Plant-Based Pantry Essentials

A list of the non-perishables every vegan kitchen needs.

I highly suggest being more thoughtful about your pantry staples than your fridge staples. Refrigerated items have a short lifespan and will be rotated regularly, but your pantry items will last months.

The Simple Veganista has the more exhaustive pantry staple list that I actually used, but I’m not sure you’ll need all of those items immediately. Below are the basics to get you started.

Whenever possible, buy your favorite items on this list in bulk since they won’t expire as quickly. It’ll cut down on both your grocery bill and trips to the grocery store.

---

---

Beans

• lentils (green, red, and/or black)

• peas (split & whole)

• black beans

• dry chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

• kidney beans

• pinto beans

• white beans (cannellini, navy, great northern)

• refried pinto beans

• refried black beans

Grains & Flours

• basmati and/or jasmine rice

• brown rice

• oats (steel-cut, rolled and/or quick)

• quinoa

• rice noodles

• whole wheat pasta noodles

• whole-wheat bread

• all-purpose flour

Nuts & Seeds

• almonds

• raw cashews

• roasted cashews

• chia seeds

• flaxseed meal

• hemp hearts

• sesame seeds (white, black & toasted)

• sunflower seeds (raw or toasted)

• walnuts

• tahini

• almond butter

• peanut butter

Dried Fruit

• apricots

• coconut flakes

• cranberries

• dates

• raisins

Sweeteners

• pure maple syrup

• agave

• raw cane sugar

Spices

• allspice

• basil

• bay leaves

• cardamom

• cayenne

• chili powder

• cinnamon

• cloves

• coriander

• cumin

• curry

• garam marsala

• garlic powder

• ginger powder

• himalayan salt

• nutmeg

• old bay seasoning

• oregano

• onion powder

• paprika (sweet)

• paprika (smoked)

• red pepper flakes

• rosemary

• sage

• thyme

• turmeric

• vanilla extract and/or vanilla beans

• za’atar

Oils & Vinegars

• coconut oil

• vegetable oil

• olive oil

• sesame oil (regular and toasted)

• apple cider vinegar (unfiltered)

• balsamic vinegar

• red wine vinegar

• rice vinegar

• white wine vinegar

Condiments

• ketchup

• mustard (whole grain, dijon, brown mustard)

• fruit jams & jellies

• sriracha

• chili paste

• tamari, soy sauce or nama shoyu

• coconut amino’s

Canned Goods

• diced tomatoes

• sun-dried tomatoes

• tomato paste

• fire roasted green chilies

• coconut milk (full fat & light)

• bottled spaghetti sauce

• baked beans

• salsa

• curry paste

• bottled lemon/lime juice (in case I don’t have lemons)

Packaged/Misc.

• wakame (sea kelp)

• nutritional yeast

• tortillas

• rice paper sheets

• nori wraps/sheets

• bouillon cubes or vegetable broth base

• vegan protein powder

• cocoa/cacao powder

• cocoa nibs

• corn starch, potato starch, tapioca flour or arrowroot flour (for thickening)

• tea(s) of your choice

• popcorn kernels