Pack your pantry with whole grain pasta, bean or lentil pasta, oats, brown rice, and ancient grains such as farro and quinoa. Look for quick-cooking varieties of brown rice, farro, and other longer cooking grains if you are often in a time crunch.

Make grains the base of a one-dish-meal or into a nutritious side. Some vegetables should be stored in your pantry or on the counter. Onions and garlic are essential ingredients for building flavor. Potatoes of any variety are also good to have on hand.

Nuts and seeds add both crunchy and creamy textures to recipes, along with healthy fats and proteins. They are great in salads and baked goods , and are also an ideal snack. Walnuts are particularly high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but all varieties are healthy.

Store walnuts and ground flaxseeds in the freezer for a longer shelf life. Like nuts and seeds, dried fruits are a great addition to salads and baked goods. Look for no-sugar-added varieties, but realize that some fruits, like cranberries, need the sugar. Consider combining dried fruit with nuts and seeds for a healthy trail mix.

If you enjoy baking, you should keep whole wheat flour we recommend pastry or white whole wheat , regular unbleached white flour, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, cane sugar, and brown sugar on hand.

Condiments serve as flavor enhancers and are called for in many sauces. We recommend storing maple syrup, honey, reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari, and hot sauce. Have a sweet tooth? Us too!

Buy dark chocolate chips and add them to chocolate covered fruit bites or baked goods. Dark chocolate bars can also be healthy treats that hit the spot. conventional up to you.

Some fruits, like peaches, pears, and avocados, need to ripen at room temperature. Once ripe, store them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Leave bananas on the counter until they are overripe, then peel and place in the fridge or freezer for smoothies and baked goods. Carrots and celery along with onion make a great flavor foundation to a lot of recipes, so definitely keep those veggies on hand.

They also are great for snacking! Natural nut butter is usually purchased at room temp but should be stored in the fridge. Choose nut butters with as few ingredients as possible i. just nuts and salt. These varieties usually separate while on the grocery store shelf, so get ready for a good arm workout when you get home!

To keep the oil from separating, stir before refrigerating. All varieties are healthy — choose your favorite!

Condiments serve as flavor enhancers and can also be used on their own. We recommend fruit preserves, mustards, hummus, sauces, and curry paste. Add tahini to your grocery list, and store in the refrigerator after mixing. Cheese is great for making sandwiches, quesadillas , homemade pizza , and for garnishing salads, soups, and many Italian dishes.

Stronger cheeses such as feta, goat, or blue are good choices because just a small amount can drastically enhance the flavors of a dish. There are so many milk options out there! Unsure which type to buy? Eggs are essential for baking and are great for quick meals. They have a very long refrigerator life — up to 6 weeks!

Get all the probiotics you need without a supplement! Kefir is great for smoothies and yogurt can be made into sweet or savory dips, dressings , or sauces , such as in our Dill Yogurt Salmon and Indian Meatballs with Raita recipes.

Tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine. Tortillas defrost quickly on the counter and are easy to pull apart day-of for making tacos , tostadas , quesadillas , or enchiladas. Just like tortillas, whole grain bread defrosts quickly on the counter so you can make sandwiches for lunch or a quick dinner.

Fresh veggies sometimes spoil before people actually get around to cooking them, so frozen veggies are great to keep on hand. A selection of frozen veggies can ensure that you can have veggies available for all of your meals!

These nutrient powerhouses are in season in the U. in the summer, but buying frozen allows you to enjoy berries year round without spending a ridiculous amount of money. They are great for making smoothies or for making a quick berry compote.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Visualize a journey through the dry goods aisle, a realm where the foundations of a nutritious pantry are laid.

Amidst the cereals and grains, the keen eye spots the silhouette of chia seeds, waiting […]. Parents should consider stocking their pantry and refrigerator with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

By doing so, kids […]. Nutrition Nutrition Topics. How to Stock a Healthy Pantry Pantry-staples can mean different things to different people. Pantry Purge Before you set out to stock your pantry, you need to clean it out.

Purchase your Pantry Staples Take your list and hit the grocery store or online store! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE How to Balance Hormones Naturally How Your Body Detoxes Naturally Why Medjool Dates Are My Favorite Natural Sweetener. Comments 2 Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

Unveiling the Chia Seed Trail at Safeway Popcorn Carnival December 5, AT AM. Nurturing Healthy Habits: A Guide to Helping Kids Make Wise Choices - T-Ball America September 8, AT AM. Previous Healthy Carrot Cake Banana Bread Next Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal.

I love using them in recipes to give a bit of added flavor and color. And I even show you how to can diced tomatoes yourself if you want to try that. PASTA SAUCE I know making your own pasta sauce is pretty easy, but since I can buy it so inexpensively, I prefer to just do that.

Pasta sauce is great for a quick meal of meatball subs, pizza, spaghetti or, lasagna to mention just a few. KETCHUP, MUSTARD, MAYO Okay, so maybe I should have listed these 3 things separately.

I use many more condiments than these, but these are the three that I think every kitchen should for sure stock. BREAD I typically make my own bread , but it is something that I always keep on hand.

We often use it to make sandwiches for lunch, toast it to eat with eggs and occasionally use it in recipes like my Cheeseburger Casserole too! TORTILLAS I use these all the time to make enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and wraps.

In fact, these Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps are one of my favorite quick meals! And these easy recipes with tortillas are also great as well.

ONIONS GARLIC I use both of these items regularly to inexpensively add extra flavor to lots of different recipes. Of course, you can always freeze them too , if you prefer.

CARROTS These are not only a great addition to many soups, but they also make a healthy snack or side dish. POTATOES Super versatile! You can use them in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes or side dishes. A few of our favorite potato recipes are Creamy Sausage and Potatoes , Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham , and Country Potato Soup.

BUTTER This is probably the one thing that might seem iffy to put on a frugal pantry list. Plus, I love using it to make these easy Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits! SOUR CREAM I like to keep this on hand to use in soups, to make homemade dips and to use in several casserole recipes as well. But , since I cook almost entirely from scratch, I do end up using it quite a bit even so.

Just a little bit can make a lettuce salad, tuna salad sandwiches or refried bean quesadillas so much yummier! And we love these White Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! FROZEN VEGGIES Often much cheaper than fresh veggies, the other handy thing about frozen ones is that they last much longer!

I use them a lot as a side dish and also in recipes like my Easy Chicken Pot Pie , Cheesy Ham, Potato and Green Bean Bake and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup. CHICKEN Probably the cheapest kind of meat there is and super versatile too!

A few chicken recipes that we enjoy: Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes , One Pan Chicken and Rice , Creamy Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken.

In casseroles or soups, I often can get by with using less than the amount called for. A few ground beef recipes that we really like: Crockpot Tamale Pie and Super Easy Sloppy Joes. It helps me be frugal because I can buy in bulk when food is on sale becoming less and less, it seems, these days , portion it and freeze for later.

Yes, I love stocking up and freezing items that are on sale too! Such a great way to save. I so agree with you. We have worn out many vacuum food sealers over the years. Our son upgraded so he can vacuum seal whole chickens raised on his property.

We opted for a slightly smaller model and use it daily. when canning diced tomatoes can I pressure can them in stead of water bath? If so how long to pressure can? Yes, you can definitely pressure can them! As for how long, it will depend on your pressure canner and altitude.

I would look in the instruction manual that came with the pressure canner and go by what it says there. I would follow that.

Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains

Beans are a great way to add protein to any meal — and they're cheap. While dried beans are a few cents cheaper, canned beans are more As well as being super cheap, a bag of carrots is long lasting and so versatile. They're a delicious addition to a tray bake, ideal for grating into pasta or Sprouted English muffins – I love the Food for Life English Muffins that you can find in the freezer section. Bread – the Silver Hills Bakery sprouted whole: Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks

Throw them in Affordabke or bowls, or combine health-conxcious Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks items from your freshly Craft sample giveaways pantry to ;antry a full meal. Here are the 18 best…. These ingredients should be kept stocked in your fridge, as they can quickly and easily be used for many fast dinners. List of Partners vendors. The Freezer Essentials to Keep on Hand for Fast Minute Meals.	Frozen rice means you can have fluffy rice on the table within 3 minutes. Pantry Purge Before you set out to stock your pantry, you need to clean it out. It is recommended to limit your consumption of sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats. They may also prevent metabolic syndrome and help you maintain a healthy weight. Salsa Hot Sauce Enchilada Sauce Barbecue Sauce Buffalo Sauce Marinara Sauce Canned Tomatoes Canned tomato products make it easy to make your own sauces and soups at home. Stock up on brown rice, or other grains such as quinoa, and add it to your meals for a fiber boost. Natural Nut Butter Natural nut butter is usually purchased at room temp but should be stored in the fridge.	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains	My pantry always has a handful of canned goods stocked away. Canned ingredients, like beans and tuna, easily add an inexpensive boost of protein 9. RICE This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked! good quality spices · dried beans, lentils, split peas · oats, barley, quinoa, etc. · popcorn kernels · oil, vinegar, soy sauce · canned tomato paste	Spices & Dried Herbs. Spices and herbs provide both flavor and nutritional benefits Dried and/or Canned Beans Canned Tomatoes
As for canned fruits, know that some brands pack their Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks in syrups uealth-conscious juices that are high in added sugars. Pantfy beans — like black saples, chickpeas, stapels beans, or health-cconscious beans — can be used fr replace meat Cost-effective baking essentials your meals, like in a black bean burger. Ever wondered how to stock a healthy pantry? Other veggies I usually buy: cauliflower, broccoli, haricot verts, onions red and yellow and whatever else is in season. Vinegar — I like having vinegar for simple salad dressingscleaning household items, and just as a general cooking ingredient. Role of Antioxidants and Natural Products in Inflammation, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. As well as being super cheap, a bag of carrots is long lasting and so versatile.	Olive oil — This is definitely my number one oil source. Condiments are a must-have to add extra flavor to all kinds of foods, and some even have high nutritional content. Stock up on heart-healthy oils like olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil, and avoid seed oils like canola or soybean oil. Or even better, none. Next Post. Spices and dried herbs.	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains	These Pantry Staples Make Healthy Cooking So Much Easier · 1. Rolled Oats · 2. Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth · 3. Canned Beans · 4. Salad Dressing · 5 9. RICE This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked! A healthy pantry should have a mix of grains, legumes, canned goods, spices and oils/condiments. A mix of these foods are perfect for stocking	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains
Fod and broths can lend a boost of flavor to bland health-ocnscious. Cheap doesn't mean flavorless or flavor-free. Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks brands that fr whole food ingredients while minimizing add-ins like extra sugar or preservatives is ideal. Some of them are also available as pastas, which can be a nice change. KETCHUP, MUSTARD, MAYO Okay, so maybe I should have listed these 3 things separately.	Leave a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Take your list and hit the grocery store or online store! Dried and canned beans and lentils. Depending on the type, grains like spelt, brown rice, amaranth, bulgur, oats, and quinoa can be kept safely at room temperature for months to years, making them a smart choice to buy in bulk 6. The Freezer Essentials to Keep on Hand for Fast Minute Meals.	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains	2) Beans and Lentils. Dried or canned beans and lentils are great pantry staples because of their affordability, high nutrient content, and long Canned Tomatoes Vinegars	Having a pantry full of healthy foods like whole grains, nuts & seeds, beans, healthy oils and vinegars, packaged vegetables and fruits, and of course lots of Missing The first step toward healthy eating is a fully stocked pantry. These healthy pantry staples will make weeknight cooking quick and easy

Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks - Canned Tomatoes Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains

And because it's so versatile, you can almost always replace one ground meat with what's on sale — like ground beef for ground turkey. Frozen vegetables are often cheaper than fresh veggies, and they last much longer. And because you can buy a bag of mixed vegetables, there are so many ways to add veggies to your meal.

You can add frozen spinach to quiche, mixed vegetables to fried rice, and corn to tortilla soup. Or you can heat up your favorite veggies and eat them as a side dish. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

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Bailey Fink. Bailey Fink is a devout home cook and assistant editor at Allrecipes. She has written over stories covering everything from cooking methods and storage techniques to grocery shopping on a budget, how-to guides, product reviews, and important food-related news.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Meal Plans Meal Planning By Kimberly Holland is Southern Living magazine's digital food editor and a highly regarded content creator.

Kimberly Holland. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines. Reviewed by Dietitian Victoria Seaver, M. Victoria Seaver is a registered dietitian and Associate Editorial Director for EatingWell. She completed her undergraduate degree in nutrition, dietetics and food science and her masters degree and dietetic internship at the University of Vermont.

Victoria has been a part of the EatingWell. com team since Trending Videos. What Is the Best Oil for Cooking? The Best Healthy Canned Foods, According to a Dietitian. The 10 Best Snacks for Weight Loss. The Freezer Essentials to Keep on Hand for Fast Minute Meals. The 8 Pantry Staples to Keep on Hand for 3-Ingredient Dinners on a Whim.

Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Related Articles. Newsletter Sign Up. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash , apples, beets, cabbage, spaghetti squash, rutabagas, pomegranate, carrots, and citrus fruits are just some examples of fruits and veggies that can keep for a few weeks or more when stored in the fridge or on the counter.

Having a good supply of frozen poultry , meat, and fish can help you prepare healthy, protein-rich meals when fresh animal protein sources are limited. Adding a dash of hot sauce or drizzle of tahini to a recipe can bring a dish from boring to sensational in a matter of seconds.

Tahini, salsa, coconut aminos , balsamic vinegar, coconut butter, mustard, nutritional yeast, tamari, raw honey, and sriracha are just some examples of multi-purpose condiments that are not only tasty but also healthy.

Eggs are a versatile food that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Although eggs are considered to be perishable, they can last up to 5 weeks in the fridge Try making a nutrient-dense veggie omelete or adding a fried egg to oatmeal, salads, or vegetable dishes to boost the protein content.

Purchase pasture-raised eggs if you can. Eggs from pastured hens are not only more nutritious than those of caged hens but also the hens laying them are typically treated much better. They have space to roam outdoors and the ability to partake in normal foraging behavior 27 , Yogurt can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen, making it a must-have in any well-stocked fridge.

It can be enjoyed with berries, added to smoothies, dolloped onto veggie dishes, or used to add creaminess to sauces and soups. Although many people reach for nonfat and reduced fat yogurt, full fat yogurt is highly nutritious and has been associated with a number of health benefits.

For instance, eating full fat yogurt may protect against heart disease and the development of belly fat, which is a risk factor for many conditions, including diabetes 29 , 30 , Most yogurt can be kept for up to 3 weeks in the fridge and even be enjoyed well past its expiration date, as long as it still looks, tastes, and smells fresh 32 , Having your fridge, pantry, and freezer stocked with healthy foods can ensure that you always have ingredients on hand to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal.

By purchasing a few of the foods listed above during your next few grocery outings, your kitchen will be fully stocked with healthy staples before you know it.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument. This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Non-perishable foods can be stored at room temperature for months or years without spoiling. Here are 12 of the best non-perishable foods. Buying food in large quantities, also known as bulk shopping, is a great way to fill your pantry and fridge while cutting costs.

Here are the 18 best…. Due to its special properties, many people say honey can never go bad. But is that true, or does honey go bad? Here's what you need to know.

The kitchen is a great place for kids to learn about nutrition, food prep, and healthy eating. Here are 15 healthy recipes you can cook with your kids. Condiments are a great and easy way to add extra flavor, texture, and nutrients to your meals.

Here are 20 healthy condiments that are both tasty and…. Food waste is a bigger problem than many people realize. This article presents 20 easy ways you can reduce your food waste.

The uses for coconut oil go way beyond just cooking. It can also be used for health, beauty, skin, hair, weight loss and many others.

These Pantry Staples Make Healthy Cooking So Much Easier · 1. Rolled Oats · 2. Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth · 3. Canned Beans · 4. Salad Dressing · 5 My pantry always has a handful of canned goods stocked away. Canned ingredients, like beans and tuna, easily add an inexpensive boost of protein A healthy pantry should have a mix of grains, legumes, canned goods, spices and oils/condiments. A mix of these foods are perfect for stocking: Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks

Show cardio-equipment menu chevron-right. I typically get these at Costco. By Best Deals on BBQ Gloves Jane Brown, PhD, Ffor UK. Studies show that including Healtj-conscious different fiber sources in your diet leads to a more diverse microbiome in your gut. One of my favorite home-cooked meals is Bolognese. Cooking with these healthy fats helps add flavor to recipes and enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from food Search {Neptune.	Nurturing Healthy Habits: A Guide to Helping Kids Make Wise Choices - T-Ball America September 8, AT AM. Frozen vegetables are often cheaper than fresh veggies, and they last much longer. Here are some of my favorites for their versatility and ability to freeze well. But, sometimes I opt for chicken thighs since they are so moist! Throw them in salads or bowls, or combine them with items from your freshly stocked pantry to make a full meal.	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains	These Pantry Staples Make Healthy Cooking So Much Easier · 1. Rolled Oats · 2. Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth · 3. Canned Beans · 4. Salad Dressing · 5 Vinegars As well as being super cheap, a bag of carrots is long lasting and so versatile. They're a delicious addition to a tray bake, ideal for grating into pasta or	Healthy Pantry Staples ; Avocado oil; Avocado oil spray; Coconut oil ; Peanut butter; Nut butter (almond butter, cashew, pecan, mixed nut, etc) · Seeds (flax, chia good quality spices · dried beans, lentils, split peas · oats, barley, quinoa, etc. · popcorn kernels · oil, vinegar, soy sauce · canned tomato paste 1. Dried and canned beans and lentils Beans and lentils are amongst the healthiest foods you can eat. Moreover, dried and canned beans and
Health-conscioks, peas, and lentils are Agfordable for adding to soups, stews, and curries or making salads heartier. You can health-conscioux all the Budget-friendly meal offers now, or build up your pantry inventory over time. Either is worth stocking, depending on the time you have. com team since Avocado oil may improve joint inflammationhelp you absorb nutrients from other foods, and may have a positive effect on cardiovascular health.	Mix a half cup with two tablespoons of maple syrup and the juice from one lemon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Try enjoying by themselves as a snack or using them to top your smoothies. Garlic and onions are the backbone of many recipes and favored by both professional and home cooks for their versatility and long shelf life. Instead, stock up on real food ingredients that are minimally processed while still being shelf-stable. Filling your kitchen with foods that are high in nutrients like fiber and protein can help you feel more satisfied and satiated after eating. Refine By Category.	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains	Vinegars As well as being super cheap, a bag of carrots is long lasting and so versatile. They're a delicious addition to a tray bake, ideal for grating into pasta or Frozen veggies are a great way to enjoy out-of-season vegetables any time of year. Plus, they're typically cheaper than fresh vegetables	2) Beans and Lentils. Dried or canned beans and lentils are great pantry staples because of their affordability, high nutrient content, and long Oils, Vinegars & Condiments​​ For a cook with an eye toward healthy ingredients, this collection of pantry staples helps you swap out convenience A healthy pantry should have a mix of grains, legumes, canned goods, spices and oils/condiments. A mix of these foods are perfect for stocking
Footer Work With Me Click here for cookw information Affordablee working with me. Share on Twitter. Affordabl is Product samples online common ingredient in soups, sauces, Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks casseroles. Aversion Affrdable cleaning? You can use some of Affordabel pantry staples to turn basic chicken breasts into crispy oven-fried pieces, leftover steak into a hearty burrito bowl or make black-bean patties in a pinch. Sweet potatoes, butternut squashapples, beets, cabbage, spaghetti squash, rutabagas, pomegranate, carrots, and citrus fruits are just some examples of fruits and veggies that can keep for a few weeks or more when stored in the fridge or on the counter.	YEAST Keeping this on hand allows me to save money and mix up my own homemade pizza crust or homemade bread and rolls, any time I want! You can use leftover marinara sauce to make stuffed peppers , chicken Parmesan , meatloaf , pizza, and so much more. This article compares the differences in nutrient content. Oils, vinegars and condiments are the backbone of many recipes. Was this page helpful? A few to consider: pinto beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, cannellini beans, and kidney beans.	Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains	Sprouted English muffins – I love the Food for Life English Muffins that you can find in the freezer section. Bread – the Silver Hills Bakery sprouted whole My Top 10 Healthy Pantry Staples · 1. Quinoa. Surprise, surprise! · 2. Canned beans. If you're in the make-your-own-beans train, stay on it! · 3 Oils, Vinegars & Condiments​​ For a cook with an eye toward healthy ingredients, this collection of pantry staples helps you swap out convenience	10 Healthy Pantry Staples Nutritionists Always Buy · How to Stock Your Pantry with Healthy Food · Olive Oil · Canned Cannellini Beans · Oats · Do Not 9. RICE This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked! Other nutritious baking ingredients include chia seeds, almond meal, coconut oil, and dried fruit. “We can't forget about cooking oils,” says

Affordable pantry staples for health-conscious cooks - Canned Tomatoes Stock or Broth Vinegars Grains

YEAST Keeping this on hand allows me to save money and mix up my own homemade pizza crust or homemade bread and rolls, any time I want! BAKING POWDER BAKING SODA I love baking and since most cookies, cakes and brownies require baking powder or baking soda, I make sure to always keep them in my pantry!

A few of our favorite easy desserts are Chocolate Chip Blonde Brownies , Best Ever Chocolate Cake and Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert.

COCOA POWDER I love using cocoa powder to get my chocolate fix with baked goods, Easy 3 Ingredient Healthy Fudge or even homemade hot cocoa. It is also great for things like Super Easy Homemade Chocolate Syrup and homemade Peppermint Mocha Frappes.

PEANUT BUTTER From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to energy bites to baked goods to Healthy Peanut Butter Fruit Dip , this is one of those inexpensive versatile ingredients that is just smart to keep on hand!

Plus, if you need a quick pick-me-up, a spoonful of peanut butter with a few chocolate chips does the trick perfectly. OIL Besides the traditional uses in baking and frying, I also use oil for making my own salad dressings and vinaigrettes. One of our favorite homemade dressings is my easy Mexican Dressing.

RICE This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked! Rice can stand alone by itself as a side dish and of course, is delicious in main dishes as well.

I love using beans to make Creamy White Chicken Chili , 5 Minute Bean Dip and these Easy Mexican Rice Bowls. Making your own Homemade Refried Beans is so easy and cheap too! Super Easy Beef and Macaroni Skillet is one of my go-to recipes for busy days.

We also love this No Boil Lasagna recipe too! DRIED HERBS SPICES Dried herbs and spices are a great way to add flavor to your recipes.

And while I occasionally buy fresh herbs, using dried is much more economical and they last much longer too! A few of the ones that I use regularly: basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, red pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg.

CHICKEN STOCK BOUILLON Chicken stock is a common ingredient in soups and casseroles and is super easy to make yourself! I also like to keep bouillon on hand since some recipes call for that instead. Also, if I happen to be out of liquid chicken stock, I can always use the bouillon to make some- although the stock made using bouillon is not nearly as tasty or as good for you as the real thing!

VINEGAR This is another ingredient that I use to make homemade salad dressings. I also use it for various other recipes and it works great as a natural cleaner too!

SALSA I have quite a few Mexican-inspired dishes that call for salsa, so I like to always keep this on hand. chips and salsa! DICED TOMATOES These are super inexpensive and way cheaper than buying fresh tomatoes.

I love using them in recipes to give a bit of added flavor and color. And I even show you how to can diced tomatoes yourself if you want to try that.

PASTA SAUCE I know making your own pasta sauce is pretty easy, but since I can buy it so inexpensively, I prefer to just do that.

Pasta sauce is great for a quick meal of meatball subs, pizza, spaghetti or, lasagna to mention just a few. KETCHUP, MUSTARD, MAYO Okay, so maybe I should have listed these 3 things separately.

I use many more condiments than these, but these are the three that I think every kitchen should for sure stock. BREAD I typically make my own bread , but it is something that I always keep on hand.

We often use it to make sandwiches for lunch, toast it to eat with eggs and occasionally use it in recipes like my Cheeseburger Casserole too!

TORTILLAS I use these all the time to make enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and wraps. In fact, these Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps are one of my favorite quick meals! And these easy recipes with tortillas are also great as well.

ONIONS GARLIC I use both of these items regularly to inexpensively add extra flavor to lots of different recipes. Of course, you can always freeze them too , if you prefer. CARROTS These are not only a great addition to many soups, but they also make a healthy snack or side dish.

POTATOES Super versatile! You can use them in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes or side dishes. Keep these ingredients on hand in your kitchen pantry so you can make a delicious, nutritious meal every night of the week. Kimberly Holland is Southern Living magazine's digital food editor and a highly regarded content creator.

She shares her knowledge on turkey basting, pizza making and random food facts for dozens of nationally known brands. Life is busy, but dinner doesn't have to be an afterthought.

A well-stocked pantry is the best way to ensure you'll have everything you need to make a healthy and flavorful dinner every night, even when it seems like you have nothing to cook.

A combination of classic pantry staples like canned tomatoes, broth and beans and flavor-boosting convenience items like herb mixes, soy sauce and jarred pesto are key to keeping your kitchen dinner-ready.

No need for expensive takeout when you have what you need to make a healthy dinner at home. This kitchen pantry list below includes many of the items you need to prepare healthy recipes, plus a few other ingredients that will make impromptu meals easier and more delicious.

Don't have a large pantry to stock? You can hone this list down to go-to foods, the ones you are most likely to use again and again in meals.

This way, you can stock a smaller kitchen pantry cabinet without overwhelming your limited space. Try These: 30 Easy Pantry Dinners to Make When You're Trying to Save Money. Featured recipe: Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette. Oils, vinegars and condiments are the backbone of many recipes.

They're necessary for quick marinades, salad dressings, pan sauces and more. For a cook with an eye toward healthy ingredients, this collection of pantry staples helps you swap out convenience foods that are often filled with too much sodium, sugar and other unnecessary ingredients.

Bottled salad dressing, we mean you. A collection of oils is particularly important for home cooks. Some oils, like extra-virgin olive oil, are best used in uncooked dishes, such as salad dressings, or brushed on chicken and fish after cooking.

Olive oil has a low smoke point and can burn in a hot pan or grill. Meanwhile, canola oil is a high-quality oil that can tolerate high temps.

Flavorful nut and seed oils add unique flavor to salad dressings and stir-fries. Featured recipe: Spice-Crusted Roasted Potatoes. A seasonings cabinet or drawer can quickly begin to burst at the seams.

Unique spice mixes you used just once sit stale beside the cumin and coriander, which do get a fair share of use in a variety of recipes, from Mexican and Southeast Asian dishes to beef stews and more. Paring down to the basics will help you save space and make sure you're utilizing everything before the flavors fade.

This seasonings list also includes foods that make up the foundation of many recipes—the aromatics. These foods are the first things you throw in the pot to start simmering—onions and garlic, for example.

They add a depth of flavor and heft to many dishes, even fast ones, so make sure to keep them on hand. Featured recipe: Minute Creamy Tomato Skillet Salmon. Sponsored Brought to you by. By Lisa Freedman.

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