Buying the Right Groceries Is Key
When you plan out your weekly meals at home, it's helpful to know if the ingredients will last for the entire week. What should you grab from the store in preparation? Well, don't fret, folks — we're going to give you a hand on that front! Yes, the following grocery staples are perfect for your kitchen pantry.
Salsa
You can certainly get your money's worth from a jar of salsa. It makes for a delicious snack dip, and goes well with most Mexican-inspired meals. These jars can also last for weeks in your fridge once opened, so that's another positive.
Rotisserie Chicken
We won't beat around the bush here — rotisserie chicken is absolutely delicious! As it's already been cooked, you can put meals together within minutes of coming back from the supermarket. And if you store it correctly in your fridge, the chicken can last for a few days, too.
Butter
Whether you're using it as a spread for your toast or as a means to grease your frying pans, butter is an important kitchen staple. It can get plenty of use throughout the week. From sandwiches to baking, it ticks a lot of boxes.
Flour
Do you have any flour in your kitchen pantry? No? Well, it might be an idea to grab some on your next shopping trip. This grocery store staple is an absolute must for those who like baking and cooking meals from scratch. It'll make your life a lot easier!
Rice
There aren't many items in the kitchen that can match the sheer versatility of rice. It can go with anything! You can enjoy these grains with main meals or as a seperate side — whatever you prefer. Rice is also fairly cheap at the store, so that's another plus.
Pasta
No kitchen pantry would be complete without pasta. There's so many dishes you can put together with this stuff! It's a great ingredient for both simple and more advanced meals. And best of all, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg at the grocery store.
Dried Herbs
Looking for something that'll give your weekly meals a bit of added flavor? Well, you might want to consider picking up some dried herbs at the store. Not only are they tasty, but they're usually cheaper than their fresh counterparts. And they tend to last longer, too!
Beans
Another versatile kitchen staple, beans are both tasty and cheap. A perfect combination, right! Whether you're buying them dried or canned, you can do a lot with beans when putting together your weekly meals. They add so much to dishes such as chili and rice bowls.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is so much more than just a delicious sandwich spread. It can be used in a bunch of different ways in your kitchen. For instance, you could bake your own peanut butter cookies, or create a tasty dip with some pieces of fruit. What's not to like?
Oatmeal
If you don't have oatmeal in your pantry, then now might be the time to change that. This breakfast staple is normally a budget-friendly option at the grocery store. You can whip up many different morning meals with it. Oh, and you could use oatmeal when baking cookies as well!
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a very useful item to have in the kitchen when preparing your meals across the week. It's ideal for both frying and baking, but its uses don't end there. Yep, if you want to make your own salad dressing, olive oil is an extremely handy ingredient.
Tortillas
When putting together Mexican-inspired dishes, tortillas are an absolute must. They're delicious and kindly priced at the store. But you can use them in other ways, too. For instance, why not swap out the bread and make a sandwich with a tortilla? It'll taste just as good!
Diced Tomatoes
It can take a lot of time to cut up a bunch of tomatoes ahead of dinner. So why not skip that step and buy some diced tomatoes instead? In addition to making your cooking prep much quicker, you could also save a bit of money going down this route. Diced can be cheaper than fresh!
Marinara Sauce
From pasta to pizzas, marinara sauce is a kitchen staple that can be used in various ways across the week. It's surprisingly versatile. The sauce is also fairly cheap at the grocery store, which is another thing in its favor. You could even make your own to save more cash!
Potatoes
You can't go wrong with potatoes, folks. These vegetables are cheap to buy and can be used in a bunch of different dishes throughout the week. You could make your own hash browns for breakfast, or add a potato to your soup for lunch. They're excellent additions to casseroles and salads as well.
Eggs
It's always handy to have some eggs in your kitchen for the week ahead. Alongside breakfast, they can be used to prepare tasty meals in the evening, too. Homemade quiche is just one delicious example! If you love baking, eggs are a must.
Marinated Artichokes
Is there a marinated artichokes-shaped hole in your kitchen? Well, it might be time to finally fill it! Yes, this item can add a lot of flavor to salads and pasta dishes, and it isn't expensive at the store. On top of that, marinated artichokes can last for weeks when properly stored in your fridge.
Frozen Mixed Vegetables
You won't struggle for cooking ideas during the week if you've got a helping of frozen mixed vegetables at home. From soups to fried rice, the possibilities are endless! And as it's frozen, this veg will last longer than its fresher counterparts. It's usually much cheaper as well.
Cheese
Cheese is a great item to have in the kitchen when mapping out weekly meals. It's perfect for sandwiches at lunchtime, and can be used in various ways for dinner. You could grate some over your pasta dishes, or add slices of it to a homemade pizza. There's no limit here, folks!
Sour Cream
Sour cream has a lot going for it. It's cheap, versatile, and can last for a decent stretch in your fridge. How's that for a welcome triple-threat! Sour cream is an excellent ingredient for homemade dips, and it can also improve the taste of dishes such as casseroles and soups.
Hummus
Don't overlook hummus on your next trip to the store, folks. This lip-smacking spread is an excellent choice for sandwiches, while it can serve as the base for homemade salad dressings, too. It won't dent your shopping budget, either. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, hummus can last for well over a week in your fridge.
Greek Yogurt
Are you limited by what you can do with Greek yogurt in the kitchen? Nope! There's lots of stuff you can prepare across the week using this dairy product. You could use it as an ingredient for a smoothie, or add it to a homemade dip. It lasts in the fridge, too.
Carrots
There's a lot to love about carrots. Not only are they affordable, but they can last for weeks in your fridge as well. Nice! Carrots are also wonderfully versatile. They're awesome additions to soups and roast dinners, and are just as tasty as a standalone snack.
Condiments
No kitchen pantry feels complete without a range of condiments on the shelf. These cheap sauces can transform lunches and dinners thanks to their varying tastes. For instance, mustard is fantastic in sandwiches, while ketchup can compliment several cooked dishes. And mayonnaise isn't bad, either!
Vinegar
If you like cooking stuff from scratch during the week, then vinegar is a worthwhile item to have in the kitchen. It can be used in various recipes, playing a key role in homemade salad dressings. It's also ideal for pickling, so it'll get plenty of use.
Jarred Garlic
Have you ever tried jarred garlic? It's wonderful! All the cloves are diced up and ready to go. These jars are quite affordable at the grocery store, and they can get plenty of use in your kitchen. Yep, the garlic can be added to pestos or soups during the week.
Cocoa Powder
How's this for an impressive shelf-life? When opened, cocoa powder can last for an entire year. Wow! It's a great option for those who love baking chocolate goodies across the week. But its uses don't end there. Cocoa powder can be used when making chocolate syrups and hot cocoa, too.
Bouillon Paste
Want to whip up some meaty broths for the days ahead? Well, you can't go wrong with bouillon paste. This tasty ingredient can get the job done without breaking the bank, and could soon become a firm favorite in your pantry.
Frozen Fruit
Much like vegetables, frozen fruit has some key advantages over its fresh brethren. The big two are price and longevity, which could be music to your ears! You can use frozen fruit in smoothies, milkshakes, and as a topping on your breakfast during the week.
Bell Peppers
Both cheap and tasty, there's so much you can do with bell peppers when mapping out your weekly meals. They add a ton of flavor to several different dishes. Plus, these peppers can last for quite a while in the fridge, too.
Canned Meat
For as good as fresh meat is, you shouldn't ignore canned alternatives if you want cheaper meals across the week. Trust us — it tastes just as nice! You can prepare a bunch of delicious dishes with canned chicken or tuna, and it lasts in the fridge.
Baking Powder
If you're big on baking at home during the week, then baking powder is an essential item to keep in the pantry. It won't shatter your shopping budget and it can last for around half-a-year once it's been opened. Good to know, right?
Salt
While too much can be detrimental to your health, a little bit of salt can make a huge difference to your home-cooked meals. It adds a bunch of flavor! This kitchen staple lasts for a very long time and isn't particularly expensive, so it won't dent your budget.
Bread
It's harder to think of what you can't do with bread in the kitchen. It's ridiculously versatile! You can use it when making sandwiches or croutons, and you could even try frying it as a side at breakfast. Bread can last for a whole week, so you'll be covered until your next weekly shop.
Lemon Juice
Do you have any lemon juice in your pantry? If not, now might be the time to buy some. It has a lengthy shelf-life and it's affordable. Lemon juice can add lots of flavor to certain meals, as well as beverages. It's handy to keep around during the week.
