Do you want to build a well-stocked pantry on a budget but need help knowing where to start? You’re in the right place! Today, I’ll share with you the best pantry staples to stock up on so when life gets too busy, you can make quick and easy meals without busting your budget!
One way I save money at home is by keeping a well-stocked frugal pantry. When life gets hectic, I can easily prepare quick, affordable meals instead of resorting to takeout, which is often expensive and not always healthy.
Cooking from scratch not only helps me save money and time, but it also allows me to control portions and ingredients. Plus, if someone in your family has food allergies or dietary needs, you can adjust recipes accordingly and make sure you're serving food that’s safe and nourishing.
If you're wondering which pantry staples to keep on hand to save both money and time, check out the list below!
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How can I stock my pantry for cheap?
Table of Contents
Planning to stock your pantry with a limited budget is doable. You can build a frugal pantry over time with these steps:
- Plan your meals. I can't emphasize enough how helpful meal planning is. With a meal plan, you can zero in on the pantry staples you know will get used and won't go to waste.
- Be aware of sales and discounts. Grocery stores typically follow a sales cycle, so knowing when they'll put your desired pantry staples on sale would be advantageous. Also, checkf for discounted items to save money, but check the expiration dates.
- Opt for store brands. Plenty of store-brand products are sold for a fraction of the cost of their name-brand counterparts. Check your choices of sugar, salt, dried herbs and spices, and baking supplies.
- Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk can save money, especially for pantry staples with a long shelf life, such as grains and pasta.
- Store the products. Proper storage helps extend the life of your pantry items. Put frozen veggies and meat in the freezer. It's also good to portion them first so you can just take them out and thaw what you need for that meal. Opened products must be transferred to containers with airtight seals. Keep your pantry closed and check it out occasionally to clear out insects and other critters.
- Remember to replenish your stocks. Don't wait until you run out of your pantry staples to get more. Instead, do frequent inventory checks so you know which products must be restocked on your next grocery trip.
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Basic pantry staples list
Wondering what pantry staples to stock at home? Below is a list of basic pantry items you might use frequently, so keeping your pantry stocked with them is wise. But every family is different, so your pantry staples may look slightly different from this, and that's okay. What matters is you are saving money and feeding your family properly.
1. Pasta
Pasta is a great pantry staple because you can use it in many recipes. Apart from the classic spaghetti and Bolognese, I use pasta in soups and salads as well.
2. Rice
Rice is another versatile ingredient that can stretch your main meals. Add it to casseroles and soups; make sushi, rice balls, and more. You can make many recipes with rice and a few other ingredients from your pantry.
3. Pasta sauce
I don't buy a lot of pasta sauce because I love making it from scratch but it's still nice to stock up on pasta sauce for occasions when you don't have time to make it from scratch.
Pasta sauce has a lot of flavors in one jar or pack. Apart from pasta dishes, you can also use pasta sauce in homemade pizzas, stews, soups, and casseroles.
4. Tomato sauce
Pasta sauce is like seasoned tomato sauce, but you still want to keep some regular tomato sauce in your pantry for your favorite recipes. Or you can grow tomatoes in your garden or purchase a lot of them at the grocery stores when they're in season and make your own tomato sauce at home. You can freeze it or can it.
5. Flour
Flour can be used in various dishes, from baked goods and pancakes to batter for fried chicken and slurry to thicken soups. So, it's definitely a must-have in your pantry!
6. Bread
No time to bake bread? For small families, it’s often more practical to just buy bread. I like to buy it in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze the extras! Bread freezes well and can last for months in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, just thaw, and it tastes just as fresh.
7. Oatmeal
Oh, how I love having instant or quick-cook oatmeal in my pantry! It's delicious, quick to make, and rich in fiber!
8. Sugar
Sugar is another pantry staple that must always be in your stock. It is used to sweeten coffee and smoothies and added to various recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes. Sugar typically has a long shelf life, so it's good to stockpile some when it’s on sale to save money.
9. Eggs
Eggs are super versatile, so they're a must-have staple. You can make all sorts of meals with eggs, from breakfast omelets to baked goods like bread and muffins. In addition, you can make an egg sandwich for a healthy snack or an egg salad as a tasty side dish.
10. Canned beans
Beans are inexpensive, versatile, and great for whipping up a quick meal. For example, you can make chili with kidney beans or other canned beans or if you're vegan, just leave out the ground beef from the recipe. Baked beans, burritos, and refried beans are some of the best meals you can make with canned beans.
11. Dry beans
I always have red kidney beans (for Chili) and green mung beans (for our favorite soups) in my pantry. Beans are cheap and can make delicious dishes!
12. Garlic powder | onion powder | chili powder
Keeping a decent supply of your favorite spices in powder form can also help reduce your grocery bill. For example, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder all keep well if stored properly, and they make the best alternative when you've run out of fresh spices or don't have the time to mince fresh garlic and chop onions.
13. Canned tuna
Canned tuna is a cheap source of protein and is perfect for replacing other meat in some of your meals. It is fantastic as a filling and can be turned into a delicious side dish, salad, or main meal.
14. Frozen vegetables
Frozen vegetables are also some of the best pantry staples. Unlike fresh veggies that go bad after a few days, frozen ones keep well in the freezer; all you have to do is take them out and use them. You can readily use frozen veggies in many recipes, including soups and stews, casseroles, stir-fries, etc.
15. Baking soda and baking powder
It's also good to keep baking supplies on hand when making baked goods from scratch. I also use baking soda for cleaning!
Baking soda and baking powder are cheap, and store brands work just as well as name brands.(Don’t overstock these as they lose their leavening power as they age.)
16. Oils
Oils are must-have pantry items. You use them for almost all types of cooking, so keeping your kitchen stocked with your favorite oils is always a great move. For example, you can use coconut and canola oils for frying and stir-frying, while olive oil is perfect for making homemade salad dressings.
17. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar offers excellent health benefits, and it can be used for salad dressings as well. This vinegar has a long shelf life too.
18. Powdered milk
Powdered milk is also always included in our grocery list. Although we also keep stock of fresh milk, powdered milk comes to the rescue when the fresh one runs out. You can also use powdered milk as an alternative coffee creamer, add it to your smoothies, and for baking.
19. Diced tomatoes
Diced tomatoes are one of the canned goods we always keep on hand. They can be used for soups, stews, and pasta, so it's always good to include them in your grocery budget.
20. Lemon juice
If you like that zesty flavor in your meals, then consider stocking up on lemon juice. Lemon juice can elevate the taste of your salads and make fish and meat-based meals even more delicious. And, oh, you can add lemon juice to cocktails.
21. Ground beef
Ground beef is one of the most versatile pantry staples. You can make meatballs, patties, chilis, and tacos out of them, perfect for throwing together a delicious quick dinner for your family. While ground beef is not the cheapest type of meat, you can check grocery store ads to see if it’se on sale and then buy it in bulk.
22. Dried herbs
It's good to grow your fresh herbs at home, but if that's not possible, opting for dried herbs is always a great idea. Dried ones last longer and are more convenient, although the flavors may not be as intense and potent as the fresh herbs.
23. Canned meats
Canned meats like canned chicken are convenient, and budget-friendly, so they're great pantry items. You can make chicken salad with canned chicken. After adding herbs and spices, mayo, onion, and celery, you might forget that it's canned and not fresh.
24. Peanut butter
Love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Then you should always keep peanut butter on hand. Peanut butter sandwiches are great and filling snacks, but you can also add peanut butter to your smoothies, salads, or make Thai peanut noodles, peanut butter chicken, pancakes, and cookies. Nut butters are excellent and cheap sources of protein and healthy fats, and they are great pantry items for whipping up a quick side dish or healthy snack.
25. Chicken stock
Chicken stock is a handy pantry staple that you can use for soups, gravies, stews, and pan sauces. Using chicken stock in your grains and pasta dishes makes them even more flavorful.
Update: I no longer buy chicken stock. I just use the bones from a rotisserie chicken to make stock or bone broth. It doesn't cost anything and tastes just as good!
26. Cocoa powder
Cocoa powder is one of the best pantry staples. You can make hot chocolate on a rainy day or pair it well with chocolate chips. If you have yet to try it, add cocoa powder to your smoothies for a richer flavor and texture.
27. Crackers
It's always great to have crackers for quick, delicious light snacks. Crackers go well with cheese, tuna, or other meats.
28. Frozen fruit
Frozen fruits are excellent pantry staples. You can top oats with frozen fruit or use them in your pies and cobblers. We turn to frozen fruits for our daily smoothies when fresh fruits are too expensive.
29. Hot dogs
Hot dogs are not the healthiest pantry staples, but we just like keeping them in stock for quick breakfasts. You can also make sandwiches using hot dog buns, ketchup, and mustard.
30. Frozen meatballs
Frozen meatballs are great products to keep in the freezer. From spaghetti with meatballs and meatball subs to meatball soup, there are so many recipes you can make with them. While you can make your meatballs from scratch, preparing frozen ones can save you time on hectic nights.
31. Tortillas
Tortillas are also one of our favorite pantry items. Besides the fact that you can freeze them, extending their shelf life, they are also super versatile. We love making tacos with tortillas, filling them with ground meat, cheap veggies, and toppings. Other options include traditional Mexican fare like burritos, fajitas, breakfast wraps, and tortilla soup.
32. Carrots
When it comes to fresh veggies, carrots are always on my mind. Carrots have a long shelf life and can easily extend any meal at a low price. You can shred carrots, mash them, bake them with chicken, or add them to soups, stews, and casseroles.
33. Potatoes
Like carrots, potatoes are also cheap and shelf-stable. Potatoes can be turned into mojos, hash browns, and fries. Potatoes are also a great ingredient to add to soups and stews and are often used as a side dish to complement meat-based dinners.
34. Bouillion Paste
Bouillion paste is a concentrated product made with vegetables, meat, and seasonings. It's a cheap and convenient alternative to stocks. All you need to do is dissolve the paste in water, and it'll readily impart the flavors to your delicious recipes.
35. Cheese
Of course, don't forget to buy some cheese. It's versatile and can be used for salads, quesadillas, pizza, and sandwiches. You can also simply eat it with crackers or cold cuts as a quick snack when you're hungry.
Final Thoughts
Having a well-stocked pantry is not just good for the budget but for your sanity too. Think of the convenience of “shopping” in your pantry for a quick and easy dinner. You can skip ordering take-outs or rushing out to buy ingredients.
You can build a frugal pantry by stocking up on the basics. It's essential to consider what your family will eat so nothing gets wasted. Once you've developed a good system for spotting sales and discounts, and meal planning, your well-stocked pantry will serve you well.
