If you’re wanting to start cooking from scratch, but don’t know where to start or what all you need, this post is for you. Here’s a complete list of all the staples you need for a from-scratch kitchen.
I really want to start getting into new topics and not keep talking about food all the time. But, before I do, I wanted to make this post. I’ve been talking a lot about cooking from scratch and cooking real food. If that idea is new to you, it probably feels overwhelming. You likely don’t know what you need or where to even begin. Even worse, the cost of buying all of these ingredients probably feels overwhelming.
So, if that feels like you, I’m here to help. In this post, I’ll give you a list of all the things you need for a from-scratch kitchen. I’ll split it up into different sections like pantry staples, fridge staples, and things you should keep on hand in your freezer to save money in the long run.
Why You Should Start Cooking from Scratch
Before we dive in to the things you need, you may be wondering why you should even cook from scratch. Like most people, you’re probably super busy and feel as though you don’t have time to do this. One of my goals with this website is to show you that cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Every Friday I share my meal plan for the following week. If you’re wanting to start cooking from scratch, those meal plans would be a great place to begin to get some ideas and to remove some of the overwhelm.
the standard american diet
It boggles my mind how so many people struggle with all sorts of health issues, but they never seem to look to their food as the cause. We literally are what we eat. Our food gives our bodies energy. It gives our cells the minerals they need to work. And it can either build our bodies up or wreak havoc on them.
The “Standard American Diet” (SAD) does the latter. It is full of processed “foods,” inflammatory fats and oils, and “foods” that just don’t give our bodies what they need. I put “foods” in quotation marks because so many of the things people eat in our country aren’t foods at all. Food is natural. It was given to us by God. Food isn’t made in a lab, and that’s what a lot of the SAD is. Fake, man-made “foods.”
We need to be eating with a purpose. More importantly, we need to understand our biology and physiology, and how our bodies need specific things from our food to thrive. I know this post isn’t specifically about this. So if you want to learn more about why you should be cooking from scratch and eating real foods, read this post.
All the Staples You Need for a From-Scratch Kitchen
Now that you’re caught up on why real foods and cooking from scratch is important, let’s get into what you should have on hand in your kitchen. Before we get into the lists, I’ll say that buying these things (especially the pantry items) in bulk is the way to go. Especially at first when you’re building up your kitchen stock. Of course, that will be more money upfront, but it will for sure save you money in the long run. Especially if you plan to cook a lot in the future.
Costco and Sam’s Club are great for that. I also love Azure Standard for organic items. Azure is an online “market.” You place your order online, find a local delivery location, and go pick it up on the delivery day.
Okay, now let’s really get into it.
the pantry
I fill my pantry with all sorts of things for baking and cooking. Since I use them so much, I always buy them in bulk (unless I’m totally out and need them right away haha).
baking
- flour (all purpose, whole wheat, gluten free, almond flour, and einkorn flour)
- yeast
- baking powder
- baking soda
- corn starch
- corn meal
- gelatin
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- almond extract
- lemon extract
- chocolate chips
grains
- oats
- bread crumbs
- rice (white and/or brown)
- quinoa
- pasta
- popcorn kernels
sauces & condiments
- Worcestershire sauce
- BBQ sauce
- soy sauce or coconut aminos
- ketchup
- mustard
- dijon mustard
- marinara sauce
- pasta sauce
- pizza sauce
- jams & jellies
- peanut butter
- applesauce
- salsa
oils & vinegars
- apple cider vinegar
- distilled vinegar
- white or red wine vinegar
- rice vinegar
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- avocado oil
- coconut oil
- lard or tallow
- oil spray (preferably avocado or olive, not vegetable!)
sugars
- honey
- cane sugar
- brown sugar
- coconut sugar
- powdered sugar
- maple syrup
canned goods
- diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- tomato paste
- chicken & beef broth
- coconut milk
- canned tuna
- canned chicken
- coffee
spices & herbs
- allspice
- basil
- bay leaves
- ground cinnamon
- cinnamon sticks
- ground clove
- cumin
- curry powder
- dill weed
- garlic powder
- ginger
- ground mustard
- nutmeg
- onion powder
- oregano
- parsley
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper
- chili powder
- paprika
- rosemary
- sage
- salt
- thyme
- turmeric
- whole peppercorns
fridge / freezer
These aren’t necessarily all things you need to have on hand at all times (especially the things in the fridge section). But they are things I typically always already have or have on my grocery list for that week.
dairy
- salted butter (I never buy/use unsalted butter… gross haha)
- greek yogurt
- cheese blocks
- shredded parmesan cheese or parmesan cheese block
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- mozzarella cheese ball
- shredded cheddar or mexican cheese
- milk
meat & animal products
- eggs
- chicken breasts
- chicken thighs
- whole chickens
- ground beef
- various steaks of choice
- beef roasts
- fish of choice
- shrimp
produce
- potatoes
- onions
- carrots
- fresh fruit
And that’s it. Like I said, I think the best way to get this stuff is by buying it in bulk. So if you want to do that, place a few orders over the next few months from Azure Standard to get stocked up. Or go to Sam’s Club or Costco. Don’t feel like you need to get all of these things all at once. If you want to, just buy these things as you need them. But if you eventually stock up on all these things, you should be set to have an organized and productive from-scratch kitchen.
That’s all for today. Check back on Friday for next week’s meal plan. And come back next Tuesday for a new post, on something other than food and diet this time. Until next time 🙂