When it comes to cooking at home, it's important to have a fully-stocked pantry to ensure that your meals are balanced, nutritious, and well-flavoured.
The last thing you'd want happening is finding yourself midway through preparing your dish, only to realise that you're short of that one key ingredient-potentially ruining the meal for you and the people you're cooking for.
If you want to prevent that disaster from unfolding, then it's essential to be prepared. And that starts by keeping your pantry fully stocked with the right set of ingredients.
This begs the question: what should the average home cook have in their pantry? If you're facing this exact dilemma, then you're in the right place. We'll provide you with a list of 10 must-have items that you should always have in your pantry.
Let's jump right into it!
- Olive Oil
Many hearty dishes need oil to enhance their underlying flavour and richness, and olive oil is one pretty special type. This is because this oil has a distinct aroma that pops when exposed to heat, providing a plethora of dishes with a tantalising warmth.
This oil can be added in various ways; it can be drizzled over bread and pasta, it can be used to saute ingredients, and it can also be drizzled over salads. This translates to all sorts of cooking methods and cuisines, making it a very versatile ingredient.
Beyond taste, olive oil is also exceptionally healthy compared to other seed oils, thanks to its high volume of monounsaturated fatty acids. It's also known to be quite healthy for the heart and cholesterol levels.
All these factors combined make olive oil a great fat base when cooking or preparing home dishes, making it something every home cook should have in their pantries.
- Dried Herbs
Another excellent addition to your pantry is a collection of dried herbs. Unlike fresh herbs, dried herbs are dried and last longer-making them great to keep in a pantry shelf for extended periods of time.
Another perk of dried herbs? They come in a wide range of types. From basil to oregano, these dried variants can elevate slow-cooked dishes and bring out a new dimension of flavour to them. Even just a small sprinkle can elevate a dish to new heights, provided that you're using the right herb type to complement your dish.
That said, it's essential to pick quality dried herbs to ensure that they stay fresh and delicious for a long time, like organic certified dried herbs from Austral Herbs. This way, you'll be getting your money's worth and actually enjoy the dishes that you're whipping up in the kitchen.
- Salt
No matter how small your kitchen is, you should always have salt inside it.
It's the single ingredient that can transform dishes from bland to pretty great. It adds a new dimension of flavour and richness to a wide array of dishes, no matter whether the underlying base is meat, vegetables, or even sauces.
Salt is an exceptional pantry staple not only because of its part in the cooking process, but also because it can be used before and after the dish has been heated and prepared. For instance, salt can be added to meats and pickles before cooking to dry-age and preserve the ingredients.
Furthermore, they can also be added after the dish has been created to add a rich finish to the dish and bring out a new level of nuance and taste.
In any case, if you've been sampling multiple dishes in your lifetime (which you likely have-given that you can read this!), then you should know full well the benefits of this table and pantry staple.
- Pepper
An unsurprising partner to the aforementioned condiment is pepper. This condiment gives a complex kick to a wide array of dishes. It also helps reduce the sharpness that salt provides and provides an earthy and delicious balance to meals that use both of them.
Pepper does more than just elevate a dish; it also has some notable health benefits. For one, it increases digestion, helping move food along the intestinal tract. It also increases appetite, which is useful for moments when you're sick and don't feel like eating anything otherwise.
Pepper can take on various forms, from coarse pepper to finely grounded variants. Having either of these pepper forms in your pantry can help ensure that your pantry will always have a solution for when you want your next dish to have a spicy and sophisticated kick to it.
- Rice
If you're unsure what to complement your hearty meat or veggie dish, then you can't go wrong with a cup of cooked rice. It's a staple in many cuisines-and it can be cooked as a standalone side or as part of a grander dish like stir-fried rice or risotto.
Rice is not only a versatile side, but it's also inexpensive and can be bought in bulk. It's also easy to cook and can be elevated to a main dish when paired with the right ingredients.
If you want to fill your stomach without thinking too hard about your next dish, then consider having rice in your pantry.
For many cuisines, it's not merely a frequent addition to the dinner table-it's often viewed as a staple in every meal. And there's a reason for that phenomenon-it's versatile, easy to cook, and highly accessible in supermarkets. So don't skimp out on it in your next grocery run!
- Canned Tuna
You should always prepare a form of "back-up" food in case of emergencies, like if the power runs out or if a natural disaster like a tornado or storm somehow ravages your area and cuts out electricity.
Canned tuna is deemed an excellent source of protein in situations like these-but it's not only used for doomsday prep. It's a great protein and vitamin source on its own, often containing vital nutrients and minerals like vitamin D, selenium, and omega-3 acids.
It's also a good protein source for occasions when you need a quick and easy meal. Simply whip out the can of tuna and top it with a carb of your choice-then you've got yourself a quick pick-me-up meal in no time.
- Breads
Another pantry essential every household should have is bread.
Not only is it cheap and versatile, it's also filling and can be paired with a wide variety of foods. From sauces to meats, bread can be combined in many ways to make every meal feel satisfying and delicious.
Some examples of meals you can make at home with it: a classic sandwich, bread pudding, or croutons. Bread also comes in a variety of types like flatbreads, loaves, and artisan slices-giving you versatility to make a meal in your preferred fashion.
- Pasta
Just like bread and rice, pasta is another excellent carbohydrate source that can be made into many different dishes. From ravioli to egg noodles, these carbs also have very different makeups-but they virtually deliver the same filling makeup that's a true crowd pleaser.
Besides coming in different styles, pasta is also incredibly easy to cook and versatile in the kitchen. To illustrate an example, most pasta types can be mixed with marinara sauce or tomato sauce. Meatballs and tuna flakes can also be added to the dish to make it more hearty and protein-rich.
In any case, pasta is a dependable kitchen staple that's tasty and easy to transform into a full meal with a few extra ingredients. Having it in your pantry is always a good idea if you want to have a quick yet filling meal option at home.
- Vinegar
Vinegar is a kitchen essential that does far more than one may initially realise. A few splashes of it can instantly brighten sauces, balance sweetness, and cut through rich flavours. It's what gives dishes that subtle, crave-worthy tang that keeps them from tasting flat.
Besides being a good addition to various cooking processes, it can also double as a produce cleaner and pan deglazer. Having at least a bottle of vinegar on hand is something you should consider if you want a powerful dish add-on and alternative natural cleaner all in one.
- Beans
One of the best balanced canned goods you can have in your pantry is beans. They're not only affordable and easy to store in pantry shelves for a long time, but they're also dense with minerals, fibre, and protein. They can also be used in a variety of dishes, like soups and salads.
From hummus to tacos, beans are great additions to a wide variety of dishes and many cuisines. Throw in some good seasoning its way, and you've got yourself a good and hearty dish that's filling and nutritious.
We hope that this list will help you fill out your pantry with some kitchen essentials. All the best in whipping up delicious dishes, home cooks!
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