If My Pantry Were to Disappear, Here’s What I’d Restock Immediately

This is Starter Kit, a series where our editors share the food, drink, and kitchen essentials they recommend when you’re setting up from scratch. Here, Alaina Chou writes about everything you need to stock a pantry—whether you’re a first-time cook, just moved, or finally did that long-overdue cleanout.

Four years ago, my pantry shelves were a testament to a life lived in the culinary trenches, a sprawling, chaotic collection of consumer packaged goods. However, before this organized disarray, there was a time of pristine emptiness. This was when I first moved into my current apartment, completely devoid of even a single spice jar or condiment. Building a pantry from the ground up can appear daunting, a sentiment I keenly felt. While I admit to a penchant for accumulating niche olive oils and artisanal salts that often go unused, creating a truly functional starter pantry hinges on a curated selection of key products and a few guiding principles.

For those embarking on the journey of establishing a pantry from scratch – whether due to a recent move, a newfound passion for cooking, or a thorough decluttering – consider this your essential guide. By stocking up on the following items, you’ll equip your kitchen with a versatile foundation, ready to tackle breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.

To gather expert insights, I consulted with cookbook author and Substack writer Caroline Chambers, a recognized expert in weeknight cooking. Her forthcoming book, "What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking: Make It Fast," due in August, offers practical advice for busy home cooks. Additionally, insights from our own Test Kitchen editors have been incorporated to ensure a comprehensive and practical approach to pantry stocking.

Customizing Your Pantry Essentials

This list is not exhaustive, but rather a curated suggestion for an initial grocery run designed to serve your everyday cooking needs. Your ideal starter pantry will naturally differ from others, influenced by your personal flavor preferences, culinary interests, and lifestyle.

Caroline Chambers advocates for identifying your family’s favorite five recipes. "Chances are," she explains, "if you stock your pantry with the ingredients for those recipes, you’ll only need to buy meat and fresh produce each week, as you’ll already have the pantry staples like rice, pasta, beans, and spices." She suggests keeping these go-to recipes accessible, perhaps in a notes app, with their ingredient lists clearly outlined.

Similarly, your preferred cuisines will significantly shape your pantry’s contents. For instance, my frequent exploration of Chinese cuisine necessitates a constant supply of essentials like light and dark soy sauce, black vinegar, brown bean sauce, and a variety of chili crisps. This list serves as a starting point; adapt it to align with your unique cooking style and preferences.

Dry Goods: The Foundation of Flavor

Kitchen cabinet space is a valuable commodity. Before filling your shelves, consider decanting dry goods into airtight containers. This not only maintains freshness but also prevents common pantry pests, a lesson learned from personal experience.

Grains and Pasta

Grains often form the bedrock of many meals. For a starter pantry, focus on versatility rather than quantity. White rice is a fundamental staple. While some prefer both short and long-grain varieties, starting with one is perfectly adequate. Pasta is another essential, with a recommendation for stocking at least one long and one short shape. Options like mezzi rigatoni and bucatini are popular choices. For added convenience and nutritional value, consider including a protein-rich pasta alternative, such as those made from legumes, for nights when cooking a separate protein feels too demanding.

• Lundberg Long Grain White Rice: A reliable and versatile base for countless dishes, from stir-fries to side dishes. Its consistent quality makes it a pantry must-have.
• Sfoglini Bigoli & Bucatini Variety Pack: Offering two classic pasta shapes, this pack provides options for various sauces and preparations.
• Flour + Water Organic Bronze Die Campanelle: A high-quality pasta that holds sauces beautifully, adding a touch of artisanal quality to weeknight meals.
• Brami Pasta Variety Pack: Made from lupini beans, these pastas offer a significant protein boost and a unique texture, catering to health-conscious cooks.

Spices: The Soul of Cooking

While the temptation to purchase large, multi-spice collections exists, a curated selection of ten essential spices can cover a wide range of culinary needs. Spicewalla’s "Kitchen Essentials Collection" is a practical starting point. Supplement this with a few of your favorite spice blends or seasoning mixes. Curry powder and za’atar are frequently cited as versatile additions that can elevate a variety of dishes.

Beyond the core collection, salt and pepper are non-negotiable. A large box of kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal, is recommended. It’s advisable to decant this into a salt cellar for easier access. For pepper, while pre-ground is convenient, freshly ground peppercorns offer superior flavor. A quality pepper grinder makes this simple addition a worthwhile investment.

• Spicewalla 10 Pack Kitchen Essentials Collection: A well-rounded selection of foundational spices for everyday cooking.
• Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt: The preferred choice in many professional kitchens for its flakiness and ease of use.
• The Spice House Tellicherry Peppercorns: Known for their robust flavor and aroma, these peppercorns elevate any dish.

Baking Staples

Even for those who don’t bake frequently, flour and sugar are essential for thickening sauces, balancing flavors, and occasional sweet treats. Baking powder and baking soda are also crucial for leavening, though it’s recommended to replace them every six months to ensure optimal performance.

• King Arthur All-Purpose Flour: A consistently reliable flour for baking and general cooking needs.
• Domino Granulated White Sugar: A pantry staple for sweetening beverages, baked goods, and savory dishes.
• Clabber Girl Double Acting Baking Powder: Essential for achieving a light and airy texture in baked goods.
• Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda: A versatile ingredient used in baking and for various household cleaning tasks.

Sauces, Oils, and Vinegars: The Flavor Enhancers

These are the liquid gold of your pantry, destined for your fridge door, cupboards, or stoveside caddy, ready to add a burst of flavor.

Condiments

For a kick of heat, a smooth hot sauce and a textured chili crisp are indispensable. Sriracha, particularly from brands like Yellowbird, is a popular choice. Chili crisps, like the classic Lao Gan Ma, offer a complex flavor profile. Soy sauce is a fundamental umami booster, perfect for dipping and cooking. Oyster sauce, recommended by culinary experts, adds a deep, savory richness to dishes. Completing the core condiment lineup are the universally recognized ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Maille’s Dijon mustard is often praised for its quality and balanced flavor.

• Pearl River Bridge Superior Light Soy Sauce: A foundational condiment for Asian cuisine and a versatile flavor enhancer for many dishes.
• Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce: Provides a rich, savory depth of flavor that complements a wide range of ingredients.
• Yellowbird Sriracha: A popular choice for its balanced heat and flavor.
• Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp: A flavorful and versatile condiment with a satisfying crunch.

Oils, Vinegars, and Syrups

A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is crucial. California Olive Ranch’s 100% California EVOO offers a good balance of quality and affordability. Alongside this, a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil, is essential for high-heat cooking.

For vinegars, a trio of options is recommended: a sweet, syrupy balsamic for dressings and glazes; a sharp, fruity option like a wine vinegar or a specialty vinegar from brands like Acid League; and a bottle of white vinegar, which is effective for both cleaning and adding neutral acidity to dishes.

A liquid sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup, or agave, is also a versatile pantry addition, useful for baking, breakfast, and even cocktails.

• California Olive Ranch 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A versatile and high-quality olive oil for everyday use.
• West~bourne Organic 100% Pure Avocado Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, ideal for various cooking methods.
• Giuseppe Giusti Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP: A classic choice for its rich flavor and syrupy consistency.
• Acid League Meyer Lemon Honey Living Vinegar: Offers a bright, fruity acidity, perfect for dressings and marinades.

Canned Goods: Shelf-Stable Solutions

A well-stocked pantry of canned goods provides convenient meal solutions.

Curry and Coconut Milk

With curry paste and coconut milk, flavorful curries are achievable in under 30 minutes. Brands like Maesri for curry paste and Thrive Market for coconut milk are highly recommended.

• Thrive Market Regeneratively Grown Organic Coconut Milk: A quality staple for curries and other creamy dishes.

Proteins and Beans

Canned fish and pre-cooked, seasoned beans are excellent meal starters. Brands like A Dozen Cousins and Heyday Canning Co. offer convenient and flavorful bean options. Canned fish, such as sardines or anchovies, provides a quick protein boost and a flavor punch. Fishwife’s starter pack offers a curated selection of high-quality tinned fish.

• A Dozen Cousins Vegan Bean Variety Pack: Offers a selection of seasoned beans for quick and healthy meal additions.
• Heyday Canning Co Saucy Bean Variety Pack: Provides flavorful, saucy beans perfect for sides or as a base for various dishes.
• Fishwife The Starter Pack: A curated collection of premium tinned fish, ideal for easy and delicious meals.

Fridge and Freezer Staples: Immediate Flavor and Convenience

Beyond the pantry, a few key items for the refrigerator and freezer can significantly enhance meal preparation.

Refrigerated Essentials

Better Than Bouillon, particularly the chicken base, is a highly versatile ingredient that can elevate broths, soups, and sauces. Its concentrated flavor makes it a cost-effective and convenient alternative to boxed stocks. High-quality Parmigiano Reggiano, ideally purchased in a larger piece and grated as needed, is another valuable fridge staple. Kimchi offers a potent dose of flavor and probiotics, proving useful when fresh produce is scarce.

• Better Than Bouillon Premium Roasted Chicken Base: A concentrated flavor base that enhances a multitude of dishes.
• Murray’s Parmigiano Reggiano: A premium hard cheese that adds a salty, nutty depth to any meal.

Frozen Convenience

For effortless cooking, frozen garlic and ginger cubes are invaluable for nights when fresh prep is undesirable. Frozen dumplings serve as a quick snack or meal starter. Finally, bread, sliced and frozen upon purchase, can be easily toasted to perfection, preventing waste and ensuring a fresh supply.