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Do you ever run to the store for “just” a few items (and buy way more than a few)? If you’re running out of essential foods at home, you’re more likely to make last-minute grocery trips or unplanned restaurant dinners, which can quickly bust your food budget in no time.

One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to keep a well-stocked pantry. When your favorite food ingredients are readily available, it’s easy to get meals and snacks on the table quickly. (You’ll also save yourself from last-minute takeout orders since you’re unable to fix a meal from items in your kitchen.)

Avoid the stress of, “There’s nothing to eat!” by having your family’s essential foods on hand at all times. You’ll want to make a list of your own family’s favorites, but here are my top ten to get you started!

My Top 10 Real Food Pantry Staples

1.  Nut Butter

Peanut butter is our go-to condiment for oatmeal, quick sandwiches, crackers, and fruits and veggies, such as apples, bananas, and celery. Try it in smoothies or mixed with plain yogurt and honey for a quick, healthy dip. Of course, if allergies are a concern, use any nut butter you prefer.

2.  Oats

Almost daily, our family eats oatmeal—with a swirl of peanut butter and topped with bananas, or with blueberries and honey mixed in, but always cinnamon (my favorite spice!). Naturally gluten free, oats are inexpensive and easy to prepare. They are also versatile; use them to make granola, overnight oats, blender muffins, 5-minute granola bars, no-bake chocolate power bars, and more!

3.  Whole Grain Bread

This probably goes without saying, but bread is a super-convenient pantry item for sandwiches, French toast, and much more. However, store-bought bread that qualifies as “real food” can certainly be tricky to find. While homemade bread is the best option, if/when you do need to buy store-bought bread, be sure to look for whole grain, sprouted grain options (such as Ezekiel 4:9 brand), and avoid nutrient-void white breads and any breads containing high fructose corn syrup or added sweeteners (Ever wonder what’s really in Wonder Bread?)

4. Rice

Rice is a cheap and versatile pantry staple you’ll want to keep on hand. Try out various spices to flavor the rice for your favorite world cuisine! We love to use brown rice as a base for burrito bowls, or packed into Mexican stuffed peppers. Add rice to your favorite casserole or stir fry to stretch meat and veggies further. No time to cook rice for dinner tonight? Consider cooking rice in bulk and freezing it in smaller portions to always have it on the ready.

5.  Beans

Just as frugal as rice, beans are another inexpensive ingredient that will help stretch the more expensive foods like meats. Dried beans are cheaper than canned, but do require extra time to prepare. If you don’t plan ahead to soak and cook dried beans, you’ll want to keep a few cans of beans on hand for convenience. Besides a protein-packed side dish, beans are great for chilis, burritos, and even the incredibly fudgy and delicious black bean brownies (really—don’t knock it ’till you try it!).

6.  Applesauce

Whether store-bought or homemade, applesauce is a delicious snack or dessert. Our family loves to add a dash of cinnamon to unsweetened applesauce. We also use it frequently in baking as a healthy substitution for oil.

7.  Salsa

From tacos to burrito bowls to a simple dip, salsa is an easy and flavorful item to have in your pantry at all times for quick meals. Try it topped on baked potatoes or over scrambled eggs. We’re a little partial to this easy fresh homemade salsa.

8.  Whole Grain Pasta

While we don’t eat nearly as much pasta as we used to, it is definitely a convenient item to have on hand for a quick dinner (spaghetti, anyone?). We usually buy whole grain pasta, but other real food versions include gluten-free pastas, such as brown rice pasta, quinoa pasta, etc. (ALDI, Amazon and Thrive Market have a great selection of affordable real food pastas).

9.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil / Coconut Oil

Cooking and baking requires oil; our most frequently used oils are extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. We most often use olive oil on roasted veggies, salad dressings, and grilled meats. We use coconut oil for sautéing vegetables and in our favorite baked goods. You may be surprised how many ways just these two oils may be used as a substitute for less healthy oils in your favorite recipes!

10.  Honey

Honey is a healthy alternative to refined sugar, adding sweetness to hot tea, yogurt, baked goods, oatmeal, and more. My kids love to dip their pancakes in a dollop of honey, rather than drenching their short stack in maple syrup. Honey is an easy substitution for (more expensive) pure maple syrup in recipes.

What’s on Your Top Ten List?

No matter your budget or dietary preferences, making a “top ten” list of the items your family eats most frequently will help you prepare meals more easily, since you’ll be well stocked at all times. Additionally, because these are the items you buy regularly, you’ll save money if you do some research to be sure you’re buying these items for the best price each week (or less often if you buy in bulk). Every family’s list will look differently, so consider your favorite flavors and best recipes to keep stock of the items needed most often.

One of the great things about essential pantry staples is that they are shelf-stable and won’t go bad before you consume them. We started buying all of these items in bulk from Costco to save money (and time since we don’t need to restock every week or even every month at the local grocery store!).

I’d love to know what your top ten pantry items are! Leave a comment below and let me know. I’ll cheer you on to master quick and easy (and inexpensive) meals for your hungry family!

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Original post: September 27, 2017 | Updated July 14, 2021