24 Kitchen Pantry Necessities

Baking Must-Haves

There are several baking items you should have on hand when the urge to whip up a batch of fresh cookies strikes! These items are not only useful in creating sweet confections, but for regular day-to-day recipes as well.

Flour

Flour is a staple used in countless recipes. From bread to soups to meat dishes, make sure this ingredient is in stock. All-purpose flour is the most common, but also consider having whole wheat, almond, coconut, and pastry flour on hand depending on your personal preferences and cooking habits. Also, make sure you store it correctly. All Recipes cites that flour should be stored in a dark and cool space & in an airtight container in order to maintain its freshness for as long as possible.

Baking Powder and Soda 

There are countless uses for baking soda, which is something you probably already knew. According to DoItYourself.com, this substance is effective in deterring household pests, polishing silver, and more. Along with baking powder, it’s also a staple in many recipes, making it an ultimate must-have.

Sweeteners

Make sure to have sweeteners such as granulated sugar and confectioner’s sugar in your kitchen pantry. Brown sugar, honey, agave syrup, and maple syrup are other sweeteners to consider stocking up on as well.

Baking Spices

Spices such as cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg are all helpful in whipping up sweet treats. You’ll definitely want to include these in your arsenal of spices.

Vanilla Extract

For all of your baking needs and beyond, make sure to have a bottle of vanilla extract handy. Besides adding delicious flavor to many dishes and treats, this substance has alternate uses around the home. Baking Mad notes that it’s useful in eliminating common household odors, and - like baking soda, helps to ward off pests. 

Dry Goods to Stock in Your Pantry 

Next up are all the best dry goods to keep in your pantry, at all times.

Rice

This is a simple addition, but also an impactful one. Rice is a great side dish for any meal and is also useful to help settle an upset stomach for both humans and pets. Especially if you have a furry friend, rice is helpful if they’re not feeling well, as noted by the American Kennel Club. Have a few types of rice available - like white rice, whole grain rice, and brown rice. 

Cornstarch

Make sure to have this pantry staple on hand as it’s commonly used in a myriad of recipes.

Pasta

Pasta is a hearty and filling food that is extremely versatile. For that reason, you’ll want to have some in your kitchen pantry. Even the experts at Country Living noted that pasta is a main staple that chefs keep available as well.

Beans

Dried beans are a wonderful source of nutrients. Black beans, white beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans are all good for you and can be enjoyed on their own or as a part of a dish. Medical News Today cites beans as having many health benefits, from offering antioxidants to being a notable source of protein.

Oil, Vinegar, and Sauce, Oh My!

Having a selection of oils, vinegars, and sauces in your kitchen pantry makes it easier to cook, bake, and season accordingly. 

Oil

Vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, and canola oil are great basics to have on hand. Also in the oil category, you should have non-stick cooking spray to make cooking and clean-up a breeze.

Vinegar

You may not have realized there were so many types of vinegar until you began stocking your pantry. Invest in bottles of red wine vinegar, balsamic, apple cider vinegar, and rice wine vinegar for all of your cooking and salad dressing needs. Apple cider vinegar also offers many health benefits, aiding in weight loss and immunity defense as referenced by Healthline.

Sauces 

There are several sauces you’ll want to stock in your pantry. Worcestershire sauce, honey, soy sauce, as well as yellow mustard and dijon are all worth having on hand. Also, peanut butter is great to have (unless you have an allergy). 

Canned Goods to Stockpile

Canned goods have a long shelf-life and are a wonderful addition to your pantry stock list.

Canned Vegetables

Always have nutrients in stock by keeping a selection of canned vegetables in your pantry.

Canned Soup

Be ready for a cold winter’s day with a few cans of soup at your disposal.

Cooking Stock

It’s important to have cooking stock on hand for many different recipes. Chicken, vegetable, beef, and bone broth are all the must-haves.

Whether it goes into a sauce, a soup, or a more in-depth dish, diced tomatoes are a versatile item to have available.

Spices and Herbs for Delicious Flavoring

Finally, spices and herbs are a fabulous way to make your food taste amazing. Don’t skimp on these cooking staples, and keep them well-organized in your pantry for easy access when whipping up a meal.

Salt and Pepper

These are the most basic of all spices! For salt, kosher salt, sea salt, and Himalayan are the big three. For pepper, freshly ground pepper and whole peppercorns with a grinder are what you need. Also have crushed red pepper and cayenne pepper on hand.

Cumin

Add an explosion of flavor to your dishes with the addition of cumin.

Smoked Paprika

Paprika is another spice that adds a bit of pizzazz to any dish.

Garlic and Onion Powder

These spices are called for in almost every main dish, and for good reason! They add a ton of flavor, so be sure to have them ready to sprinkle into almost every recipe.

Dried Herbs 

There are several dried herbs to consider, including basil, thyme, & oregano.

Conclusion

This list may seem overwhelming, but stocking up a little bit at a time will help ensure that you have all the essentials at your disposal whenever you need them! Think about the amount of time & money you'll save in the long run!

Sources

• https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/six-foods-to-feed-your-dog-when-hes-sick/ 
• https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-store-flour/
• https://www.bakingmad.com/baking-tips/6-alternative-uses-for-vanilla-extract 
• https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g32869067/chef-pantry-staples/?slide=9 
• https://www.doityourself.com/stry/10-genius-uses-for-baking-soda
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320192