What to Stock in your Kitchen?

We've included this "what to stock in your kitchen" page because part of having easy kids meals is being well prepared and organized. Print off a copy and give your kids a clipboard with this page.

Inventory your kitchen cabinets and kitchen pantry with your kid chef's help. Keep in mind every family is different so check this basic list and add or delete what works for your family. It is also important to have a way to keep track of what has been used and needs to be replaced so you keep your cupboards continuously stocked.

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What to Stock in Your Kitchen Shelves or Pantry?

Can tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Chicken, vegetable or beef broth (or bouillon cubes)
Cake mixes
Canned vegetables, corn, green beans, etc.
Canned kidney beans, refried beans, garbanzo beans
Canned fruit, variety
Canned mushrooms
Pie filling
Ripe olives
Canned cream soups
Dry soup mixes
Canned tuna
Muffin mixes
Pudding mixes
Jell-o gelatin mixes
Pasta noodles-variety
Rice
Peanut butter
Pasta sauces
Stuffing mixes
Pancake mix
Juices, variety including tomato, orange, apple
Wholegrain cereal
Oatmeal
Applesauce
Chocolate syrup
Maple syrup
Unopened condiments to replace those usually in the refrigerator

What to Stock in Your Refrigerator?

Variety of cheeses, cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, cottage cheese
Milk
Eggs
Butter
Yogurt
Sour cream
Deli meats
Bacon
Hot pepper sauce
Soy sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Lemon juice
BBQ sauce
Salsa
Pickles
Mayonnaise
Miracle whip
Jelly/jam
Raisins and other dried fruits (can also store in pantry)

What to Stock in Your Freezer?

***Some of these items don't need to be stored in the freezer but can be stored longer and fresher if done so.

Tortillas
Pie shells
Bread dough
Bread rolls
Loaves of bread
Bread crumbs
Chocolate chips
Frozen vegetables- broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, mixed
Frozen whipped topping
Nuts
Yeast
Butter
Frozen juices
Variety of meats including chicken breasts, ground beef, roast chicken

What to Stock in your Spice Cabinet or Baking Shelves?

***To provide easy access while you are cooking or baking move your spice cabinet and baking shelf next to the baking area (mixing bowl) and close to the stove.
stock pantry

Fresh garlic
Honey
Dry salad dressing mixes
Dry soup mixes
Taco seasoning mix
Oils, shortening, cooking spray
Vinegars
Salt
Pepper
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Cloves
Ginger
Basil
Oregano
Italian seasoning
Paprika
Thyme
Dill
Bay leaves
Bouillon cubes (vegetable, beef and chicken)
Cream of tartar
Other herbs and spices your family might use often
Powdered milk
Cocoa powder
Muffin liners
Baking soda
Baking powder
Cornstarch
Flour
Sugar
Powdered sugar
Brown sugar
Light corn syrup
Vanilla
Cornmeal

What to Stock in Your Kitchen That is Fresh?

Potatoes
Onions
Carrots
Celery
Bread
Apples
Bananas
Tomatoes
Other fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season and you use often.

Frugal kitchen staples are versatile foods or cleaning supplies that you integrate with other items to make more of that item at a cheaper price. Keeping a good supply of staples on hand also reduces the amount of trips you make to the grocery store.

6 Frugal Kitchen Staples -Tips on Stocking your Kitchen

The items that we have on hand are what determine how far our food will go. Filling your cabinets or pantry with a few useful staples can be the difference between a trip to the grocery store each and every week versus once or twice a month. Stocking just a few choice items is all you need to create wonderful meals.

Flour is used to make many foods, as well as being included in many recipes. Meat coatings, cake pan dusting, gravies, noodle making as well as breads and cakes, all, use flour. All-purpose flour keeps well in a dry and cool place when stored in airtight containers. To keep flour for an extra long time, place the flour in plastic containers and store in a freezer.

Rice is probably the most flexible of all frugal kitchen staples. It is a vegetable used in creating many frugal dishes, stretching meats to last for two or three recipes. Served plain, seasoned or mixed with other vegetables, rice is also filling, nutritious and available for purchase in bulk sizes. Put rice in soups, puddings, or make rice pancakes by adding beaten eggs to cooked rice and mixing until is has a pancake batter consistency.

Pasta, like rice, pasta makes great filler for meat and vegetable dishes. Homemade macaroni and cheese makes a side dish everyone likes, along with pasta salads and vegetable and pasta dishes. Making homemade pasta is easy with a noodle-making machine, with only three ingredients needed: salt, flour and eggs. Boxes of pre-made pasta have "best if used" dates on them, which generally run for one or two years depending on packaging.

Potatoes are a versatile vegetable and are part of frugal kitchen staples. Mashed, fried, baked, twice-baked, boiled or roasted, potatoes are usually a part of every meal in one form or another. Potatoes are even used in making vodka and wine. If properly stored, potatoes last about two months or slightly longer. Place them somewhere that is well ventilated and dark if possible, because too much light causes them to sprout eyes.

Beans, with over 100 varieties available, are the staple of frugal recipes. Full of protein and often used as a meat substitute, beans are in soups, chili, rice dishes, salads, vegetable and chip dip. Beans will keep in a freezer for six months.

Spices, in addition to salt and pepper, enhance food that is inherently bland such as rice and potatoes, providing differently distinct flavors to these foods so you don't get tired of eating it. Spices are also better for you nutritionally than salt, so if you are accustomed to sprinkling salt on frugal kitchen staples, try adding some spice to your meals.

These items will stretch not only your meals but your wallet as well.

Stocking up on Meats

Owning a freezer is almost a necessity if you want to have a properly stocked pantry, especially when it comes to keeping meats on hand. When meat is on sale at your grocery store, you should stock up so you won't have to purchase them at full price.

Chicken is a staple and can be mixed with about any soup, vegetable or pasta to make a filling and plentiful meal. Turkey is generally cheaper than red meat, especially around Thanksgiving, so stocking on a few turkeys around this time will save your money as well.

Other frugal staples to stock are:

Peanut butter
Pretzels
Canned meats
Bouillon cubes
Corn flakes
Sugar
Plain oatmeal
Popcorn
Saltines

Learning how to can foods also maintains a good supply of frugal kitchen staples since canning allows food to keep for years. Growing a small vegetable garden outside and an herb garden inside is another way to add economically to your pantry.

Now that your kitchen is organized and stocked... Get Cooking!

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Here is to easy kids meals in the future!

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