What do you always have on hand? Why?
I’d count refrigerated items as pantry staples if they keep for longer than a couple weeks.
One recent addition to my pantry has been dried chillies - great base for red chile sauce for enchiladas. Those plus maseca and some beans (also both staples) and I have a base for amazing enchiladas or tacos or whatever.
If you ask my husband, it is always having backup of staples.
We always have rice, pasta, beans (dried and canned), canned tomatoes (along with other canned vegetables), variety of canned soups and sauces, dried spices of all sorts.
Naturally, fresh or frozen is healthier for you (sodium levels vs canned).
Can pretty much take a combination of the above, throw in some protein, add in some fresh elements, and you have a full meal.
Great list. To add some more pantry stable proteins, I really like dried mushrooms. Shiitake in particular rehydrates into a very nice meat substitute, and the liquid from the process is rich with savory mushroom flavor.
Also, canned chicken or tuna is always great to have on hand for a quick meal.
Completely agree. I enjoy canned tuna, and canned chicken will work in a pinch if I don’t have chicken tenderloins in my freezer. The husband also keeps spam in the pantry. Not my favorite, but still not horrible either.
Spam is great for many things.