Whether you enjoy a plant-based diet for ethical or health reasons, or because of food allergies, a well-stocked pantry is an essential ingredient for any household with dietary restrictions.
Stocking up on staples allows you to prepare meals in a pinch, and can also help you avoid falling into the trap of eating the same meal over again. A stocked supply of essentials is also key to a well-balanced and nutrient-rich regimen, which can often be a challenge for people with dietary limitations or intolerances.
With a kitchen that’s fully equipped with non-perishables, you can prepare nutritious and delicious meals on the fly, without having to run to the grocery store. Moreover, you can enhance your recipe repertoire to cook a range of exciting meals from other cultures.
If you’re not exactly sure what your pantry should look like, a fridge full of your favourite Tofutti products coupled with the below list will give you a good base of wholesome ingredients, including grains, spices and legumes.
Grains
Barley
Buckwheat
Millet
Rice (wild, jasmine, brown)
Farro
Kamut
Oats
Quinoa
Wheat berries
Whole-grain pastas
A variety of flours, including oat, wheat, brown rice, spelt, almond meal
Beans/legumes
Lentils (French, green and red varieties)
Chickpeas
Black beans
Black-eyed peas
Split peas
Red kidney beans
Navy beans
Nuts/seeds/dried fruit
Macadamia
Almonds
Cashews
Walnuts
Pecans
Pumpkin seeds
Hemp seeds
Chia seeds
Sunflower seeds
Flax seeds
Dried cherries
Dried apricots
Dried cranberries
Dried raisins
A variety of nut and seed butters, including almond, cashew, tahini
Oil/vinegars
Apple cider vinegar
Rice vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Red and white wine vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
Toasted sesame oil
Grape seed oil
Avocado oil
Coconut oil
Sweeteners/spices
Honey
Cane sugar
Dark brown sugar
Maple syrup
Stevia
Allspice
Basil
Bay laves
Chili powder
Cinnamon
Cumin
Curry powder
Dry mustard
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Ginger powder
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Red pepper flakes
Thyme
Turmeric
Sea salt
Peppercorns
While this is a comprehensive kitchen pantry list, it’s by no means definitive. However, these ingredients can inspire nutritious and creative cuisine guaranteed to make dinner come together quickly, and easily.
What staples do you keep in stock in your pantry?