I love having a stocked pantry. Planning for meals ahead of time saves you money and stress. Not to mention the money for gas to drive to the store to pick up a few things. I am all about saving money. I am not a prepper, and I live in the city. Having a well-stocked pantry just makes sense. I want to share with you how I set up my pantry and the items I stock.
Herbs and spices in my pantry:
- Basil
- Bay Leaves
- Beef Bouillon
- Cayenne Pepper
- Celery Salt
- Chicken Bouillon
- Chili Powder
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Curry Powder
- Fennel
- Garlic Powder
- Ginger
- Minced Garlic
- Nutmeg
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peppercorns
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Rubbed Sage
- Rosemary
- Savory
- Thyme
I am sure you can think up more spices and herbs. You should have your condiments basics also. Like ketchup and mayonnaise etc. Next, I have a selection of canned goods or jars
Cans and jars in my pantry:
- Applesauce
- Baked Beans
- Black-Eyed Peas
- Canned Chicken
- Canned Tuna
- Carrots
- Corn
- Fruits, such as canned peaches and fruit cocktail( these have a lot of sugar in them.)
- Green Beans
- Peanut Butter (I use PB fit organic peanut butter powder)
- Peas
- Soups, especially cream soups for casseroles and broths ( I prefer to make my broths for soups)
- Tomatoes
This list is just the basics. I am getting back into growing as much as my food as I can and then preserving it. I plan to have at least a year’s worth of food on hand in my pantry.
You do not want to forget to keep your pantry stocked with aluminum foil and plastic bags. I am using these things less and less. I put leftovers in glass containers with lids. I am trying to get away from using plastics in the kitchen, well everywhere in my home. I have switched over to paperless paper towels.
The other thing is to have a neat and organized pantry to put all this stuff in. If you are getting into preserving your food, you will have to plan a place to keep it all. Here in Colorado, most of us have basements that are perfect to build shelves to put your excess stock on.
No matter what level you like to stock your pantry take the time to plan out how you cook. This will guide you on how to set up your very own pantry. If you are as interested in the pantry as I am you can decorate it, organize it and just have fun with it. Good Luck! I would love to see and hear how your pantry planning is going.
Be safe, Be healthy,
Roxanne