A well-stocked pantry can make everyday life a little easier, especially when you don’t feel like making another trip to the grocery store. It can also come in handy during storms, power outages, supply shortages, or other situations where shopping isn’t as easy as usual.
The key is choosing foods that store well and can be used in plenty of different meals. Some pantry staples can stay usable for many years when stored in the right conditions, while a few have an exceptionally long shelf life.
If you’re building a long-term food supply, these 15 foods are worth making room for.
Uncooked Pasta
Dried pasta is inexpensive, easy to store, and useful for all kinds of meals. Keep unopened packages in a cool, dry pantry, or transfer pasta to airtight containers for extra protection from moisture and pests.
It won’t last forever, but properly stored dry pasta can remain usable for years, making it a handy food to keep in a larger pantry supply.
Instant Coffee
For coffee drinkers, a stash of instant coffee can be a welcome thing to have during an emergency or a period when fresh coffee isn’t available.
Freeze-dried instant coffee has a long shelf life when kept sealed and protected from moisture. Once opened, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.
Related: 10 Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk is a useful pantry item for times when fresh milk isn’t available. It provides protein and calcium and can be mixed with water for drinking or added to recipes.
For long-term storage, keep it sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture. Shelf life varies by product, so check the manufacturer’s storage instructions and dates.
Honey
Honey has one of the longest shelf lives of any food in your pantry. Its low moisture content and naturally acidic environment make it difficult for many microorganisms to grow.
Over time, honey may crystallize or become thicker. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s spoiled. A sealed container can be gently warmed in warm water to soften crystallized honey.
Keep the container tightly closed and store it somewhere cool and dry.
Oats
Oats are inexpensive, filling, and easy to work into breakfast or baked goods. They can also be added to homemade granola, energy bites, or other simple foods.
For longer storage, keep oats in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you’re storing them for an extended period, protecting them from moisture, heat, and pantry pests will help maintain their quality.
Salt
Salt is one of those pantry staples that’s useful far beyond seasoning food. It has been used for centuries to preserve meats, vegetables, and other foods.
Pure salt has an extremely long shelf life when kept dry. The texture may change if moisture gets into the container, but the salt itself doesn’t spoil.
Related: 14 Surprising Uses for Salt That Don’t Involve Cooking
Sugar
Granulated white sugar can last for a very long time when stored properly. Keep it in an airtight container away from moisture, heat, and insects.
Sugar may become hard or lumpy if moisture gets into it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone bad. Keeping the container sealed helps prevent most storage problems.
Related: How to Make Hard Brown Sugar Soft Again
White Rice
White rice is a popular choice for long-term food storage because it has very little moisture and can stay usable for many years under suitable storage conditions.
For extended storage, keep it in an airtight food-safe container in a cool, dry place. Oxygen absorbers can also be used with appropriate long-term storage containers.
Brown rice is different because its natural oils give it a much shorter shelf life.
Dried Beans
Dried beans are inexpensive, filling, and packed with protein and fiber. They’re also easy to store, which makes them a common choice for emergency pantries.
Keep dry beans away from heat and moisture. Older beans can become harder to cook, so while they may remain safe to eat for a long time, their texture and cooking time can change with age.
Dried Lentils
Lentils are another pantry staple that takes up little space and works in soups, stews, curries, and other meals.
Store them in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry. Like dried beans, older lentils can take longer to soften, but they’re still a useful food to keep on hand.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is best known as a thickener for sauces, soups, gravies, and desserts. A small container can last a surprisingly long time if it stays dry.
Keep cornstarch sealed in a cool, dry pantry. Besides cooking, it has several household uses, which makes it handy to have around even if you don’t use it often in recipes.
Related: 12 Surprising Things You Can Do with Cornstarch
Liquor
Unopened distilled spirits such as vodka, rum, and whiskey can remain stable for a very long time because of their high alcohol content. Once opened, the flavor and quality can change over time, especially if the bottle isn’t sealed well.
While some people keep spirits for cooking or drinks, they aren’t a substitute for proper medical disinfectants or other emergency supplies.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic, which gives it a long shelf life. It can be used in salad dressings, marinades, sauces, pickling, and a variety of household tasks.
Store an unopened bottle in a cool, dark pantry. After opening, keep the cap tightly closed and follow the storage instructions on the label.
Related: DIY Rose Petal Apple Cider Vinegar Skin Toner
Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup can last a long time unopened when stored properly. Keep sealed bottles in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use them.
Once opened, maple syrup should be refrigerated. It can also develop mold if left at room temperature for too long, so don’t treat an opened bottle the same way you would an unopened one.
Related: 17 Maple Syrup Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon cubes take up very little pantry space and can make plain rice, beans, pasta, soups, and stews taste much better.
Because they contain little moisture, they can stay usable for years when stored in a cool, dry place. Check the package for the manufacturer’s best-by date and storage instructions, and replace older packages as needed.
A few boxes can be a simple way to add variety to meals made from basic long-term pantry foods.
