Pantry and Freezer Basics List

Pantry & Freezer Basics

This is a list of staples I like to keep on hand so that I have the building blocks for easy meals. If I have all, or most of these item, there are a number of different meals I can pull together quickly.

Produce:

Garlic – I love using fresh garlic cloves. Make sure you have a good garlic press too.

Onions – essential

Canned/Dry:

Diced tomatoes

Tomato sauce and paste

Crushed tomatoes

Black beans

Kidney beans

Chicken broth

Beef broth

Rice, white and brown

Spaghetti and other pasta shapes

Salsa

Baking and Cooking:

Oils – vegetable and olive

Cooking spray

Vinegar – at least white, but cider, and wine vinegars are also nice

Flour

Cornmeal

Sugar

Brown sugar

Powdered sugar

Baking powder

Baking soda

Cocoa

Quick cooking oatmeal

Peanut butter

Seasonings:

Garlic powder

Cumin

Chili powder

Oregano

Basil

Thyme

Cinnamon

Vanilla extract

Salt

Black pepper

Taco seasoning

Crushed red pepper flakes

Cayenne pepper

Paprika

Cajun seasoning

Seasoned salt

Lemon pepper

Nutmeg

Condiments:

Ketchup

Barbecue sauce

Mustard – brown, yellow and Dijon

Mayonnaise

Soy Sauce

Worcestershire sauce

Lemon and Lime juice – not really condiments, but they’re handy to have

Frozen:

Boneless chicken breasts and/or tenders

Ground beef

Bacon

Broccoli

Corn

Peas

Cooked chicken and cooked ground beef