Stock the pantry and cupboards make menu planning easy spend less money

In order to spend less money in the grocery store and make menu planning easier, you should keep your pantry and cupboards stocked with a variety of canned and dry goods. What should you have in your well-stocked pantry or cupboards? You should have a wide variety of dry goods and canned goods that you use on a regular basis. Keep the dry goods and canned goods in your pantry and cupboards rotated regularly. Knowing what you have on hand and when to use it up helps make keep your grocery budget in check.

When you buy canned goods and dry goods, check for sales and use coupons. Do not hesitate to buy generic or store brands, as they often are less expensive than buying name brands, even when there is a sale and you have coupons.

Make sure to date packages and cans so that you know when you add them to the rotation of stock in your pantry or cupboards. Dating cans and packages is an easy way for you to remember when something was added to the stock rotation and eliminates having to guess.

Having the items you need to make anything for any meal or dessert or special treats can save you money in the long run because you will not be tempted to go out to eat or pick up take out or splurge on an expensive dinner for a special occasion when you can make it at home for much less.

Periodically go through your cupboards and pantry and check for items that will expire soon. Use up those items as quickly as possible. Making pumpkin bread of muffins and freezing them helps you use up ingredients before they expire and get the full value for your money.

Also periodically go through your pantry and cupboards and toss out bulging cans. These food items are no longer safe for use, as they may contain harmful bacteria. When in doubt, toss it out.

What should you have on hand in your well stocked pantry and cupboards? Here is a general list of dry and canned goods you should have on hand in your kitchen. What else would you add to this list? How much of each item do you think you should have in your well-stocked pantry or cupboards?

List of dry and canned goods for your well-stocked pantry or cupboards:

all-purpose flour
wheat flour (freeze for longer shelf life)
rice flour (for gluten free diets)
granulated white sugar or vegan sugar or derma sugar
brown sugar
powdered sugar
unsweetened cocoa powder
baking soda
baking powder
cornstarch
chocolate chips, white chocolate chips
raisins, dried cranberries and/or other dried fruits
walnuts, almonds and/or pecans
graham crackers
vanilla wafers
baking mix such as Bisquick or Jiffy; or you can make your own BisQwick
yeast (freeze for longer shelf life)
cornmeal, white and yellow
seasoned and unseasoned bread crumbs or you can make your own bread crumbs
rolled oats and/or steel cut oats
pasta such as thin spaghetti, vermicelli bow tie, elbow, shells, etc. You will want to have a few different kinds
egg noodles
long grain brown and white rice
crackers, such as saltines and buttery crackers
mashed potato flakes
dried beans such as chickpeas, great northern, pink beans, black beans, lentils, pinto beans, etc.
pearl barley
popcorn seeds
taco seasoning or make your own taco seasoning
dry onion soup mix or make your own dry onion soup mix
canned vegetables such as green beans, corn, peas, beets, etc.
canned fruits such as peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, etc.
canned beans such as chickpeas, kidney, black, great northern, etc.
canned pumpkin
cake mixes or make your own cake mix
frosting (chocolate, vanilla, etc)
pickles, dill and sweet
olives, green and black
relishes, dill, sweet, piccadilly
ketchup
mustard
mayonnaise
vegetable and olive oils
red wine, cider and white vinegars
solid vegetable shortening
canned or bottled apple and grape juice
tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato puree, whole peeled tomatoes, tomato paste
assorted dried spices and herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley flakes, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper, chili powder, onion powder, minced onion, paprika, etc.
beef, chicken and vegetable bouillon cubes or powder
chicken noodle and tomato soups
cream soups such as mushroom and chicken or make your own cream of anything soup mix
beef, turkey, chicken or vegetable broth, or make your own stocks and broths
stuffing mix or make your own stuffing mix
creamy and/or crunchy peanut butter
grape jelly or jam, strawberry jelly or jam, apricot jam, orange marmalade
instant pudding mix, chocolate and vanilla or make your own pudding mixes
flavored gelatin such as strawberry, lime, cherry, etc.
canned tuna in water
canned chicken
canned salmon
ground coffee or whole coffee beans
tea, loose or bags
soy, almond or hemp milk
powdered creamer
evaporated milk
sweetened condensed milk
honey or agave nectar
pure flavoring extracts such as vanilla, almond, lemon, orange, etc.

Other items to consider having on hand in the cupboards or pantry:

capers
anchovies
salad dressing (not bottled dressings for salad, but something like Miracle Whip)
Italian dressing
Ranch dressing
balsamic vinegar
chopped clams
clam juice
rye flour
powdered milk
marshmallows
crisp rice cereal
cornflakes
bottled or distilled water
turmeric
curry powder
dried mint
white sesame seeds
rice noodles
soy sauce
sesame oil
srirracha, Tabasco, Frank's hot sauce
Ener-G egg replacer
plain gelatin packets