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Learn how to stock your kitchen so it’s brimming with flavorful possibilities! From last-minute dinner’s that will impress the fussiest eaters, to spontaneous baking sessions that yield mouthwatering results, a well-stocked pantry is every chef’s secret weapon. So, pull up a seat as I guide you through the basic food items to have in your kitchen cabinets so you can transform your pantry into a treasure trove of deliciousness!

Straight on photo of a well stocked kitchen cabinet with dry and canned goods.

Table of Contents

What is a pantry?

Alright, let’s start with the basics – what exactly is a pantry? Think of it as your kitchen’s ultimate treasure chest, filled with an assortment of kitchen ingredient essentials that form the foundation of your cooking escapades. 

It’s your go-to storage space for all those must-have items that come to the rescue when you’re in the mood to whip up something fantastic — without having to make a last-minute grocery store dash. From humble cans of beans and boxes of pasta to exotic spices that transport your taste buds around the world, your pantry is a personal food wonderland. 

Why stocking kitchen cabinets will change your kitchen life for the better

No matter your cooking style or level of expertise, having a well-stocked pantry is akin to having a proper toolkit. Except instead of Philips head vs. flathead screwdrivers or hammers vs. staple guns, we’re talking olive oil vs. neutral oil, or all-purpose flour vs. old-fashioned rolled oats.  

Imagine whipping up delicious dishes without a last-minute dash to the grocery store or the agony of finding you’re missing a crucial ingredient halfway through a recipe. Or having exactly what you need on hand to make stunning bowls of salads and short rib bolognese, or a plate of perfectly air fried shrimp at 9pm on a random Tuesday.

In this informative How To guide, I’m going to take you on a delightful tour of kitchen stocking perfection, sharing all my best tips and tricks for stocking your kitchen to create your very own wizard’s chest of culinary possibility. I’m also sharing my personal must-have ingredients so that tasty meals and gorgeous baked goods are never far from reach. 

So, let’s dive in and uncover the secrets to stocking a pantry that even the most discerning chefs would approve of! 🍳🎉

Overhead photo of condiments for stocking a pantry.

How to stock a pantry for the first time 

Ever find yourself in a pinch, desperately searching your kitchen for something to whip up, only to discover that your culinary canvas is a bit blank? Don’t fret – we’ve all been there. That’s why I’m here to spill the beans (pun intended) on the art of stocking your pantry.

If you cook at all, chances are, you already have some kitchen pantry essentials on hand. That said, I’m approaching this section as if you were a brand new, rosy-cheeked baby in the kitchen. From spices, oil, and vinegar to onions, garlic, lemons, and limes, these are the things to always have in your pantry so a tasty meal is never far from hand. 

(This tutorial is for kitchen food items only, and doesn’t include cooking equipment you’ll need, such as a Chef’s knife, spoons, spatulas, and other culinary gear.)

What are the essential fridge staples? 

Again, this is going to be a bit subjective. For example, butter is something that will ALWAYS be in my fridge because I’m a firm believer that butter makes just about everything better. But, if you’re a vegan you may want to keep coconut oil on hand instead, or, if you’re on a low-fat diet, maybe butter and oil isn’t right for you. That’s totally fine! 

Here’s my personal favorite staples for a well stocked fridge:

  • Bacon
  • Beef (ground beef and steaks)
  • Butter
  • Cheeses (mix of hard and soft cheese, like cheddar and mozzarella)
  • Chicken
  • Cream Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Fresh Herbs (parsley, scallions, thyme, etc.)
  • Heavy Cream, Milk, or Milk Alternative (I like almond milk)
  • Pork (pork chops or pork tenderloin)
  • Salmon
  • Sausages (breakfast patties, links, or Italian sausage)
  • Shrimp
  • Sour Cream
  • Turkey Meat
  • Vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, etc.)
  • Yogurt or Greek Yogurt

Frozen food staples

  • Fruit (strawberries, cranberries, mangos, etc.)
  • Peas
  • Pizza Dough
  • Spinach
  • Salmon
  • Shrimp

(Scroll to the bottom of the page for the free printable grocery list of my favorite items to keep in stock.)

Overhead photo of dry rice and beans items for stocking the pantry.

What are the essentials for a fully stocked pantry? 

If you’re asking yourself “what should I have in the pantry?” It’s important to remember that YOUR ideal pantry is likely gonna look a little different than MY ideal pantry. Why? Because we’re different people with different tastes, silly! The “essentials” are going to vary depending upon your personal needs, preferences, allergies, and desires.

Next, note that this pantry stock list is limited to shelf-stable goods. That said, I wholeheartedly consider a well-stocked fridge and freezer as part of my pantry, so those are listed in the next section.

Consider the below basic pantry list as a jumping off point, then you can tweak it as need be.

Pantry must haves

  • Apple Sauce
  • Beans: canned + dried
  • Bouillon Cubes
  • Breadcrumbs: italian + panko
  • Broth + Stock
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned Chicken
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Coconut Milk
  • Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo
  • Cornstarch
  • Crackers
  • Grains: long-grain white rice, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, etc.
  • Hot Sauces: Tabasco, sriracha
  • Jams + Preserves
  • Lentils
  • Liquid Sweeteners: agave, honey, maple syrup
  • Nut Butters: peanut butter, almond butter
  • Nuts: peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, etc.
  • Oats
  • Oils (see separate list)
  • Olives: black + green
  • Pastas: couscous, regular, whole wheat, etc.
  • Salsa
  • Sauces: enchilada, tomato, tahini, pasta, pizza, hot sauce
  • Seasonings + Spices: kosher salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, etc.
  • Soups
  • Soy Sauce 
  • Tomato Paste
  • Tortillas
  • Vinegars (see separate list)
  • Worcestershire Sauce

Kitchen staple oils and vinegars

  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Canola Oil
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Sherry Vinegar
  • Truffle Oil
  • Vegetable oil
  • White Wine Vinegar

Counter pantry essentials

  • Avocados (hard)
  • Bread
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Onions
  • Potatoes: regular potatoes + sweet potatoes
  • Shallots

Baking pantry items

  • All Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Baking Chips
  • Baking Soda
  • Brown Sugar
  • Cocoa Powder + Chocolate
  • Coconut Flakes
  • Pure Vanilla Extract
  • Self Rising Flour
  • Shortening
  • Sugars: confectioner’s sugar, granulated white, light brown, dark brown, etc.

(Scroll to the bottom of the page for the free printable grocery list of my favorite items to keep in stock.)

Overhead photo of different varieties of dry pastas to stock the pantry.

How do I know what to stock the pantry and fridge with?

Stocking your pantry and fridge is a highly personal journey. It should be a reflection of your unique culinary preferences and the type of dishes that make you do the happy food dance. Just like our favorite tunes vary, our flavor faves can differ too. So, remember: you don’t need to mirror my pantry haul down to the last lentil! It’s all about tailoring your supplies to what you love and what you enjoy cooking.

First, consider your preferred cuisines. If you’re all about the bold flavors of Indian cuisine, then ghee, chickpea flour, and a rainbow of spices will be your pantry VIPs. Love whipping up Italian feasts? Pasta varieties, olive oil, and a medley of herbs will be your kitchen companions. Stocking your pantry is like curating your own personalized flavor playlist!

Next, don’t feel like you have to build your pantry all at once. It’s something that will grow over time — especially if you’re new to cooking! I like to use each grocery shopping trip as an opportunity to build my pantry a little more. I scour the deals of my local stores and find the things I use most, then add the on-sale items to my weekly shopping list. And, if you’re not sure what you’ll use most of, start small.

How do I store my pantry and fridge items properly?

  • Remember the Power of FIFO. No, we’re not talking about the cute little mouse who travels west. This handy little acronym is an accounting term that means first in, first out. The idea is to rotate your stock each time you add something new. For example, if you just bought a few cans of beans that were on sale, make sure to pull the older ones to the front and shove the newer ones in the back. This will help to prevent food from expiring before you get to it!
  • It Depends. While I know this can be a frustrating answer for many of you, it really does depend on the type of food. Here are some basic tidbits to keep in mind:
    • Canned Goods & Dry Goods – Store in a cool, dark place with no windows. Consider decanting your dry goods into pest-safe storage.
    • Fresh Produce – Most produce will be happiest in the crisper drawer. Make sure to store fruits in one drawer and veggies in the other, then adjust the drawer settings to the proper humidity. Also, consider investing in produce saving items like the Blue Apple system.
      For produce that doesn’t like extreme cold (e.g. bananas or potatoes), a root cellar or your countertops are usually a good bet.
    • Herbs – Lucky you, I wrote a whole separate article on how to keep your fresh herbs nice and perky.

How often should I restock my pantry and fridge?

Again, that totally depends on you, boo! How often do you cook? How bare are your shelves? What’s your budget? When’s your payday? How many humans live with you? Let me repeat: cooking is a personal journey, so all the particulars are going to depend on you and your personality.

Generally speaking, I do a big pantry stocking trip about once every 2 weeks. Then, the Boy tends to call me on his way home from work to see if I need anything, which I take him up on about 1-2 times per week. But, that’s just the cadence that works for me. 

If you don’t cook every day like I do, maybe once a month is sufficient. Or, perhaps you’re more of a “hunter/gatherer” type and you like to hit the store almost every day. That’s fine too! There’s no single right way to do it.

Other expert tips for pantry stocking

  • The Reverse Grocery List. This is essentially your personalized master pantry list! Instead of jotting down what you need to buy, you jot down what you have in stock. As you use ingredients, you can mark them off your list. This way, you’ll never run out of those essential goodies without realizing it. Plus, it makes meal planning a breeze – you can glance at your list and dream up dishes with the ingredients you already have, minimizing waste and maximizing creativity.
  • Buy in Bulk. If you have the space, buying in bulk can save you money. Just be sure to use the food before it goes bad. Also, keep in mind that bulk works best if it has a long shelf life. Rolled oats will last way longer than fresh peaches, you know?
  • Store Your Food Properly. This will help to keep it fresh and prevent spoilage. While it costs a bit up front, I suggest investing in hard-sided airtight containers to keep pests out of your dried goods.
  • Rotate Your Stock. This means using the oldest food first and replacing it with new food as needed. 
  • Learn How To Salvage. Rather than tossing those slightly wilty greens, learn how to turn them into pesto, compound butter, or a quick sauté. When in doubt, simply ask Google how to get the most from your food.
  • Be Creative. There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with pantry and fridge staples. Get creative and experiment with different recipes.

My favorite pantry meals

Hungry, but there’s nothing in the house? Well stocked kitchen cabinets make this issue a thing of the past. Here’s some of my favorite recipes using pantry staples:

Straight on photo of food on two shelves in a stocked pantry.

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More culinary tutorials!

Stocking the pantry – list of essentials

(Use this handy-dandy free printable to keep your kitchen pantry, fridge, and freezer well stocked.)

Get your free printable here: pantry-must-haves

Printable grocery list of pantry must haves.
Printable grocery list of pantry must haves.