A well-stocked pantry can make everyday cooking a lot easier. You have ingredients on hand for a quick dinner, something to bake with, or a simple meal when a trip to the grocery store isn’t in the cards.
Some pantry staples can stay usable for years when they are stored correctly. A few, such as honey, salt, and sugar, can last for an extremely long time under the right conditions. Others have a much shorter window and are better described as long-lasting rather than truly nonperishable.
The key is proper storage. Keep dry foods away from heat and moisture, seal packages tightly, and check cans and other packaged foods for damage before using them.
Here are 39 foods worth keeping in your pantry or long-term food supply.
Honey
Pure honey is one of the longest-lasting foods you can keep. Its low moisture content and high sugar content make it difficult for microorganisms to grow.
Honey may crystallize or become thick over time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has gone bad. Gentle warming can return it to a smoother texture.
Salt
Salt has been used to preserve food for thousands of years, and plain salt can last indefinitely when kept dry. It also happens to be one of the most useful pantry staples around.
Besides seasoning food, salt can be used in a variety of household and food-preservation tasks.
Sugar
Granulated sugar can last indefinitely if it stays dry and is kept in a sealed container. Moisture can cause it to harden or form clumps, but that doesn’t mean the sugar has spoiled.
Brown sugar is more prone to becoming hard. If that happens, here’s how to Make Hard Brown Sugar Soft Again.
White Rice
White rice is a popular choice for long-term food storage because it contains very little moisture and has a much longer shelf life than brown rice.
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot. For very long storage, food-grade containers and oxygen absorbers can help protect it from moisture, insects, and air.
Dried Beans
Dried beans are inexpensive, filling, and useful in everything from soups to chili. Properly stored beans can remain usable for years.
Over time, old beans may take longer to soften during cooking, so their texture can change even when they remain safe to eat.
Dried Lentils
Lentils are another handy food for a long-term pantry. They require little storage space and can be turned into soups, stews, curries, and other filling meals.
Keep dried lentils somewhere cool and dry and store opened packages in airtight containers.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch can sit in the pantry for a very long time if it remains dry and protected from moisture.
It’s useful for thickening soups, sauces, gravies, and desserts. You can also find plenty of other uses in this related guide: 12 Surprising Things You Can Do with Cornstarch.
Liquor
Distilled spirits such as vodka, whiskey, and rum have a very long shelf life because of their high alcohol content. Unopened bottles can remain usable for many years.
Once opened, the flavor can gradually change, especially if the bottle is exposed to air or stored in poor conditions.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, which gives it an unusually long shelf life. Properly stored vinegar can remain usable for years.
It also has plenty of uses beyond cooking, including this DIY Rose Petal Apple Cider Vinegar Skin Toner.
Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup lasts a long time when unopened and stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it should be refrigerated to help maintain its quality.
For pantry storage, an unopened bottle of pure maple syrup can be a useful sweetener to keep around.
If you’re looking for ways to use it, check out these 17 Maple Syrup Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth.
Instant Coffee
Freeze-dried instant coffee can last for years when kept sealed and protected from moisture. It may gradually lose some of its flavor, but an unopened container can remain useful for a long time.
Coffee also has plenty of uses outside the kitchen. Here are 10 Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden.
Tea
Dried tea leaves and tea bags can last for years if stored away from heat, light, and moisture. The flavor may become weaker with age, so older tea is usually more of a quality issue than a spoilage issue.
If you have a collection of used tea bags, check out these 15 Clever Uses for the Humble Teabag You’ll Want to Know.
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk is a practical addition to an emergency pantry because it takes up less space than liquid milk and can last for years when stored properly.
Keep powdered milk sealed tightly and follow the storage instructions on the package.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce contains a large amount of salt, which gives it a long shelf life. An unopened bottle can remain usable for years when stored properly.
Once opened, keep it according to the manufacturer’s storage instructions and check for changes in smell, appearance, or taste.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is inexpensive and useful for much more than baking. It can also help with cleaning, deodorizing, and a variety of household jobs.
When stored in a sealed container away from moisture, it can last a very long time. For baking, it’s best to replace it periodically since its leavening ability can weaken.
Dried Pasta
A box of dried pasta can sit in your pantry for years if it stays dry. It’s one of those foods that’s easy to keep around and can become a meal with little more than sauce, canned vegetables, or a few other pantry staples.
Check packages for moisture, insects, or unusual odors before cooking.
Ghee
Ghee is clarified butter with most of the water and milk solids removed. Because it contains very little moisture, it keeps longer than ordinary butter.
Some ghee can be stored at room temperature according to the manufacturer’s instructions, while others are best refrigerated after opening. Follow the label for the particular product you buy.
Bouillon Cubes
Bouillon cubes take up very little room and can add plenty of flavor to soups, rice, sauces, and stews.
They can last for a long time when kept dry and sealed. Since brands vary, check the package for the recommended storage period.
Pure Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla extract is made with alcohol, which gives it a very long shelf life. A properly stored bottle can last for years without becoming unsafe.
The flavor can change gradually, but pure vanilla extract is one of those baking ingredients that doesn’t need frequent replacement.
Dried Spices
Dried spices don’t usually spoil in the same way fresh foods do, but they gradually lose their aroma and flavor. A jar that’s been sitting in the pantry for years may still be safe but taste weak.
Store spices away from heat, sunlight, and moisture, and replace them when the flavor has faded too much.
Cocoa Powder
Unopened cocoa powder can last for years when stored somewhere cool and dry.
It’s useful for brownies, cakes, hot cocoa, and other desserts, making it a handy ingredient for a long-term baking pantry.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a relatively long shelf life compared with many other cooking oils. An unopened container can last for years when kept away from heat and light.
Once opened, keep the container tightly sealed and check it for an unusual smell or other signs that the oil has gone rancid.
Dried Seaweed
Dried seaweed contains very little moisture, which helps it stay usable for a long time. It can be used in soups, rice dishes, noodles, and many Asian-inspired meals.
Store it in an airtight container and keep it away from humidity.
Jerky
Properly prepared and commercially packaged jerky can last for months, with some products offering longer storage periods. It is a convenient source of protein for camping, travel, and emergency food supplies.
Shelf-stable jerky and homemade jerky are different, so always follow the storage instructions for the particular product.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar has a long shelf life because of its acidity. An unopened bottle can remain usable for years when stored properly.
It’s handy for dressings, marinades, stir-fries, dipping sauces, and pickling.
Canned Foods
Canned foods are among the easiest items to keep in a long-term pantry. They aren’t literally immortal, but commercially canned foods can remain safe for a long time when stored correctly and the cans are in good condition.
Tomatoes, green beans, fruit, soups, beans, and canned meats can all help turn a basic pantry into a source of complete meals.
Avoid cans that are bulging, leaking, badly rusted, or deeply dented. For more ideas, check out 23 Items You Should Stockpile in the Event of a Sudden Food Shortage.
Mustard
Commercial mustard contains vinegar and other ingredients that give it a long shelf life. An unopened bottle can last for a considerable amount of time in the pantry.
After opening, refrigeration can help preserve its quality, so check the label for storage instructions.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce contains vinegar, salt, and other ingredients that help it keep for a long time. An unopened bottle can remain usable well beyond the date printed on the package when stored correctly.
The flavor may change gradually after opening, so check the bottle before using older sauce.
Alcohol-Based Extracts
Extracts made with alcohol, including almond, lemon, and mint extracts, can last for years when stored properly.
Keep the bottles tightly closed and away from heat and direct sunlight. They’re particularly useful for a baking pantry since only small amounts are needed for most recipes.
Olive Oil
Olive oil doesn’t last forever, but an unopened bottle can stay in good condition for quite a while. The original article’s estimate of up to two years from bottling is a useful general guideline, though shelf life varies by product and storage conditions.
Keep olive oil in a cool, dark place and close the bottle tightly after each use.
Dried Chillies
Dried chilies can last for years when kept away from moisture. Like dried spices, they may gradually lose some of their flavor and heat, but they can still be useful long after you buy them.
Store them in an airtight container and use them to add heat to soups, sauces, beans, rice, and other dishes.
Tahini
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and contains a high amount of oil. Unopened tahini can last for a long time when stored properly.
Once opened, check the label for storage instructions. Oil separation is normal and can usually be corrected by stirring the contents thoroughly.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruit has much less moisture than fresh fruit, giving it a considerably longer shelf life. Raisins, apricots, dates, cranberries, and other dried fruits can be useful for snacks, baking, oatmeal, and trail mixes.
For longer storage, keep dried fruit sealed tightly in a cool, dry place.
Pemmican
Pemmican is a traditional food made from dried meat and rendered fat, sometimes with dried berries or other ingredients. It was historically valued because it packed a lot of calories and could be stored for extended periods.
Modern versions can vary considerably, so follow the storage instructions for the product you have.
Miso Paste
Miso is a fermented soybean paste with a naturally long shelf life. It can remain usable for years in the refrigerator, although its color and flavor may change with age.
A small amount can add plenty of flavor to soups, sauces, marinades, and rice dishes.
Pickles
Pickles preserved in vinegar or brine can last for a long time when unopened and stored according to the package directions. Once opened, refrigeration is usually recommended.
If you enjoy making your own, here’s an easy Homemade Spicy Pickle Recipe.
Fish Sauce
Fish sauce contains a high concentration of salt, giving it a long shelf life. It’s a useful pantry ingredient for adding savory flavor to stir-fries, soups, marinades, and sauces.
Keep the bottle tightly closed and follow the storage instructions on the label.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains relatively little moisture and can stay good for a long time when kept away from heat, humidity, and sunlight.
It may develop a pale coating called bloom as the fats or sugars move toward the surface. That can affect its appearance and texture without necessarily meaning the chocolate is unsafe to eat.
For another pantry-friendly treat, try How to Make Homemade Chocolate.
A long-lasting pantry doesn’t have to mean filling every shelf with food you may never use. Pick staples your household already eats, store them properly, and rotate older items into everyday meals. That way, your food supply stays useful instead of becoming a collection of forgotten packages at the back of the cupboard.
