A Pantry That Makes Cooking Easier
A versatile pantry is less about having everything and more about having the right handful of ingredients that can flex across cuisines, cooking methods, and moods. When your staples can become a quick dinner, a solid lunch, or a last-minute side, you waste less, spend less, and cook with less stress. From extra-virgin olive oil to Dijon mustard, here are 20 ingredients that earn their keep.
1. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil works for sautéing, roasting, and finishing, so it can carry a meal from start to end. It boosts vegetables, beans, and grains with almost no effort, and it’s also the base for simple dressings and marinades. Keep one everyday bottle for cooking and a fresher one for drizzling if you want the best flavor.
2. Kosher Salt
Kosher salt helps you season evenly because the larger crystals are easy to pinch and distribute. It supports everything from boiling pasta water to dry-brining chicken, and it also sharpens flavors in soups and sauces. If you get used to one brand, your seasoning becomes more consistent without overthinking it.
3. Black Peppercorns
Whole peppercorns stay potent longer than pre-ground pepper, and the difference shows up fast. Freshly cracked pepper works in savory dishes, salad dressings, and even creamy sauces where you want gentle heat. A basic grinder is enough to make it feel like you leveled up your pantry.
4. Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is handy when fresh garlic is gone, or when you want garlic flavor without the extra moisture. It blends smoothly into rubs, burgers, roasted vegetables, and quick dips, so you can season evenly. Since it’s concentrated, start small and adjust as you taste.
5. Onion Powder
Onion powder adds sweetness and depth without needing time for onions to soften in a pan. It’s especially useful in meatballs, chili, roasted potatoes, and seasoning blends when you want reliable background flavor. Pair it with garlic powder and black pepper to build a tasty, balanced base.
6. Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes can turn into pasta sauce, soup, shakshuka-style eggs, or a quick braise liquid in one step. They’re consistent year-round, which is a nice break from uneven fresh tomatoes. Choose whole peeled if you want the most flexibility, then crush or blend as needed.
7. Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is a mighty ingredient to have, since a spoonful can deepen flavor quickly. It helps build richer sauces, stews, and beans, and it also improves marinades when you want a savory edge. To avoid waste, freeze leftover paste in small portions and grab what you need.
8. Chicken or Vegetable Broth
Broth makes plain grains, soups, and quick pan sauces taste instantly delicious and comforting. You can use it to deglaze a skillet, simmer lentils, or thin out a sauce without reaching for water. Shelf-stable cartons are practical, but bouillon works well, too.
9. Rice
Rice is an easy base that plays well with roasted vegetables, stir-fries, curry-style sauces, and canned beans. It stretches leftovers into a full meal, which is useful when you’re cooking for one or feeding a large family. Keeping both long-grain and short-grain gives you options for fluffy bowls or creamier dishes.
10. Pasta
Pasta is reliable, fast, and adaptable, and you can dress it up with almost any pantry sauce. It works with olive oil and (of course) tomato paste, or a simple broth-based soup situation. Stock one or two varieties you actually like, and you’ll use them more often.
11. Dried Lentils
Dried lentils cook faster than many beans, and they don’t require soaking, which makes them weeknight-friendly. They can become soups, salads, veggie burgers, or a hearty side with minimal seasoning. Different types matter, so keep brown or green for structure and red for quicker, softer cooking.
12. Canned Chickpeas
Canned chickpeas can be tossed into salads, simmered in sauces, or roasted until crisp for a snack. They also blend into a quick spread or sauce base when you want something creamy without dairy. Rinsing them helps, but saving a little liquid can be useful for certain recipes.
13. Canned Black Beans
Black beans are a quick protein that fits tacos, rice bowls, soups, and simple dips without much effort. They’re good at taking on seasoning, so you can go smoky, spicy, or bright depending on the meal. Keep a couple cans on hand and you’ll always have a backup plan.
14. Canned Tuna
Canned tuna turns into lunch fast, but it can also become a pantry pasta, a salad topper, or a protein boost for grain bowls. It’s convenient when you don’t want to cook meat, and it pairs well with lemon, olive oil, and herbs. Choose a style you like, then keep it stocked so it’s actually there when you need it.
15. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter isn’t just for sandwiches, since it can thicken sauces and add richness to dressings. It works in quick noodles, simple marinades, and snack-style dips when you want savory and slightly sweet in one move. Stir it well and store it properly so it stays easy to use.
16. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce brings salt and savory depth, and it can make plain vegetables taste more complete. It’s useful in marinades, stir-fries, dipping sauces, and even some soup bases where you want more complexity. If you cook with it often, a low-sodium version gives you more control.
17. Vinegar
Vinegar wakes up flavors when food tastes flat, which helps elevate your cooking. It improves dressings, quick pickles, sauces, and braises, and it can balance rich dishes at the end. Keep one general-purpose option like distilled white or apple cider, then add others as you cook more.
18. Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard helps emulsify dressings, adds bite to sauces, and upgrades simple sandwiches fast. It also works in marinades for chicken or vegetables when you want tang without adding a lot of liquid. Since it’s strong, a little goes a long way, so the jar lasts.
19. Honey
Honey adds sweetness with a little complexity, and it can balance salty, spicy, or acidic flavors. Use it in dressings, glazes, marinades, and quick sauces when you need a hint of sweetness. It also keeps well, so it’s a smart staple to buy once and rely on.
20. Baking Powder
Baking powder isn’t just for cakes, since it helps you make quick breads, cookies, pancakes, and biscuits, too. It can also improve certain batters and give crispness when used correctly in simple baking projects. Check the expiration date now and then, because old baking powder won’t lift the way you want.
