"What's for dinner?" feels a lot less daunting when you know your pantry is stocked to the gills with all the fixings for a proper last-minute meal.
Here, 21 things to always (always) have on hand.
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1.Balsamic Vinegar
For salad dressings.
2. Baking Soda
You know, for baking...and bug bites.
3. Dijon Mustard
A flavor fixer-upper.
4. Onions
Caramelize these bad boys--or add them to a savory soup.
5. Herbes de Provence
A blend of thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley, oregano and tarragon that compensates for any spices you forgot.
6. Garlic
For easy flavor...and garlic bread.
7. Potatoes
Delicious whether you nuke 'em or roast 'em, plus it takes months for them to go bad.
8. Sriracha
For heat...and anything that tastes a teeny, tiny bit bland.
9. Quinoa
Hello, protein.
10. Spaghetti
The fallback plan of foodies everywhere.
11. Canned Tomatoes
The fallback sauce of foodies everywhere.
12. Rice
An assortment is key (think: brown, basmati and arborio for risotto).
13. Canned Beans
Toss with rice for instant dinner.
14. Chicken Stock
All about that base.
15. Olive Oil
Add to...everything.
16. Kosher Salt
We repeat: Add to...everything.
17. Wine Vinegar
White wine, red wine--any wine: You wouldn't believe how many recipes call for it.
18. Soy Sauce
The power ingredient of stir-fry.
19. Cereal
Sometimes you're lazy and that's OK.
20. Peanut Butter
Protein.
21. Ritz Crackers
Two words: bread crumbs.
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