Kitchen Pantry Necessities

Adam Bender | November 23, 2021

A kitchen is a special place in any home. It’s where the day begins and ends, and where much of the work is done to prepare meals, drinks, and snacks. With the holidays approaching, it’s especially important that everything is set up the way you need it, and nowhere is this need greater than the kitchen pantry.

Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season starts to take over your life, here are some things you can stock up on — and steps you can take — to ensure your pantry is ready for action!

Baking supplies
Herbs and spices
Storage upgrades
Canned and bottled goods
Oils and vinegar
Sweeteners
Condiments
Dry goods
Holiday extras

Continue reading to learn more about how you can be the Food Network star of the holiday season!

Prepare for The Baking to Commence

If you’re the sort of person who likes to bake, then the holiday season is your chance to truly shine! To make sure that your mad baking skills will be ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice, make sure to have the following ingredients on hand:

Flour — Depending on your eating habits, these may include white all-purpose, whole wheat, non-self-rising cake flour, and almond.
Extracts — Vanilla and others as needed.
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Yeast
Cocoa Powder
Cornstarch
Chocolate — Both unsweetened and semi-sweet.
Evaporated Milk

You can augment your pantry baking ingredients as you explore and experiment with different recipes.

Herbs and Spices

There are some extra ingredients that are tailor-made for fall and winter dishes. Sage, for instance, evokes feelings of bundling up by the fire, and nutmeg is key for a number of different dishes (and nogs).

There are dozens of other spices you could store — and the collection will vary from one kitchen pantry to another. Some of the most essential herbs and spices include bay leaves, cajun seasoning, granulated garlic, ground cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, and thyme.

Protect Your Pantry with Proper Storage

This article is mostly about stocking up on the right kinds of food. Your kitchen pantry’s contents won’t matter much, however, if it's not carefully protected. Pests don’t get holidays off, so no matter how festive you might be feeling, your pantry items will be as vulnerable as ever.

A simple thing you can do is to remove cereal, flour, sweeteners, and grains from their bags and boxes and store them in glass or plastic containers. Mark each container with the date it was opened so that you’re only using fresh ingredients.

Stock Up on Canned Goods

Not only will a hearty roster of canned and bottled food give you a world of cooking options, but most of them will last for years.

A hearty pantry should include:

Tomatoes in sauce, paste, or whole form
Canned tuna works for so many quick meals and snacks
Broths — beef, chicken, and vegetable stock can be stored, dried, or canned
Soup — Easy and quick to prepare, and some can last up to 5 years
Beans — Black and pinto beans are staples in countless meals around the world, as are lima beans and lentils

A Variety of Oils and Vinegar

Storing different kinds of oils and vinegar will give you countless cooking options. If you’ve ever been to a boutique extra-virgin olive oil shop, you know how many different types are available. Keep a few of your favorites around (such as white truffle and garlic), but make sure you also have bottles of canola, peanut, and corn oil.

Vinegar can be just as fancy as olive oil, so store all of the exotic vinegar that suits your fancy. At the same time, always have the following, more conventional types on hand:

Red wine
White wine
Aged balsamic
Apple cider
Sherry
Rice wine

Sweeteners

For a pantry you can rely on when company's coming, you’ll need granulated sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and brown sugar. Other sweeteners include maple syrup, light corn syrup, molasses, and honey. Because sweeteners are particularly vulnerable to humidity, you’ll want to store them in firmly sealed containers, and in a cool, dry spot.

Condiments

Few things are more frustrating than grilling a bunch of hot dogs only to discover you’re out of mustard. While every family has its own tastes, stocking your pantry with essential condiments will protect you from future calamities.

Some of the tried and true condiments to keep on hand are:

Ketchup
Mustard — Yellow, dijon, and whole grain
Mayonnaise
Hot sauce — Tabasco and Sriracha are no-brainers, but everyone loves small-batch, homemade hot sauces as well
Asian condiments — These can include sesame oil, fish sauce, and soy sauce

There are certain condiments that require being refrigerated after opening. Start getting in the habit of periodically checking the "best by" dates so that you won’t be left unprepared.

Dry Goods

If kept in a dry place in tightly sealed containers, dry goods should last for six months to a year.

Some products you should consider include:

Nuts — A common ingredient in many recipes, and great for snacking. At the very least, you'll want almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pine nuts, and pecans.
Dried Fruit — Start with raisins and apricots, but consider adding cranberries and pineapples to your pantry as well.
Crackers — Essential for soups and snacks.
Coffee and tea — Even if you're not the kind of person who enjoys coffee or tea, it's nice to have some around for guests.
Pasta — Store pasta in different mason jars. Not only will the types of pasta be instantly recognizable, but the appearance adds a touch of class to any kitchen.
Rice — Keep brown and white rice on hand. If stored properly, most rice lasts up to 2 years.

Treats for The Holidays

If you have a menu in mind for the holidays, or your mouth is already watering in anticipation of your favorite go-to snacks, stocking up in advance will save you from having to wait in line as you get closer to Christmas.

Food & Wine has put together a stellar list of essential holiday gear. Some items (like butcher's twine) are practical, but you may appreciate their recommendation to keep plenty of bourbon, cognac, and spiced rum on hand for both cooking and imbibing. It is the holidays after all!

Conclusion

The kitchen pantry should be more than just a depository of half-open Saltines. By filling it with must-haves, and keeping everything safe and organized, you'll be ready for holiday entertaining and have a fully stocked pantry to greet the new year!