What I Keep In My From Scratch Pantry
Take a peek inside my real-life from scratch pantry and see the pantry staples I always keep stocked for homemade meals, sourdough baking, food preservation, and simple farmhouse cooking. From fresh milled flour and dry goods to canned foods and everyday essentials, this post shares the ingredients that help me cook from scratch with ease.
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Over the years, I have slowly learned which pantry staples we truly use regularly and which ingredients simply take up space on the shelves. These days, I focus on keeping simple, versatile pantry staples stocked so I can make homemade meals, bake from scratch, and avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
Whether I am making sourdough bread, homemade soups, biscuits, casseroles, or quick pantry meals, these are the ingredients I reach for over and over again in our farmhouse kitchen.
If you are trying to stock a from scratch pantry for the first time, do not feel like you need to buy everything all at once. Building a pantry takes time, and I highly recommend starting with the foods your family already enjoys eating regularly.
This is simply a look inside our real-life homestead pantry and the pantry staples that help me cook homemade meals throughout the week.
Why A From Scratch Pantry Matters
Keeping a from scratch pantry stocked has helped me:
- save money on groceries
- make meals more quickly
- rely less on convenience foods
- prepare simple homemade meals
- waste less food
- feel more prepared during busy seasons
Instead of constantly wondering what to make for dinner, I can usually pull together a meal from ingredients we already have on hand.
A pantry also makes seasonal cooking much easier, especially during canning season, gardening season, and the holidays.
Dry Pantry Staples I Always Keep Stocked
These are the basic pantry staples I use almost daily for from scratch cooking.
Fresh Milled Flour & Whole Grains
Fresh milled flour has become one of the most important staples in our kitchen.
I usually keep:
- hard white wheat
- soft white wheat
- einkorn flour
- 00 flour
- All purpose flour
- rolled oats
- cornmeal
These grains allow me to make:
Fresh milled flour has completely changed the flavor and texture of homemade baked goods in our home.
Baking Staples
A well-stocked baking pantry makes homemade meals much easier.
I always keep:
- baking powder
- baking soda
- yeast
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- brown sugar
- cane sugar
- powdered sugar
- honey
- maple syrup
- sea salt
- cinnamon
These ingredients are used constantly for both sourdough baking and everyday homemade desserts.
Beans, Rice & Pasta
These pantry staples are affordable, filling, and easy to turn into meals.
We regularly keep:
- white rice
- basmati rice
- black beans
- pinto beans
- lentils
- pasta noodles
These simple ingredients work well for soups, casseroles, skillet meals, and quick dinners.
Pantry Staples For Homemade Cooking
Oils & Fats
These are essentials in my farmhouse pantry:
- olive oil
- avocado oil
- coconut oil
- lard
- butter
I use these for baking, frying, roasting vegetables, and homemade breads.
Broths & Soup Bases
Keeping broth ingredients stocked makes homemade soups much easier.
I keep:
- chicken broth
- beef broth
- bouillon powder
- canned tomatoes
- tomato paste
These are some of the most versatile pantry staples for homemade meals.
Spices & Seasonings
A simple spice collection can completely transform basic pantry foods.
The seasonings I use most often are:
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- smoked paprika
- Italian seasoning
- basil
- chili powder
- black pepper
- oregano
- thyme
- salt
- nutritional yeast
I prefer keeping a simple spice cabinet filled with seasonings we actually use regularly.
Canned Goods I Keep In My Pantry
Home canned foods have become one of the biggest blessings in our kitchen.
Some of our favorite canned pantry staples include:
- green beans
- corn
- tomatoes
- spaghetti sauce
- tomato soup
- salsa
- potatoes
- broth
- peaches
- applesauce
- pickles
Having shelves filled with home canned food makes homemade meals feel much simpler and more manageable.
Freezer Staples I Keep On Hand
Although this is technically outside the pantry, freezer staples are an important part of how I cook from scratch.
I try to keep:
- frozen vegetables
- butter
- pork (bacon, sausage, tenderloin, pork chops, and pork steaks)
- beef (hamburger, roast, and steak)
- chicken (whole chickens)
These ingredients help me make homemade meals even on busy days.
How To Start Stocking A From Scratch Pantry
If you are building a beginner from scratch pantry, start slowly.
I recommend:
- Start with meals your family already enjoys.
- Buy pantry staples gradually.
- Focus on versatile ingredients.
- Learn one homemade skill at a time.
- Build seasonal pantry storage over time.
A realistic pantry should support your everyday life instead of creating stress.
My Favorite Pantry Organization Tips
A few simple systems have helped keep our pantry functional:
- Store grains in airtight containers
- Label everything clearly
- Rotate older ingredients forward
- Keep frequently used staples within easy reach
- Use baskets and jars for organization
- Keep an inventory list during canning season
A well-organized pantry makes from scratch cooking feel much more peaceful and efficient.
FAQs
A from scratch pantry does not have to be perfect or expensive.
Over time, our pantry has slowly become filled with ingredients that support the kind of meals and lifestyle we want to build in our home. Having these pantry staples stocked helps me prepare homemade meals more easily, bake from scratch regularly, and create a slower, simpler rhythm in our kitchen.
If you are building your own from scratch pantry, start small and focus on what works best for your family. Little by little, those shelves begin to fill with ingredients that turn into homemade meals and memories around the table.
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