Potatoes are my #2 all-time favorite food. That’s a good thing, because not only are they extremely nutrient-rich and count as a vegetable, they’re budget-friendly, too! Just cents per potato will get you fiber, vitamin C, potassium and numerous other vitamins and minerals. That’s why I keep them stocked in my pantry all the time.
I keep a lot of things stocked, so I can whip up fast, easy, flavorful and nutrient-rich breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. For myself. Or for me and my hubby Jeff. Or so Jeff can whip up something for me! Which he does frequently….even my #1 favorite food: Steak. An occasional treat for a huge Porterhouse, T-Bone or New York Strip Steak.
Here’s what you’ll find in my pantry, fridge and freezer nearly every day of the year!
- Pantry
- Canned beans (everything from black and pinto, refried and black-eyed, garbanzo and kidney, red and great northern)
- Canned corn, green beans, carrots and beets
- Canned tomato products (sauce, crushed and petite diced tomatoes (Jeff hates big tomato chunks!)
- Canned mandarin oranges, peaches and pineapple (in light syrup or 100% juice)
- Dried fruits (raisins, figs, tart cherries, dates)
- Dry cereal (from whole-grain frosted mini wheat squares, cheerios, raisin bran and oat squares, to Jeff's favorite night-time snack of sugary cereals!)
- Oatmeal (quick-cooking and old-fashioned in big canisters)
- Pastas and noodles (both whole-wheat and white versions)
- Rice (white and brown)
- Nuts & seeds (peanuts, cashews, mixed nuts, sunflower seeds)
- Peanut butter (creamy & crunchy)
- Corn tortilla chips
- Whole wheat crackers
- Spices from A (allspice) to Z (za'tar) I literally have dozens of spices and herbs
- Flour, sugar, brown sugar, low-calorie sweeteners
- Fresh onions and garlic
- Fresh red, russet and gold potatoes
- Assorted oils and vinegars
- Canned black olives & mushrooms (my favorite pizza ingredients!)
- Canned/jarred pizza sauce
- Diet soda
- Canned tuna and salmon
- Chocolate chips
- Fridge
- Eggs, large and extra large
- 100% orange, apple and grapefruit juice
- Milk (we're a 1% family)
- Chocolate syrup (to make chocolate milk & also for ice cream sundaes!)
- Buttermilk
- Yogurt (assorted light and Greek)
- Butter sticks (salted and unsalted)
- Light tub margarine
- Salsa in jars
- Cheese (mozzarella blocks for fast shredded for pizza, string cheese, shredded Mexican and cheddar)
- Whole wheat flour tortilla shells
- Corn tortilla shells
- Whole grain cornmeal
- Maple syrup
- Assorted Asian sauces and seasonings
- Lemon and lime juice (bottled)
- Baby carrots
- At least one in-season fruit and/or vegetable
- Freezer
- Frozen vegetables (plain unseasoned varieties like green peas, edamame shelled, broccoli florets, corn, Brussels sprouts, sugar snap peas)
- Frozen mixed berries (unsweetened)
- Uncooked pork, beef and chicken (bought on sale to use later)
- Have plenty of zippered freezer bags and freezer paper on hand so you can take advantage of sales to stock up!