9 Dry Goods That Belong in Your Pantry
I’m one to always keep plenty of extra food in my pantry. I like to have various grains, dry beans, or lentils in case I need to whip up a last-minute meal. Dry goods are also great to keep on-hand in case of an emergency or if you’re just trying to make fewer trips to the grocery store. Today I’ll share a list of the dry goods you’ll usually find in my pantry.
Many of these items can be bought in bulk which tends to be cheaper and better for the environment; try using these reusable bags when buying in bulk to avoid needing a single-use plastic bag!
2. Rice
Another one of my favorite whole grain staples is rice. I love wild rice, but often have brown rice on hand as well; wild and brown varieties are higher in fiber so they are more filling than white rice. Do you have an Instant Pot? This is a great way to cook up a big batch of rice in no time!
3. Quinoa
I use quinoa interchangeably with rice. It’s a bit higher in protein and fiber, while also lower in carbs so it doesn’t tend to spike blood sugar quite as high. On its own, quinoa can be a bit bland, but it’s great as the base for a bowl, mixed into a soup, or made into a grain salad. Like rice, quinoa can also be made in the Instant Pot. I usually switch off between making a batch of rice and quinoa each week.
4. Dry Beans
Beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein and fiber. I only just recently started using dry beans in place of canned beans and I think they taste better. The Instant Pot makes cooking dry beans so much easier and faster! Try this chili recipe if you’re looking for a way to use dry beans. I like to save the water the beans are cooked in and use it in place of broth in soup or stew,
5. Dry lentils
Like beans, lentils are another great source of plant-based protein and fiber. They are perfect in soups and stews, or this Greek chicken dish (another simple and tasty Instant Pot meal!).
6. Flour
I like to keep different varieties of flour on hand for baking desserts and healthy snacks. Here are some of my favorites:
White flour - usually the best option for traditional baking
Whole wheat - higher in fiber than white flour, so a good option for healthier muffins, waffles, or other baked goods
Teff flour - gluten-free and high in protein (I like making these cookies, which are gluten-free and vegan)
Almond flour - try these chocolate muffin tops for a nutritious chocolatey treat
Chickpea flour - read one of my previous posts to learn more about chickpea flour and for my gluten-free pizza crust recipe
Millet flour - these hard-boiled egg and cheddar muffins make the perfect quick and filling breakfast
7. Chickpea pasta
Chickpea and lentil pasta is all the rage right now. Banza is my favorite brand, but there are tons more out there. Chickpea pasta is much higher in protein and fiber than traditional and whole wheat pasta, so it’s a good option for people with diabetes or prediabetes. It’s also gluten-free if gluten is something you need to avoid.
8. Nuts & seeds
I keep most nuts and seeds in the pantry, but to extend the shelf life, you can also keep them in the fridge or freezer. Nuts and seeds are great on their own or when added to oatmeal, granola, smoothies, trail mix, muffins, or cookies. I like to keep a variety on hand, usually almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
9. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a great addition to trail mix or granola. Raisins or dried cranberries can be stirred into oatmeal (cooked hot or overnight oats). Dates are a great way to add sweetness to energy balls or baked goods. I recently made these vegan brownies and they were the perfect way to have a higher fiber and lower sugar sweet treat.
I hope this post gives you some ideas of dry goods to stock in your pantry. It’s great to keep these things on-hand in case of an emergency, but also so you can make a nutritious meal at any time!
