Fact: I love a good pantry. Remember when I bought a label maker and all those glass jars from Ikea?  But you don’t need anything even remotely that over-the-top. A pantry can be a couple of cabinets dedicated to dry goods.  Here is basic list of essentials to work toward having on hand. This is something that will take time to acquire.

Basics
Kosher salt
Sea salt
Peppercorns
Extra virgin olive oil
Vegetable oil
Apple cider vinegar
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic or sherry vinegar
Rice vinegar (unseasoned)

Baking
Flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Cream of tartar
Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Unsweetened or bitter chocolate: chips or bar
Evaporated milk
Pure vanilla extract
Granulated sugar
Confectioners’ sugar
Brown sugar
Maple syrup
Honey
Old-fashioned rolled oats

Drinks
Coffee
Tea

Rice and Grains
Long-grain white rice
Brown rice
Grains: bulgur, quinoa, couscous or farro
Pasta
Polenta (corn meal)
Breadcrumbs: plain or panko

Snacks and Cereals
Crackers
Tortillas
Cookies or biscuits
Pretzels
Popcorn kernels
Dried fruit: raisins, apricots or cherries
Seeds
Peanut butter or almond butter
Applesauce
Breakfast cereal

Canned Goods
Chicken and beef broth (actually, I buy it in boxes because they can close and re-use)
Beans: cannellini, navy, chickpeas or black
Vegetables: corn or artichokes
Olives or capers
Chiles: chipotles in adobo or pickled jalapeños
Tomatoes
Tomato paste
Roasted red peppers
Tuna

Dried Herbs and Spices
Bay leaves
Cajun seasoning
Cayenne pepper
Chili powder
Crushed red pepper
Curry powder
Fennel or dill seed
Granulated garlic
Ground cinnamon
Ground cloves
Ground cumin
Ground ginger
Oregano
Paprika: sweet and smoked
Rosemary
Sesame seeds
Thyme
Whole nutmeg

Fridge
Milk
Plain yogurt: regular or Greek
Unsalted butter
Cheddar or mozzarella
Goat cheese
Parmesan
Eggs

Condiments
Jelly, jam or preserves
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Mustard: Dijon or whole grain
Pickles
Hot sauce: Tabasco, Sriracha or sambal
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce or tamari
Asian fish sauce
Toasted sesame oil
Salsa
Patak’s Curry Paste

Freezer
Ground beef, ground turkey or Italian sausage
chicken
Bacon
Bread: baguette or sandwich bread
Vegetables: peas, chopped spinach or corn
Fruit: berries, peaches or mangos
Nuts: almonds, walnuts or pecans