The one where you stock your pantry
It can feel overwhelming the first time you walk into your apartment or dorm and suddenly find yourself in possession of a kitchen with which you have no experience. Just the thought of gathering everything you need to start cooking can seem daunting. To ease this transition, I have put together a straightforward guide of essentials that everyone should keep stocked in their pantry. This will make your life throughout the week much easier, as you'll always have something available to prepare.
This list may be a bit extensive, but remember that these items are shelf-stable, so they will be ready for you when you decide to use them. While your personal preferences may vary depending on the type of cuisine you enjoy most, here are the staples I always have on hand to ensure I can whip up a meal for dinner.
I know that these may seem like a lot of random items, but in a pinch, they can really get you out of trouble. I will also be sharing recipes that frequently use these, so follow along to see what you can create with them.
My pantry (organized chaos)
Pantry Staples
Oils and Vinegars
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Avocado oil
Ghee
White vinegar
Rice vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
Sesame oil
Soy sauce
Chili crisp
Spices and Seasonings
Salt
Black pepper
Red pepper flakes
Mild red pepper (Aleppo or gochugaru)
Garlic powder
Oregano
Italian seasoning
Cumin
Chili powder
Cinnamon
Furikake
Other
Coconut flakes
Roasted seaweed
Cacao powder
Vanilla Extract
Grains
Oats
Rice
Noodles (Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles)
Pasta (I love goodles)
All-purpose flour
Legumes
Chickpeas
Black beans
Lentils
Canned Goods
Canned tuna
Crushed / canned tomatoes
Tomato paste
Bone broth
Nuts and Seeds
Walnuts
Almonds
Chia seeds
Nut butter (I am a big fan of almond butter)
Sweeteners
Sugar
Maple syrup
Honey
