Pantry Essentials Checklist

Have you looked in your pantry lately? REALLY looked? Can you say you have plenty of the essentials you need to make up many baked goods and other dishes from scratch? Part of maintaining a well-stocked kitchen involves ensuring you have a few key ingredients on hand in case you need to make something in a hurry without having to hit the store. From herbs to dry goods to baking items, make sure you have these pantry essentials in your home.

We have compiled a  basic checklist here and you can get most of these things at our shop, so stop on by this summer to get stocked up for the fall and winter months!!

Basics:

• Kosher and table salt
• Black peppercorns
• Olive and vegetable oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Red wine vinegar
• Balsamic or sherry vinegar

Baking items:

• Flour (all purpose and whole wheat)
• Baking soda and baking powder
• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate chips
• Evaporated milk
• Vanilla extract
• Sugar (brown, granulated and confectioners)
• Honey
• Maple syrup

Herbs and spices:

• Bay leaves
• Chili powder
• Crushed red pepper
• Curry
• Garlic
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Cumin
• Ginger
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Paprika
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Nutmeg

Dry Goods:

• Yellow Corn
• Green Split Peas
• Beans (pinto, black, Anasazi)
• Chickpeas

Canned goods:

• Chicken broth
• Soups (chicken noodle, tomato, etc.)
• Beans (chickpea, black, kidney)
• Vegetables (corn, wax beans)

Condiments:

• Jelly and jam
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce

Now that you’ve got a well-stocked pantry with all the essentials, you still have to check on your inventory regularly. Get rid of items that have expired and replace them to ensure everything is as fresh as it should be. For example, ground spices have a shelf life in your cupboards of up to 12 months, while whole spice leaves can be kept up to three years. To break it down further, chili powder can last six months in your pantry, while garlic should only last one. Evaporated and sweetened condensed milk can last up to one year in your pantry, while honey can last months or even years but be sure to check the “best by” date for the best taste.

It’s wise to go through your pantry supplies monthly to stay on top of all the freshness dates.