When our kids got their first apartments, they wanted to know what I kept on hand in my pantry. They found my list helpful; maybe you will too.

Please note that if you are setting up a new kitchen, you don’t need to go out and buy all these items at once. Just get them as you need them. Eventually, you’ll have a well-stocked pantry.

Pantry

• Flour[1]
• Sugar[2]
• Brown & powdered sugar (at times)
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Vanilla
• Brown rice
• Bulgur
• Spaghetti (whole wheat)
• Macaroni (w/w)
• Canned spaghetti sauce
• Canned diced tomatoes (I prefer the petite dice)
• Canned beans: black, small white, garbanzo
• Refried beans
• Canned chili peppers
• Canned fruit, varies
• Onions
• Jam (flavor varies)
• Tuna
• Oil (canola and olive)
• Vinegar (plain, white wine, red wine)
• White wine
• Red wine
• Crackers
• Tortilla chips
• Cashews
• Garlic
• Tea
• Coffee
• Bread
• Oatmeal
• Generic cold cereal
• Meat tenderizer

Spice rack:

• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Dry mustard
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Curry powder
• Thyme
• Sage
• Summer savory
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Pepper
• Cayenne

Freezer

• Frozen chicken, the parts you like best
• Frozen burger, in ¾ – 1 lb. packages
• Frozen meat or fish-tilapia, cod, salmon, pork, beef roast—whatever was on sale
• Frozen green beans
• Frozen peas
• Nuts: slivered almonds, whole pecans

Fridge

• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Celery
• Chicken stock base
• Beef stock base
• Soy sauce
• Catsup
• Relish
• Pickles
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Maple syrup
• Cheese (maybe low-fat Cheddar, low-fat Swiss, blue, and/or feta)
• Sliced lunch meat (turkey or ham, usually)
• Milk or soy milk
• Dry sherry
• Butter
• Ginger (fresh, pureed, comes in a jar)

A few extra things we like to have on hand:

• Canned green beans, wax (yellow) beans, & kidney beans, for making 4-bean salad
• Mandarin oranges, for salads
• Baked beans: my husband eats these for dinner when I’m not around to cook for him
• Frozen mixed veggies: Italian style (for use in quickie burger minestrone)
• Black olives
• Tapioca (instant)