Now, you do not have to copy my pantry to follow any of my recipes exactly but, having these essentials on hand will guarantee successful meals at any moment with limited time spent at your local grocery store! Plus, its always fun when you crave something and have almost all ingredients on hand! As I have mentioned before, I tend to eat it all. From vegan to comfort cheesy meals to around the world dishes! Below is a list of what my pantry looks like 100% of the time.
Spices
If you have a local spice shop, I recommend buying in small amounts for a fresher taste! These are my top used spices on hand.
- Smoked Paprika – I prefer smoked vs regular
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Cayenne
- Cumin
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Thyme
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Turmeric
- Ground Nutmeg
- Ground Cinnamon
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Bay Leaves
- Whole Peppercorns
- Italian Seasonings
Salt
- Himalayan Pink Salt – when I say salt, I usually mean this
- Flaky Sea Salt
- Kosher Salt
Oils & Butter
- California Olive Ranch – Olive Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Earth Balance Vegan Butter
- Coconut Oil
Sugars
- Organic Coconut sugar
- Light Brown sugar
- Organic unbleached white sugar
Flours & Baking
I tend to bake a lot and my mood for what I want to bake changes consistently, so this is probably my second biggest list.
- Whole Wheat
- All Purpose Flour
- Coconut Flour
- Almond Flour
- Tapioca Flour
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Egg replacer
- Cocoa
- Vanilla Extract
Honey
- Agave – perfect for vegan dishes!
- Maple Syrup
- Organic local honey – hit that farmers market!
Dried Pasta
I am still trying to perfect an easy homemade pasta but my go to is De Cecco Pasta. And lots of it!
Canned Tomatos & Sauces
I love to make my own sauce but lets be honest, sometimes you just want to grab and go! Only thing is, if it is not organic and fresh, the husband tends to hurt afterwards… like a lot! So this was one area I spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect brands for him. Let’s say, I am very thankful for these brands.
- Lucini Organic Roasted Garlic Marinara
- Pomi
- San Marzano
Other must-haves!
- Chicken Broth – When possible, I make homemade chicken broth. It can be frozen up to 3 months
- Chicken Stock – Save your bones and this can easily be homemade as well
- Veggie Broth – This is another that can be homemade but Oceans Halo is my favorite brand so far if store bought.
- Homemade Black Beans – Check out my recipe!! Make it on your day off and freeze. You will never buy canned again!
- Ground Fresh Chili Paste
- Chili Garlic Sauce
- Rice Vinegar
- Marsala Cooking Wine
- Premium Fish Sauce
- Coconut Aminos – this is my soy sauce alternative
- Hoisin Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Canned Coconut Milk
- Mirin
As my mother says, food is not only love but an investment in your health. Mother is right and I am thankful for this advice. Now, if The Home Edit would just come over and visit…
What is your pantry must? I want to know as I am always adding to my list.
Al Fresco NWA 