Today I want to talk about pantry staples: dry goods and spices. We all know a well-stocked pantry is the backbone of a functional kitchen. It ensures that you have the essential ingredients on hand to whip up delicious meals, even on busy days or when fresh produce is in short supply. Or let’s face it, when you simply don’t feel like going to the store.
Among the pantry staples, dry goods and spices play a crucial role in adding flavor, texture, and versatility to your dishes.
Stocking a staple pantry kind of depends on how you eat as a family, so keep in mind that you may have to tweak the list if you avoid certain foods {i.e. glutens, sugars, animal products, etc.} due to dietary choices and/or restrictions.
But this basic list of pantry staples: dry goods and spices should help you build a well-rounded collection.
Pantry Staples: Dry Goods and Spices
Grains
Rice, quinoa, couscous, oats, and pasta are all versatile staples that can serve as the foundation for various dishes.
Legumes
My favorite category! Beans, lentils and peas are excellent sources of plant-based protein. They can be used in salads, soups, stews, and more.
Baking Supplies
Flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, cornstarch and cocoa powder are essentials for baking bread, cakes, cookies, and other homemade treats.
Canned Goods
Tomatoes, tomato paste, peppers, broth, and beans {canned versions of black, kidney, pinto…whatever your family prefers} are convenient options for adding quick depth and flavor to your meals.
Spices
Spices are the secret to elevating ordinary dishes into culinary masterpieces in my opinion. If you have a collection of spices in your pantry, you can experiment with different cuisines and flavors.
Plus, as an added bonus, there are a lot of spices that offer health-promoting properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Cinnamon, ginger and turmeric and just a few.
Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, parsley are always in my pantry.
I also love adding red pepper flakes to amp up the flavor in many dishes too.
Baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, anise and vanilla beans are in my dry goods pantry as well.
And let’s not forget about honey and maple syrup!
Keeping your pantry stocked with a selection of dry goods and spices sets the stage for cooking success in my book. These essential ingredients offer versatility, flavor and cost-effectiveness to your meals.
By ensuring your pantry is well-stocked, you can easily create delicious dishes even when time is limited or your garden is no longer producing.
What are some of YOUR pantry essentials? What dry goods do you always try and keep stocked in your cupboards? I’d love to know.
~Mavis
JoAnn Moran says
I love all your staples and agree. In the last year so have fallen in love again with sun dried tomatoes, and so keep a jar or two in my pantry to add to dishes. I love them in a variety of things, but have been adding them to quiche and paella when I make it.
Mavis Butterfield says
Sun dried tomatoes are a big favorite around here!
JamieH says
In addition to the items you listed I try to keep a variety of bouillon in my pantry. It takes up much less space and just a pinch of the powder can really kick up a gravy or sauce.
Beth says
I agree with everything mentioned and would add farro as a grain I keep on hand. I know you mentioned dry goods but I also keep items on hand to make marinades- a favorite marinade we use frequently uses soy sauce, pineapple juice and sherry cooking wine so those 3 items are on hand all the time. I buy the little cans of pineapple juice even though they cost more because one can is the perfect amount for the marinade.
BETTY J STEVENSON says
Mavis do you buy your flours, sugar and other baking supplies at the grocery store or in bulk ? I don’t recall seeing you purchase any. But I’m kinda new to your blog. But love it and cheering you on to your 100 goal !! Which would make you a hero in my book!
Mavis Butterfield says
I buy in bulk. I like getting the big bags of flour and sugar from Costco. A little goes a long way when there is only 2 people in the house. 🙂
Lynn Y says
How long do you find the bulk flour from Costco lasts before going rancid?
Lynda says
The “ new” flours( vs stone ground fresh ones), last for ages…the stone ground ones need to go into your fridge. I was told by our local mill that in the “ old day” people had their flour ground weekly so it was fresh….
Lynn Y says
I have both a working pantry and a deep, long-term pantry. Canned tomatoes are the biggy of staples my family loves. Lately, though, I’ve been doing a deep-dive into not just culinary herbs to grow but medicinal herbs. I then dry them and place them in Ball jars. Lemon balm can be used not only for tea, but it makes a great pesto when paired with chardonnay when cooked. Stinging nettles have been an addition to my garden now for 3 years, but do your research on that one as there are certain times when one should not consume it (after it flowers, unless you are gathering seeds for medicinal purposes). I do want to get my hands on dehydrated/powdered worcestershire sauce so that it does not waste space in my fridge.
Maureen says
Lynn, I didn’t know dehydrated Worcestershire was a thing! great idea if you can find it
Amanda says
I had never heard of this either but am interested to find it!
Loy says
Check here or search on Amazon. https://www.firehousepantrystore.com/worscpw.html
Deb says
I have never kept my Worcestershire sauce in the fridge….it’s always been in the cupboard.
Teckla says
Mine too! Never had any kind of problem with it
rita says
I have never refrigerated worcestershire sauce. Like soya sauce, it sits in the cupboard for years.
Rosemary says
My pantry has a lot of similar items that you do – rice, pasta, canned soups, fruits & veggies, spaghetti sauce, flour, sugar & various baking products, pancake mix & syrup, olive oil, vinegar, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing and various other sauces, tuna fish, bottled water, all kinds of spices and a good supply of paper plates & bowls, plastic forks, spoons & knives. I keep the extra flour and sugar in the freezer – it keeps it fresher longer and keeps invading insects away. I put the opened pasta, pancake mix, etc. into mason jars to help keep it fresh and keep out those pesky insects. It’s nice to know that if I should get unexpected company, I have something that I can make – whether it is a meal, a snack or a dessert.
We live in a rural area, and it is not cost or gas efficient to run to the store every time I need something. Having a pantry saves time and money. It also comes in handy during hurricane season (I live in Florida) – no need to go to the store when it is super crowded because everyone waited until the last minute to get supplies. When the power goes out, we don’t have water (even with a generator) – hence the need for a supply of paper products and bottled water.
I honestly cannot remember any time in my life when we did not have a pantry. There is just something about it that gives me peace of mind.
Kathy says
The most essential staple in my spice cupboard is imported sweet Hungarian paprika. It helps with browning and also bringing out natural juices in meats.
Also, in case I run out of homemade bone broth, Better Than Bouillon roasted beef base and roasted chicken base, with seasoned vegetable base for kicks. All 3 are tasty addition to soups, stews and gravies when the frozen broth runs out and I haven’t made more.
Heather says
Lard from pasture raised pigs. It makes good biscuits, pie crusts, and is good for frying meats/ fried chicken too.
Emma says
I love the look of that cuboard but I probably have three times as many spices (in small jars) and two times as much of the other stuff, more grains, pastas, beans, cornmeal, almond flour, etc. This doesn’t even included canned tomatoes, etc. My kitchen is overflowing with pantry stuff.
KC says
I think the best way to figure out your pantry staples is to work from what you cook/eat and identify which things you find it inconvenient to be out of. Otherwise you end up with a lot of stuff-other-people-use-a-lot expiring (or getting bugs in it) and find you’ve either never used it or only used it once – and pantries need to be used to stay good.
(but if one moves and leaves the pantry behind, then going over a list like this to remember what to stock up on is a great way to go!)
Theresa says
I love your jars! Can you share where you got them? I’d like to buy some for my pantry.
kathy brown says
My pantry sounds like yours with a few additions. We buy local Community Coffee (state coffee of Louisiana) when it’s on sale, and seal a meal the vacuum bags to extend the life 4-5 times past the expiration date. And the biggie I discovered, and can’t live without: Hossier Hill Farms milk and cheese powders. No more running to the store for buttermilk, or when I’m out of sour cream or cream cheese among other things. These powders, when reconstituted, are just as good and flavorful as the fresh stuff. A game changer around here.
Karen says
I moved away years ago and miss Community Coffee! So good.
Carolina Cooper says
I live in New England and LOVE Community Coffee. I buy it on Amazon in various sizes of packages and strengths. And at reasonable prices. Check it out!
tracy says
Alas, I would three of Mavis’ cabinets just for the zillions of varieties of pasta I keep around…and use!
Michelle says
Back in your couponing days, how did you store pantry goods. I am going to assume you had boxes of processed goods. Plus the kids meant more foods on hand as well. Since I am still in that stage of life, lots of kids and processed junk (not my first choice, but it is what it is), how did you organize it all? Thanks!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I have all those dry goods and a ridiculous supply of spices. Tomorrow, I will buy more spices bogo. If I have canned green beans and tomato products, I feel happy. But, of course, I have many more pantry items in many categories. i love the cabinet in which spices are stored.
Lydia says
Mavis, I love cookbooks, and have a large collection. I especially like the older ones. Could you please give us the titles of the books you have on your shelf? I cannot read all of them, even though I enlarged the picture, and then used a magnifying glass!!!
Your pantry looks wonderful!!!
Amber from Ontario,( who is working hard in her garden, when she can, and glad that the awful smoke from forest fires in Quebec has abated. I was actually able to open some windows this morning and let a bit of fresh air into the house. )