A well-stocked pantry conveys a sense of abundance and homely charm. I’ve always loved walk-in pantries with their wonderful variety of goods. They are like mini general stores, stocked with everything the household needs.
Shelves full of jams and pickles breathe of summer’s bounty even in the midst of winter. Bins of root vegetables and squashes sit in the cool corners, while strings of onions hang from the rafters.
Canisters of dry goods proclaim their ever-ready potential to be turned into hearty meals, while herbs and spices lend a fragrant scent to the little room.
This is my dream for some day, but it was a reality for the pioneers, and for many homesteaders today. When confronted with such a pantry, I feel like I stepped into Little House on the Prairie:
“Laura was so delighted with the pantry that she stood in the doorway for several minutes, admiring it.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder, The First Four Years
Nowadays, not everyone needs such an extensive pantry; and pantries should be practical above all else. But homemakers can still benefit from stocking basic supplies that they use all the time, and preserving garden produce.
Even if you don’t live on a homestead, you can still capture a bit of that practical, homely atmosphere by learning how to stock a pantry in your own home.
Getting Started
Two practical questions to consider when you’re planning out your pantry are: 1) What do I need? and 2) Where will I store it?
If you can answer these two questions, you’re well on your way to learning how to stock a pantry like a pioneer!
What should I store in my pantry?
Pantries should be practical. Store ingredients that you use regularly. If you like to bake, then think about which baking ingredients you can stock up on.
If you only bake once every month or two, then it’s probably not a good idea to buy large quantities of flour and sugar. They might look pretty in glass jars with cute labels, but if you won’t use it before it goes bad, then it’s a waste of money, time, and space.
The same principle applies to any food you decide to store. Don’t buy a lot of something just because it lasts a long time. You have to actually plan on eating it! I suggest you try a small quantity of something new before buying 10-20 pounds of it!
Storage Spaces
Walk-in pantries seem to be luxuries these days. In many houses, the pantry is reduced to a closet, while small houses and cabins like ours don’t even have that!
What do you do if your house doesn’t have a pantry? Get creative. Look at the storage space you do have. Is there a closet under the stairs? A linen closet in the hallway? Extra space in the basement or garage?
When picking a space for your pantry, look for somewhere that is dark, dry, and cool if possible. If you live somewhere humid, dry isn’t always going to happen; just don’t go storing dry goods in a moist environment like under your sink!
If you don’t have any available closets, you can build one! My pantry for the last two years has been a sturdy wooden chest that my husband built. It’s not quite as convenient as an upright closet with shelves, but it works for us.
Another option is to buy an upright cabinet with shelves. You can find these at auctions, estate sales, and of course, furniture stores.
There’s no rule saying you must store all of your “pantry foods” together. If you don’t have a walk-in pantry, you’ll probably end up using cupboards, closets, boxes, and bins.
Start Slowly
Before you rush out to buy ingredients, keep in mind that stocking a pantry can be expensive initially. It involves buying large quantities of many different items.
As you’re learning how to stock a pantry, you may want to start slowly. Buy one or two pantry items per week, instead of trying to build your perfect pantry all at once. Buying items slowly also helps you keep a goal in mind and not buy unnecessary things on a whim.
Here’s a simple plan for building your pantry slowly:
- Read through the list of pantry staples below and write up a list of which items would be practical for you.
- Add any other foods you think would be practical for your household.
- Bring that list with you to the grocery store so you can stock up on items gradually, as they go on sale.
- Start replacing store bought items with your own dried herbs and home-canned preserves.
If you follow these steps, you will be well on your way to stocking your pantry like a pioneer!
The Basic Pantry Staples
No two pantries are exactly alike, so I can’t give you an exact rundown of what you should stock. You might have a special diet or allergies to work with, besides your own preferences.
Still, I know it can be helpful just to see a list, so you can start to envision what foods you would like to stock, and how much space you will need.
Here is my list of pantry staples, based (loosely) on a pioneer household.
Grains and Flours
- Unbleached white flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Whole grain wheat or spelt berries, if you grind your own flour
- Rolled oats
- Cornmeal
- Rice
A note on flour: whole grain flours should not be stored at room temperature for long periods, because the oil in the germ turns rancid. If you do need to store it for a long time, the freezer is best.
Legumes
- Pinto beans
- Kidney beans
- Navy or great northern beans
- Other beans (black, small red, lima, garbanzo, etc.)
- Split peas
Nuts & Seeds
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Peanuts/ peanut butter
- Coconut flakes
- Sunflower seeds
- Flax, sesame, or other seeds
Dried Fruits
- Raisins or currants
- Golden raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Dates
- Others: dried apricots, pineapple, prunes, cherries, or blueberries
Vegetables
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Squashes
Herbs & Spices
This category really depends on your taste. I happen to really like herbs and spices, as you can tell!
- Salt and pepper
- Sweet spices for baking: allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg
- Spices for cooking: cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried minced onion, garlic powder, ground mustard, paprika, red pepper flakes, turmeric
- Herbs for cooking: basil, chives, dill, fennel, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme
- Seasoning blends: Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, herbs de provence, etc.
Baking Supplies
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cornstarch
- Cream of tartar
- Yeast
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips/ baking chocolate
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
Sweeteners
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Molasses
- Sugar (white or evaporated cane/ sucanat)
- Brown sugar
- Confectioner’s Sugar
Oils
- Coconut oil
- Palm oil
- Olive oil
- Others: avocado, sunflower, walnut, etc.
Canned Goods
- Tomatoes: whole, diced, sauce, paste
- Corn
- Beets
- Pumpkin
- Beans, any variety
- Applesauce
- Peaches, apricots, cherries, or other fruits
Preserves
- Jams and jellies
- Fruit or flower syrups
- Pickles
- Salsa
- Mincemeat
Miscellaneous
- Coffee
- Tea
- Vinegar: white, red wine, apple cider
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce
- Dried tomatoes for sauces
- Dried vegetables for soup
- Vegetable soup base
- Pasta
- Granola and/or cereal
- Granola bars
- Crackers or pretzels
My list of pantry essentials is mostly ingredients, as you can see. However, I’ve included a few prepared foods in these lists, because I do stock them.
Sometimes those are homemade, and other times they’re from the store. I try to make most of our food, but it’s not 100% from scratch.
Stock up and Save
One of the perks of having a pantry is that keeping a supply of staples allows you to shop around and find the best prices instead of paying whatever the grocery store asks when you run out of something.
(To keep this cushion, make sure you put an item on your shopping list BEFORE it’s all gone!)
There are a few different ways to find the best prices while stocking up on pantry staples. You can use these methods now as you learn how to stock a pantry, and in the future to keep it well stocked.
Wait for sales
Flour and dried beans may never go on sale at your local grocery store, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of sales when stocking your pantry.
The best way to use sales to buy multiples of an item when it’s on sale, so you don’t have to buy it when it’s not on sale. This method does require some forethought and planning.
For example, I check the price on peanut butter frequently, even when I don’t need it. That way, I always catch the sales, and never have to buy it when it’s not on sale.
It may take a while to learn which items go on sale in your local stores, and your shopping trips might be a few minutes longer when you’re checking prices, but the savings are worth it!
Wholesale or Co-op
Local co-ops can be a great way to buy in bulk and save money on shipping costs, particularly for large or heavy items.
The basic idea is that several people order together from a company, so they can get a wholesale price and/or a discounted shipping rate.
Some co-ops get shipments only once every few months, while others have their own local stores where members can purchase goods any time.
Some co-ops charge a membership fee, so don’t forget to factor that into the cost of the goods.
Ask your friends or neighbors if there are any co-ops in your area.
Shop with a friend
Even if there aren’t any local co-ops (or they just don’t carry the items you need), you can apply that principle on a smaller scale if you shop with a friend or two.
Our local grocery stores don’t have the best (or freshest) selection of bulk spices. I often split an order of bulk spices from an online supplier with my mother and sister. We split the shipping costs, and sometimes split large packages of herbs and spices.
Pantry Food Storage Tips
Learning how to stock a pantry is just the first step. Make sure you also follow these tips to ensure that your food stays consumable!
If you’re wondering about the shelf life of certain items, or how to store them properly, check out this guide to shelf life basics.
Rotate your supply
Use the oldest jars and cans first. You don’t want any food in your pantry to spoil, especially if you’ve taken the trouble to can and preserve it.
An easy way to prevent spoilage is to put the new batch of, say, strawberry jam, behind the older jars.
Of course, you should also label each jar with the date so there is no question of how old it is.
Make sure your pantry foods are safe from pests
Grains and flour are best stored in bins or buckets with tight-fitting lids. Consider transferring pasta from cardboard boxes into glass jars with screw-on lids. You can do the same for beans and rice.
If you would rather keep the food in its original packaging, then store the boxes or bags in a larger tub or bucket, with a tight lid to keep critters out.
Also, keep your pantry clean and tidy. If you spill oats or flour on the floor, sweep up the mess right away so it doesn’t attract bugs.
Ready, Set, Go!
Now you know the basics of how to stock a pantry! Ma Ingalls would be proud. Even if it’s not filled with home-canned pickles and jellies right away, it’s still a big step in the right direction.
Remember that pantries are constantly changing, and sometimes there will be more food than others. That’s okay.
FREE Printable Pantry Staples shopping list!
Don’t forget your free printable shopping list! Bring it with you to the grocery store or the co-op, so you have a guide to stocking your pantry. Then post it in your pantry, so you can keep track of your supplies.
If you would like to read more about how to stock a pantry while saving money at the grocery store, check out Ultra Power Saving Mode for your Grocery Budget.
Now that your pantry is fully stocked, check out these simple recipes from pantry staples!
[…] For more pantry-stocking ideas, along with a handy checklist, read How to Stock a Pioneer Pantry! […]