Budgeting: Essentials for the Kitchen, Fridge, and Freezer

People are aware that the best way to feed a family on a budget is to plan menus and make everything from scratch. By filling your pantry, fridge, and freezer, you can ensure that you always have the ingredients on hand for making wholesome meals. Every pantry, refrigerator, and freezer should have these essentials, but make your own list of the things you like and use.

PANTRY

BAKING

• Baking powder
• Cornstarch
• Flour-Wheat and White
• Sugar-granulated, powdered and brown
• Chocolate-Cocoa, semi-sweet, chocolate chips
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Shortening
• Corn Syrup
• Molasses

CANNED FOODS

• Beans-Black, pork and beans, kidney, garbanzo, white
• Broth-Beef, chicken
• Fruit-Fruit cocktail, peaches, pears
• Meat-Beef, chicken, tuna, salmon
• Soups-Cream of chicken, Mushroom, Tomato, Vegetable Beef, Chicken Noodle
• Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce
• Vegetables-Corn, green beans, mushrooms

CONDIMENTS

• Gelatin
• Maple Syrup
• Vinegar-Balsamic, white, apple cider
• Honey
• Peanut Butter

DRIED FOODS

• Dried Beans-black, pinto, red, white
• Dried Fruits-raisins, craisins, miscellaneous

GRAINS/PASTA

• Spaghetti
• Egg Noodles
• Oatmeal-Quick Rolled Oats
• Rice-White, brown, wild
• Whole Grain Cereals-Ready to eat
• Split Peas
• Lasagna Noodles

HERBS/SPICES/EXTRACTS

• Basil leaves
• Cilantro
• Cumin powder
• Dill weed
• Onion powder
• Pepper
• Rosemary
• Salt
• Chili Powder
• Coriander
• Curry powder
• Garlic Powder
• Oregano
• Poppy Seeds
• Sage
• Thyme
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Ground Allspice
• Ground Ginger
• Ground Cardamon
• Ground Nutmeg
• Almond Extract
• Vanilla Extract

OILS

• Olive Oil-Food Preparation
• Non-stick Vegetable Oil Spray
• Safflower or peanut oil-for high temperature cooking

REFRIGERATOR

CONDIMENTS

• Ketchup
• Mustard-Regular and Dijon
• Salad Dressings
• Soy Sauce
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Pickles-Dill, sweet, relish
• Salsa
• Teriyaki Sauce

DAIRY

• Cheese-Cottage, cream, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan
• Butter, margarine
• Milk
• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Sour Cream
• Cream Cheese

FRESH FRUIT

• Apples
• Lemons
• Avocados
• Oranges

FRESH VEGETABLES

• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Peppers-green, red
• Sweet Potatoes
• Celery
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes

FREEZER

• JUICE
• Apple
• Orange
• Grape

FROZEN VEGETABLES

• Peas
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Mixed Vegetables

MEAT

• Shellfish-shrimp, scallops, imitation crab