What foods do you always have on hand in your refrigerator / cupboards?

Copper_Boom

I just moved into my first place on my own and am planning a big grocery trip later this week to stock up on staples. My refrigerator currently looks quite sad with its jar of pickles, Greek yogurt, kimchi, and Diet Coke (I've been eating a lot of takeout the last few days!).
I am just curious what foods you all tend to have on hand in your refrigerator / pantry at any given time. It will help me with my grocery list. Pictures or lists welcome.

janejellyroll

I always have onions, garlic, jalapeno peppers, shredded cabbage, oats, nut butter, soy sauce, mustard, canned tomatoes, canned beans, olive oil, coconut oil, rice, raw cashews, hot sauce, mayo, and coffee. Everything else fluctuates, but if I've got those I know I can build a meal.

maybe1pe

In my fridge I have a constant supply of romaine, big fan of giant salads, and eggs. And usually some kind of fresh veggies that are in season, or whatever is on sale. Cottage cheese or yogurt, crescent rolls/french bread

Cabinets: canned tuna, rice (I keep jasmine and brown rice on hand, as well as spanish) I also like rice because I can make a batch in the rice cooker and save it for the week and eat it with various meal combinations, beans (dry or canned depending on if I feel like making my own) canned vegetables, potatoes, popcorn, cereal, oreos, canned fruit, salsa (great on eggs/omelette), onions, fresh garlic, bananas, protein powder.

Freezer: frozen veggies, buy whatever meat is super on sale and freeze (recently pork loin was buy one get one free making it about $1/lb so I got 4 and froze them for later, as an example), garlic bread, easy frozen meals or single serve pot pies for when I work late (love some chicken tenders and sweet potato fries), butternut squash (I always buy winter squash by the ton in fall and cook and freeze into bags that are a couple of servings each to save on time).

As many herbs and spices as I can get my hands on, if I'm making something that calls for it I'll just buy it, some of them can be expensive but in the long run having it for future use is great. Same with sauces. I make a lot of Asian dishes so I got soy sauce, mirrin sauce, sesame oil, etc in bulk.

these are foods for me that when I run out I restock immediately if possible.

I also keep snacks for work like: granola bars, protein bars, single serve bags of chips, oatmeal/grit packets. Things I can easily take with me out of the house.

Congrats on the new place!!!



***Edit to add: pretty much start with things you know you eat often and go from there. I have some staples and I always keep those things. Over time it expanded so now I grab a couple extra of things I make less often just so if the mood strikes I usually have everything I need to make whatever I'm wanting. Once you get started it's easy to grow so start with things you know you eat often.

jenilla1

cheese

Annie_01

I almost always have chicken, pasta, rice, cheese, some type of vegetable (usually broccoli), milk, peanut butter, bananas and yogurt.

I also keep canned tomatoes, canned tuna, chicken stock, various sauces (such as soy sauce) and things for baking.

I stock up on the items that I use a lot and then weekly I buy the things that I need for that weeks menu. I find that menu planning helps me know what groceries to buy for the week.

I would suggest figuring out the type of foods that you like to eat and cook and start stocking up on those foods.

kommodevaran

What you should have on hand, depends on what you like to eat and make. I have an assortment of grains, crispbread, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices, sauces and condiments, canned tomatoes and beans, olives, dried beans and lentils, canned tuna, sardines, kippers, canned fruit. In fridge: fruit, vegs, milk, cheese, butter, mayo. In freezer: Berries, vegs, fish, meat. Basically.

Copper_Boom

Thanks everyone! It's interesting to hear what other people consider staples. As someone who rarely cooks, this is super helpful. I'm not a picky eater and don't have strong opinions about what kind of foods to buy yet. I'm excited to be able to start cooking meals for myself instead of relying on Panera or the Whole Foods prepared foods section.

Chunkahlunkah

Always have in the fridge...
- milk
- eggs
- at least two different types of fresh vegetables (most commonly heads of cauliflower/broccoli/cabbage and bags of prewashed greens)
- greek yogurt or cottage cheese
- kerrygold butter
- parmesan cheese

Usually have in the fridge...
- meat
- already prepped meat, soup, salad components, roasted veg
- wholly guacamole snack cups
- snack bags of cheese or cheese sticks
- celery and carrots (for soups or, less often, prepped for snacks)
- fruit (or on the counter)

Always have in the pantry...
- olive oil
- various vinegars
- beans, so many beans
- my favorite spices
- nuts (type varies)
- pasta
- boxed stock

Usually have in the pantry...
- sweet potatoes or regular potatoes
- instant mashed potatoes
- oatmeal
- onions
- jars/cans of roasted red peppers and artichokes
- peanut butter

Always have in the freezer...
- veg

Usually have in the freezer...
- fruit
- fish
- prepped meals
- steamable rice
- ice cream, frozen fruit bars

These are my staples. I spend about $160-200 a month on groceries which is much less than I used to spend! (I used to let too much food go to waste, and I'd also buy more prepared foods.)

NovusDies

janejellyroll wrote: »

I always have onions, garlic, jalapeno peppers, shredded cabbage, oats, nut butter, soy sauce, mustard, canned tomatoes, canned beans, olive oil, coconut oil, rice, raw cashews, hot sauce, mayo, and coffee. Everything else fluctuates, but if I've got those I know I can build a meal.

To that I add barley, plain greek yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, a variety of vinegars but the core is red wine and apple cider, honey, a selection of teas, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, and a bunch of obvious stuff I am probably forgetting.

I have a number of spices, herbs, and the like but making a good list for someone else is probably not a great idea.

adarbyem

My Basics:
Protein bars (whatever variety I can get for around 200 calories with 20-30g of protein)
Protein powder (GNC Pro Performance Whey isolate)
Fish Oil with D3
Vitamin D3 - 1000IU
Multi-Vitamin
Chicken Breast
Fruits and Veggies with a decent shelf life (spinach, oranges, apples, tomatoes, etc...)
Egg Beaters
Eggs
Chicken Sausage
Adam's Natural Peanut Butter (Crunchy FTW)
Sara Lee Delightful Bread (90 Calories for 2 slices)
Oatmeal (Quick Oats)
Agave Syrup
Light and Fit Greek Yogurt, 80 Calorie cups
Cottage Cheese
Dry Roasted Peanuts
Smokehouse Variety Almonds
Almond Milk - Vanilla
Coconut Water
Sparkling Water
Shredded "Mexican Style" Cheese
Twining's Earl Grey Tea
Coffee

That usually fits everything except dinner, I visit the grocery store every day after my workout (it's in the same parking lot as my gym) and buy whatever I need to cook my family a fresh meal every night.

My "Cheats":
A Good IPA
A Good Imperial Stout
A Stouffer's Frozen Lasagna
Popcorn
Orville Redenbaucher's Butter flavored popping oil

callsitlikeiseeit

theres a lot of these threads if you look

what i always have:
chicken breasts
salad stuff (lettuce, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber)
condiments of various kinds
deli meat
eggs
coffee creamer
various cheeses
salad dressings
fruit (berries, melon)
diet coke
lemon water
beer

what do i have in general in my pantries?
peanut butter
spices and herbs
tortillas
canned tomatoes
baking supplies of every variety (i bake crap tons and give away what my fiance and son wont eat. i dont eat much of it)
chicken stock
cereal
oatmeal
nuts
fruit on counter - apples, oranges, lemon, limes
pasta (various kinds) and pasta sauce

freezer:
meat from sales
crap food for my son (pizza rolls, hot pockets, waffles, etc)
frozen veg

cwolfman13

I have a main fridge in the kitchen with a freezer...another in the garage and a dedicated freezer and a walk in pantry. In other words, way to many to list.

AnvilHead

Lots of stuff - but my main, can't do without, gotta have it staples:

Coffee
Oikos Triple Zero Greek yogurt (various flavors)
Dave's Killer Bread
Eggs
Egg whites (carton)
Fairlife nonfat milk
Fairlife whole milk (for coffee creamer)
Deli cheese
Deli meat
Diet soda (usually cola and/or root beer)
Tuna
Frozen veggies (various)
Salmon
Chicken
Flank steak
Halo Top ice cream

kam26001

Frozen berries
Rice milk
Cereal
Nuts
Beans
Sardines
Quinoa
Oreos
Rice
Bananas
Leafy greens

For the last few months I've had a Little Debbie product of some sort in the cupboard. Hehe.

__TMac__

How about a grocery list? This is a typical weekly list. Once a month or so, I hit the Costco for the list at the bottom.

NovusDies

Another staple for me is pickled ginger. It is not for me to cook with so much, although I have used it in salad dressings, but it is what I turn to when I am feeling queasy before hitting something I picked up at a drug store/drug aisle. It is the same stuff you get with your sushi normally.

Westschmeis

Tuna and yogurt, oh yeah, sardines too.ok

bootyrubsandtacos

These are my must haves. I don’t care if I run out of everything else. I must have these on deck at all times.

Cottage cheese
Frozen fruit
Shirataki noodles
Frozen veggies
Stir fry sauce
Shrimp
Bottled water

apullum

After we moved, here is what I bought first:

Baking essentials (flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, cocoa, etc.)
Cooking spray
Oil
Rice
Canned tomatoes
Dried beans and lentils
Basic spices, whatever that means to you
Bread
Frozen veggies
Shelf stable tofu
Light soy milk
Dark chocolate
Condiments (soy sauce, ketchup, etc.--whatever you use)
Vinegar
Tea
Pasta
Protein powder
Greek yogurt
Fiber cereal
A few quick frozen dinners to have in the freezer for busy evenings. After we had settled in, I made several batches of my usual freezable meals.

amelialoveshersnacks

Pantry staples-
Sweet potato, onions, garlic, ginger
Brown rice, quinoa, rolled oats, red lentils, yellow split peas
Wholemeal flour, plain flour, sugar, coffee
Tinned lentils, chickpeas, butter beans, coconut milk, tomato - chopped/paste, peaches
cuppa soups, nuts and seeds
Kombucha

A few themed spices - curries, middle eastern, italian, mexican,

Fridge staples-
eggs, milk, bread, butter, jam - honestly some weeks it's like that.
An assortment of ready roasted veges e.g asparagus, sweet potato, broccoli/cauliflower, and usually a container of cooked rice/quinoa. Really depends on the menu plan and my self discipline.
Oh and dried fruit - prunes, figs, dates

Freezer staples
Mixed veges, steamfresh veg, cooked chickpeas, curry leaves, ready cooked meals - I usually make a big batch of dahl and freeze into portions.
We do have meat of course, but I couldn't care less if we run out, so for me it's not a staple

ryenday

I find this thread fascinating.

Always:

Oatmeal
Almond milk
Frozen veggie mixes (veg only, no sauce)
Frozen spinach
Rice cakes
Popcorn
Potatoes
Lemons
Onions
Fresh garlic
Canned tomatoes
Tomato paste
Frozen meat (variety of types and cuts)
Good quality cheddar cheese
Saltine crackers
A jar of nut butter.

Always for husband: eggs (I’m allergic) and rice and curry makings.

Lots of other stuff on the most of the time list.

AJB1014

I recently found a local farm that sells grass fed and pasture raised meats. I go there and stock up on whatever is on sale that week. They also carry local farm veggies so I'll grab some broc, beets, onions, carrots, celery - things that will last in my fridge. I find shopping local first for what is available dictates my menu more than my menu dictates my shopping. I realize this is not an option for everyone, but it changed my mindset towards healthy eating a whole lot.

My cant live withouts from the grocery store include; seltzer water, quinoa, rice, lara bars, canned tomatoes, triscuits, popcorn, beans, irish cheddar, salami, coffee, almond milk, frozen berries, pickles.

Losinandmovin

Enough veggies for one week at a time: broccolini, asparagus, beans, riced cauliflower, spinach, butter lettuce, mushrooms, broccoli. Enough meat for a week: ground beef, pork chops, smoked pork chops, diced ham (for salads) chicken wings/thighs, and steak every so often.

Butter, cheese blocks to shred, onions, almond milk. Olive oil, avocado oil, salad dressing, Frank's hot sauce. Heavy whipping cream.

I'm keto, so this is my pretty standard diet.

laur357

Fridge - eggs, butter, hot sauce/sambal olek, soy sauce, mustard, ketchup, various cheeses, sour cream, rotating/seasonal fresh veggies and fruits (carrots, apples, broccoli, green beans, greens, grapes, Brussels, etc.)

Pantry - Olive or vegetable oil for cooking, extra virgin olive oil for dressings/drizzling, rice/white/red wine vinegar, canned beans, rice or barley, pasta, vegetable/beef/chicken stock or bouillon, sugar, flour, coffee/tea, garlic, onions, ginger, canned tomato products, panko bread crumbs, ramen or stir-fry noodles, Cheez-Its, popcorn.

Spices - salt, pepper, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, curry blend, chili powder, cumin, taco seasoning, Old Bay (I have a massive spice collection that I go through frequently, but these are the basics used multiple times each week)

Freezer - a few frozen dinners of choice, chicken/venison/pork loin, fish filets or shrimp, bags of veggies, udon noodles, homemade meatballs, Wholey Guacamole individual packets, Trader Joe's potstickers, waffles and chicken nuggets (cause picky kids are over a lot)

And small amounts of proteins, veggies, and breads/tortillas or whatever based on the menu for a week.

lucys1225

My freezers (3) is full of meat from a local farm and Butcher Box along with pre-portioned meals that I batch cooked, dog food I make for my dog, and some frozen vegetables I use for soup.

My refrigerator staples are eggs, seltzer water, a lot of vegetables, a variety of hot sauces, whole grain mustard, coconut aminos, cilantro, kimchi, salsa. The rest is usually full of leftovers and my breakfast casserole.

Pantry staples are Muir Glen roasted, whole and diced tomatoes and paste. Quinoa, rice and Banza Chikpea Pasta for my husband, a variety of different nuts, avocado and olive oil, different vinegars, flours (almond, coconut, cassava), Follow your Heart Cheeses and a ton of Penzey's spices.

nickssweetheart

apullum wrote: »

After we moved, here is what I bought first:

Baking essentials (flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, cocoa, etc.)
Cooking spray
Oil
Rice
Canned tomatoes
Dried beans and lentils
Basic spices, whatever that means to you
Bread
Frozen veggies
Shelf stable tofu
Light soy milk
Dark chocolate
Condiments (soy sauce, ketchup, etc.--whatever you use)
Vinegar
Tea
Pasta
Protein powder
Greek yogurt
Fiber cereal
A few quick frozen dinners to have in the freezer for busy evenings. After we had settled in, I made several batches of my usual freezable meals.

I don't eat dairy so no greek yogurt, and I eat oatmeal instead of cereal and refrigerated tofu, but otherwise this is stunningly close to my list.

seltzermint555

We always have tons of spices, baking staples, oils (sesame, coconut, grapeseed), rice & apple vinegars, and dry goods like oatmeal, various beans, brown rice, chickpeas, lentils, TVP, etc.

In the pantry usually we have tomato sauce, veggie broth, peanut butter, flavored teas, coffee, nuts, raisins or other dried fruit.

We always have almond milk, eggs, butter, celery, baby carrots, apples in the crisper, onion, and basic condiments like Sriracha, mayo, mustard, etc. Our freezer is often pretty bare but always has a variety of frozen vegetables and containers of chopped frozen banana and/or strawberries.

Usually have a loaf of wheat bread 60 cal/slice, local brand. That's about it.

Nessiechickie

What I can always count on having in my "car"
-my fridge is always a guessing game- is cans of soup.

I rarely eat out at work and I love soup. So I buy cases of it and just keep it in my car.
Cheap and for most part filling.

girlreadingbook

Avocado, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds which I roast myself, asparagus, rocket, raddichio, organic eggs, plain yoghurt, pecorino cheese, cheddar and cottage cheese, jazz apples, bananas, praws, chillies, mint, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dark chocolate, homemade sourdough bread, peas (quick pea and mint soup), ginger, garlic, shallots, tuna in olive oil, frozen white fish, fennel, wild salmon steaks, crunchy sesame Wasa crackers, oats, rice milk, baby cumumber, sparkling water, good tea, good coffee, good French butter. Lots of dried spices and herbs.

nooshi713

Mixed baby greens
Lemons
Onions
Pickles
Fruit
Fair life milk
Eggs
Cheddar cheese
Greek yogurt
Feta or parmesan cheese
Applegate turkey bacon
Applegate turkey breast
Wheat bread
Corn tortillas
Veggie burgers

JaiNicole7

jenilla1 wrote: »

cheese

THIS-LOL. If I am out of everything I will still have cheese due to the amount & variety I buy. Everyone in the house pretty much puts it on everything except cereal and ice cream.
As for staples for me: eggs and egg whites, fresh spinach, jasmine and basmati rice, frozen veggies, chicken breasts and tenderloins, fish filets, oats, plain yogurt, cereal and milk are pretty much always around. & I find I can usually whip up something out of those.