Basics to Always Keep in Your Pantry

By Erin Coleman, R.D., L.D.

Having your pantry appropriately stocked is necessary for quick home meal prep without the fuss of ingredient shopping every time you cook. Keeping a list of must-have pantry basics is useful so you don't have to make unnecessary extra trips to the store when you're in a bind.

Printable List of Pantry Basics

To make sure you have everything you need in your pantry, you can print out this handy list. Then you can keep it taped to your pantry door or take it to the store with you. Simply click on the image of the list to download it to your computer.

If you need help saving and printing the list, check out these helpful tips.

Basic Seasonings and Spices

Item	Use
Salt	A must-have for all types of food prep
Pepper	A must-have for cooking many savory dishes
Garlic salt	Useful with chili, burgers, and Italian dishes; can replace fresh garlic
Garlic powder	Works well with pasta, pizza, and grilled chicken
Fresh garlic	Flavors just about any dish, such as Italian recipes
Onions	Adds flavor to a variety of main courses, soups, salads, side dishes, and casseroles
Onion powder	Works with pizza, pasta, grilled chicken, meats, soups, sauces, vegetable dishes, and casseroles
Chili powder	A must when you're making chili recipes; used in Tex/Mex dishes
Oregano	Used in Mediterranean, Italian, and Mexican dishes; flavors meats, eggs, and garlic bread
Cumin	Flavors chili, vegetables, chicken, fish, legumes, and rice dishes
Thyme	Seasons pasta, omelets, eggs, legumes, fish, and soups
Parsley	Great in soups, meat and fish rubs, salads, and Middle Eastern dishes
Paprika	Used to season meat, poultry, fish, eggs, pastas, and potato salads
Sesame seeds	Perfect with grilled vegetables, stir fries, and salads
Ground cinnamon	Use to flavor oatmeal, baked goods, French toast, and desserts
Ground ginger	Flavors sautéed vegetables, rice dishes, baked apples, and stuffing
Nutmeg	Works in egg and spinach dishes, cakes, cookies, puddings, eggnog, and meatloaf
Italian seasoning	Great with fish, chicken, pizza, pasta, vegetables, and salads

Oils, Vinegars, and Condiments

Item	Use
Extra virgin olive oil	A staple for cooking, baking, sautéing, pastas, and salads
Vegetable oil	Useful for cooking and baking
Non-stick cooking spray	A must to prevent food from sticking
Balsamic vinegar	Used in salads, salad dressings, pasta dishes, Italian bruschetta, sauces, and marinades
Red wine vinegar	Perfect in salad dressings, potato salad, marinades, sauces, pasta dishes, and sautéed vegetables
Ketchup	A staple for grilled meats, fish, and French fries
Dijon mustard	Used in sandwiches, grilled meats, marinades, and sauces
Soy sauce	Best for flavoring foods like stir fry, sautéed vegetables, tofu, chicken, tempeh, and marinades
Barbecue sauce	A condiment for meats and marinades
Worcestershire sauce	Used in meat dishes, marinades, soups, chili, and sauces
Italian salad dressing	Used in salads, marinades, stir fry, sandwiches, sautéed vegetables, sauces, and cold pasta dishes
Ranch dressing	Perfect for salads and vegetable dips
Mayonnaise	Works well with sandwiches, meat salads, egg salads, potato salad, dips, and coleslaw
Jelly or jam	A must for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Nut butter	An add-on for crackers, fruit dips, sandwiches, toast, and baking
Pickles	Works in salads, sandwiches, burgers, and as a snack

Baking Ingredients

Flour	Well-suited for baking
Granulated sugar	Perfect for baked goods and desserts
Baking soda	Useful for baking; a leavening agent
Baking powder	Useful for baking; a leavening agent
Corn starch	Works well as a thickening agent when cooking or baking
Chocolate chips	Perfect for desserts, chocolate chip cookies, and other baked goods
Vanilla extract	A sweet flavor enhancer
Evaporated milk	Works well in soups, casseroles, sauces, ice cream, other desserts, and custards
Honey	A natural sweetener
Maple syrup	A natural sweetener
Cocoa powder	A must for chocolate-flavored desserts and drinks

Canned Goods

Chunk light tuna	Works with mayonnaise, salads, tuna casseroles, and crackers
Canned salmon	Eat with salads, casseroles, or on crackers
Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth	Used in soups and casseroles (like broccoli casserole)
Canned soups	Useful in casseroles or as an appetizer
Canned beans	Works in chili, soups, burritos, side dishes, cold salads, and bean dips
Canned vegetables	Perfect as a side dish or in soups and casseroles
Canned fruit	Used as a dessert, fruit salad, breakfast food, or snack
Canned diced tomatoes	Works well in chili, soups, pastas, sauces, salsa, and cold salads
Tomato paste	Eat in sauces, pastas, meat and poultry dishes, chili, soups, and lasagna
Marinara sauce	Used in pasta dishes, soups, chili, and lasagna
Salsa	Perfect for an appetizer with chips when you're in a pinch
Olives	Goes well in salads, chili, cheese appetizers, and pasta dishes

Grains, Cereals, and Starches

Bread	A must-have for sandwiches and toast
Bread crumbs or croutons	Useful for salads and casseroles
Oats	A heart-healthy breakfast, and useful when baking
Whole-grain breakfast cereals	Keep on hand for a quick, healthy breakfast
Whole-grain pasta	Perfect for a variety of pasta dishes
Brown or wild rice	Works as a side dish, casserole, or stir fry
Couscous	Perfect for a quick starchy meal or side dish
Quinoa	Works well in salads, side dishes, or as a breakfast food
Potatoes	Keep on hand for soups or a nutritious side dish

Snacks

Dried fruit	Great for a quick snack; useful for baking
Crackers	Works as a snack, in casseroles, or dipped in soup
Popcorn	A tasty late night treat
Nuts	Works as a snack, salad topping, and in baked goods
Seeds	Used as a snack, salad topping, and in baked goods
Applesauce	A healthy snack with a long shelf life that's also useful in baking; try in banana muffins
Pretzels	A popular snack with a long shelf life
Granola bar or protein bar	Useful for a quick snack or breakfast when you're on the go
Fresh bananas	Works as a snack, useful when baking, and is a meal add-on
Fresh apples	Useful as a snack, and works in salads and pies
Oranges	Can be a quick snack, salad topper, or breakfast add-on

Bottom Line

Keeping your pantry fully stocked with the right items makes food preparation less stressful, and keeps you from running to the store daily. It also makes it easier to create healthy, homemade meals for your family.