5 Condiments to Always Have in Your Pantry or Fridge

Condiments are a great thing to keep on hand so they can be used in any last minute recipes you may be preparing. Read on to find out the 5 condiments I always keep in my pantry or fridge.

1. Dijon mustard

You’ll always find Dijon mustard in my fridge with a backup stash in the pantry. Any mustard can of course be used for sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs, but there are so many more ways that it can add flavor to your meals. Mustard contains very few calories, but keep in mind that it does contain sodium; be careful with how you use it if you are watching your salt intake.

Try making this salad dressing or a lemon mustard dill sauce to serve with salmon or chicken. You can also add Dijon mustard to this chicken stew.

2. Avocado oil mayonnaise

Often mayonnaise is made with soybean oil, which is high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids may contribute to inflammation which can lead to obesity and other chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Alternatively, if you choose a mayonnaise made with olive or avocado oil, you’ll be consuming more monounsaturated fats which are better for heart health and and reduce inflammation. My favorite mayonnaisse is made with avocado oil and can be found at most grocery stores.

Mayonnaise is an essential staple that can be used on sandwiches or to make chicken or egg salad and coleslaw.

3. Soy sauce

Soy sauce is another pantry essential. It’s so easy to throw together a simple stir fry if you are short on time and not sure what to make for dinner. If you prefer a gluten-free version, try tamari or coconut aminos instead; they all can be used interchangeably. Soy sauce can also be used for marinades and added to turkey burgers or peanut sauce.

Soy sauce is very high in sodium (even low-sodium versions!), so keep portion sizes in check and avoid adding additional salt to your meal when cooking with soy sauce. One tablespoon of soy sauce can have as much as 800 or 900 mg of sodium per tablespoon! Low sodium versions may still have as much as 600-700 mg per tablespoon. Dietary guidelines recommend limiting your daily sodium intake to 2,400 mg, so be mindful of this when cooking with soy sauce.

4. Vinegar

Vinegar is a great way to add acidity to your meals. There are many variations, but the ones I tend to keep on hand are apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, and balsamic vinegar. Vinegar lasts for a long time so even if you don’t use it often, you don’t have to worry about throwing it away.

Balsamic vinegar is great for dipping bread into or combining with olive oil for an easy salad dressing. Apple cider vinegar is used in many salad dressing recipes. Rice vinegar is used in a lot of Asian dishes, like the peanut sauce and stir fry recipes listed above; it can also be used in salad dressing.

Nutritionally, vinegar contains very few calories and no fat, sugar, or sodium. Studies demonstrate that vinegar may help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, and help with blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

5. Honey

Lastly, I’ve added honey to this list because many recipes need a little sweetness. Honey is used in a lot of the recipes I’ve already listed above such as salad dressings, marinades, and stir fries. It can also be used in baked goods, smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, coffee, tea, and more!

Just remember that honey is still a sweetener and contains the same amount of sugar as other types of sugar, like brown sugar, regular sugar, maple syrup, etc.

Dijon mustard, avocado oil mayonnaise, soy sauce, vinegar, and honey are 5 staples I don’t often run out of. They’re versatile and can be used in salad dressings and sauces to brighten up any meal. Keeping certain condiments like this on hand can help make it easier to prepare delicious meals on busy weeknights. I’d love to hear what other condiments are on your pantry staple list!