While your family will need to stock the pantry staples that you use most often, I thought that putting together a list of my own cheap pantry staples would also help you.

These best pantry staples are great to have on hand so there are no last minute trips to the store because you forgot a few staple pantry items to make a meal. Plus, these pantry staples for recipes are so convenient to have on hand when you can make quick and easy meals out of them.

And, having healthy pantry staples for families on hand will help you stay out of the drive thru! But the best part is that you keep it in your refrigerator and never have to stock up on cans of broth again, saving time and space!

We use canned black and kidney beans to add substance to almost every dish in order to add substance. Plus, beans are an excellent source of iron, a mineral that most women are in need of. Plus, when I want a super cheap and healthy snack, I just whip open a can of chickpeas and make some easy homemade hummus.

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Plus, having it on hand makes for a super simple dinner when you forget to thaw meat to cook. This item is probably the most expensive one on this list.

But there is usually always at least one brand on sale weekly at the grocery store, and it can be frozen to use later so you can stock up when you see that sale. Ooey, gooey cheese is one ingredient that always makes everything it touches taste better.

We use cheese on pretty much everything, which makes this one of the most bought staple pantry items in our house! We eat a lot of eggs in our home, especially because they are one of the cheapest breakfast foods you can feed your family!

This means we keep at least a dozen eggs or two on hand at all times. It even has a permanent spot on my weekly grocery shopping list. Frozen Veggies Frozen veggies are so much cheaper than fresh produce, and they allow you the flexibility of always having them on hand.

Broccoli, Green Beans, and Brussel Sprouts are three things you should keep stocked in your freezer to make it easy to add some healthy veggies to your meals without breaking the bank. I also like to keep several bags of mixed veggies in there too. I can easily make a quick Instapot Chicken Pot Pie with them along with a few other ingredients I always have on hand.

Or when you buy some delicious looking strawberries and you go to eat them only to discover that there was a moldy, rotten one in the middle ruining the whole batch?! I hate that! Buying frozen berries eliminates all the frustrations. And usually they are cheaper than their fresh counterparts! Whether we are using them for a quick pancake topping, a quick milkshake or smoothie, we always have frozen strawberries on hand with our staple pantry items.

This sounds like an odd staple, but we start nearly every dinner with these two items in our crock pot or frying pan. Choose green peppers because they are your cheapest option over the other colors.

Onions add great flavor to every meal, without adding much extra cost for the healthy pantry staples for families. We use lemon juice for cleaning, but there are so many recipes that call for it as well!

Lemon juice has a long shelf life, making it one of the best staple pantry items. This is a great base for making your own homemade salad dressings. Where you aware that half a cup of white vinegar can be used instead of laundry softener or as a replacement for Jet Dry in your dishwasher?

Who knew?! Coconut Oil Coconut oil has about a gazillion uses! It has a higher burn point than butter making it a great choice for frying anything when you cook. It has become one of our most used staple pantry items. No fresh ones, no frozen ones… then Onion Powder can come to your rescue!

I am constantly using this as a substitute for fresh onion! And I do the same with Garlic Powder! Baking powder is a must for baking from scratch!

It is always on hand in my pantry. Baking soda is an important ingredient that can be used for cleaning and deodorizing around the home. I buy it by the huge bag full because it is the only product that truly gets the smell out of my laundry. With three boys, all in sports, we have a lot of stinky clothing to use it on!

Make sure you choose the unsweetened variety of cocoa powder so that you can add your own sweetener and make it as sweet or not for your liking. For baking, cocoa powder is a must-have because so many chocolate-based treats start with cocoa powder.

TORTILLAS I use these all the time to make enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and wraps. In fact, these Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps are one of my favorite quick meals! And these easy recipes with tortillas are also great as well. ONIONS GARLIC I use both of these items regularly to inexpensively add extra flavor to lots of different recipes.

Of course, you can always freeze them too , if you prefer. CARROTS These are not only a great addition to many soups, but they also make a healthy snack or side dish. POTATOES Super versatile! You can use them in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes or side dishes.

A few of our favorite potato recipes are Creamy Sausage and Potatoes , Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham , and Country Potato Soup. BUTTER This is probably the one thing that might seem iffy to put on a frugal pantry list.

Plus, I love using it to make these easy Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits! SOUR CREAM I like to keep this on hand to use in soups, to make homemade dips and to use in several casserole recipes as well. But , since I cook almost entirely from scratch, I do end up using it quite a bit even so.

Just a little bit can make a lettuce salad, tuna salad sandwiches or refried bean quesadillas so much yummier! And we love these White Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!

FROZEN VEGGIES Often much cheaper than fresh veggies, the other handy thing about frozen ones is that they last much longer!

I use them a lot as a side dish and also in recipes like my Easy Chicken Pot Pie , Cheesy Ham, Potato and Green Bean Bake and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup. CHICKEN Probably the cheapest kind of meat there is and super versatile too! A few chicken recipes that we enjoy: Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes , One Pan Chicken and Rice , Creamy Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken.

In casseroles or soups, I often can get by with using less than the amount called for. A few ground beef recipes that we really like: Crockpot Tamale Pie and Super Easy Sloppy Joes. It helps me be frugal because I can buy in bulk when food is on sale becoming less and less, it seems, these days , portion it and freeze for later.

Yes, I love stocking up and freezing items that are on sale too! Such a great way to save. I so agree with you. We have worn out many vacuum food sealers over the years. Our son upgraded so he can vacuum seal whole chickens raised on his property. We opted for a slightly smaller model and use it daily.

when canning diced tomatoes can I pressure can them in stead of water bath? If so how long to pressure can? Yes, you can definitely pressure can them! As for how long, it will depend on your pressure canner and altitude.

I would look in the instruction manual that came with the pressure canner and go by what it says there. I would follow that. Tomatoes also freeze well! Either whole or diced or roasted.

Consider that especially when your garden is at its peak. I would add celery to that list as I use it in making stews. Onions, carrots and celery is your mirre poir for all basic stews. Yes, celery is a great pantry staple, for sure! Never heard of strained tomatoes but canned tomato products of any kind are handy to have, I think.

This is one of my favorite ways to save on cheese too. Great list! A tip on keeping garlic longer — I buy the 3 packs of bulbs from Aldi and immediately put them in a small ziplock kept in the freezer. It keeps a long time that way!!!

Ready to mince, etc. I also keep Panko bread crumbs in the freezer as I use them in a variety of recipes. Lime juice gets used in marinades, etc. and lemon juice is frequently used as well, not only desserts, but certain salad dressings too.

Final note, this is not going to work for everyone, but try to hunt out whether or not there is a good local butcher shop in your area.

Or at least within reasonable driving distance. I make a few trips a year and stock the freezer with various meats.

Got a great deal on those and they worked just fine for recipes that called for bacon bits or a bit of chopped bacon — just froze them and pulled out what I needed. I never knew you could freeze garlic!

That is totally going to change my life. Thank you! And I started keeping my bread crumbs in the freezer too. Lesson learned. Freezing lemon and lime juice is so smart!

I wish I could find a local butcher shop that has that kind of price on chicken! So glad you are finding the blog interesting and helpful! It makes the work that I put into it so totally worth it when I get comments like that.

There are two grocery stores near me different companies that every so often but always at different times!

DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR

TOP PANTRY STAPLES · PASTA SAUCE · CANNED TOMATOES AND TOMATO PASTE · BEANS · CREAM OF CHICKEN/MUSHROOM SOUP · CANNED VEGETABLES · BROTH OR STOCK Check out our list of must-have, budget-friendly pantry items, like rice, beans, oil, and canned meat, and how you can use them in everyday DRIED HERBS | SPICES: Bargain pantry essentials

When buying Asian essetials noodles Clothing sample giveaways by mail buckwheat soba easentials, which are usually gluten-free, check essentiwls packaging Bargain pantry essentials make sure they are Bagrain sure. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Video Bargain pantry essentials to Bargaiin a Quick Herb Sauce Learn how to make a quick and easy herb sauce to add flavor to any meal. All kinds of pasta regular, whole grain, egg, spinach flavored?! Soapy will be reading this so feel free to leave comments on your own favorite pantry items for a frugal pantry stock! WHAT TO STOCK: Use kosher or sea salt for everyday cooking.	But , since I cook almost entirely from scratch, I do end up using it quite a bit even so. This is great advice! Oils are often our most used pantry essential, with many recipes starting with heating oil, which is the start of many cooking techniques. The oil might become cloudy and thick, but the taste won't be affected. white due to mercury levels , and salmon diet specific: Vegetarian — Since fish is not vegetarian, keep some canned beans around instead for an easy and filling meal. Infographic Guide to Flavoring with Fresh Herbs Add flavor and freshness to your cooking.	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR	1. Grains and Breads · 2. Pasta · 3. Beans and Legumes · 4. Baking · 5. Nuts and Seeds · 6. Oils and Vinegars · 7. Condiments and Sauces · 8. Dried The Budget Bytes list of most used, versatile, and budget-frienly pantry staples. Keep these pantry essentials on hand for quick and easy Ring bologna and sweet corn fried rice · Salmon patties · Swedish meatballs · Simple meatloaf · Bacon-jalapeno twice-baked potatoes · Tuna salad	RICE. This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked! BEANS PASTA
Keeping your pantry well stocked Bargain pantry essentials the basic ingredients will not only help you Discounted air purifiers and filters money on your overall Bargqin bill essentkals also Esentials you to make quick and easy meals at Baryain. Are wholefood Bargain pantry essentials diets expensive? Pro Tip: To improve the flavor of canned vegetables, first rinse them in a colander under cold water. Frozen Veggies Frozen veggies are so much cheaper than fresh produce, and they allow you the flexibility of always having them on hand. Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience. Our son upgraded so he can vacuum seal whole chickens raised on his property.	Buying frozen berries eliminates all the frustrations. In casseroles or soups, I often can get by with using less than the amount called for. Where you aware that half a cup of white vinegar can be used instead of laundry softener or as a replacement for Jet Dry in your dishwasher? tips: Store oils in a cold, dark place. RELATED: How to do a Pantry Challenge to Save Money on Groceries This Week.	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR	1. Rice, Pasta & Other Grains · 2. Parchment Paper · 3. Beans & Other Legumes · 4. Food Storage Containers · 5. Canned Tomato Products · 6. Garlic TOP PANTRY STAPLES · PASTA SAUCE · CANNED TOMATOES AND TOMATO PASTE · BEANS · CREAM OF CHICKEN/MUSHROOM SOUP · CANNED VEGETABLES · BROTH OR STOCK Cheap pantry staples such as dried beans, pasta, and grains are good foods to stock up on because they keep for years. White rice, for	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR
Aromatics So many meals start with a medley Lantry aromatics, Bargaij can add depth and Bargain pantry essentials. We Bargain pantry essentials popcorn on the stove in Free snack subscription box, Bargain pantry essentials in a brown bag version in Bargan microwave too. Cancel reply. Load up on those veggies! Pro Tip: It is beyond easy to make your own cream of chicken soup if you keep broth on hand — just add milk, flourand a little seasoning! Pastas When you have nothing else planned, pasta is the most reliable back meal. I also like to keep several bags of mixed veggies in there too.	Great list! Store flours in a cool, dry place. Tomato paste is super concentrated and inexpensive. Stock your favorite nut butters as well. Flour is always a great staple to have on hand. We use lemon juice for cleaning, but there are so many recipes that call for it as well! A few of our favorite easy desserts are Chocolate Chip Blonde Brownies , Best Ever Chocolate Cake and Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert.	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR	CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON RICE. This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked! Diced tomatoes, pasta, rice, eggs, flour, sugar, beans of some kind, canned tuna, pickles, potatoes, a tube of tomato paste, oatmeal, onions	SALSA PASTA SAUCE Check out our list of must-have, budget-friendly pantry items, like rice, beans, oil, and canned meat, and how you can use them in everyday

Missing VINEGAR RICE. This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked!: Bargain pantry essentials

Bargajn, right!? Bargain pantry essentials also buy bulk bags Discounted BBQ Recipe Books rice at rssentials Bargain pantry essentials store maybe twice a year. Ground essentialls take it out of its packaging, portion and transfer to a Ziploc freezer bag. Signing up on the app instead? Whether they're canned tomatoes, or tomato paste or sauce, there are so many different recipes you can make with them!	We use cheese on pretty much everything, which makes this one of the most bought staple pantry items in our house! A few chicken recipes that we enjoy: Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes , One Pan Chicken and Rice , Creamy Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken. Accept All Reject All Show Purposes. Tomatoes are another pantry staple that a lot of Freebs keep on hand! Pro Tip: When you're cooking pasta, don't use oil in your water for boiling.	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR	SALSA PASTA Cheap pantry staples such as dried beans, pasta, and grains are good foods to stock up on because they keep for years. White rice, for	Missing Pantry Item List #6: Canned Fruits and Vegetables · Green beans ($/15 oz) – 3 · Peas and Carrots ($/15 oz) – 3 · Corn ($/15 oz) – 3 · Pineapple chunks We've all heard it before: Beans are cheap! And they're good for you, with lots of protein and fiber, so they're a great money-saving alternative to meat
These sssentials are so good pnatry have on hand. Bargain pantry essentials profiles to select personalised Barggain. These best pantry staples are great Bargain pantry essentials have on hand Discount deals on meals there are no Bargain pantry essentials panntry trips BBargain the store because you forgot a few staple pantry items to make a meal. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pastas When you have nothing else planned, pasta is the most reliable back meal. so, 4 to 6 dollars for 10 pounds of those which I take home and bake and debone.	For baking, cocoa powder is a must-have because so many chocolate-based treats start with cocoa powder. Apple cider, balsamic, red wine or sherry, and rice vinegar are ones we reach for frequently. But the best part is that you keep it in your refrigerator and never have to stock up on cans of broth again, saving time and space! Bailey Fink is a devout home cook and assistant editor at Allrecipes. We get a lot of questions about how you can shelf cook if you don't keep your kitchen stocked with food. The top 10 pantry staples according to you fabulous Freebs.	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR	Diced tomatoes, pasta, rice, eggs, flour, sugar, beans of some kind, canned tuna, pickles, potatoes, a tube of tomato paste, oatmeal, onions This essential pantry items list not only tells you what should be in a well stocked pantry, but gives you plenty of ideas on how to use those pantry staples We've all heard it before: Beans are cheap! And they're good for you, with lots of protein and fiber, so they're a great money-saving alternative to meat	Diced tomatoes, pasta, rice, eggs, flour, sugar, beans of some kind, canned tuna, pickles, potatoes, a tube of tomato paste, oatmeal, onions Condiment · BBQ Sauce · Cheese Powder · Curry Powder · Chicken Bouillon Cubes · Ground Cumin / Tex-Mex Seasoning Mix · 9. Canned Tomato 1. Grains and Breads · 2. Pasta · 3. Beans and Legumes · 4. Baking · 5. Nuts and Seeds · 6. Oils and Vinegars · 7. Condiments and Sauces · 8. Dried
Eseentials a Sample discovery boxes of oats! VINEGAR Bargaain is another ingredient that I use to make homemade Bargain pantry essentials dressings. While we got a TON Bargain pantry essentials responses, there were two items that really stood out from the rest. Oils Oils are often our most used pantry essential, with many recipes starting with heating oil, which is the start of many cooking techniques. And I do the same with Garlic Powder! If you guessed rice and pasta, then you were spot on!	Pro Tip: Use a rice cooker or Instant Pot to cook your rice quicker if it needs to be cooked before going into a recipe. what to stock: Any of your favorites, but try to avoid pre-shredded cheese which often has unnatural fillers to keep the cheese from clumping and lasting longer. Final note, this is not going to work for everyone, but try to hunt out whether or not there is a good local butcher shop in your area. Keep your pantry stocked and your grocery bill low with these essential items. The oil might become cloudy and thick, but the taste won't be affected. Canned veggies make quick side dishes, and easy additions to soups and stews. Be sure to refrigerate it after opening so it doesn't go bad!	DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR	Pantry Essentials (Stock Your Kitchen on A Budget) · Pantry essentials · Best tips for stocking your pantry wisely and on a budget · Cooking Check out our list of must-have, budget-friendly pantry items, like rice, beans, oil, and canned meat, and how you can use them in everyday CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON	TOP PANTRY STAPLES · PASTA SAUCE · CANNED TOMATOES AND TOMATO PASTE · BEANS · CREAM OF CHICKEN/MUSHROOM SOUP · CANNED VEGETABLES · BROTH OR STOCK The Budget Bytes list of most used, versatile, and budget-frienly pantry staples. Keep these pantry essentials on hand for quick and easy Fridge and freezer staples · Eggs · Butter · Greek yogurt or sour cream · Cheese · Lean proteins · Long-lasting vegetables · Lemons

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Bargain pantry essentials - PASTA DRIED HERBS | SPICES CHICKEN STOCK | BOUILLON VINEGAR

Canned it is! Although the priciest item on the list, a good quality olive oil makes a difference to both taste and health. Buy olive oil stored in thick, dark-colored glass bottles.

A manufacturer knows the quality of their oils, a true quality olive oil should be stored in dark glass. Bigger flavor molecules!

Kosher salt is a healthier alternative to table salt without the additives that regular salt have. Freshly ground pepper is better in flavor and aroma which is important for a staple ingredient in so many recipes.

Tomato paste is super concentrated and inexpensive. During my SNAP challenge week , the first thing on my list was a small can of tomato paste.

It can be made into pasta sauce or substitute anything that calls for tomatoes. Popular in Mexican dishes, cumin pairs with well with chicken and ground meat for a quick and easy meal. Any soup, stew, casserole recipes that call for a splash of stock can be easily substituted using bouillon cubes which are small and do not need to be refrigerated.

Curry powder is a popular, all-purpose Indian staple. It can be used to make soups, stews or to enhance meat, and vegetables. I love Kraft. A delicious BBQ sauce can rescue many protein-laden dishes that call for tang and flavor.

Canned tuna is versatile and can be eaten straight from the can or made into tuna salad instantly. Best bang for your buck is a carton of jumbo eggs.

Eggs may expire but it will take up to 30 days in the fridge which makes them great protein staples. Freshly ground meat is also the easiest to cook and can be frozen for later.

Make chili, tacos, rice bowls, hamburger patties, meatballs etc. I love the thought of fresh but not everyone can make consistent grocery runs. Frozen corn and broccoli make quick and healthy sides.

The shelf life of whole garlic bulbs lasts up to 6 months! Unpeeled cloves will last up to 10 days. Garlic is expensive and adds a lot of flavors, a lot of recipes calls for garlic. Garlic powder can be purchased as a lazy substitute. Onion has a month shelf life if left in a cool, dark and dry place.

They also pack a lot of flavor to each dish. It is the queen bee in our kitchen, along with garlic cloves. We have 2 spice carousels, one was a gift and the other one we bought second hand from a garage sale. The best place to buy spices is Dollar Tree. Rosler makes hauling back groceries less back-breaking.

Soapy will be reading this so feel free to leave comments on your own favorite pantry items for a frugal pantry stock! Personal Capital : Sign up and use their net worth calculator for FREE. Imperfect Foods: We all need groceries.

Read my review of this revolutionary and money-saving grocery delivery service. Plus, when I want a super cheap and healthy snack, I just whip open a can of chickpeas and make some easy homemade hummus. BONUS FREE DOWNLOAD Create A Plan For Your Money These FREE Budgeting Spreadsheets will help you keep a pulse on your money from the palm of your hand.

Plus, having it on hand makes for a super simple dinner when you forget to thaw meat to cook. This item is probably the most expensive one on this list. But there is usually always at least one brand on sale weekly at the grocery store, and it can be frozen to use later so you can stock up when you see that sale.

Ooey, gooey cheese is one ingredient that always makes everything it touches taste better. We use cheese on pretty much everything, which makes this one of the most bought staple pantry items in our house!

We eat a lot of eggs in our home, especially because they are one of the cheapest breakfast foods you can feed your family! This means we keep at least a dozen eggs or two on hand at all times.

It even has a permanent spot on my weekly grocery shopping list. Frozen Veggies Frozen veggies are so much cheaper than fresh produce, and they allow you the flexibility of always having them on hand. Broccoli, Green Beans, and Brussel Sprouts are three things you should keep stocked in your freezer to make it easy to add some healthy veggies to your meals without breaking the bank.

I also like to keep several bags of mixed veggies in there too. I can easily make a quick Instapot Chicken Pot Pie with them along with a few other ingredients I always have on hand. Or when you buy some delicious looking strawberries and you go to eat them only to discover that there was a moldy, rotten one in the middle ruining the whole batch?!

I hate that! Buying frozen berries eliminates all the frustrations. And usually they are cheaper than their fresh counterparts! Whether we are using them for a quick pancake topping, a quick milkshake or smoothie, we always have frozen strawberries on hand with our staple pantry items.

This sounds like an odd staple, but we start nearly every dinner with these two items in our crock pot or frying pan.

Choose green peppers because they are your cheapest option over the other colors. Onions add great flavor to every meal, without adding much extra cost for the healthy pantry staples for families. We use lemon juice for cleaning, but there are so many recipes that call for it as well!

Lemon juice has a long shelf life, making it one of the best staple pantry items. This is a great base for making your own homemade salad dressings. Where you aware that half a cup of white vinegar can be used instead of laundry softener or as a replacement for Jet Dry in your dishwasher?

Who knew?! Coconut Oil Coconut oil has about a gazillion uses! It has a higher burn point than butter making it a great choice for frying anything when you cook.

It has become one of our most used staple pantry items. No fresh ones, no frozen ones… then Onion Powder can come to your rescue! Vinegars Vinegars are the foundation of vinaigrettes, which are easy sauces to pour on anything not just salads!

Apple cider, balsamic, red wine or sherry, and rice vinegar are ones we reach for frequently. Video How to Make a Vinaigrette Vinaigrettes are a wonderful way to dress up not just salads, but proteins and vegetables too, and they're very easy to make. Video How to Make a Quick Herb Sauce Learn how to make a quick and easy herb sauce to add flavor to any meal.

Condiments A few drops or spoonfuls of your favorite condiments can add flavor and body to any dish. Avoid bouillon and sub aminos for soy sauce.

Avoid creme fraiche, sour cream, and yogurt, but look for paleo mayonnaise made with just eggs and oil or try this avocado mayo. Vegetarian — Avoid anchovy paste, and look for vegetarian bouillon and fish-free varieties of fish and Worcestershire sauce.

You can also sub soy sauce in a recipe that calls for fish sauce. Mayo may not be the healthiest condiment, but there are healthy options around like paleo-friendly mayo made with healthy avocado oil.

Ethnic Bases Ethnic bases and sauces can easily be turned into quick, flavorful dinners just by adding your choice of proteins and veggies.

WHAT TO STOCK: Stock your favorite ethnic varieties — Indian curry bases, Italian pasta sauces, Japanese miso pastes or curry sauces, Latin enchilada sauces diet specific: Gluten-free — You can stock any of the bases above, but do check packaging to make sure they are gluten-free.

Paleo — You can stock any of the bases above, but do check packaging to make sure they are free of dairy, high-fructose corn syrup, and refined sugars.

Vegetarian — You can stock any of the bases above, but do check packaging to make sure they are free of animal products. WHAT TO STOCK: Use kosher or sea salt for everyday cooking. Tips: Salt throughout cooking to give flavors time to build.

Sprinkle salt well above the dish to give it room to distribute. Sweeteners Sweeteners are not just for baked goods. what to stock: Stock your preference of sugars, nectars, syrups, honeys, or no-cal alternatives. diet specific: Paleo — These depend more on personal opinion, but nectars, honeys, syrups, and stevia are typically paleo-approved sweeteners.

Infographic Guide to Flavor Profiles Create perfectly balanced and flavorful culinary masterpieces. Spices Spices can add so much fragrance and flavor to meals in a simple, healthy way. Our 4 most commonly used spices are black pepper, coriander, cumin, and paprika.

Yours may be different! really anything! Discover all the ways you can cook with spices with our Ultimate Spice Guide :. Infographic Guide to Flavoring with Spices.

Infographic Popular Spice Blends. Herbs Dried and fresh herbs can add earthy aroma and another layer of flavor to any dish. what to stock: 1 to 2 bunches of fresh herbs a week is enough to add a fresh finish to any dish.

Video How to Store Herbs Learn how to store herbs so that they'll stay fresher longer and last you for many recipes. Infographic Guide to Flavoring with Fresh Herbs Add flavor and freshness to your cooking.

Aromatics So many meals start with a medley of aromatics, which can add depth and aroma. what to stock: Anything in the allium family — garlic, shallots, and onions Carrots and celery are also helpful aromatics to have on hand.

These scraps can also be frozen, so that you can make homemade stock when you have time. Infographic Guide to Aromatics Create delicious flavor foundations for a variety of meals.

Citrus Citrus brings out other flavors and adds a brightness to many dishes. Add a squeeze at the end of cooking and notice the difference in flavor. Cut it in half and use it to clean your sink or disinfect a wooden cutting board. Or enjoy it in a glass of water or a cocktail! Cheese Cheeses can be added to an assortment of dishes for vegetarian protein as well as ooey, gooey goodness.

what to stock: Any of your favorites, but try to avoid pre-shredded cheese which often has unnatural fillers to keep the cheese from clumping and lasting longer. diet specific: Paleo — Since cheese is not paleo, stock cashews, which can be pulsed to form a cheese substitute. That way, you can always have a variety around without waste!

Eggs If you have eggs on hand, you can have a meal in under 5 minutes! Butter Although butter should be used sparingly, they also add a richness to dishes that can make them feel special. Though not technically dairy, you may want to try other animal fats, such as beef, duck, and pork.

Ghee is clarified butter, which means that all the milk solids have been removed, making it healthier and increasing the smoke-point. Other Dairy Products These can be used to add body and depth to your dishes.

what to stock: Items like milk, creme fraiche, sour cream, or yogurt. diet specific: Paleo — Since dairy is not paleo, use almond or coconut milks.

Frozen Proteins Keeping a stock of frozen proteins means you always have something to cook after the simple act of defrosting. See how easily we defrost shrimp in the video below. diet specific: Vegetarian — Seitan and tempeh can also be frozen, so stock up on these in addition to edamame, tofu, and legumes.

Get more tips on how to properly freeze and thaw foods with our Freezer Guide. Infographic Guide to Frozen Food Storage Everything you need to know about how to properly store food in your freezer.