Although it’s smart, most of us don’t make grocery lists before we shop. We often act on impulse, shopping when hungry and loading our carts with what sounds good at the moment. It’s time to nip this bad habit in the butt, and create that well-stocked pantry you always dreamed of. 

When you have basic staples, you can cook up most recipes and save yourself from last-minute shopping trips. When stocking your pantry, include everything you love to cook and basic stock items for when you feel like experimenting with new recipes. 

By adding the below items, all the ingredients needed for new recipes will be a hands reach away. Keep in mind, when you first buy these items your bill will be high. But don’t worry, all items will last a long time and your bill will not always be high. If you focus on getting a few items in each category you’ll be good to go. So go ahead, perfect those standard meals and expand your culinary horizons.

Basic Items: Pasta, tomato sauce, rice, oatmeal, cereal, broths (chicken, beef or vegetable), mixed nuts, dried fruit, potatoes, peanut butter.

Canned Goods: Beans (white, chickpeas, cannelloni, black), canned corn, olives, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, soups, tuna. 

Condiments: Jelly, jams or preserves, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce, hot sauce. 

Baking Items: Baking soda, baking powder, flour, corn starch, white sugar, brown sugar, shortening, honey, vanilla extract. 

Herbs and Spices: Cinnamon, salt, oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, pepper, crushed red pepper, chili powder, cayenne pepper.

Oils and vinegar: Olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic or sherry vinegar, rice vinegar.

Refrigerated Items: Milk, unsalted butter, eggs, plain yogurt.

Frozen Items: Frozen vegetables (spinach, green beans, peas, corn, broccoli), ground beef or turkey, boneless chicken breasts, vanilla ice cream.

Snacks: chips, salsa, trail mix, pita chips, hummus.