Category: Quick Guide / Cooking & Nutrition

⚡ Stocking Your Pantry for the First Time

You do not need to purchase everything on this list during one shopping trip.

Choose foods that match the meals you enjoy, the recipes you plan to make, your dietary needs, and the storage space available. Start with a small supply of basics and add new items as you need them.

First Pantry Shopping List

Helpful Resources: Browse Pantry Organization for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Produce Department

Choose fresh produce you can realistically use before it spoils.

Everyday Vegetables

Potatoes
Onions
Garlic
Carrots
Bell peppers
Tomatoes
Lettuce or salad greens
Broccoli
Cucumbers
Other favorite vegetables

Everyday Fruits

Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Grapes
Berries
Lemons
Limes
Other favorite fruits

Fresh Herbs

Buy these only when you have a plan to use them.

Parsley
Cilantro
Basil
Rosemary
Other recipe-specific herbs

Bread and Bakery Department

Choose one or two items you regularly eat.

Sandwich bread
Whole-grain bread
Rolls
Tortillas
Pita bread
Bagels
English muffins

Freeze extra bread if you will not use it before it becomes stale or moldy.

Pasta, Rice, and Grain Aisle

Basic Grains and Starches

Rice
Pasta
Oats
Couscous
Quinoa
Boxed macaroni and cheese
Instant rice
Other favorite grains

Breakfast Items

Cereal
Oatmeal
Pancake or waffle mix
Granola

You do not need every type of grain. Rice, pasta, and oatmeal are enough for many beginner meals.

Canned and Jarred Food Aisle

Beans and Protein Foods

Black beans
Kidney beans
Chickpeas
Lentils
Baked beans
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Canned salmon

Vegetables

Corn
Green beans
Peas
Carrots
Mixed vegetables
Other favorite canned vegetables

Tomatoes and Cooking Ingredients

Diced tomatoes
Crushed tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Pasta sauce

Soup and Broth

Canned soup
Chicken broth
Vegetable broth
Beef broth
Bouillon cubes or paste

Fruit

Canned peaches
Canned pears
Applesauce
Fruit cups

Choose fruit packed in water or juice when that matches your needs and preferences.

Baking Aisle

Buy baking ingredients only if you expect to use them.

Basic Baking Supplies

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Cornstarch
Vanilla extract
Cocoa powder
Chocolate chips
Yeast

Cooking Supplies

Cooking oil
Olive oil
Nonstick cooking spray
Breadcrumbs
Cornmeal

For a basic kitchen, one neutral cooking oil and one small bag of flour may be enough.

Herbs and Spices Aisle

Start with the seasonings you already recognize.

Basic Seasonings

Salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Paprika
Italian seasoning
Cinnamon

Add When Needed

Chili powder
Cumin
Oregano
Basil
Crushed red pepper
Curry powder
Thyme
Rosemary
Poultry seasoning

Avoid buying a large spice collection before you know which flavors you enjoy.

Condiment and Sauce Aisle

Choose condiments that match the foods you normally eat.

Basic Condiments

Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Salad dressing
Barbecue sauce
Hot sauce

Cooking Sauces

Soy sauce
Vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Pasta sauce
Salsa
Stir-fry sauce

Spreads

Peanut butter or another nut or seed butter
Jelly or jam
Honey

Check labels for allergens and refrigeration instructions.

International Foods Aisle

Choose items based on meals you plan to prepare.

Taco shells
Tortillas
Taco seasoning
Salsa
Refried beans
Coconut milk
Curry sauce
Noodles
Rice
Soy sauce
Other favorite sauces or meal bases

Do not purchase unfamiliar ingredients without a specific recipe or plan.

Snack Aisle

Choose a few snacks instead of buying several large packages.

Crackers
Pretzels
Popcorn
Granola bars
Trail mix
Nuts or seeds
Dried fruit
Rice cakes
Other preferred snacks

Compare serving sizes and prices before choosing between individual and family-size packages.

Dairy and Refrigerated Section

Basic Refrigerated Foods

Milk or preferred alternative
Butter or spread
Eggs
Cheese
Yogurt
Cream cheese

Convenient Foods

Hummus
Refrigerated pasta
Precut vegetables
Prepared salad
Deli meat
Other ready-to-eat items

Purchase only what you can use before the expiration or use-by date.

Meat and Seafood Department

Choose proteins based on your meal plan.

Chicken
Ground beef
Ground turkey
Pork
Fish
Sausage
Other preferred protein

Before buying, decide whether you will:

Cook it within the next few days
Divide it into smaller portions
Freeze it

Keep raw meat and seafood separate from ready-to-eat food in the shopping cart and grocery bags.

Frozen Food Aisle

Frozen foods can be useful because they last longer and require little preparation.

Frozen Produce

Mixed vegetables
Broccoli
Peas
Corn
Spinach
Berries
Other frozen fruit

Frozen Protein Foods

Chicken
Fish
Meatballs
Plant-based protein
Other preferred protein

Convenient Meals and Sides

Frozen dinners
Frozen pizza
Frozen breakfast items
French fries or potatoes
Frozen rice
Frozen pasta
Other easy meals

Check the available freezer space before buying large packages.

Beverage Aisle

Choose beverages based on the household’s preferences and health needs.

Water
Sparkling water
Coffee
Tea
Juice
Other preferred beverages

Avoid buying heavy cases if carrying and storing them will be difficult.

Paper Goods and Food-Storage Aisle

Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Parchment paper
Resealable bags
Food-storage containers
Freezer bags
Paper towels
Napkins
Trash bags

Reusable containers may reduce the need to replace disposable storage supplies.

Household and Cleaning Aisle

Dishwashing

Dish soap
Dishwasher detergent
Sponges or dishcloths
Bottle brush, if needed
Drying rack, if needed

Kitchen Cleaning

All-purpose cleaner
Disinfecting product
Floor cleaner
Cleaning cloths
Rubber gloves

Store cleaning products separately from food.

Never mix cleaning chemicals unless the product instructions specifically say it is safe.

Bare-Minimum First Trip

If you have a limited budget or very little storage, begin with:

Grains and Breakfast

Bread
Rice
Pasta
Oatmeal or cereal

Protein Foods

Eggs
Chicken or another preferred protein
Canned tuna or chicken
Beans
Peanut butter or another spread

Fruits and Vegetables

Bananas or apples
Potatoes
Onions
One fresh vegetable
One frozen vegetable

Refrigerated Foods

Milk or preferred alternative
Butter or spread
Cheese

Cooking Basics

Cooking oil
Salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Pasta sauce
Broth or soup

Storage and Cleaning

Food-storage containers or bags
Dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Trash bags

Build Meals From the List

These simple combinations can help you decide what to purchase.

Breakfast

Oatmeal, fruit, and milk
Eggs and toast
Cereal and fruit
Yogurt with granola

Lunch

Tuna sandwich and fruit
Soup and crackers
Hummus, vegetables, and pita
Leftovers from dinner

Dinner

Pasta, sauce, and frozen vegetables
Chicken, rice, and vegetables
Beans, rice, and salsa
Soup, bread, and salad
Eggs, potatoes, and vegetables

Choose several meals before shopping and buy ingredients that can be used more than once.

Before You Check Out

Review the cart and ask:

Do I have a plan for the fresh food?
Do I have enough refrigerator and freezer space?
Did I accidentally buy duplicate items?
Can several ingredients be used in more than one meal?
Did I check expiration dates?
Did I keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods?
Can I carry and store everything safely?
Am I staying within my budget?

Remember

A well-stocked pantry is not the same as a completely full pantry.

Start with foods you already know how to use. Plan a few simple meals, shop by section, and gradually add ingredients as you become more comfortable cooking.