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How To Stock Your Pantry while Staying at Home
These Are the Best Foods to Stockpile for a Possible Quarantine
We asked experts to tell us what groceries deserve a spot in our fridge, freezer, and pantry come what may.
By Stacey Ballis for All Recipes
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is officially a pandemic, and depending on where you live, you are either close to some burgeoning centers of disease or are anticipating cases emerging in the coming days. While everyone is figuring out what songs work best to ensure proper hand-washing time, and learning how to DIY hand sanitizer with a passion shown only by the slime-making tweens of yesteryear, we thought it might be a good time to talk about some basic pantry staples you should actually stock up on.
First and foremost, it’s important to make a distinction between panic shopping and being prepared. Yes, you should have enough food and supplies (including medications) on hand to last two weeks in case of quarantine. No, you do not need to be hoarding toilet paper (and certainly not fighting people for it in Costco). Preparing for a possible coronavirus quarantine comes down to this: smartly stocking your fridge, freezer, and pantry to keep everyone at home fed and well in the event you need to spend a few weeks inside your doors.
But what you buy is just as important as how much of it you buy. While it is tempting to load your pantry full of guilty pleasure treats like SpaghettiOs and marshmallow fluff, (and if those foods bring you a certain amount of emotional comfort in an uncertain world, feel free to indulge responsibly), but try to focus on a certain basic amount of nutritional value in your choices. A healthier you means a healthier immune system.
“The main thing is to have plenty of canned and frozen fruit and veggies to get your vitamin C, plus canned beans and fish for protein and zinc. Cereal, popcorn, rolled oats and other whole grains are important too. Be prepared, not panicked,” says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of “Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen.”
We asked Largeman-Roth and dietitian Lainey Younkin, MS, RD, LDN, dietitian and founder of Lainey Younkin Nutrition to explain the best options for stocking your cupboard, fridge, and freezer so you can feed your family well. Here are their recommendations, plus a few of our own.
Dried or Canned Beans: Beans and legumes are shelf-stable and pack protein and fiber, which keep you full. Fill your cart with canned beans like black beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans, which you can use to make a bean salad, chili, or vegetable quesadillas. Dried beans require only an overnight soak, and then can be used for everything from puréed dips to soups or stews. Store dried beans in airtight containers in a cool, dry pantry for up to a year. Get recipes for dried beans and legumes.
Rice and Grains: Rice and whole grains — like quinoa, farro, barley, wheatberries, or bulgur — can be cooked in bulk and used throughout the week in salads and soups, Younkin says. Food cultures for centuries have relied on the magical combination of rice and beans to provide complete protein, dietary fiber, and an inexpensive way to keep bellies full. Rice and whole grains can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months or in the freezer for up to a year. Whole grains that are ground will deteriorate more quickly and can be stored 1 to 3 months in a cool pantry or up to 6 months in the freezer. Get recipes for rice and whole grains.
Garlic and Onions: Be sure to buy some aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers to help amp up flavor — all will last a long time in your fridge or in a cool spot in your home, and all are the building blocks of flavor. Any simple preparation will be much improved with the addition of one or more of these intensely flavored additions. Onions and garlic can be stored in a cool, dry, dark spot with good ventilation. Do not store them in plastic bags as the humidity will cause them to mold or rot.
Root Vegetables and Hardy Vegetables: In addition to those frozen options, certain root and hardy vegetables can last a long time and will give you much needed roughage. Good choices include potatoes of all varieties, whole carrots (baby carrots do not have the same shelf life), whole winter squash, whole heads of cabbage, whole heads of celery, Brussels sprouts and other sturdy vegetables. Potatoes and other root vegetables can be stored in a cool, dry, dark spot with good ventilation. Carrots with green tops removed and stored in an open plastic bag can last in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Wrap heads of celery in aluminum foil and store them in the fridge; Brussels sprouts on their stems will last longer than loose sprouts, and should be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge. Get vegetable recipes.
Stocks and Broths: Available in cans or cartons, or space-saving bouillon pastes or cubes. Look for low-sodium versions, since you can adjust the salt and other flavoring to your own taste. Use them to make soups, stews, and risottos, or as a flavor booster for sauces. Add a spoonful of paste or a crumbled cube to the water you are cooking rice or grains in to boost flavor.
Related: Soup’s the Best Food to Prep for a Future Quarantine
Canned or Jarred Fish: You may not have access to fresh meat and chicken, so look for alternative proteins like canned fish. Canned tuna and canned salmon can turn into salads and croquettes, and sardines pack a flavorful punch as an appetizer on crackers, or even as an ingredient in pasta sauces or rice dishes. It is a great source of zinc, which is known to boost your immunity and can be a good addition to a heart-healthy diet.
Canned Vegetables: Corn and peas are always great canned vegetables to have on hand, but canned tomatoes are the hero of your pantry, no matter what the circumstance. Often more flavorful and tender than fresh tomatoes, even in season, they are the start to everything from soups to pasta sauces. Buy a variety of tomatoes: diced, crushed, and whole. An easy dish is a can of diced tomatoes sautéed with some onion, garlic and peppers with eggs poached in it for a simple take on a shashuka.
Canned Soup: It is a great idea to have some canned soups on hand for quick and easy meals. Condensed soups will save pantry room, but ready-to-eat soups mean you don’t have to add water you might want to keep for another purpose.
Jarred Pasta Sauce: A jar of pasta sauce is just some cooked pasta or rice away from a meal, but is also a perfectly seasoned base for other recipes. Add chicken stock and chopped vegetables to make a minestrone, cook rice in it for a rich tomato rice side dish, or use as a topper for baked potatoes.
Pasta: Dried pasta is one of the best things you can keep on hand for helping to maintain a healthy and varied diet. It is shelf-stable, comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and there is a version for every diet, including gluten free and vegan. Once cooked, it can be served hot or cold, as an ingredient in a bigger dish or as the star of the show and is a chameleon that holds up all sorts of flavors, so you can experiment with everything from classic Italian to pan-Asian cuisines. Browse all pasta recipes.
Crackers, Crispbreads, Rice Cakes: Essential snacking material. Keep them in airtight containers so they don’t go stale.
Cooking Oil and Condiments: Where would you be without mayonnaise, mustard, relish, vinegar, hot sauce, soy sauce and on and on? Some can be stored in the pantry after opening and some go into the fridge; Be sure to read the labels. Tip: Don’t waste precious space on bottled salad dressing. Learn how to make your own in small quantities to save money and space.
Salt, Pepper, Spices: Figure out what you use most of the time and keep it on hand.
Baking Supplies: You’ll have some time on your hands to bake, so load up the larder with all-purpose and bread flours, be sure your baking powder and baking soda are up to date, and get some packaged yeast if baking bread is on your to-do list. For long-term storage, keep flour in airtight containers in the freezer. Eggs will be great for both meals and for baking projects, so get plenty, they last a long time in the fridge.
Nuts: Whether it is a quick boost of protein for a snack, a topper for another dish bringing some crunch and flavor to the party, or an ingredient in baking, having a variety of nuts around will be an important addition to your pantry. Almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are all great choices, but don’t be afraid to go exotic with cashews or hazelnuts. Fresh nuts are loaded with natural oils that deteriorate with time, so store them in the fridge or freezer.
Nut Butters: Peanut butter is a natural to have on hand, and is a good source of easy protein, especially for kids or when you are on the go. But don’t overlook other nut butters like almond butter, which makes for a great change, or tahini sesame paste, which can be a wonderful addition to homemade hummus or salad dressings.
Healthier Snacks: One thing that can be difficult if you aren’t used to working from home or hosting impromptu homeschooling is the constant access to snacks. In combination with boredom, having lots of sweets and junk foods on hand can create a constant temptation. Pretzels and popcorn are healthier choices than chips for salty snacking, and think about squares of dark chocolate or fruit leathers instead of candy.
Shelf-Stable Milk: Shelf-stable milk, whether true dairy or a plant-based milk, is a good thing to have on hand in place of refrigerated, although once you open a package, you have to refrigerate it. Be sure to read and follow package directions. Evaporated milk in cans can be a good substitute for half and half in your coffee.
Coffee/Tea: If you are a regular at your local coffee or tea house, make sure you have supplies at home for your daily dose.
Related: Pantry-Friendly Dinners Ready In 45 Minutes or Less
Frozen Vegetables: Without grocery store access, you can still prepare for a well-rounded diet with plenty of vegetables by taking advantage of the frozen food aisle. From basic frozens like broccoli or peas, to beta-carotene rich carrots and squashes, and homemade staples like frozen chopped onion, having a well-stocked freezer will help ensure that you maintain a diet rich in plants. Since you will likely be missing fresh lettuces after your first few days, be sure to have a variety of leafy greens as well, like frozen spinach, kale, or collards. Get recipes using frozen vegetables.
Frozen Fruit: Some fruits freeze better than others, but having frozen fruit means you are just a blender away from smoothies; and there is no better time to learn how to make homemade pies and jam than when you are home all day. Get recipes using frozen fruit.
Frozen Bread: Best breads to freeze are whole unsliced loaves of sourdough, loaves with fruit and nuts, and English Muffins or bagels for sandwiches and breakfast. Specialty breads like Ezekiel bread are stored in the freezer anyway.
Related: How to Safely Freeze, Thaw, and Reheat Foods
Cheese: When properly wrapped, hard and aged cheeses like Parmesan, Cheddar and Swiss will last a good while in your fridge, as will cured meats like ham, bacon, and salami.
Eggs: Eggs store very well in the fridge and can be used for every meal of the day. From your breakfast scramble, to your lunchtime quiche, to your fried rice at dinnertime, and many baking projects in between. A great source of protein, you can keep some raw for cooking and some hard-boiled for snacks or easy egg salad.
Apples and Citrus: Fresh fruit can be complicated, but apples and citrus both last a long time when refrigerated, and if you need that back-up canned fruit, go for the ones packed in 100% juice and not syrup; or no-sugar-added all-natural apple sauce. Dried fruits are terrific for snacks and fiber.
Yogurt/Cottage Cheese: These dairy protein powerhouses last up to a month in the fridge, and make for great breakfasts or snacks, and can even be used as ingredients in other dishes like pancakes or sauces.
Butter: If you are going to be baking and cooking, you do not want to run out of butter! Look for the brands that make half-sticks, and store in the freezer, taking out what you need as you need it.
