought and effort into what you keep in your pantry can help you use that time better and save money.

A well-stocked pantry will make planning and cooking nutritious meals much more effortless and eliminate the need to run out to the store for ingredients each time you need something.

While I hope you find my list of pantry staples helpful, remember the most important thing is to stock your pantry with the foods you and your family enjoy eating, so adjust this list accordingly.

Pantry Staples to Stock for Your Kitchen

Grains and Pasta

Oats (great for making oatmeal, oat flour, and homemade granola.)
Rice
- Long grain white
- Brown rice
- Arborio
Flour
Cornmeal
Popcorn
Pasta
- Orzo
- Spaghetti
- Elbow
- Acini Di Pepe

Oils & Fats

I keep oils in my pantry. I use them for making homemade salad dressing, pan searing, marinades, and countless other uses.

Ghee
Coconut Oil (also great for skincare)
Olive Oil
Avocado Oil

Sweeteners

Keeping a variety of sweeteners in your pantry is a wise idea for any home cook. Sweeteners can be used for baking, cooking, and adding sweetness to drinks and recipes.

Sweeteners are every pantry’s secret weapon, from cookies to salad dressings and beyond. I keep the following sweeteners on hand.

Granulated Cane Sugar
Brown Sugar
Coconut Sugar
Confectioner’s Sugar
Honey
Agave Nectar
Maple

Seeds and Nuts

Nuts like almonds and walnuts are excellent protein sources and can be used in various ways, so they’re worth keeping around! I often reach for our favorite nuts when making trail mix for my kids or as a topping on my favorite salad.

Seeds like chia seeds and flaxseeds can provide an extra boost of nutrients to so many of the dishes we love.

Nuts and seeds can easily be added to oatmeal bowls, parfaits, muffins, or smoothies for extra nutrition and texture!

Almonds
Walnuts
Cashews
Peanuts
Pistachios
Pecans
Chia Seeds
Flax Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds

Vinegar

Not only is vinegar essential for many recipes, but it also has a multitude of uses outside the kitchen.

There are so many types of vinegar available, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics. Keeping a variety of vinegar in your pantry allows you to switch up the flavors and make your dishes more interesting. These are my favorite vinegar to keep in my pantry.

White Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Red Wine Vinegar
Rice Vinegar (Mirin)
Balsamic Vinegar

Dried and Canned Fruits

While keeping dry and canned fruits in your pantry is a good idea, I prefer dry fruits over canned ones as I often use them in trail mix. You should keep a stock of whatever type of fruit your family likes.

Dried Mango
Dates
Dried Banana
Raisins
Pineapple Chunks

Proteins

Tuna
Salmon
Sardines

Canned Vegetables and Beans

Canned vegetables and beans are convenient and affordable foods for your pantry. Keep this staple on hand for quick meals like chili, bolognese, and burritos.

Diced Tomatoes
Crushed Tomatoes
Peeled Tomatoes
Pigeon Peas
Beans
- Black beans
- Navy beans
- Kidney beans
- Baked beans

Leavening Agents

If you do any baking, then you know leavening agents are some of the most essential pantry items to keep on hand.

Keeping leavening agents on hand allows you to experiment with different recipes for batters and doughs without running out to the store every time you need something different.