Below are the items I always have stocked in my pantry and freezer to make healthy eating easier. Keeping a well stocked pantry and freezer ensures you can always whip up a healthy meal or snack without much forethought.
Pantry & Freezer Staples
I know many of you have been stocking up on pantry staples/non-perishable food items these past couple of days. So, I thought I would share my pantry and freezer staples in case you are looking for some guidance/inspiration. I've been working toward a well stocked pantry for awhile now. I only buy ingredients when I know I need them for a recipe to ensure nothing goes to waste. If you are just starting out then select a couple items from each category based on what you know you like or recipes you plan to make in the near future. That is where meal planning becomes so important to help guide you in your pantry purchases. Be sure to check out my article: 40 Easy Recipes Using Pantry Staples (Vegan + Gluten-Free) and My Weekly Meal Plan for an example of what one week of eating looks like for me.
Once you decide on your meal plan for the week you can highlight the ingredients you need and start stocking your pantry.
Before we dive into what is in my vegan and gluten-free pantry, here are some general pantry tips:
- Buy in the bulk section and store in mason jars. Label the mason jars with what is in it and the date it expires. When refilling put the new, fresh ingredient on the bottom and top-off the mason jar with the older ingredients. This helps prevent spoilage.
- Extend the shelf life of nuts and seeds by keeping them in your refrigerator or freezer if you have space. I do this with my chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds and nuts that I use frequently for smoothies.
- Organize your pantry so you know where to find everything easily. You can use the general categories below or do whatever works for you! I alphabetize my spices because I have so many and it makes cooking so much easier for me so I don't spend time digging around for each spice.
- Having proper kitchen appliances is just as important as having a well stocked pantry. See my shop page for kitchen appliances I use.
My Vegan + Gluten-Free Pantry & Freezer Staples
Nut/Seed Butters
- almond butter (raw, creamy from Trader Joe's)
- cashew butter (creamy)
- sunflower seed butter (unsalted, unsweetened from Trader Joe's)
- tahini
Nuts/Seeds - buy in the bulk section
- almonds (raw, slivered, sliced and salted)
- Brazil nuts
- cashews (salted and raw, unsalted)
- chia seeds (Costco)
- flaxseeds
- hemp seeds
- macadamia nuts
- pecans (raw)
- pepitas
- pine nuts
- pistachios
- sesame seeds (white)
- sunflower seeds (raw)
- walnuts (raw)
Legumes
- black lentils (Beluga only)
- black beans
- cannellini beans (white beans)
- chickpea pasta
- garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- red lentils (split)
- split peas
Flours
- arrowroot powder (also known as arrowroot starch)
- brown rice flour
- coconut flour
- garbanzo bean flour (for socca)
- super fine blanched almond flour (Costco)
- tapioca flour
Grains
- old fashioned oats (certified gluten-free from Trader Joe's)
- pasta (brown rice/quinoa gluten-free pasta by Jovial and Trader Joe's)
- quinoa
- rice (brown, jasmine, basmati, white, wild, arborio)
- sprouted buckwheat cereal (I like Lil Bucks)
Oils
- avocado oil
- extra virgin olive oil
- sesame oil
Vinegars
- balsamic vinegar
- raw apple cider vinegar
- red wine vinegar
Sauces/Miscellaneous Wet/Canned Goods
- coconut milk (light and full-fat)
- curry paste (red, yellow, green)
- Dijon mustard (Annie's brand)
- marinara sauce (I love Raos)
- olives (black and green pitted)
- pumpkin puree
- salsa
- tomatoes (crushed, paste, sauce, whole peeled, diced)
- vegetable broth (low-sodium)
Spices
- Allspice
- Bay leaves
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon (ground)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Fine sea salt
- Flaky sea salt
- Garam Masala
- Garlic powder
- Himalayan fine pink salt
- Kosher salt
- Nutmeg
- Onion powder
- Ras el hanot spice blend (for Moroccan dishes)
- Red pepper flakes
- Smoked paprika
- Sweet paprika
- Turmeric
Baking Essentials
- almond milk (unsweetened, plain in a carton)
- applesauce, unsweetened
- baking powder/baking soda
- blackstrap molasses
- cacao nibs
- cacao powder, raw
- coconut butter
- coconut oil, virgin
- coconut, shredded and flaked
- cocoa powder, unsweetened
- extracts (vanilla, peppermint, almond)
- maple syrup (100% pure maple syrup)
- Medjool dates (pitted)
- oat milk (unsweetened, plain in a carton)
- sprinkles (dye-free)
Sweeteners
- cane sugar
- coconut sugar (regular and brown)
- powdered sugar (for frosting)
- turbinado sugar
Packaged Goods
- brown rice crispy cereal
- dried fruits (cranberries, cherries etc.) - unsweetened
- freeze dried fruit
- Hu Chocolate bars (refined sugar-free) [use promo code 'ELAINE' for 15% discount]
- Hu Chocolate Gems (refined sugar-free) [use promo code 'ELAINE' for 15% discount]
- Siete sea salt chips
- Simple Mills almond flour crackers
- Sir Kensington's Classic Fabanaise (vegan, soy-free mayonnaise)
Long-Lasting Produce (stored in my pantry)
- garlic
- ginger root
- onions (red, white, yellow)
- potatoes
- shallots
- sweet potatoes + Hannah white potatoes
- turmeric root
Counter Produce:
- apples
- lemons
- limes
- squash (spaghetti, acorn, butternut, pumpkin etc.)
Freezer
For last minute lunches/dinners:
- Siete almond flour tortillas (from Whole Foods)
- Olive Valley Falafel Patties (from Whole Foods)
- Homemade soups [leave an inch of space at the top of your container for liquid to expand in freezer]
- Veggie burgers
- Daily Harvest bowls [use code 'EATINGBYELAINE' for $25 off your first order]
- Frozen brown rice (Whole Foods - ready in 3 minutes and so good!)
Frozen Fruit (all unsweetened - for smoothies)
- acai packets
- blueberries
- mango
- pineapple
- pitaya packets
- raspberries
- spinach (I buy fresh and freeze)
- strawberries
Frozen vegetables (no salt added - for soups and smoothies)
- butternut squash cubes
- cauliflower florets
- peas
- riced cauliflower
- spinach
- sweet potato cubes
Staple Fresh Produce
- Avocados
- Baby spinach
- Bananas
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Oranges
- Parsley
I hope this overview of what is in my vegan and gluten-free pantry and freezer inspires you to start stocking your own pantry. Once you do, pulling together healthy meals will become so much easier. I promise. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below. I would love to help!
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