A well stocked pantry is a great way to consistently cook from scratch, and be prepared for emergency situations. However, knowing what to stock in your pantry is tricky and a little overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you plan and keep a well stocked pantry.
Why keep a stocked pantry?
Cooking from scratch is not only cheaper on your grocery budget, it’s also healthier than heavily processed convenience foods. Having a pantry full of staples will help you throw together healthy meals in a pinch and decrease the likelihood that you’ll turn to convenience foods.
The shut downs in 2020 also showed us what a volatile centralized food system we rely on in the United States. Having a pantry that’s stocked and ready will help you ride out food shortages and be better prepared.
Lastly, buying food in bulk is cheaper than buying smaller quantities. Keeping stock of items you use regularly is cheaper on your grocery budget.
**This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.*
Where to Start When Stocking Your Pantry
Begin building your pantry by keeping a record of the items your use regularly in your house. These are the things you will want to stock up on. For Example: If you eat a lot of sandwiches in your home, stock up on bread flour, yeast (or sourdough starter), and non-hydrogenated oil. You can use these to make bread in a pinch. Knowing what your family will eat will help you choose things to buy in bulk, and avoid things that won’t be used.
The First Steps
After you have identified the things you use the most in your home, you’re going to need a way to store the larger quantities of food. 5 gallon buckets with sealed lids are a great way to store items. I personally use Mylar Bags to store things like flour and sugar for long term needs. Having a large pantry isn’t completely necessary either. You can store buckets of supplies in just about any dark location such as closets and under beds. However, food storage should be somewhat temperature controlled.
Items to Stock
the items you stock will be personal to what your family eats regularly, but there are some staples I suggest keeping stock of to make meals easier.
Flour
- Flour isn’t only used in making breads, it’s also a thickener for sauces, soups, and stews. Flour is used to create a crust on fried protein, and is great for making gravy. Having a large quantity of flour on hand is essential. However, it should be noted that processed white flour will go bad very quickly. Storing flour in Mylar Bags extends the time it will keep at room temperature. If you have a grain mill, purchase whole wheat berries. These will keep for years at a time if they are stored properly. They’ll also maintain their nutritional value much better than processed wheat.
Cornmeal
- Cornmeal is an essential pantry staple. It can be used to make cornbread when you are tired of the conventional stuff. It’s great as a side dish such as polenta, or as breakfast grits. Cornmeal is also used as to create a crust when frying proteins such as fish. Really, the possibilities are endless when it comes to cornmeal.
Rolled Oats
- Rolled oats are great to use in breakfast bakes, overnight oats, granola, and cookies. The possibilities are really endless with oats. They can even be processed into flour in a pinch. Unopened sealed oats can be stored for years. This makes them perfect for buying in bulk and keeping stock.
Rice
- Rice is very versatile. It can be used in savory dishes, soups, and as a side dish to a protein. It can also be served sweet such as puddings and cakes. Rice, if stored well, can last for years. It should be sealed in an air tight container without moisture, and stored in a cool dark area. Having plenty of rice on hand helps to pull together any meal.
Pasta
- Pasta is great to bake and freeze in casseroles, or mixed with a dressing and veggies in a summer salad. it will make even simple ingredients into a complete meal. That why it should be stocked in your pantry to pull together a crowd pleasing meal in a pinch. It is also shelf stable for a long time if it’s stored properly.
Canned Vegetables
- Whether you can your own vegetables form your garden, or but canned ones at the store, having them on hand is essential for a stocked pantry. Canning vegetables preserves them and their nutritional value for a long period of time. The canning process itself cooks the vegetables, making them quick to prepare when you are short of time. Some canned goods I always keep on hand are: Tomatoes, corn, beans, pineapple, and pie fillings. Don’t forget about canned stocks and broths as well.
Various Jams and Jellies
- Having various jams and jellies on hand will help you pull together a quick dessert of breakfast. They will keep for a long time, can be used as fillings, or toppings, and are a great way to preserve your fruits.
Eggs
- Eggs may not seem like something you can keep in your pantry, but they can be made shelf stable relatively easily. Use fresh, clean, UNWASHED, farm fresh eggs. Store bought eggs have been washed and won’t work for this.
- Put the eggs in a quart size jar. Combine 1 oz pickling lime and 1 quart of water and mix it together well. Pour the lime/water mixture over the eggs completely covering them. Put a lid on the jar, and store them in a dark place. They will keep for up to 18 months on the shelf.
Dried Beans
- Dried beans are great to have on hand as a side, or an addition to soups, chili, or stews. They will store for years on the shelf. Simply soak them I’m water to rehydrate them, and cook them as usual. Drying beans is also a great way to preserve them.
- If you like to have your beans ready in a pinch, soak your dried beans, then can them in a pressure canner. This will cook the beans and ensure they can be prepared quickly if needed.
Salt and Spices
- Salt and spices will turn ordinary ingredients into something delicious. Salt is also essential in preserving foods. Spices are pre-dried, so they are naturally shelf stable. Buying bulk spices and storing them in an air tight, dark place will ensure they last longer.
Quick Meal Ideas From Your Pantry
The main reason for having a well stocked pantry is to pull together meals in a pinch, In addition to having certain things ready to go in your pantry, having dairy items and protein items stocked in your fridge is important too. But items when they are on sale, and freeze or can them for later. Here are some of my favorite meals to pull together in a pinch:
Tips for keeping your pantry Stocked
After you’ve stocked your pantry check it frequently, and when you run low on something, order more. This will ensure you always have stock available.
Write your freezer stock our on the freezer door using a dry erase marker. That way you always know what you have on hand at a glance.
Also, have a hand full of recipes you know well. Keep all of the items you need for those recipes in stock in your pantry. This is a great go-to if you need something quick.
Once you’re keeping a large stock, be sure to use it entirely. You don’t want any extra goods going bad in your pantry.
If you have a lot of products you need to use up before they expire, consider making them into freezer meals. They’ll come in handy on really busy nights.
Conclusion
After you’ve stocked your pantry with versatile items, you’ll able to make meals from scratch with very little prep. Keep inventory of what you have on hand as well as a few recipes you know you can pull together. Also, think outside the box when it comes to cooking at home. Don’t be afraid to try new things with what you have in stock. You’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of.
[…] is also a great way to keep your pantry well-stocked. Keeping supplies in your pantry will help you to cook more meals at home, and decrease your trips […]