12 Essential Pantry Items

We invade our pantry to share 12 items that for us, are an absolute must to always have on hand. Each of these 12 items are are also part of our food storage. We discuss sources for purchase and how store each one safely for the longest shelf life.

Any products we mention or show on our videos have been purchased with our own money and are recommended or not based on our own experience.

[KarenWilliams-qlgh]

My grandmother lost many babies to miscarriages because of lack of iodine in her diet. Such a simple fix allowed my mom to be born🙂

[francesjuntunen]

You are my go to gal for advice! So glad I found you! BTW so envious of your husband that helps you with projects! What a keeper!!!!

[marythompson]

An excellent list. I would add vinegar, oats, potato flakes, cornmeal, pastas, bouillon, cornstarch, dried spices, and barley. For those who enjoy teas or coffee, I agree with that suggestion.

[KoniB.]

#13: dark cocoa powder. (100% cacao special dark chocolate) OR a 5lb bucket of tranquilizers. I will settle for the chocolate though!

[joecombs]

Along with sugar I like to keep honey & molasses, instant potatoes & vinegar.

[mellaniehulsey]

In Louisiana we use Cajun/Creole in our dishes the "holy trinity'" or "the pope", which is 2 part onion, one part bell pepper and celery. In some dishes the French version "Mirepoix" is used which is like you said Onion, carrot and celery; parts 2-1-1. Also the Spanish version "sofrito" is used as well. Sofrito is onion, garlic, bell pepper, tomato.
Thank you for sharing your list. It is good to know new ideas.

"laissez les bon temps rouler"
"Let the good times roll"

[Stephanie-rfxs]

Thank you for teaching us how to prepare for emergencies without all of the FEAR and ANXIETY of other platforms here on YouTube! Your style is helpful and reassuring to me as I want to continue what has/is a lifestyle for me. However, I am now learning more about storing food items long term. ❤️

[abou]

1. Flour (King Arthur)
2. Yeast (SAF)
3. Salt (Variety of)
4. Sugar (Bulk)
5. Rice (Bulk)
6. Beans (Variety)
7. Baking Powder
8. Baking Soda
9. Dry Milk (for baking)
10. Dried Eggs (baking)
11. Fat (EVOO, Crisco, Coconut Oil, Ghee)
12. Dried Vegetables
(Onions, Celery, Carrots and many, many more...)
13. DRIED MEATS or TVP and SPICES

[elleshepherd]

Excellent list, and fortunately I have all of them. I would also add cocoa and freeze dried coffee as well as tea. I’m sure there are other good suggestions. Love your videos!

[jenniferdee]

Beans are so so healthy, protein, fiber, anti cancer properties, oils in them, just wonderful. <3

[dawnstackpole]

Thank you Pam and Jim! I'm working hard at getting all these items prepared for long term storage, also, I've been canning ground beef, sausage, chicken and beef roast. At this stage of the game, finding meats on sale is impossible. I just bite the bullet and get it because I know it will be more expensive tomorrow. 😔
I have taken your shortcut of buying frozen veggies to dehydrate, such s time saver!!!

[sharondesfor]

For us non-dairy folks, "powdered milk" is oats or rice. Generally, one cup powdered blended with one quart of water makes one quart of "milk." Nuts work the same way, but have a much shorter shelf life.

[marygallagher]

Great list of essentials! I'm glad to hear that Crisco shortening no longer contains trans-fats :-)

[brendacarroll]

I store vinegar, raisins, and oatmeal as well. Wow great list for sure.

[Jeo_Momma]

Thanks to you .. I've purchased a Camp Chef Stove and now vacuum can dehydrated and dry goods. Walmart has 5lb bags King Arthur flour for $4.12.

[karolannlatimer]

I’m so happy you found Real Salt. I had been wondering why you did not use it. I love the channel, save your videos so I can rewatch them over and over. You are so trustworthy. Thank you and Jim for all you do.

[auntiepam]

Can you do a video on powdered milk, making yogurt, cream cheese replacement all the things you can do with powdered milk.

[OneWildTurkey]

I'm a little late catching up, but I just found your channel. To prepare for possible electricity failure for your freezer, from a storm or whatever, a battery backup system with a solar charger is very handy. Freezers don't use much electricity but hold precious long-term foods. Systems now come fully assembled or you can prepare your own with all sorts of nifty components.

[sweaterdoll]

My brand loyalty for flour is Wheat Montana because it's never sprayed with glyphosate. It costs the same as regular flour and can be bought at Walmart in 10lb. bags. The incidence of glyphosate poisoning/gluten intolerance follows directly the incidence of spraying wheat with glyphosate since the 1970s. We have most of what you have suggested focusing on salt, fats, meat, laying hens, nuts & seeds and beans, starches (roots and tubers mainly as I'm not a big grain person), dried fruit and canned fruit and jam, and dried veg and mushrooms. The only thing we can't produce ourselves is salt and fats and some meat so those are the most valuable things in our pantry. Everything else we can grow or forage from our property or neighboring fields should we run out after a year. I want to be able to live even after we run out of things we can't produce and may not be able to replenish. We do also have dry milk and sugar/honey and such but we are following early American and medieval foods and methods for long-term survival.

[lynntomk]

I have backups to make my own baking powder, cream of tartar and baking soda. For 1 Tabl; 1 teasp. of baking soda and 2 teasp of cream of tartar (1 teasp. cornstarch, optional). I use dry powdered buttermilk in baking, I add the dry to the dry ingredients and the liquid with the liquids. Love Crisco, can't find the small cans right now so I've been buying the package that comes with 3 sticks. Excellent video!!