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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