Most of us are used to finding what we need at the grocery store without giving it much thought. Fresh produce, meat, dairy, and pantry staples are usually easy to pick up, but that can change if supplies become limited.
Keeping a modest food reserve at home can help if stores run short or shopping becomes difficult for a while. The best items are foods with a long shelf life that you already know how to prepare and can combine with other ingredients.
Here are 13 foods worth keeping in your pantry.
1. Rice
White rice is a useful pantry staple because it pairs with so many different foods. When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it can last for decades under suitable conditions.
Serve it as a side dish, add it to soups, use it in stir-fries, or make it the base of a one-pot meal. Brown rice has a shorter storage life because it contains more natural oils, so white rice is usually a better option for long-term storage.
2. Canned Meats
Canned chicken, beef, turkey, and ham can be useful when fresh meat is hard to find. They provide a ready-to-use protein source without taking up freezer space.
Keep cans in a cool, dry pantry and check their dates as part of your regular stock rotation. Add the meat to pasta, rice, casseroles, sandwiches, or soups for a filling meal.
3. Shelf-Stable Milk
Fresh milk has a limited refrigerator life, so it may be difficult to keep enough on hand during a prolonged shortage. Unopened UHT milk is a practical option because it can be stored at room temperature until the date on the package.
Powdered milk is another pantry choice. Once mixed with water, you can use it for drinking, baking, sauces, and other recipes, as long as you follow the package directions for mixing and storage.
4. Canned Vegetables
Canned vegetables make it easier to add variety to meals without relying on fresh produce. Peas, corn, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, and mixed vegetables can stay in the pantry until you’re ready to use them.
Add them to soups, stews, casseroles, pasta, or rice dishes. Stock the varieties your household already enjoys so you don’t end up with cans that sit untouched.
Related: 39 Long-Lasting Foods Worth Keeping in Your Pantry
5. Pasta
Dried pasta is affordable, easy to prepare, and works with many pantry ingredients. Spaghetti, macaroni, and other shapes pair well with tomato sauce, canned meat, vegetables, herbs, or cheese.
Keep pasta in a cool, dry spot and seal opened packages well to protect them from moisture and pantry pests. Having several shapes on hand also gives you more meal choices.
6. Flour
A bag of flour can go a long way in a home kitchen. Use it to make bread, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, muffins, pizza dough, cakes, and other baked foods.
Before buying large quantities, think about how much flour your household normally uses. Refined white flour generally keeps longer than whole-grain varieties, so store it properly and rotate your supply rather than letting bags sit for years.
7. Sugar and Honey
Sugar is useful for baking, cooking, and preserving certain foods, and it can last for a very long time when kept dry. Honey also lasts exceptionally long when stored properly.
Keep sugar in an airtight container to protect it from moisture and insects. Honey may form crystals as it sits, but crystallization does not mean it has spoiled; gentle warming can help return it to a smoother texture.
8. Canned Fish
Canned tuna, salmon, sardines, and other fish provide protein and can be stored without refrigeration until opened. They’re also convenient for meals that don’t require much preparation.
Mix canned fish with rice, pasta, beans, crackers, or vegetables for a quick lunch or dinner. Keeping a few varieties in the pantry gives you options when fresh seafood isn’t available.
9. Cooking Oils
Cooking oil is easy to overlook when planning your pantry, but many everyday meals require it. You’ll need it for frying, sautéing, baking, dressings, and other basic kitchen tasks.
Olive, canola, vegetable, and coconut oils have different storage lives, so check their labels and buy quantities you can use before they go rancid. Store bottles away from heat and direct sunlight, and check older oil for unusual smells or flavors before cooking with it.
10. Tomato Products
Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste can turn basic ingredients into a complete meal. They’re useful for pasta sauces, soups, stews, chili, casseroles, and rice dishes.
Tomato paste is especially handy because a small amount can add plenty of flavor. Keep a few cans or jars on hand as a starting point for several different recipes.
11. Salt
Salt may seem like a small item on a grocery list, but it’s used in almost every type of cooking. It also plays a part in traditional food-preservation methods.
Salt does not spoil under normal storage conditions, but moisture can cause it to harden or clump. Keep it in a sealed container in a dry place so it’s ready whenever you need it.
12. Powdered Eggs
Powdered eggs can be useful when fresh eggs are hard to find. Depending on the product, you can mix them with water for cooking or add them directly to certain baked goods.
They take up relatively little pantry space and can have a long shelf life when stored as directed. Read the label before buying, since preparation instructions and storage requirements vary between products.
13. Dried Beans
Dried beans are filling, affordable, and provide protein and fiber. You can use black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, navy beans, and lentils in soups, stews, salads, rice dishes, and other meals.
Store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Older beans can take longer to cook, so use the oldest packages first and replace them as you go.
