Stocking Your Pantry, Refrigerator And Freezer

Below is my list of "Essentials"... Keeping your pantry, refrigerator and freezers stocked with the essentials will make life easier! Plan your week accordingly and make meals ahead so your busy week does not get in the way of a great meal. I also keep items stocked for last minute guests! I hope this list helps you to make things a little easier.

If you are following a diet or have dietary restrictions then this list will vary but it is a good guideline for everyday ingredients to keep handy!

In the Pantry

Here is a list of items that you should always have in the pantry.

Applesauce (unsweetened)

Arrowroot powder (thickening agent)

Artichokes (canned)

Baking powder

Baking sugar

Balsamic Vinegar

Bouillon cubes (beef and chicken, just in case you run out of chicken broth)

Bread crumbs (Italian and plain)

Brownie mix

Canned Tomatoes

Canned tuna

Canola oil

Cereals

Chestnuts

Chicken broth (stock, low sodium)

Chocolate

Chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

Cocoa

Coconut (shredded)

Cornstarch (great thickening agent)

Croutons

Dijon mustard

Flour

Gelatin

Honey

Nuts (almonds, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, wal-nuts)

Oatmeal

Oils

Olive oil

Onions

Peanut butter

Marinades

Pasta

Potatoes

Preserves

Pudding

Pepper (black)

Rice

Roasted Red Peppers

Sea Salt

Soy sauce

Stocks of broth (chicken, beef, and vegetable)

Spices and dried herbs

Sugar

Syrups

Tomato sauce and paste

Tuna (canned)

Vinegar

Worcestershire Sauce

 

Here is a list of items for the refrigerator

These are items you will use often. Buy only what you need for the week, as refrigerator life on most foods is very short.

Butter (keep an extra box in the freezer—I buy unsalted)

Buttermilk (only if you plan on using during the week – it also comes in powder)

CapersCreams (if you plan on baking—half-and-half, light cream, heavy cream, sour cream, cream cheese)

Dijon mustard

Eggs

Fresh fruits

Fresh protein (chicken, meat, pork)

Garlic (fresh and minced in a jar)

Hummus

Lemon juice

Lime juice

Mayonnaise

Milk (skim or 1 percent)

Onions

Orange juice

Salsa

Yogurt

Vegetables

Worcestershire sauce

Here is a list of food to keep in your freezer

If you are at the grocery store and poultry, meats, or fish are on sale, buy them now and freeze for later.

Bread

Frozen bagels

Frozen vegetables

Broccoli

Chopped onion (great for cooking when you don't have a fresh one handy)

Corn

Green beans

Peas

Shredded potatoes

Spinach (chopped and leaf)

Frozen fruit (when your bananas are getting too ripe and you're not going to use them, peel and freeze them—they're great for smoothies)

Ginger (great for cooking and tea)

Lean ground turkey or chicken (buy in bulk and put in individual freezer-safe bags)

Leftovers (freeze in single-serving containers—great for easy reheating; make a salad, and dinner is done!)

Nuts (they keep longer in the freezer (raw and pine nuts)

Parmesan cheese rind (great for extra flavor in soup)

Prime cuts of beef (if you're going to spend the money to buy them, enjoy them fresh)

Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sausage (breakfast and Italian)

Unsalted nuts (buy in bulk and leave in the freezer)

Veggie or meat burgers (all prepared)

 

Cindy's Tips: Buy chicken and hamburger in bulk when on sale – put into individual freezer safe bags and ready to use! Also, when you make homemade marinara/tomato sauce – put in individual freezer bags, lay flat on top of each other.

 

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