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

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

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

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.

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