This is a list of food from scratch cooking pantry essentials that I try my best to keep on hand at all times. A well stocked pantry, refrigerator and freezer make my life so much easier! Take out is not an option for us both because of the cost, our health issues and because we live out in the sticks. It would take longer for us to get take out than it would for me to cook up some pasta, meat and veggies.
Noodles
Since many of our family members are gluten free we keep both gluten free and regular noodles on hand. I keep a spaghetti type noodle and a smaller type such as elbow or shells on hand. Along with both egg noodles and my favorite rice noodles that are perfect for stir fry.
Granola
Keeping multiple gallons of our homemade crunchy granola on hand is must!
Rolled Oats
We buy our rolled oats 50 lbs. at a time we go through them so fast. One of the ways we use them is making Peanut Butter Protein Balls.
Sugar
Its obvious but you will want to have granulated sugar, brown sugar and powdered sugar (I get mine corn free from Azure Standard).
Raw Honey
I love honey and butter on fresh bread! We get a 5 gallon bucket of honey from my moms childhood next door neighbor. One of these days I would love to raise our own bees but it won’t be this year.
Rice
A must have for stir frys and a gluten free diet.
Wheat Berries
I keep my wheat berries and grain mill in my pantry. I pull it out when I need to grind wheat and put it back when I am done. Learn how to easily grind your own wheat berries here.
Canned Fruit
We keep home canned apple pie filling, sliced peaches and raspberries in simple syrup in stock to eat with oat meal and yogurt.
Spaghetti
We buy our from Aldi, one day I hope to grow enough tomatoes to put up our own.
Salsa
I make a few batches of salsa a year but we still buy most of ours from Aldi.
Canning Supplies
I keep rings and lids for both wide mouth and regular mouth jars.
Aprons
I have my aprons hanging in the pantry for easy access.
Canned Beans
Plain canned beans (navy, kidney and black beans) and baked beans.
Soups and Chili
I like to keep some home canned soups and jars of chili in the pantry. It is wonderful to be able to pull a ready made homemade meal out in just a few minutes.
Unopened Condiments
I keep ketchup, mayo and mustard in the pantry
Arrowroot Powder or Tapioca Starch
Since I can’t eat corn I keep an alternative starch on hand to use for thickening and for making baking powder.
Various Dried Fruit
Raisins, dried cranberries (for salads and peanut butter protein balls), dried strawberries, peaches and apples.
Jams
My husband frequently takes PB+J for lunch to work so I can our own jam.
All-Purpose Flour
I get unbleached, unbromated and unenriched wheat flour, gluten free all-purpose flour and gluten free 1-for-1 flour.
Cream of Wheat
I use this for both the breakfast cereal and in my English Muffins.
Chocolate
Chocolate chips and baking cocoa are essential at our house.
Vanilla Extract
I make my own so I have both the finished product on hand and several jars in process in the pantry.
Baking Soda + Baking Powder
I buy my baking soda in bulk and make my own baking powder so that it doesn’t have corn starch or aluminum in it.
Bulk Herbs/Spices
Since I make almost all of my spice and seasoning blends (taco seasoning, fajita seasoning and seasoning salt), I need herbs and spices in large quantities.
Dried Beans/Lentils
I keep a stock of various dried beans but my favorite legume to cook with is orange lentils. Orange lentils when boiled down in a soup or stew disintegrate into a lovely thick broth. A great way to sneak in legumes without your family knowing.
Canned Goods
Most of our canned good are home canned but we do buy some from the store. Crushed pineapple, chilies, chick peas and tomato paste.
Juice
We like to keep various juices on hand, including white grape juice which we can our peaches in.
Oils/Lard
We keep Olive Oil, lard and coconut oil in our pantry. We use the lard for frying and for making my sourdough tortillas.
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