If you want to start cooking most of your meals from scratch, it’s important to keep essential ingredients on hand. This pantry staples checklist will keep your homestead well-stocked and ready for daily life or emergencies!
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Grains and Legumes
Grains:
- Rice (white, brown, or wild)
- Oats (rolled, steel-cut, or quick)
- Flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, almond, etc.)
- Wheat berries (if you want to mill your own flour)
- Cornmeal or polenta (or dried corn to mill)
- Quinoa, barley, or bulgur
- Popcorn (here’s how to make the best homemade popcorn)
- Pasta (spaghetti, penne, etc.)
Legumes:
- Lentils (red, green, or brown)
- Dried beans (black, kidney, navy, etc.)
- Split peas (yellow or green)
- Chickpeas (dried or canned)
Proteins
Animal-Based:
- Canned meats (chicken, beef, tuna, salmon, etc.)
- Jerky or dehydrated meats
Plant-Based:
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, etc.)
- Seeds (chia, flax, sunflower, pumpkin)
- Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew, etc.)
Fats and Oils
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Ghee or butter (store-bought or homemade)
- Lard or tallow
- Avocado oil
- Sesame oil
- Fish oil
Baking Essentials
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Yeast (dry active or instant)
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- Sugar (granulated, brown, powdered)
- Honey (learn how to raise honeybees here)
- Maple syrup
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips
- Salt (table, kosher, or sea)
- Dry milk (I use this in my bread machine)
- Molasses
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
Dried Goods and Spices
- Herbs and spices (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, etc.)
- Onion powder and garlic powder
- Dehydrated vegetables (onions, carrots, celery)
- Dried fruits (raisins, blueberries, cranberries, etc.)
- Freeze dried fruit and vegetables
Beverages
- Coffee
- Tea
- Powdered milk or shelf-stable milk
- Hot cocoa mix
Vinegar + Condiments
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- White vinegar (5% acidity for canning)
- Red and white wine vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Hot sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard (regular + Dijon)
- Worcestershire sauce
Storage Crops
- Garlic (how to store your own)
- Onions (how to store your own)
- Potatoes (how to store your own)
- Sweet potatoes (how to grow your own)
- Carrots
- Pumpkins
- Apples
- Pears
- Squash
Canned and Preserved Goods
- Home-canned vegetables (green beans, tomatoes, corn, etc.)
- Fruits (peaches, pears, applesauce)
- Jams, jellies, and preserves (learn how to water bath can)
- Pickles
- Fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, kimchi)
- Soups, broths, and stews
- Homemade sauces (ketchup, relish, etc.)
- Salsa
Snacks and Convenience Items
- Crackers
- Granola
- Granola bars
- Chips
- Trail mix
- Cereal
Emergency Supplies
- Freeze-dried meals (highly-rated freeze dryer)
- Long-shelf-life food kits
- Water purification tablets
- Purified water
For more preparedness for different emergency situations, check out these posts.
Pantry Staples Checklist Specialty Items
- Canning lids, jars, canning salt, and pectin for preserving (learn more about water bath canning in this post)
- Gluten-free or alternative flours (if needed)
- Specialty seasonings (ex: homemade bouillon, steak seasoning, etc.)
Where to Buy The Items on this Pantry Staples Checklist
You can buy many of the items at local grocery stores, but if you want to save money on organic staples I recommend buying them in bulk.
You can purchase in bulk from stores like Sam’s, Costco, or Azure Standard. Azure Standard is a family-run company that operates as a bulk-food co-op. Learn more about it in this post.
Benefits of Buying in Bulk for this Pantry Staples Checklist
As I mentioned above, buying food in bulk helps save money because the cost per ounce is usually less. It is also more sustainable because it uses less packaging.
Initially, buying and storing bulk food can be a lot of work. However, it can save you a lot of trips to the grocery store because you’ll have what you need for a variety of meals right in your pantry!
How to Store Bulk Foods from this Pantry Staples Checklist
If you want to learn more about an organized and efficient method for storing bulk pantry staples, read this post.
A Pantry Staples Checklist for a Well-Stocked Pantry
One of the first steps to cooking from scratch frequently is having a well-stocked pantry. If you stock up on the ingredients above, you will have an excellent base for creating countless, nourishing meals!
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