With this list of pantry staples you’ll always be able to get dinner on the table. This list will help you shop and and prep your pantry in case you can’t get to the grocery store for a few weeks.

pantry staples graphic

Growing up, my family always had lots of canned and dry food stocked up. We weren’t prepping for anything, my mom just loved a good sale.

Nowadays, it’s important to have specifics on hand just in case. Next time you go to the grocery store, stock up on the following items so that you can always have dinner ready, no matter what.

The following are ideas of things to buy. The amount will depend on how many people there are in your family.

Canned Goods

Here are some of my favorite canned goods to have on hand. With these items you can easily make a pasta sauce, salad, or add protein to any meal.

  • Canned Beans: black/pinto/kidney for Mexican dishes, white/kidney beans are great to add to salads and pasta
  • Canned Tomatoes: crushed, diced, and tomato sauce so you can easily make soups, sauces and chili
  • Canned Fruit for making simple desserts
  • Canned Vegetables (or skip these and use frozen ones)
  • Chili
  • Canned Stock
  • Cream-based soups to make casseroles
  • Diced green chilies
  • Olives
  • Pasta Sauce (tomato, pesto, etc)

Dry Goods

These also have late expiration dates and are great for throwing together easy meals.

  • Dried pasta
  • Rice
  • Lentils
  • Quinoa
  • Cereal
  • Oats (if you only buy one, buy old fashioned because you can make your own quick oats if needed)

Other Pantry Staples

These are items that we often buy because we “always have them” but they’re great to stock up on because they last a long time.

  • Salad Dressing
  • Oil
  • Vinegar
  • Condiments
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Peanut Butter
  • Jam or Jelly

Spices

I love having a huge range of spices, but if you want to save money, here are the ones that I consider MUST HAVES.

  • Garlic powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Chili Powder
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Baking Supplies

  • All Purpose Flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Baking Soda
  • Baking Powder
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Rapid Rise Yeast

Frozen Foods

With canned and frozen foods you can make any meal anytime!

  • Chicken (breasts are what we prefer, but get what you like)
  • Steak (chuck roast for crockpot meals, and we also stock up on top sirloin and flank or skirt steak)
  • Ground beef and ground turkey
  • Sausages
  • Bacon
  • Frozen vegetables (corn, peas, broccoli, and even a few stir fry vegetables)
  • Frozen pastas (tortellini and ravioli)

Fresh Foods you can FREEZE

Yes, freeze! There are fresh foods you can keep in the freezer if you stock up.

  • Butter
  • Cheese
  • Bread and Tortillas

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