If you’re struggling with how to stock your vegetarian pantry, this post will show you all the staples you can build off of to always be prepared!

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Stocking a vegetarian pantry is important whether you’re on day one of being vegetarian or just want to be prepared for any situation. Having a well stocked pantry full of essentials will allow you to make fewer trips to the grocery store and set you up for easy to make, delicious meals.

I’m sharing what’s always in my pantry, organized into a few basic categories, as well as a few bonus items that I would never go without. This list looks a little different than some of the other vegetarian pantry lists out there because I’m being super realistic about what I use and what I don’t.

If you’re someone who cooks with farro frequently, you would definitely want it in your pantry at all times. I don’t, so it’s not! Everyone’s list will look different, and as you cook more at home you’ll learn what you just can’t do without.

I’ve tried to include affiliate links for some of the products that might be new to you, so even if you don’t purchase online you’ll have an idea of what you’re looking for in the store.

Dry Goods

Oatmeal
Rice – Brown and White
Quinoa
Bulgur
Pasta – Spaghetti, Penne, Lasagna, etc.
Rice Noodles
Panko Breadcrumbs

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts – Peanuts, Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Pine Nuts
Pepitas
Chia Seeds
Flaxseed Meal

Canned and Jarred Goods

Canned or Dried Beans and Lentils – Garbanzo, Black, Pinto, Great Northern
Canned Coconut Milk
Canned Diced Tomatoes
Canned Whole San Marzano Tomatoes
Tahini
Vegetable Broth
Marinara Sauce
Nut Butter (Peanut, Almond, Cashew)

Baking

Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
Dry Yeast
Almond Flour
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Confectioners’ Sugar
Chocolate Chips
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cocoa Powder
Vanilla Extract
Butter or Dairy Free Butter (store in the freezer for longer life)

Sturdy Fruits and Vegetables

Garlic
Onions
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Oranges
Lemons
Limes

Oils and Condiments

Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Ketchup
Mustard – Dijon, and a stronger flavor such as Chipotle or Grainy
BBQ Sauce
Pesto (store in the freezer for longer life)
Salsa – I always have 2-3 kinds!
Balsamic Vinegar
Soy Sauce or Tamari

Sweeteners

Maple Syrup
Honey
Molasses
Dates

Spices

Coarse Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Dried Oregano
Dried Thyme
Chili Powder
Ground Cumin
Cinnamon
Nutritional Yeast

Freezer

Veggie Burgers
Hamburger Buns
Frozen Spinach
Frozen Fruit or Smoothie Packs

Important Extras

Tortilla Chips – Enjoy with salsa, make nachos, crumble over salads
Bread – Whole Wheat and Sourdough
Tortillas – Corn and Flour
Cheese – Mozzarella and Monterey Jack or Cheddar, shredded and sliced
Avocados – They go with everything!

Recipes featuring vegetarian pantry ingredients

These recipes are made almost entirely out of vegetarian pantry staples. They could easily handle a few substitutions if you can’t find an ingredient or wanted to leave it out.