Having the basics in your pantry and fridge is like money in the bank. I made this list by taking stock of every cabinet and drawer in my kitchen. I sorted the items here alphabetically by category for easy reference. Before you rush to the supermarket to buy everything you see below, keep in mind that this list is just a starting point. I tried to be objective and keep only what I thought was important, but it still reflects my personal taste and cooking style. With these items on hand, I'm not left empty-handed when I have to improvise for an impromptu dinner after a long day at the office.  

The trick is figuring out what you gravitate towards most often and stocking up on ingredients that allow you to cook that kind of meal. As someone with Hungarian roots, I always have Hungarian paprika (Szegedi is the best), onions, garlic and Eros Pista (a traditional hot paprika paste) in my pantry. If you like Indian food, stock up on cardamom, mustard seeds, cinnamon, ginger, garlic and turmeric. Rice, pasta, beans and canned tomatoes are good staples to always have in your pantry. They taste great and if stored in air-tight containers they will keep for a long period of time. I usually buy my spices whole from the bulk section. If needed I'll crush them and grind them in a pestle and mortar. It's cheaper and you can buy small amounts. I prefer to buy spices this way because they loose their aroma and strength if kept for too long in the pantry.

The bottom line: use this list as a starting point and tweak it to your liking. Once stocked up on these basics, you won’t have to worry about anything next time you get home late from work and need a quick bite. Enjoy!

Baking supplies


Baking soda
Coconut (shreaded)
Dark chocolate
Dry yeast
Flour (all purpose)
Honey
Jam (apricot, strawberry and fig)
Maple syrup
Peanut butter
Starch
Sugar 
Vanilla extract
Vanilla sugar

Canned goods

Tahini
Tomato
Tomato paste
Dried tomatoes
Beans (black, kidney, garbanzo)
Corn kernel
Coconut milk
Tuna
Olives
Capers
Anchovy fillets in oil

Fresh Herbs

Basil
Rosemary
Thyme
Chives
Oregano
Mint

Frozen Goods

Meats
Seafood
Bread
Fruits (berries)
Peas
Basil (in oil)
Stock cubes
Coffee 

Fruits and vegetables

Garlic
Onions
Shallots
Ginger
Avocados
Carrots
Bell peppers
Jalapeños
Potatoes
Lemons
Limes

Grains

Rice (basmati and arborio)
Pasta (linguine, penne, fusili, egg noodles, rice noodles) 
Lentils (red and green)
Cornmeal
Breadcrumbs
Quinoa
Bulgur
Coucous

Herbs and spices

Kosher salt
Coarse sea salt
Hungarian paprika (Szegedi)
Smoked paprika
Black peppercorns
Bay leaves
Ground white pepper
Ground cumin
Ground coriander
Crushed red pepper
Cayenne pepper
Cardamom seeds
Coriander seeds
Cinnamon stick
Oregano
Fenugreek seeds
Mustard seeds
Star anise
Turmeric

Nuts and seeds

Almonds
Cashews
Peanuts
Pine nuts
Seeds (poppy, sesame and sunflower seeds)

Oils, sauces and vinegars

Olive oil
Canola oil
Peanut oil
Sesame oil
Ghee (clarified butter)
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
Rice vinegar (mirin)
Soy sauce
Fish sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Spicy sauces (Sriracha, Cholula)

Refrigerated goods

Egg
Milk
Plain yogurt
Unsalted butter
Cheeses
Cured meats
Juices

Snacks

Crackers
Tortilla chips
Granola bars
Breakfast cereals
Graham cookies
Dried fruit (raisins, apricots, mango, sour cherries, cranberries)