The perfect pantry or how to stock your cupboards for a raining day (or everyday). A lot of people calling this food storage or prepping but for me, it is just good ‘ol common sense. A well stocked pantry can get you through your daily cooking, sure, but it is also a place of refuge during hard times (like a layoff). So I’d like to share a few tips on how to stock your cupboards that have helped me over the years.
Before we get started on how to stock your cupboards, let me say that I am not assuming that you are shopping or canning. However you decide to buy, grow or DIY your pantry items is up to you. I think the principal is the same whether you are buying it all or growing and preparing it all yourself.
The Perfect Pantry How to Stock Your Cupboards
The items on this list are not an exhaustive one, but a good start to keeping a well-stocked pantry. Later I will write about keeping your freezer and fridge stocked as well.
When putting your pantry together you need to look at different categories: But consider your family’s dietary needs too; if you’re gluten free change what you store to meet that need.
Make sure you store your newest items to the back so you’re using the older ones first. I highly recommend investing in a Food Saver to increase the shelf life of your pantry items.
I should note before you stock your cupboards consider keeping a supply of drinking water on hand at all times; good for emergencies!
How to Stock Your Cupboards – Get the Printable List Here
Grains
- All Purpose Flour (Gluten Free or Nut Flours if that is your preference)
- Rice (White, Brown, Wild)
- Corn Meal
- Oatmeal
Vegetables
- Fresh Potatoes (tips for long term storage)
- Canned Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Onions
- Tomatoes – a variety of whole, diced, crushed, stewed and powdered
- Canned vegetables your family enjoys eating
- Consider keeping some dehydrated veggies on hand as well
Fruits
- Raisins
- Prunes
- Applesauce
- An assortment of fruits
- Dehydrated fruits
Canned Meats
- Tuna
- Chicken
- Ground Beef (See How to Can Ground or Chopped Meats)
Beans
- Keep a variety for soups, stews, chili, refried beans
Cooking Staples & Baking
- Yeast
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Sugar (white, brown, powdered)
- Cocoa Powder
- Oils (I recommend olive and coconut)
- Honey
- Real Maple Syrup (no corn syrup please)
- Stocks, Broths and Bouillons
- Corn starch
- Shortening
- Vinegar (I like to have a variety for different needs)
- Evaporated and Condensed Milk
Spices
- Pepper
- Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Dehydrated diced garlic
- Onion Powder
- Dehydrated Onion slices (great for adding to soups, casseroles, etc)
- Oregano
- Basil
- This list could be endless but definitely keep your top 10 spices on hand at all times.
Ready to Eat
- Soup, Stew, Chili
- Spaghetti Sauce
Condiments & Compliments
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard (variety)
- Ketchup
- Salsa
- BBQ Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Canned Peppers
- Olives
- Pickles (dill, sweet, spicy)
Miscellaneous (including short term storage items)
- Bread
- Tortillas
- Crackers
- Pasta
- Nut Butters
- Jams and Jellies
- Real Popcorn (not microwave stuff)
Stock Your Cupboards by keeping a list of what you have and need: Print out my Pantry List Here!
Thank you for this list! Seems I’m always missing something. In the kitchen I’m kind of like the absent-minded professor…but we still need to eat.
I really enjoy your blog. We just adopted 8 chickens and I look through all your great chicken posts for info.
How fun – enjoy your new chickens!
How do you feel about canned milk? Powered milk?
It is probably not a bad addition if it is something you use regularly or you know how to use is as a substitute.
I love having my pantry well stocked. I buy things like rice, beans, and flour in 50lbs bags that I have in the bottom cabinets in my kitchen, I fill up beautiful glass jars of the items that I keep easily accessible at eye level. Great list you have, and great post!
I love reading that! You are ahead of the game Maria! Well done.