Kitchen Pantry Necessities

Every good cook knows the value of having a well-stocked kitchen pantry. Keeping these ingredients in your home will save you money and trips to the grocery store. Remember all these items have a shelf life, so frequently checking the expiration dates will help keep your pantry freshly stocked, so food doesn’t go to waste.

The following list includes most items any pantry needs to whip up great meals, including:

• Baking Staples 
• Spices 
• Oils and Vinegar
• Canned Goods

Ready to spice up your meals? Continue reading to learn more!

The Spruce Eats talks about key baking goods to keep stocked. These products have a short shelf life and, in some instances, if left beyond their expiration date, can draw in bugs. You can find out how to safeguard your pantry from pests here.

• Sugar – Stock up on white, brown, or liquid sugar; you will never go wrong in keeping them around. One of the easiest commodities in your pantry to store, most sugar can last up to a year if put in airtight containers. 
• Cornstarch – Usually used to thicken sauces and soups, this item lasts for up to a year if kept away from heat.
• All-Purpose Flour – No cook or baker should be without flour in their pantry. All-purpose flour is the most typically used, primarily for baking, but other types like whole wheat, self-rising and cake flour can be added if so desired. Make sure to "keep flour dry" to maintain its freshness. 
• Baking Soda – This has dozens of uses in cooking (and cleaning). Plus, it lasts a long time!
• Baking Powder – Mostly used in baking to make things rise. Make sure to mark the date you open the box, as it goes bad quickly. Throw out after six months.

Remember that most spices have a shelf life of six months because their potency degrades over time, according to the experts at Bon Appetite.

• Pepper – An essential seasoning for any kitchen. 
• Salt – Another necessary ingredient in most recipes. Consider having multiple different salts in your cupboard like coarse-ground Kosher, pink Himalayan, and simple table salt.
• Dried Herbs – A lot of recipes call for oregano, dill, parsley, and basil. And the best part? All these herbs can be grown at home in small pots, so you will have them year-round; this will save you some money, as most spices can be pricey when you are first putting together your pantry.
• Key Spices – Garlic and onion powder, paprika, and red pepper. For seasonal spices, add in some cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice to round out your pantry.

Good oils should be a staple in any kitchen. Generally, they have a shelf life of around 1-2 years. Oils are essential for cooking, frying, and dipping (warm bread, anyone?), while vinegar can add some zest to food and is extremely healthy.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) – Excellent for cooking pasta, frying, and dips, EVOO lasts about a year. 
• Cooking Sprays – Sprays like Pam are convenient when you don’t want to coat a frying pan with oil. They are also great for baking and coating baking sheets. 
• Frying Oils – Having a thicker oil than olive is great for sautéing and frying. Take your pick from Canola, Sesame, or even Peanut! Throw in some coconut oil for smoothies and you are good to go! 
• Balsamic Vinegar – This product has so many uses in cooking and pairs perfectly with flavored oils. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Perfect for sauces, salad dressings, and marinades and has a long history as a healthy home remedy for all types of ailments, although research has not conclusively proven that yet.
  

The first thing everyone thinks about when stocking a pantry is normally spices or baking supplies. But don't forget to add some important canned goods to your list.

• Canned Tomatoes – Another staple! Whether you like peeled, diced, or whole tomatoes, these items are great when you are making chili and pasta. Plus, don’t forget the tomato paste and sauce for Mom’s Famous Meatloaf! 
• Broth or Stock – Always keep a couple of cans of beef or chicken stock/broth in your pantry. You'll be surprised how much stock comes in handy, especially when creating a delicious casserole or homemade stuffing!
• Soup – While canned soup doesn’t seem like the number one item for a pantry, you never know when a child (or spouse) might come down with a cold. So, having some good old-fashioned chicken noodle in your pantry will certainly help them feel better in no time. Also, it’s a time saver as canned soup is an easy dinner on days you’re extra busy.

The best part of having a stocked pantry is that when you are ready to prepare a meal, you realize you already have most of the ingredients listed on the recipe at your fingertips. Over time, you can add more items to your pantry, including dry goods and condiments. With these basic supplies on hand, you should have no trouble fixing a satisfying family meal any night of the week!