25 Pantry Essentials for Easy Meals
A well-stocked kitchen can be more valuable than a fully charged cell phone in the middle of a blackout. Having pantry essentials on hand means easy meals and endless inspiration for that age-old question: What’s for dinner?
OILS AND VINEGARS
Most recipes call for some type of oil, but not all oils are created equal. Meanwhile, having different vinegars available allows you to mix up a variety of palate-pleasing dressings, marinades, and glazes.
What’s in the bottle: Canola oil
What it’s best for: Baked goods, from cake to cookies to pie crust
Consider making: Heavenly but Healthy Cookies
What’s in the bottle: Extra virgin olive oil
What it’s best for: Sautéing and salad dressings that are way healthier than store-bought
Consider making: Sautéed mixed vegetables
What’s in the bottle: Balsamic vinegar
What it’s best for: Salad dressings, marinades
Consider making: Balsamic grilled pork chops
What’s in the bottle: Red wine vinegar
What it’s best for: Salad dressings, marinades
Consider making: Mixed greens with red wine vinaigrette
CONDIMENTS
Think beyond ketchup and mayo when stocking your pantry. Go for sauces that take ho-hum to “Oh, yum!”
What’s in the bottle: Hot sauce
What it’s best for: Jazzing up scrambled eggs, soups, and chilies; making wing or chicken taco buffalo sauce
Consider making: Buffalo chicken tacos
What’s in the bottle: Barbecue sauce
What it’s best for: Smothering chicken, pork, or brisket; BBQ pizza; perking up baked potatoes
Consider making: Smoky corn and black bean pizza
What’s in the bottle: Worcestershire sauce
What it’s best for: Making meats (especially steak) more flavorful, adding zest to veggie sides
Consider making: Roasted Brussels sprouts
What’s in the bottle: Soy sauce
What it’s best for: Stir-fry recipes and other Asian-inspired dishes
Consider making: Easy fried rice
CANNED GOODS
With the basics, you can whip up all manner of sauces, soups, and chilies.
What’s in the can: Tomatoes (whole, crushed, paste)
What it’s best for: Adding flavor (and fiber) to stews, enchilada fillings, and chilies; pasta or pizza sauce
Consider making: Healthier chicken or eggplant Parmesan
What’s in the can: Beans (from cannellini and chickpea to black and pinto)
What it’s best for: Soups and stews packed with protein
Consider making: Slow-cooker three-bean chili
What’s in the can: Broth (vegetable, chicken, beef)
What it’s best for: Flavoring grains and serving as a base for soups
Consider making: Winter vegetable soup
What’s in the can: Fish and meat (chicken, tuna, salmon)
What it’s best for: Salads, stews, casseroles
Consider making: Tuna salad
PASTAS AND GRAINS
Having a variety of grains at the ready allows you to make hearty dishes fast.
What’s in the box: Oats
What it’s best for: Adding to oatmeal, cereal, or yogurt for breakfast; baked goods
Consider making: Granola
What’s in the box: Pasta (regular or whole-grain spaghetti, penne, rotini, or lasagna noodles; plus a package of tortellini or ravioli)
What it’s best for: Italian-style dishes and bakes, soups
Consider making: Simple lasagna
What’s in the box: Rice (white and/or brown)
What it’s best for: Asian-inspired dishes, soups, rice pudding
Consider making: Slow-cooker chicken and rice
What’s in the box: Quinoa
What it’s best for: Adding a protein punch to oatmeal, salads, chilies, and more
Consider making: Black bean and quinoa salad
HERBS AND SPICES
Salt and pepper are givens (coarse sea salt and black peppercorns for discerning tastes), but a well-stocked spice rack will take your meals over the top.
What’s in the jar: Garlic powder
What it’s best for: Marinades, salad dressings, meatball and meatloaf recipes
Consider making: Pork tenderloin marinade
What’s in the jar: Italian seasoning (a mix of herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary)
What it’s best for: Marinades, salad dressings, pasta sauce, veggies
Consider making: Italian-seasoned chicken
What’s in the jar: Crushed red pepper flakes
What it’s best for: Pizza and pasta sauces, stir-fry dishes
Consider making: Slightly spicy tomato sauce
What’s in the jar: Cinnamon
What it’s best for: Baked goods, stews, meat sauces, marinades
Consider making: Cinnamon sugar cookies
What’s in the jar: Nutmeg
What it’s best for: Baked goods, squash-based soups
Consider making: Pumpkin pie
FROZEN FOODS
Your freezer is at least a few steps away from the pantry and a whole lot colder. But having some frozen staples will save you time and money.
What’s in the bag: Spinach
What it’s best for: Side dishes, soups, pastas
Consider making: Spinach tortellini soup
What’s in the bag: Mixed veggies
What it’s best for: Stir-fry recipes
Consider making: Easy stir fry
What’s in the bag: Broccoli, corn, and peas
What it’s best for: Side dishes, casseroles
Consider making: Broccoli with cheese sauce
What’s in the bag: Berries
What it’s best for: Smoothies, breakfast, snacks, baked goods
Consider making: Blueberry muffins
The more you can cook with what’s on hand, the easier it will become to pull a delicious meal together in no time at all.