Having a pantry stocked with some of the basic essential cooking supplies will increase your enjoyment in the kitchen. There is nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of cooking and realizing you are out of sugar or oil, or…fill in the blank. It happens to me all the time. I have put this basic list of staples for your pantry together so that you can refer to it before shopping and add to your pantry so that you are ready to go.
Pantry Essentials
Having these ingredients on hand will help make your cooking experience go a little smoother and give you some room to try new modifications, substitute ingredients and make mistakes and recover.
Spices & Seasonings
- Basil
- Chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Curry
- Dry mustard
- Garlic (powder or minced)
- Lowry’s Seasoned salt
- Nutmeg
- Oregano
- Pepper – ground or peppercorns for grinding
- Red pepper flakes
- Rosemary
- Salt –Kosher or sea salt
Condiments, Oils & Vinegars
- Horseradish
- Hot Sauce
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard – French’s & Dijon
- Oils – Vegetable oil, olive oil and vegetable shortening
- Pickle relish
- Soy Sauce
- Vinegars – Red wine, Balsamic
- Worcestershire sauce
Before you go shopping, review this list and take a peek into your cupboards to confirm that you have the essential items included in the recipes. Print the list and add items that you just can’t do without so that you are always ready to get cooking. Be sure to share what essential ingredients you’ve added to your pantry list.
This list is designed to help you develop your first pantry. Once you have conquered this pantry list, you can expand your supplies and essential pantry items by referring to this article.
Mama’s Notes:
Tips
Mama Caruso’s Special Pantry Supplies
These are some of my go-to items that I love to have on hand, especially when I am feeling creative and getting ready to make something happen in the kitchen.
- Artichokes
- Black Olives
- Capers
- Cilantro
- Coconut Sugar
- Dates
- Diced Tomates
- Fig Jam
- Garbanzo beans – canned
- Green Olives
- Jalapenos
- Lavender Honey
- Lemons
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Pepperoncini Peppers
- Sriracha Sauce
- Tomato paste
- Vanilla Bean
Building a fully loaded pantry takes time. To fully stock the staples for your pantry, add one or two items from this list that you don’t currently have – build the pantry supplies slowly and before you know it – you will have everything you need to make awesome creations at the spur of the moment.
What’s in your pantry that is not included on this list? I’d love to hear from you.
Join Mama Caruso Cooks Cooking Club and learn what other everyday cooks have in their pantry, and what we all do when we have to scramble to replace something in the recipe we don’t have on hand. Let’s get cooking … together.
