I am in a nesting stage right now. Whether it is just my typical homemaking OCD kicking in or post adoption nesting is anyone's guess.
Having a well-stocked pantry is essential to homemaking. It also varies by family and cook.
The cook who makes everything from scratch will have a very different pantry from someone who uses canned or pre-prepared foods as their base and a person with no children and gourmet tastes will have a different pantry from someone with 4 picky little eaters.
My goal in sharing this list of pantry items is that it help serve as a launching point for you to create a list of pantry items for your home. The idea behind a well-stocked pantry is that by having one you will always have the essentials on hand to make meals for your family. Savvy homemakers also utilize a well-stocked pantry to lower their monthly grocery costs.
The Essentials for a well-stocked pantry
Baking Powder (small container)All-Purpose Flour
Baking Soda
Sugar (granulated)
Confectioners' Sugar
Brown Sugar
Chocolate Chips
Cocoa
Cornstarch
Yeast
Dry Cereal
Oatmeal
Bread (sandwich, pita, hot dog, hamburger)
Rice
Pasta
Popcorn
Worcestershire Sauce
White vinegar
Red Wine vinegar
Vegetable Oil
Olive Oil
Maple syrup
Non-stick cooking spray
Chicken broth
Vegetable Broth
Beef BrothKetchup
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Nut Butter (Peanut, almond, coconut, Sunflower butter)
Jelly/Jam
Spaghetti Sauce
Canned Tomatos
Tomato Paste
Canned Beans
Canned Tuna
Salad Dressing
Basil
Bay Leaves
Cinnamon
Garlic Powder
Nutmeg
Onion powder or flakes
Oregano
Paprika
Black Pepper
Sea Salt
Sage
Rosemary
ThymeVanilla Extract
Coffee
TeaAdditional tips for creating your own Well-Stocked Pantry:
1 Determine what your favorite 5 family meals are and try to have those ingredients on hand at all times.
3 Always arrange your pantry shelves so that the newly purchased items are in the back.
9 comments:
Are those actual pics from your house? They look like magazine shots, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was hour house! I want a pantry like that, especially with that cool wine rack. John would love it!
Hope you are doing well!!
KT
Nope, our home is under (re)construction so those are magazine pictures...but I'm flattered. Maybe when we move back in this summer I'll take some with my new camera---if it ever comes in! Hope you are doing well with all the snow and ice.
This is one of my goals for this spring -- to get our pantry organized so I can feel more in control of what we buy (or don't buy) from week to week! Thanks for the very useful information!
I'm a new follower.
Marie
bonkersinbarnhart.com
We will be renovating our kitchen and dining room this spring. A pantry is a must have addition since we don't have one now. I have had a large walk-in pantries in the past.
I cook everything from scratch so that does change the type of things that are stored and kept on a pantry list.
I would add dried and canned milk (both for recipes and emergencies), I always keep bread crumbs on hand, some canned soups, tomato juice, dried beans (and canned), parmesan cheese (3C is my fav., no other compares). I know these would fall under pasta, but they are not just regular pasta (whole wheat that I keep on hand): some boxes of Annie's mac'n'cheese, crackers, Amish egg noodles (I know I can make them, but these are so quick to cook!). I also have some marinating bottles and dessert mixes (thanks to my sis-in-law), smores fixin's, Velveeta and Rotel (and "emergency" tortilla chips), and canned veggies. I think that's about it. Other than that, our lists are about the same.
I'm trying to think of something to add to your list but my mind goes blank. We have all that you mentioned plus some quick mixes (like nasty Cheeseburger Macaroni hamburger helper that my fam loves, ramen noodles- good with egg and a slice of american cheese melted in, betty crocker cookie mix in the bag- super YUM). I'm also big on keeping a well stocked freezer. Freezer cooking doesn't work for me, but I am big on quick cooking!
Oh wait, did you have soy sauce on your list? Maybe that's more of a fridge item.
I am dying over that picture! That is a dream pantry to me!!! I don't have an actual pantry in the place I'm at now so it's all in the kitchen cupboards. Funny I was thinking there's no way I have all the pantry essentials since I live by myself now but after going through the list I'm doin pretty good!
Great post! I would add canned artichokes, couscous, and Balsamic vinegar.
We are in the process of builing a pantry in our laundry room. Can't wait to truly stock up! I love finding other homeschoolers blogging; I have 4 high schoolers! I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog. I'm your newest follower from A Season for All Things. ~ Ellen
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