6 Staples You Need To Have in Your Pantry

If you're striving to be a better home cook, make sure to stock your pantry properly. With the right ingredients, it's easy to to encourage yourself to cook more frequently. With the help of the following essentials, preparing dinner will be as easy as picking up a fresh piece of fish at the store or even heading straight home to make eggs!

1. Pastas and Grains

Since pasta and grains like couscous, quinoa and bulgur cook easily and don't spoil fast, it's great to keep several types of your favorite grains and pastas in the pantry to help add to any meal.

2. Canned Goods

Canned goods like beans, tuna and broth can help you to create a meal quickly. Try adding some fresh ingredients to a canned good and you'll have an easy and flavorful dinner ready in a flash.

3. Flavor

What good is having all of these staples if there's nothing to really flavor them? Make sure to keep olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce and spices around to ensure a tasty meal.

4. Nuts and Dried Fruits

Walnuts, almonds, raisins and cranberries make excellent snacks, but they are also a lovely topping to oatmeal, salad or as an addition to a rice dish.

5. Complimentary Items

Ingredients like shallots, garlic, potatoes, onions, lemons and limes are great to add extra flavor to a meal or to just bulk a dish up and make it heartier.

6. Fridge and Freezer Staples

Some essentials need to stay in the fridge to avoid spoiling. It's great to have frozen veggies, fresh herbs, eggs and hard cheeses on hand to add to meals. Remember, if you have eggs in the fridge, you have a dinner!

Watch the video above for six staples you need to have in your pantry! Then, check out the slideshow below to discover 10 ways to organize your pantry!

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