KIVELLA / CUPBOARD STAPLES
Pantry staples checklist
Tick Have, Low or Buy for each staple before you shop, then copy only the Low and Buy items to your shopping list. Cross out anything your household never uses.
| Baking and grains | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain / all-purpose flour | |||
| Self-raising flour | |||
| White sugar | |||
| Brown sugar | |||
| Baking powder | |||
| Bicarb soda / baking soda | |||
| Cornflour / cornstarch | |||
| Vanilla extract | |||
| Cocoa powder | |||
| Couscous, quinoa or bulgur | |||
| Dried breadcrumbs |
| Pasta, rice and noodles | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long pasta (e.g. spaghetti) | |||
| Short pasta (e.g. penne) | |||
| Long-grain or basmati rice | |||
| Jasmine, brown or risotto rice | |||
| Egg or rice noodles | |||
| Instant noodles | |||
| Lasagne sheets |
| Tins and jars | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chopped or whole tomatoes | |||
| Tomato paste / purée | |||
| Passata or pasta sauce | |||
| Chickpeas | |||
| Kidney, black or cannellini beans | |||
| Baked beans | |||
| Lentils (tinned or dried) | |||
| Tuna or salmon | |||
| Coconut milk | |||
| Sweetcorn | |||
| Stock cubes, powder or cartons |
| Oils, vinegars and sauces | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral oil (vegetable, canola) | |||
| Olive oil | |||
| White or cider vinegar | |||
| Balsamic or red wine vinegar | |||
| Soy sauce | |||
| Worcestershire sauce | |||
| Mustard | |||
| Mayonnaise | |||
| Ketchup / tomato sauce | |||
| Hot or sweet chilli sauce |
| Herbs, spices and seasonings | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt | |||
| Black pepper | |||
| Dried oregano or mixed herbs | |||
| Bay leaves | |||
| Ground cumin | |||
| Paprika (sweet or smoked) | |||
| Ground cinnamon | |||
| Chilli flakes or powder | |||
| Curry powder or paste | |||
| Garlic powder |
| Breakfast | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolled / porridge oats | |||
| Cereal or muesli | |||
| Bread or wraps | |||
| Peanut butter or other spread | |||
| Jam, honey or syrup | |||
| Tea and coffee | |||
| Long-life milk or plant drink |
KIVELLA / FRIDGE, FREEZER AND FRESH
Cold, fresh and extra staples
The same Have / Low / Buy check for snacks and for fridge, freezer and fresh basics. Add the staples your own recipes rely on under My extras.
| Snacks | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crackers or rice cakes | |||
| Nuts and seeds | |||
| Dried fruit | |||
| Popcorn kernels | |||
| Crisps / chips | |||
| Biscuits / cookies | |||
| Muesli or granola bars |
| Fridge basics | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk or plant-based drink | |||
| Butter or spread | |||
| Eggs | |||
| Cheese | |||
| Plain yoghurt | |||
| Opened jars labelled 'refrigerate' |
| Freezer basics | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | |||
| Mixed vegetables or spinach | |||
| Berries or other fruit | |||
| Sliced bread | |||
| Mince / ground meat or alternative | |||
| Chicken pieces or fish fillets | |||
| Leftovers, labelled and dated |
| Fresh basics that keep | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | |||
| Garlic | |||
| Potatoes | |||
| Sweet potatoes | |||
| Carrots | |||
| Lemons or limes | |||
| Apples | |||
| Fresh ginger |
| My extras | Have | Low | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Keep it working
- Check before you shop. Tick the list, then buy only what is low or missing.
- First in, first out. Put new purchases behind older ones so older stock is used first.
- Read the label. In Australia, New Zealand and the UK a use-by date is about safety and a best-before date is about quality; most US date labels describe quality. Follow storage instructions, especially after opening: some jars and sauces need the fridge.
- Check tins. Throw away tins that are swollen, leaking, rusted or badly dented. Move unused tinned food into a covered container in the fridge.
Sources: Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Food Safety Information Council, UK Food Standards Agency, USDA FSIS and US FDA. The full list with explanations: kivella.app/blog/pantry-staples-list.