What basic foods stuffs are in your cabinets?

[darthspud]

I'm moving into my first apartment and I'm trying to compile a list of things I will need to stock my cabinets with.
I love using cream of mushroom soup for things so I will stock up on those but would love to have some coupons for things ( I am an extreme budgeter), I have a huge stock pile of mac and cheese,

But I would love to know what people keep stocked in their cabinets!

It would just be myself and my golden retriever and I plan on a budget of $200 a month for groceries and things and since I won't be moving till July 1 I wanted to start my shopping with in the next 3 weeks so I won't have huge tallies..

TIA

 

[java]

Pantry staples-

Condiments- stuff like mustard, ketchup, soy sauce, ect..
Rice- whatever kind you like
Pasta-
Tomatoes in cans- like whole peeled plum tomatoes
Chicken stock
Tuna
breadcrumbs
Baking stuff- sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder
vinegars(I love vinegar in everything)
dried beans
Nuts
oops forgot cereal!
With all that and a dozen eggs I can make a bunch of dinners

here's an online list
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/pantry.html

Congratulations on your new place!!

 

[ziggystardust]

i just did the same thing a few months ago. While i was living on my own, I always had roommates...

Olive oil,
can be expensive but coupons can be found. I find trader joes to be the cheapest, even without a coupon

black beans.
Basically every meal i have, includes these.

soup
always good for work lunch, or quick dinner when you get home

seasonings.
you don't realize how much you need these, till you are cooking something that requires it.

hope this helps. good luck with the move!

 

[Luvchefmic]

well since you mentioned the dog I pick up their dry food at BJs wholesale Club (with the mailed coupon its $5.oo off) and buy 2 48 lb bags at a time..I "trade" the coupons I don't need right there in the aisles with other shoppers for the ones I need.then its stored in a metal garbage can in the pantry (so no buggers get in there) If you don't have a club membership maybe you can go with a friend and save money that way

Congrats on the new place !

 

[beccab]

Chicken stock - use instead of water when making rice.
Making chicken soup
Making egg drop soup (so easy and good)
Making stir fry meals

Must haves for baking
vanilla
baking soda
baking powder

 

[hffmnheidi]

rice
variety of pastas(noodles)

*these two can be stretched for at least 3-4 different meals
*start shopping at Aldi's if you have one-they don't take coupons, but the prices are low

flour
sugar
tomato sauce
tomato paste
salt/pepper
BBQ sauce

I would suggest investing a spice rack that spins and has 20 or more assorted spices that come with the rack. Try looking at Kohls for a nice wooden one. Most apartments don't have a lot of space and one can sit on the counter with using up minimal space. Plus you can usually set stuff on top of the spice rack.

 

[jldunbar]

cream of mushroom and tomato soup
noodles
hamburger (freezer )
tuna

You can live a month off of this

 

[dward1961]

Don't forget cleaning supplies and paper products:

Dish Det.
Windex
paper towels
napkins
bleach
anti bacterial soap
anti bacterial spray cleaner
sos
MR. Clean magic erasers
sponges
mop
broom
dust pan
laundry det.

 

[darthspud]

Don't forget cleaning supplies and paper products:

Most definitely and right now till June 30 there are some good rebates on swiffer products, mr clean products, and a few other house hold supplies that are also currently on sale at walgreens so I'm going on a shopping spree friday and saturday (so i can space out my multi purchase purchases since I will need multiple receipts)

Thanks every one these are great keep them coming

 

[hffmnheidi]

jarred salsa
velvetta cheese blocks(don't require refridgeration)
muffin/cookie/cake/brownie mixes since you probably will be eating a lot at home
-you can use these as your snacks to take to work as an afternoon treat

frosting mixes

plastic wrap
foil
ziplock bags in variety of sizes
ice cube trays to make your own ice
dish soap/dishwasher soap
chili(for a quick and easy meal if you don't want to cook)
taco shells/fajita shells
muffin tin liners(paper kind)
pickle relish

wash rags/dish towels
rug for in front of kitchen sink
sponges(Scotch Bright makes ones you can sterlize in the microwave or dishwasher)
mop
broom
dust pan
kitchen garbage can
GARBAGE BAGS(not at the top of the list, but needed)
air freshner
masking tape(to label bags/boxes if you break packages up)
magnets for your fridge
cookbook rack
LIGHTBULBS(another neccessity that most of us forget about)

*stocks(beef and chicken)
*invest in a crockpot and a crockpot cookbook(cooks while you're at work)
*lemonade mixes
*pot holders
*RAMEN(who can forget ramen?)
*cookie sheets/muffin tin/cake pan

 

[funnygarcia]

Spices and baking basics were the biggy when we first started out. It took awhile to compile all that we needed to make anything.

Walmart has good prices on the basics, doesn't have to be a "super", my local small neighborhood Walmart has flour, sugar, etc in stock.

Taco seasoning, or find a recipe to make your own.
Chicken and beef bouillon powder - cheap and easy to season a dish if the salt content doesn't bother you. (I buy the biggest bottle of chicken bouillon and store in smaller container to fit with my spices. The Knorr brand with the Spanish language label in the "ethnic foods" section is sometimes cheaper than the English label type. The fat content was slightly higher on the Spanish label version otherwise it's just the same product.)

Basic spices: Garlic powder (buy the big canister and put in smaller spice jar), pepper, salt, basil, cumin, cinnamon, thyme, oregano, chili/red pepper flakes, paprika, vanilla extract.

I have VERY little counter space, a spinning spice rack would not be ideal for me. If you look on Instructables.com there are some cool ideas for spice organization. Magnetic lidded jars under the cabinet, hanging racks using zip ties and hang it off the cabinet door (no drilling or nail holes needed!). Use a hanging shoe organizer on a closet door for all the spices and little packets.

Condiments - ketchup (big size is still on sale at Target for $1), mustard, mayo, salad dressing, peanut butter, jelly/jam, hot sauce, honey, maple syrup.

Lipton onion soup mix - adds a bit of zip without needing to store and chop onions.

Soy sauce, salsa, Worcestershire, steak sauce, BBQ sauce, vinegar (white, balsamic, red wine), Parmesan cheese (the cheap in the can type does not need refrig until opened)

Bisquick, or make your own version, for super quick baked goods and pancakes.

Dried beans, lentils, Rice -- complete meal for pennies per serving.

And of course all the non-food stuff.. stock up on toilet paper and paper towels while it's cheap with sales/ coupons. The best tip I've read if it's a good deal is to look at square footage and aim for a penny or less per foot.
450 sq feet = $4.50 as the "buy it" price for the stockpile.

 

[Planogirl]

Lots of dry pastas - I like some of the Italian brands you can find easily now.

A good non-stick spray for simple things

Spices are definitely important. We use mostly black pepper, garlic powder, creole seasoning (we like Tony Cachere), oregano and bay leaf. You might want cinnamon too.

 

[disneychrista]

It really does depend on what YOU cook/eat.

My suggestion is take a look at what you eat/cook and buy the ingredients in those items. Buying a bunch of items because others say that they are pantry staples is a waste of money.