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    Home » Recipe Roundups » Pantry Essentials (Stock Your Kitchen on A Budget)

    Published: Mar 22, 2020 · Modified: May 26, 2021 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Pantry Essentials (Stock Your Kitchen on A Budget)

    Here is a list of budget-friendly basic pantry essentials you can use to stock up your kitchen. You would find these food items or ingredients in my store cupboard at all times. As much as I don't stock up on them like they are going out of season, I still have them in a good quantity for convenience.  

    I believe they are essential commodities every kitchen should have. That being said, I have found myself calling up friends for salt before on a Sunday morning... not ideal at all but hey, I am only human.

    Pantry essentials

    When stockpiling, you might want to stock up for what will last you for up to a week or two weeks at least. While you are at it, consider the old, disabled, the weak and people that can’t afford to bulk buy.

    The list below may seem exhaustive, but they are the basic essentials you would need in your store cupboard. You don’t have to buy them all at once and if you did, then well done to you. Most of these ingredients are affordable and some you just need to top up as needed. Adapt these pantry lists to suit you

    The world is not ending and even if that is the case, food should be less of your worries.

    Here are some suggested lists of food to stockpile in an emergency or any other time for convenience

    Best tips for stocking your pantry wisely and on a budget

    Go for store-branded goods, it is a lot cheaper and has the same ingredients as your high street brand name. Don’t be surprised if what you are paying extra dollar or pound for came from the same supplier. trust me on this one, read the labels and you be surprised.

    Don’t fall for the trap of  BOGOF, only buy what you need and what you can afford.

    Let the size of your panty/ store cupboard guide you when bulk buying.

    Check the sell-by date/ expiration of the ingredients you are buying. Also, when stocking up on new items, bring out the stored ones and put the new ones at the back. That way, you get to use up the old stock before the new ones.

    Check your stock level and make a list to avoid impulse buying. If possible and when possible, stick to your list.

    Cooking oils and sauces

    Vegetable oil

    olive oil or any other flavourless oil

    coconut oil

    Vinegar (red, white or rice wine vinegar)

    Soy sauce: dark, light or low sodium soy sauce

    Oyster sauce

    Worcestershire sauce (your pasta dishes and stew would thank you for this ingredient)

    Dry spices, herbs and stock cubes

    Parsley

     Thyme

     Basil

    Oregano

    Paprika

    onion powder

    garlic powder or granules

    Stock cubes or bouillon powder, that could be chicken, beef of vegetables

    Salt

    Ground black pepper and red pepper flakes

    From the above spices, you can make Italian herbs, herb de provence and taco seasoning.

    Dry beans (legumes) or canned beans

    They take longer to cook but easier with an instant pot or any other pressure cooker

    black-eyed peas

    chickpeas

    kidney beans

    pinto beans

    black beans

    lentil: red, green or brown

    Tinned/canned food

    Remember to check the best before dates on the items.

    Canned tuna, Mackerel, Sardine

    Salmon: not an essential commodity, I buy them when they are on sale

    Canned tomatoes: chopped, crushed or plum

    Canned sweetcorn

    Tomato puree

    Coconut milk for the occasional curries

    Can opener

    image of pantry essentials.

    Baking essentials

    Flour (plain/ all-purpose or self-raisin, this could be white or whole wheat). This is the time to start making your own bread and easy homemade cakes.

    Yeast

    Baking powder

    Sugar: brown sugar, granulated or caster or sweetener of choice

    PICTURE OF BALING ESSENTIALS

    Pasta, Rice and other dry food

    You can make a lot of meals from these pantry essentials, always check your cupboard and ask yourself if you really need to ring your takeaway or whip something up quick.

    Pasta: spaghetti, linguine and the likes. I have simple pasta recipes you should try. Broccoli pasta and lemon garlic pasta.

    Rice: any types of rice you can get

    Couscous: never cooked with couscous before then you should try this instant pot vegetable couscous. it can be made on the stovetop if you don't have a pressure cooker

    Porridge oats

    Noodles: instant ramen or egg noodles, any is fine

    Everyday essentials

    You never want to leave these essential items out of your pantry list plus a cup of good tea makes all situations better

    Tea

    Coffee

    Peanut butter

    Sugar, honey, maple syrup or any other sweetener of choice

    Hot sauce like sriracha or tabasco

    Fridge essentials

    Fresh milk, Long life milk or evaporated milk: these types of milk have good shelf life on them

    Eggs: they can last for up to 2 weeks or longer

    Lemon juice: buy whole lemons, juice it and store in a bottle

    Butter

    Jam

    Mayonnaise

    Freezer essentials

    Ground beef: take it out of its packaging, portion and transfer to a Ziploc freezer bag. Flatten it and let all the air out, it saves you some freezer space.

    Frozen fish: portioned for convenience

    Chicken: boneless or bone-in chicken, portioned. Avoid freezing large birds and that would just take up all the space you can use for other essential stock.

    Quorn mince for a vegetarian option

    Cheese: shredded or whole, it freezes well too. I always shred my cheese and store in the freezer when it is nearing its sell-by date and that includes parmesan cheese.

    Frozen vegetables e.g. spinach, mixed bell pepper, mixed vegetables, four-season vegetables etc

    Extra butter

    Sweets ideas (Snack)

    Biscuits

    Chocolates

    Nuts (peanuts, cashew nuts, pistachio or whatever your favourite nut is)

    Fruit and vegetables that last long (fresh produce)

    The following fresh produce have at least 2 weeks shelf life on them and can stay out on the counter in a cool place without refrigeration

    Carrots

    Cabbage

    Apples

    Oranges, lemon, clementine or lime

    Onions and fresh garlic: garlic can be blended, portioned and stored in the freezer.

    Potatoes

    Butternut squash

    Yam

    Red bell peppers, versatile and last up to 2 weeks in the fridge

    PICTURE COLLAGE OF PANTRY ESSENTIALS.

    Right, that is all from me, do let me know if I have missed anything out on this list. Remember whatever you do stay safe, only buy what you need and shop wisely.

    Do you like my pantry essentials post, please share with your friends and families and don't forget to Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram if you make any recipes using your store cupboard essentials and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

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    Filed Under: Recipe Roundups

    About Ajoke

    Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

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