12 Items I Always Keep in the Pantry

As an avid entertainer with limited time, I’ve learned to keep a few things on-hand in case of last-minute entertaining emergencies. I try to keep these items stocked in our pantry and take inventory every few days of what might need refreshing.

Not sponsored, but I love Rifle Paper Co. for keeping myself organized. I use their market pads to keep track of things we’re running low on in the pantry. This one is currently on our fridge. I also use their weekly meal planners. The attached shopping list is perforated, so it tears off easily for your grocery trip. Having both lists makes it easy to prioritize what you need for the week’s meals and what you need to replace in your pantry.

Here are some of my favorite things to keep in our pantry for easy entertaining:

1. Assorted Nuts

These are fabulous, especially in the winter. There are hundreds of recipes for roasted party nuts – savory with rosemary and olive oil, spicy with sriracha, and sweet with caramelized sugar. A dish of mixed nuts in a vintage silver dish is an easy snack that you can include in your sitting room, on the bar, and on just about any end table for quick munching. Also, toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds make great toppers for salads, fish, or haricots verts.

2. Cake Mixes

I always have a few boxes of these in the pantry. You never know when you’ll have an occasion to mix up something sweet for someone (birthdays, babies, new neighbors, etc.). I keep a few extracts in the pantry for these, like almond extract, vanilla (of course), orange, and lemon. They add a punch of flavor to an otherwise plain boxed cake (best used with yellow or white cakes).

3. Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar snow is one of my favorite things to add to cakes, cupcakes, or a bowl of berries.Β These muffins are a perfect case in point. All it takes is a little sifting 3-4 inches above the dish and you have a beautiful, elevated plate. This sugar also makes quick and delicious icings, like glaze, royal icing, and buttercream frosting.

4. Beans

These are always good to have on-hand for soups and chilis, but one of my favorite things to do is make homemade hummus with garbanzo beans. It’s not as scary as it sounds. In fact, here’s a 5-minute hummus recipe from Real Simple. My friend Suz takes it up a notch by spreading out the hummus about 2 inches thick on a serving plate, then topping it with sliced kalamata olives, cucumbers, diced red onions, roasted red peppers, fresh lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil for a pretty Greek take on the old classic. It is fabulous!

5. Dried Fruits

These are pantry staples that can have a lot of hidden sugar if you aren’t careful. Look for dried fruits that are just the fruit, with little to no added sugar.Β I always try to have apricots and cranberries in the pantry. I love acai bowls, so often add dried coconut slices to my list, too. Dried apricots are great additions to a good cheese or charcuterie board. Died cranberries are delicious in everything from warm kale and grain salads to oatmeal cookies.

6. Whole-grain/whole wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread is another pantry staple that’s probably already in yours. I love a good 16/18 grain bread – the more grains packed in it, the better. We often will season and bake our own croutons for salads, especiallyΒ panzanella. It’s another way of watching your salt and butter.

Pro tip: One of my favorite recent pantry finds is Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel seasoning. A sprinkle of this on avocado toast? Sheer perfection.Β 

7. Stock

Beef, chicken, and veggie stocks are perfect for those surprise dinner parties. They add moisture to roasted proteins and veggies in a flash.

Homemade really is best, and it’s easy to make. I’ve read in a few places where folks recommend keeping leftover tops of onions, proteins, and other discards in a zip-top bag in your freezer. Once you’ve added enough to it, simply boil it in water for 1-2 hours and strain for easy, homemade stock. Or, you can simply look for “reduced sodium” or, better yet, “no sodium added” stock in those cardboard containers.

8. Diced Tomatoes

I always have a few cans of these because I love making marinara sauce from scratch. It’s like the frittata of the Italian world. You can add almost any veggies you have in your fridge to it – especially the ones that might have lost their crispness.

Start by chopping your veggies and cooking them in a saute pan so that they’re a bit cooked. You’ll want to add minced garlic and diced onion at that point, too. Then, toss in one or two cans of diced tomatoes and a handful of herbs. I’ll typically do basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, parsley, and a pinch or two of crushed red peppers. Let it all marinate together for half an hour to 45 minutes and you’re all set.

9. Oats

Oats are great to have for quick, hearty breakfasts. I especially love them for brunch parties. You can create a DIY oatmeal bar with various toppings (like your dried fruits and nuts), or make individual parfaits, alternating granola with yogurt. I love Ina Garten’s homemade granola recipe.

10. Olives

Olives are also good to have on-hand because they’re so versatile. Add a few to your marinara, cocktails, and round out your cheese or charcuterie board with a handful of mixed marinated olives. Make your own marinade for them with a little bit of olive oil, basil, oregano, and a pinch of crushed red peppers.

11. Arborio Rice

Risotto is one of those impressive dishes that’s much easier to make than people think. It’s the perfect side, and it can easily take center stage at your dinner party with the right protein. All you need at the very basic level is arborio rice, stock, dry white wine, and a little patience.

12. Old Bay

Old Bay is another one of my favorite seasonings. I’ve been thinking of hosting a seafood boil when the weather turns warm, so this is on the forefront of my mind. It’s the perfect combination for shrimp, shellfish, and crabs. I also love adding a bit of Old Bay and salt to freshly popped popcorn for something different.

Hope these pantry favorites help you as you’re going through your pantry! Comment below with your favorite finds. I’d love to hear about what y’all use!

Cheers, and happy entertaining!