I frequently get e-mails asking which items are essential when stocking your pantry. Here is my list. I am loosely defining the pantry as things you should keep on hand–not only in your cupboard (the literal pantry), but also in the fridge, the freezer, the dry vegetable bin and the bread drawer and I have broken it down that way. However, there are many things that start in your cupboard and end up in your fridge (such as ketchup, mustard, peanut butter, etc). I have put them in the cupboard because that is where they start. This is a basic list of the kind of items that really help me to get dinner on the table during the week. Of course you should adjust it to your preferences.
The Cupboard
Oils and Vinegars:
Extra-virgin olive oil
Vegetable oil
Assorted vinegars – at least balsamic, white wine and cider. I would add red wine, rice wine and sherry vinegar
Bottled Items:
Marinated artichoke hearts
Roasted red peppers
Italian pickled vegetables (olive salad, peperoncini, giardiniera)
Kalamata or other black Mediterranean olives
Pimento stuffed olives
Sun dried tomatoes
Capers
Pasta sauce
Ketchup
Dijon mustard
Worcestershire
Hot sauce
Peanut butter
Jelly
Canned Goods:
Asssorted beans – kidney, white, chickpeas, black (I like the Progresso or Goya brand)
Canned whole and chopped tomatoes (I like the Muir Glen brand)
Canned Chicken, Vegetable and Beef Broth (I like College Inn but many cookbook authors also like Swanson)
Tuna (packed in oil for more flavor or water for less calories)
Salmon
Sardines
Anchovies
Chipotles in adobo sauce
Chopped green chiles
Tahini
Asian Ingredients:
Soy sauce
Hoisin
Fish sauce
Toasted sesame oil
Canned unsweetened coconut milk
Water chesnuts
Rice vinegar
Rice wine (available at liquor stores and Chinese grocery stores)
Star anise
Dried wasabi powder
Soba noodles
Grains, Pastas and Dried Goods
Assorted pasta – spaghetti, macaroni, linguine, orzo and other varieties of your choice
Egg noodles
Long grain rice
Couscous
Bulgur
Cornmeal
Rolled oats
Lentils
Dried porcini or other dried mushrooms
Assorted crackers
Ramen noodles
Baking Ingredients:
Unbleached all purpose flour
Wondra flour
Cornstarch
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Corn syrup
honey
Maple syrup (grade b)
Baking powder
Baking soda
Cream of tartar
Pure vanilla extract
Yeast
Assorted chocolate (unsweetened, bittersweet, semisweet, chips)
Unsweetened cocoa
Powdered egg whites (the brand I get is just whites)
Powdered buttermilk
Unflavored gelatin
Sweet Spices
Ground allspice
Whole and ground cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ground cloves
Ground ginger
Savory Herbs and Spices
Thyme
Rosemary
Sage
Turkish bay leaves
Oregano
Ground cumin and cumin seed
Ground and whole coriander
Curry powder
Caraway seeds
Fennel seeds
Assorted paprikas, sweet, hot, smoked
Hot red pepper flakes
Cayenne
Chili powder
Kosher salt
Table salt (for baking)
Dried bread crumbs
Panko bread crumbs
Alcohol
Dry white wine
Dry Marsala or Madeira
Dry sherry
Brandy
Bin or Basket
Onions
Garlic
Shallots
Russet (baking) potatoes
Boiling potatoes (red or white)
Bread Basket
Sandwich bread
Pita with pockets
Refrigerator
Lemons, limes, oranges
Mayonnaise
Sour cream
Plain yogurt
Milk
Large eggs
Bacon
Fresh ginger
Chiles (jalapeno or Serrano
Miso paste
Washed lettuces
Parmigiano-reggiano
Sharp Cheddar
Bottled horseradish
Unsalted butter
Ketchup
Freezer
Phyllo dough
Puff pastry
Wonton wrappers
Flour and corn tortillas
Corn, peas, lima beans, spinach, edamame
Nuts
Vanilla ice cream
7 Responses to Pantry: What should you have in a well-stocked pantry?
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Just wanted you to know that your spirit is so calm and sweet… You have become a dear friend that is also teaching me to cook. You replaced trashy reality tv for me. Thank you!!
I agree. Sara is always cheerful and pleasant – she knows what she’s talking about without all the fanfare that other chefs seem to exhibit.
Tami, thank you, I try.
I remember when you had the show on Food Network (which is now nothing more than game shows and contests) where we would cook dinner along with you. Haven’t seen you on TV in ages! Where (if anywhere?!) are you now?!
Judy, I have a pbs show called “Sara’s Weeknight Meals,” which is now in its 8th season.
Here is how you find it:
go to this page https://saramoulton.com/shows/
and scroll down to “Where do I find the show in my neck of the woods?” then click on the button which will take you to a page that asks for your provider (comcast, time warner, etc) and zip code and it will tell you where and when you can watch episodes of my show.
Catsup in the fridge? Please!
Thanks Sara. I passed. I have everything
right, how did I miss that?