Prepped-Ish Pantry

The full list of what is always in my kitchen.

Alright, let me just say right off the bat: you do not need to run out and buy every single ingredient or product I’m about to drop on you. Seriously, no pressure.

I’m all about you getting creative in the kitchen and making it work for you. If a recipe I share calls for white vinegar but you’ve got white wine vinegar on hand, go for it. Or maybe sugar isn’t your jam—swap in some honey and live your best sweetener life.

This list is just my personal arsenal of kitchen essentials—the ride-or-dies I always keep stocked at home. They’re my ✨non-negotiables ✨, but here’s the deal: you won’t see them on the weekly shopping lists I share unless I’m planning to use a ridiculous amount of one thing in a recipe. Otherwise, assume they’re hanging out in my pantry like the dependable pals they are.

Must haves:

• Kosher Salt
  Diamond Crystal or bust, period. It’s the pro kitchen go-to for a reason.

• Black Pepper
  Freshly cracked is the easiest glow-up for your cooking. Buy peppercorns and grind as you go. I usually buy peppercorns in bulk from Costco and have been using this pepper mill for about 10 years.

Aromatics:

• Onions
  The backbone of my kitchen. Always have them—shallots and scallions count too. And pickled red onions? Forever in my fridge.

• Garlic
  I cheat a little with pre-peeled garlic because, honestly, life’s too short. When I hit Costco, I grab the mega bag, blitz it in my food processor, and freeze it in a ziplock. Then, I just break off chunks as needed. Efficiency, my friends.

Fats & Vinegars

• Oils
  Olive oil, canola oil (or another neutral oil), and a spray bottle of neutral oil for air frying. Always stocked.

• Vinegars
  Balsamic, apple cider, rice vinegar, and red wine vinegar handle dressings, pickling, and marinades.

• Butter

  Butter makes everything better. I keep unsalted on hand—unsalted for baking and, well, everything else. A little butter can transform a dish into something magical.

Sweet Stuff

• Sugar (both white and brown)

• Honey or agave (tbh I prefer honey but they both do the trick)

• Maple Syrup

  For balance, dressings, and late-night cravings. Honey on pizza = yes.

Spices

• Garlic Powder

• Onion Powder

• Dried Oregano

• Turmeric

• Ground Cinnamon

• Smoked Paprika

• Chili Powder

• Cumin

• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

• Bay leaves

• Italian Seasoning

Condiments

• Dijon mustard

• Hot Sauce

• Worcestershire Sauce

• Soy Sauce

• Ketchup

• Mayo

Dry Goods

• AP flour

• Baking Soda

• Baking Powder

• Rice

  Dried or frozen (Trader Joe’s frozen rice is my shortcut to quick, easy rice bowls. Season it, always.)

• Pasta
  I don’t feel like i should have to explain this.

Other Sh*t:

• Chicken Stock
  A soup and braise essential. Always in my pantry.

• Fresh Citrus
  Limes and lemons bring brightness. Keep them in the fridge so they last longer.

• Bread Crumbs
  Panko for crunch, Italian style for flavor. Pasta’s best friend and y’all know, I love a cutlet.

• Tomato Products
  A jar of sauce and a tube of paste = endless possibilities for soups, sauces, and more.