A Complete Checklist of Pantry, Refrigerator and Freezer Essentials

Dried pasta in jars on a shelf

115039648

Dried pasta in jars on a shelf

Photo by: Sumners Graphics, Inc.

Sumners Graphics, Inc.

Having a well-stocked pantry and fridge is like money in the bank. With basic supplies on hand, you'll be equally prepared to put together a family-friendly meal or a last-minute dinner for friends. The trick is figuring out what to stock up on and what you will likely never use.

Consider the checklist below a rough sketch; only you can determine the essentials based on your palate, repertoire and needs. Trying to cut back on meat? Skip the Italian sausage and swap in frozen wild-caught shrimp. Don't like peanut butter? Pick up a tub of hummus instead. The idea is to make sure you have enough proteins and sturdy vegetables to pull together several satisfying meals, plus some flavorful condiments and seasonings to keep things interesting (even on a school night).

Whatever you decide to toss in your shopping cart, you can rest happy knowing you won't ever again have to call spaghetti with butter dinner — unless that's exactly what you're in the mood for.

PANTRY

Basics

  • Kosher salt
  • Fine salt
  • Black peppercorns
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Vegetable oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Balsamic or sherry vinegar
  • Rice vinegar (unseasoned)
Nice Kitchen hutch with baking ingredients on display in glass jars - alchemy style

493281799

Nice Kitchen hutch with baking ingredients on display in glass jars - alchemy style

Photo by: nedjelly

nedjelly

Baking

  • Flour: all purpose, whole wheat or pastry
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Cream of tartar
  • Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • Chocolate: chips or bar
  • Evaporated milk
  • Pure vanilla extract

Sweeteners

  • Granulated sugar
  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Honey
  • Agave syrup

Drinks

  • Coffee
  • Tea

Rice and Grains

  • Long-grain white rice
  • Brown rice
  • Grains: bulgur, quinoa, couscous or farro
  • Pasta: standard, whole grain, rice noodles or egg noodles
  • Polenta
  • Breadcrumbs: plain or panko

1201485816

Photo by: Irina Tiumentseva

Irina Tiumentseva

Snacks and Cereals

  • Crackers
  • Tortillas
  • Cookies or biscuits
  • Pretzels
  • Marshmallows
  • Popcorn kernels
  • Dried fruit: raisins, apricots or cherries
  • Seeds: sunflower, flax, chia or hemp
  • Peanut butter or almond butter
  • Applesauce
  • Breakfast cereal
  • Old-fashioned rolled oats

Canned Goods

  • Chicken broth
  • Beans: cannellini, navy, chickpeas or black
  • Vegetables: hominy, corn or green beans
  • Olives or capers
  • Chiles: chipotles in adobo or pickled jalapenos
  • Salsa
  • Tomatoes
  • Tomato paste
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Tuna
  • Anchovy fillets or paste

Dried Herbs and Spices

  • Bay leaves
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Chile powder
  • Crushed red pepper
  • Curry powder
  • Fennel or dill seed
  • Granulated garlic
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground cloves
  • Ground cumin
  • Ground ginger
  • Oregano
  • Paprika: sweet and smoked
  • Rosemary
  • Sesame seeds
  • Thyme
  • Whole nutmeg

131987482

Photo by: Howard Shooter/Getty Images

Howard Shooter/Getty Images

Refrigerator

Dairy and Eggs

  • Milk
  • Plain yogurt: regular or Greek
  • Unsalted butter
  • Cheddar or mozzarella
  • Goat cheese
  • Parmesan (wedge)
  • Eggs

Fresh Produce

  • Apples
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Bell peppers
  • Broccoli or cauliflower
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Leafy greens: spinach, kale or chard
  • Lettuce: romaine, Boston or mixed greens
  • Cilantro
  • Flat-leaf parsley
  • Thyme
  • Scallions
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Potatoes: sweet, white or new
  • Onions
  • Tomatoes: grape, cherry or seasonal beefsteak

Condiments

  • Jelly, jam or preserves
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard: Dijon or whole grain
  • Pickles
  • Hot sauce: Tabasco, Sriracha or sambal
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Soy sauce or tamari
  • Asian fish sauce
  • Toasted sesame oil

1152406231

Photo by: serezniy

serezniy

Freezer

  • Ground beef, ground turkey or Italian sausage
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Bacon
  • Bread: baguette or sandwich bread
  • Vegetables: peas, chopped spinach or corn
  • Fruit: berries, peaches or mangos
  • Nuts: almonds, walnuts or pecans
  • Dough: pizza, pie or puff pastry
  • Vanilla ice cream

Related Links:

5 Pantry-Raid Recipes

Next Up

What to Cook with Black Beans

Whether they're canned or dried, here are the best recipe ideas to get them out of the pantry and onto your plate.

How to Make Pasta

A step-by-step guide with photos.

Cozy Baked Pastas for Cold Weather

The best way to beat the winter chill is with comforting pasta dishes straight from the oven.

You Can Now Taste Carbone’s Famous Spicy Vodka Sauce Without a Reservation

Jars of the sauce will soon line grocery stores nationwide.

Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl Is Coming Back Early – For Some of Us

We can’t wait to taste all of the chain’s possible pasta combinations.

How to Cook Couscous

Everything you need to know to cook perfect, fluffy couscous.

5 Baked Spaghetti Recipes That Will Transform Your Leftovers

Your extra noodles and sauce just got a makeover!

Why Did Someone Dump 500 Pounds of Pasta in New Jersey?

The Garden State upholds its reputation for being a little ... weird.

What the Founder of Rome’s Most Popular Pasta Restaurant Can’t Live Without

Good ingredients are key to a good bowl of pasta at home.

Check Out Our

Get a sneak-peek of the new Food Network recipe page and give us your feedback.

See it Now!