Welcome to my Kitchen Essentials series. This series is all about keeping things simple and budget-friendly. The goal is to help you build a well-stocked pantry so you’re not constantly buying new ingredients, or tossing half-used ones, just to enjoy a variety of meals.
At first glance, the list might seem like a lot. But don’t worry, you don’t need to stock up all at once. Just grab ingredients as you need them for the recipes you’re making. If you are cooking from this series, you will use those same ingredients again and again. That’s the beauty of it: less waste, more meals, and simpler shopping.
I’ve broken the essentials down into 3 simple categories:
- Staples – Shelf or fridge stable items that last a long time and get used regularly
- Use it Once Opened – Things like canned tomatoes that are great to have, but need to be used soon after opening
- Perishables – Everyday ingredients like onions or eggs that are cheap, versatile, and easy to keep on hand
Let’s get into the list!
Staples
These are your long-lasting, shelf, or fridge stable MVPs. These are the items you’ll reach for again and again
- Vinegar (apple cider, white, rice wine, red wine)
- Soy sauce
- Cooking wine (red and white)
- Oils (olive oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil)
- Butter
- Peanut Butter
- Flour
- Oat
- Honey, agave, and/or maple syrup
- Corn Starch
- Pasta
- Rice (jasmine, long grain, basmati)
- Brown Sugar or Brown sugar replacement
- Sugar or Sugar Replacement
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Better than bullion or other easy stock agent
- Dried and/or canned legumes (chickpeas, lentils, black beans, etc.)
- Baking soda and baking powder
- The Essential Spices
- Hot sauce
- Yellow mustard
- Dijon mustard
- Ketchup, BBQ sauce, or other common condiments
Use it Once Opened
Great to keep on hand, but plan to use these soon after opening
- Canned coconut milk
- Canned tomatoes
- Jarred Sauces (marinara, curry paste)
- Broth Cartons (if you don’t use better than bouillon)
Perishables
Cheap, versatile, and always worth having around
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Onions
- Peppers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Fresh herbs
- Breads and tortillas
- Eggs/Egg whites
- Cheese
- Milk or milk substitute
Bonus Items
Not strictly essential, but great to have if you like variety or want to experiment.
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut flakes
- Nuts and seeds
- Dried fruits and raisins
- Canned pumpkin
- Breadcrumbs
Meals You Can Make With These Ingredients
Just with the items above, you can make:
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Beef Stew
- Pasta with Red Sauce
- Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Chili
- Carnitas
- Protein Pancakes
- Protein Cookies
- Whole Pork Tenderloins
- Whole Chickens
- BBQ Chicken Mac N Cheese
Final Thoughts
With just these ingredients, you’ll be surprised how many meals you can make without constantly stocking up on new ingredients. Whether you’re new to cooking or just trying to keep things simple, this list is a great foundation.
Start small, build over time, and most importantly, get your ass in the kitchen!
