The "All Time" Pantry
Save time and money with this grocery shopping strategy.
I know that many of you are a lot like me—busy, like crazy busy! I’ve got a business, two kids, an active social life, and I’m trying to get a healthy, home-cooked dinner on the table most nights. My goal is always to get the best food at the best price in the least amount of time. This requires some strategy, so read on because I’m spilling the beans.
The secret to providing more healthy, home cooked meals is organization. This goes for my pantry shelves and my grocery shopping strategy. There is literally nothing worse than not having a can of chickpeas when you need it or being at the store and buying basics because you’re not sure if you have it (but do indeed already have it). When I cleaned out my spice drawer last year, I found four jars of cumin.
I cannot stress enough how helpful it is for me to know that there are certain shelf-stable items I always have: pasta sauce, brown rice, black beans, taco seasoning. I call these my “All Time” items, and for the most part, I buy them on Thrive Market.
I have been a member of Thrive Market for many, many years—they continue to offer high quality pantry items at the best prices, delivered quickly and directly to my door. If you want to become a member, they’re offering Bwtn Meal readers 30% off your first order + a $60 free gift.
Having my “All Time” pantry stocked has saved me on so many nights when I needed tomato paste, chicken broth, or had to whip up a quick meal for the kids. When I notice I’m running low on something, I immediately add it to my Thrive cart for my next order. It makes cooking and shopping immensely easier, while saving me money on high quality pantry essentials.
When I go to the store and the farmers market over the weekend, I’m really only buying fresh produce, meat, eggs, dairy products, and speciality items. The basics? I already have those.
MY “ALL TIME” PANTRY
Having these items always stocked and ready to go has been a game changer for me.
Dried Goods & Cereals
Having a few boxes of your favorite pasta, good quality organic rice, quinoa, lentils, and cereals always comes in handy.
Pasta: Brami Protein Pasta, Organic Chickpea Pasta, Organic Pasta
Grains: Brown Rice, White Rice, Wild Rice, Quinoa, Oats
Cereal: Thrive Coconut Cereal, Lovebird Cereal, Seven Sundays Cereal
Granola: Thrive Organic Grain Free Granola, Purely Elizabeth
I’ve been on a real quinoa kick lately. It has 1/2 the carbs of white rice, which means double the portion. A shrimp and quinoa salad was a recent (and popular) addition to Sunday Meal Prep that will be making the rounds all Spring and Summer long. My kids love quinoa too!
Oils & Vinegars
It’s important to have a pantry stocked with the right oils and vinegars so you can make exactly what you need.
Vinegars: Rice Wine Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar, Sherry Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, Champagne Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar
Oils: Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Toasted Sesame Oil
I use sherry vinegar often for my classic green salad with shallot dressing. It’s quick, simple, and impressive.
Nuts & seeds
Great for adding a little fiber, healthy fats, and crunch to your meals; having a good assortment of nuts and seeds at home is also a nice way to add texture to a dish.
Seeds: Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Hemp Hearts, Sesame Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds
Nuts: Walnuts, Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios
I sprinkle sesame seeds over so many dishes. Earlier this week I made a smoked salmon plate (coming to meal prep soon) that was easily elevated with a garnish of sesame seeds.
Canned (& Packaged) Goods
Soups, stews, curries, and more. Canned goods are really helpful for building flavorful dishes. Plus tinned seafood is great way to increase your protein in a pinch and get those omega 3s.
Diced Tomatoes
Beans: Black Beans, Chickpeas, Cannellini Beans
Coconut Milk
Tomato Paste
Pumpkin Puree
Chicken Broth
Bone Broth
Tinned seafood: Sardines, Anchovies, Tuna
I love a good curry, which is easy to whip up if you have chicken broth, coconut milk, and a can of diced tomatoes in your pantry. The pumpkin chicken curry on the menu this week is one of my favorite dishes.
Condiments, Sauces & Seasoning
A few go-to sauces are an easy way to elevate a meal or turn something plain into an exciting dish. Thrive vets all their products, so you can find the healthiest versions of your favorite flavors.
Tamari
Tomato Sauce
Salad Dressing
Steak Sauce
Teriyaki Sauce
Ketchup
Jam
Peanut Butter
Taco Seasoning
Maldon Sea Salt
Spices
I love Primal Kitchen’s teriyaki sauce, and even used it on the beef Teriyaki bowl from this week’s meal prep menu. Plus, having a good red sauce and high protein pasta in the pantry means that I can always whip up a meal for my children.
Baking
You never know when you’re going to want to make cookies!
Flours: AP, Gluten Free, Almond Flour, Coconut Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Vanilla Extract
Kids Snacks
These are what we order on repeat in our house.
In addition to my “All Time” pantry, I also use Thrive to order household essentials that are annoying to run out of: bamboo paper towels, parchment paper, compostable sandwich bags, trash bags, cleaning supplies, and more.
If you have other “All Time” items you and your family like to always have on hand, please let me know in the comments.
And thank you to Thrive Market for generously sponsoring this post. Should you want to join, they’re offering Btwn Meal readers 30% of your first order + a $60 gift!