With folks staying close to home, you may not be able to make a last-minute run to the grocery store. By keeping your pantry well-stocked, you can ensure that you're prepared to create a delicious meal at any moment. Whether you're stocking up on items for your new kitchen or looking for essential food items to take your meals up a notch, having a pantry staples list on hand can help make your next grocery run more efficient.To help you discover some game-changing ingredients, we've asked our Bob's Red Mill food experts for their list of essential pantry staples for healthy eating. While you don't have to purchase everything on this list at once, this guide will help you build up your inventory as needed. Keep scrolling for our favorite pantry essentials to keep your kitchen stocked and ready!
Herbs
Herbs, we love them! Spring and summer are the perfect time to stock up these wholesome ingredients. Because fresh herbs are readily available throughout the summertime, they're often less expensive. When adding herbs to your pantry, we recommend purchasing fresh herbs and drying them on your own. Don't have a dehydrator? Don't worry! Drying herbs is simple. While there are several different ways to dry fresh herbs, the easiest method is to hang them upside down until they're fully dehydrated and then store them in an airtight container for later use.Use herbs in a recipe like this Spring Rhubarb, Herb, Wheat Berry Salad!
Dried Fruit
Even in the spring, many of your favorite summer fruits may be hard to come by. The solution? Dry fruits in the summer to enjoy! While dried fruit is a delicious treat, it's also a snack that you can enjoy year-round. Add dried fruit to your favorite sweet tea or your favorite pie recipe. No matter the dish you choose to add it to, it will surely give it a unique boost of flavor.
Rolled Oats
While oatmeal may be the first dish that comes to mind when you think rolled oats, this pantry staple can be used to create a variety of nourishing meals. From fresh bread to homemade granola, there are endless ways that you can get creative with rolled oats in the kitchen. Not only are rolled oats delicious, but they're great for you too. Packed with nutrients and fiber, they're an important part of a healthy diet and are great to keep on hand. Make oats for breakfast, lunch and dinner or bake them into a healthy on-the-go snack. This shelf-stable food item is the perfect ingredient to add to your next dish. Plus, it can be stored at room temperature for months, which means you don't have to worry about the oats spoiling before you get to use them.
Spices
Looking for a fun way to "spice" up your food? Try out spices! While spice preferences will vary, there are a few spices that work well with just about anything. If you're new to spices, we recommend starting with cinnamon, ginger, chili powder and cumin. Another great way to begin incorporating spices into your dishes is by purchasing a "starter" set of spices. Adding just a pinch of these starter spices to your meal can wake up your taste buds and turn an ordinary dish into something delicious! Now, if you find that your pantry is already stocked with most of these spices, then why not try out some more unique ones like nutmeg, bay leaf and sweet paprika. No matter which spice you choose, incorporating spices into your weekly cooking ventures is an incredible way to elevate your cooking and upgrade your pantry essentials.Sweeten up your menu and make these Apple Spice Muffins.
Sauces
Spice up your pantry and elevate your cooking by stocking up on unique sauces. Hot sauce, pesto, soy sauce and maple syrup are just a few of the many sauces that can be stored at room temperature before opening. Use sauces to spice up sandwiches, pasta, pizzas and even tacos! Keeping them on hand is a sure-fire way to amp up your favorite recipes.
Oils and Vinegar
While oil and vinegar might seem like an obvious choice, it's often a forgotten item in many pantries. Both oil and vinegar come in several different flavors that open up endless culinary possibilities for you to experiment with. Use these pantry essentials to spice up your favorite soup recipe or mix a sweet balsamic vinegar with your favorite yogurt for a unique treat. Making sure that your pantry is always stocked with these two ingredients will help you create fun meals and snacks that everyone will enjoy!
Broth
Broth is an excellent canned food item to keep on hand that can easily be incorporated into a nutritious diet. Luckily, there are a variety of healthy and natural canned chicken broths on the shelves that are packed with flavor and taste almost identical to your favorite homemade recipe. A kitchen staple, broth can be turned into a delicious soup or used as a flavorsome base to cook grains in. When looking for a broth to add to your healthy pantry, we recommend purchasing one that uses natural ingredients and is low in sodium. Note that a natural or organic broth may have a shorter shelf life as it is likely to be preservative-free.Use your favorite broth to make this Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Gravy.
Canned Mushrooms
Canned mushrooms are an inexpensive and convenient way to spice up your diet. The creamy texture and durable structure of mushrooms make them a great meat substitute in many vegetarian and vegan recipes. Use them to replace burger meat, as a base for vegan ceviche or sprinkled them on top of your favorite salad. Using canned mushrooms in a recipe can help serve up additional nutrients and add flavor to your favorite dishes.
Tapioca Flour
Tapioca flour is one of our favorite pantry staples for healthy eating. Its incredible water-absorbing capabilities make it a useful ingredient in a variety of recipes. Use it in baked goods for moisture or in your favorite soup and sauce recipes to thicken the texture. The best part? Tapioca flour is both tasteless and odorless, meaning that it can be added to nearly any recipe without changing the flavor!
Honey
Honey is the perfect pantry staple to boost the flavor of any meal. Sweet, delicious and packed with vitamins and enzymes, honey will enhance the flavor of your food. Used primarily as a sweetener, there are several different varieties of honey, and each tastes different! Plus, when properly stored, honey can last years, even after it's opened!
Quinoa
One of our favorite ancient grains, the mild flavor of organic quinoa makes it the ideal ingredient to add to soups, salads and even pilafs. Easy to prepare and cook, quinoa is a nutritious alternative to couscous and white rice. A complete source of protein and loaded with dietary fiber, this wonder seed is ideal for those following a vegan, gluten free or vegetarian diet.
Bulgur
"No grain, no gain" that's our motto! Bulgur, a delicious whole grain, is an excellent addition to several different dishes. It's made from cracked wheat berries and is a must-have ingredient when making tabbouleh, a traditional middle eastern salad. Not to mention, it's great for you! A nutritional powerhouse, just cup serving of Bob's Red Mill Bulgur is packed with six grams of protein and five grams of fiber! Bulgur is also incredibly easy to prepare, which makes it perfect for days when you're in a rush. After trying it, we're sure that it will become a staple in your kitchen.
Tomato Paste
A great way to add richness and texture to soups and sauces, tomato paste is a great ingredient to keep on hand. When it comes to tomato paste, a little goes a long way. You'll often find tomato paste sold in smaller cans, as most recipes only call for a tablespoon or so. Tomato paste is a great way to add the delicious flavor of tomatoes without the extra water and salt that is usually found in canned tomatoes. Its thick texture makes it great for recipes in which you don't want a ton of liquid.
Cocoa Powder
Previously considered the "food of the gods" by ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations, cocoa powder has several unique purposes. A rich and decadent addition to any healthy diet, it is packed with nutrients. Add it to your favorite yogurt or mix it into a delicious smoothie. Ideally, your cocoa powder should contain only pure cacao beans.Craving a sweet, chocolate-y recipe? Make these Chocolate Cinnamon Cassava Muffins.
Baking Powder
Ever wonder what the secret to perfectly baked goods is? Baking powder! Used to increase the volume and texture of baked goods, it's perfect for quick bread, biscuits, waffles, pancakes and cookies. Plus, like all of our gluten free products, our Bob's Red Mill Baking Powder is produced in a gluten free facility and is batch tested to ensure its purity.We hope that this list of pantry staples for healthy eating has inspired you to revamp your pantry and elevate your favorite recipes. We're confident that by using this guide, you'll discover new ways to use everyday ingredients that will help create recipes that the entire family will enjoy! No matter what you end up making, we know that it will be delicious. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy baking!