Pantry Staples: The Key Ingredients for Everyday Cooking

As home cooks, it can sometimes be overwhelming with having to shop and cook for the family day after day. However, with just a few simple tips and tricks I can help you make cooking a lot easier.

The best start is with a well-stocked pantry. Having the basics on hand makes coming up with what to cook every day so much easier and saves having to constantly run to the shops for basic ingredients.

I’m going to take you through a list of all the essentials you will need for a thoroughly stocked pantry so you have the perfect base to start off every cook with.

Dried Spices and  Herbs 

Dry herbs and spices are really important flavor makers for both sweet and savory dishes.

When it comes to herbs I recommend bay leaves, fennel, oregano, parsley, and thyme to get you started.

Spices can be used for just flavor or flavor and heat at the same time. The spices I keep around for flavor are black pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and nutmeg. On the spicy side, I recommend paprika, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and chili powder.

Salt

What would food be without salt?

Salt is arguably the most important ingredient to have in your kitchen because without it our food would be dull and flavorless. I recommend a good kosher table salt for everyday use. 

Dry Ingredients for Baking

One of the great things about baking is that, very often, you can whip up a delicious cake or biscuit using just pantry ingredients. Dry ingredients have a long shelf life so you can keep them stocked up without having to worry about expiry dates.

The ingredients I recommend for baking supplies are all-purpose flour, instant yeast, baking powder, baking soda, cane sugar, brown sugar, and powdered sugar.

Panko Breadcrumbs

These Japanese breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier than your average dried breadcrumbs and they fry up to golden perfection. 

Dry Grains, Beans, and Pasta

Dry goods like these are items with a really long shelf life that are very versatile and inexpensive, which makes them the perfect base for a large variety of meals.

Stock

Freshly made stock is obviously ideal but if you don’t have the time it's a good idea to have a box stock in your cupboards. I like to keep a range of vegetable, chicken, beef, and fish stock.

Stock is a key ingredient in soups, stews, and sauces so you’re bound to be reaching for it on the regular.

Canned Tomatoes and Tomato Paste

Canned tomatoes and tomato paste is especially good to have around for Italian cooking. They are inexpensive and can be used in a large variety of dishes.

Oils

The oils you need can be broken down into two groups: cooking and finishing.

For your cooking oils, you want something neutral like canola, sunflower, or vegetable oil. To finish I like to use flavorful oils like sesame or extra virgin olive oil.

Vinegar

Mainly vinegar is there to add acidity to dressings, sauces, and marinades. The ones that are used most often are white wine, apple cider, balsamic, red wine, distilled white, and rice wine.

Honey and Syrups

Natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup can act as sugar substitutes as well as ingredients in their own right. I like a squeeze of honey in my tea or over my breakfast pancakes but it can also be used in a variety of dressings and sauces.

Fish Sauce

This funky sauce is an Asian ingredient made from salted and fermented anchovies. It has a very distinct umami flavor and is most often used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.

Soy Sauce

This seasoning sauce is another strong umami flavor used in many Asian dishes. If you are gluten intolerant you can use tamari as a substitute.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a great option for a dairy-free ingredient that adds creaminess to soups, curries, and even desserts.

Condiments: Mustard, Ketchup & Mayonnaise

Mustard is a classic condiment that can also be used in sauces. This spicy sauce comes in many different heat varieties like Dijon or English mustard as well as different forms like wholegrain.

Does ketchup really need an introduction?

This condiment can be used on its own or even used as an ingredient in sauces like 1000 island or sweet and sour. 

Like the condiments before it, mayonnaise can be used as a neutral dip or spread for sandwiches. It also serves as a base for many dressings and sauces that build off its neutral flavor and smooth texture.

Hot Sauce

Hot sauce is a great condiment to have around to add a quick hit of heat to your meal. There are so many on the market, it’ll be up to you to find your favorite to live in your cupboard.

Butter

This versatile dairy item is a chef’s best friend because it can be used in anything from toast to the most delicate desserts. It can also be used in the place of oil to fry things in to impart a buttery flavor.

Milk

Another home essential, milk can be used in your morning cup of coffee or used as an ingredient in its own right. Milk is often used in baking, sauces, soups, and many desserts.

Eggs

Although they don’t have a long shelf life, eggs are an essential part of your pantry. They can be a tasty breakfast on their own but they are also a key baking ingredient for a lot of basic recipes.

Peanut Butter

A nice balance between flavor and important protein, this spread is a fan favorite that deserves a space in your pantry. Spread it over toast as a snack, bake with it or even pop it in a smoothie.

Capers and Olives

Full of briny flavor, capers and olives are lovely additions to finish off a dish at the last minute. They add an incredible hit of acidity and work best in cheesy Italian meals like pasta and pizza or in salads.

Fresh Produce

They might have a short shelf life, but there is some fresh produce that will be useful in so many meals that you’ll surely use it up before it can go bad. The produce I like to always keep stocked is garlic, shallots, scallions, onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, lemons, ginger, and fresh chillis.

That was a comprehensive list of everything you should have in your pantry to set yourself up for cooking greatness. These ingredients can act as the base of a meal or be combined together to create a dish purely using pantry staples. However you use it, it's bound to take your home cooking to the next level.