You can’t stock your pantry without having a plan. If you want to save money on food costs, your pantry must have certain items.
Not only will having a stocked pantry allow you to make your own meals once you get good at stocking up on items, but you can also live off your pantry for a couple of weeks.
Creating EXTRA room in your budget.
Meal planning has truly brought my family to a path of financial peace. When I take the time every week to think about the meals we are going to eat, look at the proteins on sale, and use what is in the pantry to feed my family, the savings are astonishing.
I didn’t start with the skill of cooking in the kitchen. Still, I would much rather bake than cook.
But when the kids are distracted and I have all my meals planned, I am calm in the kitchen and enjoying the simplicity in feeding my family healthy foods at home for less.
I updated the post to now include 40 Items you need to cook meals with- for a list of 60 cheap meal ideas tap here.
TIP: With coupons and watching the sales, I can spend less than $60 a week on groceries.
Below is a list of pantry and fridge items I like to keep on hand to live a healthier, simpler life.
I can easily come up with simple and delicious meals for my family when I have these pantry items.
READ OR PIN- Fool-Proof Way to Eat Healthier on A Budget- Every Week
Look at having a stocked pantry, setting yourself up for success in meal planning, and offering your family healthy options. This is also a key factor in creating the perfect grocery list.
I love to buy many organic spices at BJ’s Wholesale Club because it is cheaper than our local grocery store. But, of course, if you can dry your own herbs, this is the better option.
Aldi is another great store to go and get your basic pantry items from. Just remember the importance of looking at unit price and the quality of the ingredients.
If you think your pantry is well stocked already, and you want to live off eating what’s only in your kitchen, check out our article here.
Quick Recap How You Can Stock Your Pantry For Cheap
- Follow a coupon matchup list
- Buy produce in season
- Buy Meat in bulk-freeze for later
- Only Buy items on sale
- Keep your pantry stocked with the items below to always make a meal from scratch at home for less
Print your own Pantry Stock up list below.
Spices/Herbs
- Sea Salt
- Whole Black Peppercorns( grinding fresh pepper is the way to go)
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Tarragon
- Dill
- Bay Leaves
- Ground Mustard
- Chili Powder
- Nutmeg
- Parsley
- Cumin
- Fresh Garlic
Cooking & Baking
- Active dry yeast( This is Super affordable at BJ’s- no coupons needed $3.99 for 4 lbs.)
- All-Purpose Flour ( 10 lb. bag $4.99 at BJ’s)
- Baking Powder ( Aluminum Free 2 pack $4.99 at BJ’s)
- Baking Soda ( 13.5 lb bag $4.99- Use for many other things. Put a small amount in a container to keep fresh use rest for cleaning)
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cocoa Powder
- Real Maple Syrup
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Raw Honey
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Cinnamon Powder
- Chicken & Beef Stock
Oils, Vinegar, Sauces
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- Frank’s Hot Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Olive Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Balsamic Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
For the Fridge Door
- Dijon Mustard
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
Dairy & Eggs
- Butter Quarters
- Cheese
- Milk
- Yogurt ( I like grabbing Greek yogurt to use in place of sour cream in recipes.)
- Eggs
Vegetables
- Onions
- Celery
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Scallions
- Tomatoes
Canned/Dry Goods
- Beans
- Tomatoes
- Tuna
- Pasta- a variety of kinds
- Rice
- Chicken Stock/Bouillon Cubes
Wondering what to make with some of these items? I have a post here where you can buy two proteins and make 7 easy meals.
AND My favorite meal planning app lets you add all your pantry items in it, and then it comes up with meals for you- based on what you already have. It’s the best. Sign up here.