A well-stocked pantry can save you time, money and sanity. Here are some of the things I try to always have on hand. Don’t be overwhelmed by these lists, just use them as a guide. I realize I’m a bit over-prepared. Make sure and read the labels as many of these items need to be refrigerated once they’re opened.
FLOURS
All-purpose flour Whole Wheat flour
Cake flour Spelt flour
Gluten-free all purpose
GRAINS
Oats Cornmeal
Polenta Brown Rice
Black Rice Quinoa
Pasta, various shapes, and sizes Popcorn
Panko Breadcrumbs
LEGUMES
Green Lentils
Dried/canned Black Beans
Dried/canned Cannellini (white kidney) Beans
Fat-free Refried Beans
Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)
SWEETENERS
Honey Maple Syrup
White Cane Sugar
Brown Sugar Powdered Confectioners Sugar
Turbinado Sugar (raw sugar) Molasses Coconut Sugar
SPICES
Kosher Salt Sea Salt Black Peppercorns White Pepper
Cinnamon Whole Nutmeg Ginger Allspice
Anise Seed Dry Mustard Garlic Powder Onion Powder
Oregano Flake & Ground Basil Cumin Chili Powder
Cayenne Pepper Red Pepper Flakes Thyme Sage
Rosemary Dill Weed Horseradish Powder
Mesquite Rub Mix for Steaks Curry Powder Lemon Pepper
Old Bay (for fish) Pork Rub Mix
Hot Paprika Smoked Paprika
OILS
Olive Oil Coconut Oil Canola Oil
Non-stick Cooking Spray Non-stick Baking Spray (has flour in it)
Sesame Oil Nut Oil (almond, hazelnut, etc.) Chili Oil
VINEGAR & MARINADES
White Vinegar Balsamic Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar
White/Red Wine Vinegar Rice Vinegar Cherry Vinegar
Worcestershire Sauce Soy Sauce
SAUCES & SALSAS
Tomato Basil Jarred Pasta Sauce Tomatillo Salsa (salsa verde)
BBQ Sauce Tomato Salsa Hot Pepper Sauce (Cholula or Tobasco)
Sriracha Horseradish Sauce Hot Mustard Dijon Mustard Brown Mustard Yellow Mustard
Jarred Curry Sauce Ketchup Chipotle in Adobo Sauce
CHOCOLATE
Cocoa Powder Unsweetened Baking Chocolate Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
Semi-sweet/bittersweet Baking Chocolate White Chocolate Bar/Chips
Large 70% Green & Black’s bar for frequent snacking
LEAVENING & THICKENING
Baker’s Yeast Baking Soda Baking Powder
Corn Starch Arrowroot
EXTRACTS
Pure Vanilla Orange Lemon Peppermint
SPREADS
Creamy Peanut Butter Crunchy Peanut Butter Berry Jam
Mint Jelly Apricot Jam
SOUP & STOCK
Chicken Stock Beef Stock Vegetable Broth
Creamy Tomato Soup Dried Onion Soup Mix (for dip)
CANNED
Tuna Diced Tomatoes Tomato Paste Green Beans Artichoke Hearts Capers
Bread & Butter Pickles Garlic Dill Pickles Hearts of Palm
Diced Green Chiles Sweetened Condensed Milk Evaporated Milk
Pumpkin Puree Pineapple Refried Beans Kidney/Black Beans Black Olives
Kalamata Olives Roasted Red Pepper
SNACKS
I don’t think you really need guidance in this area – to each his own. I will say graham crackers can come in handy for making awesome sandwich cookies using leftover frosting.