What Makes a Stocked Pantry?

The Meals Maven's Pantry

Over the years I've observed that I have a well-stocked pantry compared to many people, and I'm often surprised by what's NOT in people's pantry's. Let's chat about a well-stocked kitchen over the next few blog posts and see what all the fuss is about!

Keeping a well-stocked pantry can be the difference between whipping something up for a meal and ordering in (or going out). It's not a big deal if you don't think it is, but if you feel guilt, shame, or regret every time you go out when you would rather not, this is one of those things you can do to take control and find some satisfaction and happiness in your kitchen.


Keeping your pantry stocked enables you to run a more efficient and organized kitchen. It makes your meal planning and grocery shopping easier and quicker, and by keeping everything organized and knowing what you have means less time and money is wasted.​ It's so important, in fact, that I offer pantry audits as one of my services, because it's one of those places in our homes that seems to encourage chaos. I encourage you to do your own pantry audit before you run out to shop for your staples- you may find things in there you forgot you had!

We'll go over fridge and freezer stocking another time, and at the end of it all we'll put together a list of a few ideas of meals you can throw together with what you have.

Some standard pantry staples:

• Tomato Paste
• Diced Tomatoes
• Rice 
• Pasta
• Quinoa
• Canned Beans and Lentils
• Bagged Beans, Lentils and Split Peas
• Salt and Pepper
• Oregano, Basil, Thyme
• Cumin, Chili Powder
• Italian Seasoning + 1 other blend of herbs and spices
• Onions
• Garlic
• Potatoes
• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Rice Vinegar
• Chicken, Vegetable, and Beef Broth
• Salsa
• Coffee, Tea (including herbal)
• Flour and Cornstarch
• Rolled Oats (or steel cut, whatever you've got!)
• Brown Sugar
• Molasses
• Peanut butter and peanuts

​My stocked pantry includes items most people would probably not consider as basics, but we don't let ourselves run out. These items include all of these above plus:

• As many nuts and seeds as possible (cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds)
• Flavoured olive oils and balsamic vinegars
• Dates, raisins, and dried figs
• Many, many herbs and spices

There are overlaps, of course, between fridge and pantry. If we open the salsa, for example, it lives in the fridge. And we keep our ketchup in the fridge too, though I hear it's shelf-stable and refrigeration isn't required.

Here's a recipe using basic pantry ingredients to create baked beans in the slow cooker- a perfect recipe for the weather we are enjoying today in Fort Saskatchewan!

Have a comment? Want to tell me what I missed (or added) that makes my stocked pantry different than yours? Feel free to leave a note for us here or hop over to my Facebook page and start the conversation there.

Have a great week, friends!
Stacy
#kitchenorganization
#pantrygoals
​#fallrecipe

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