Now that the cooler weather is finally here to stay, I am excited to start cooking up some heartier foods. Break out the crock pot because It’s soup, stew and chili season finally. There’s nothing more comforting than warming up with a bowl of hearty goodness on a chilly day. Winter cooking can be so easy if you have a few basics on hand at all times. Here are my top 5 Pantry Staples to Stock Up on For Winter.
5 top Pantry Staples to Stock Up on For Winter
Crock Pot
Soups and chilis could not be easier if you have a crock pot. You can basically throw any veggie you have into a soup and end up with a delicious bowl of comfort food. The crock pot is a fantastic way to meal prep as well. I love to cook up a huge batch of soup or chili and freeze it in individual serving sizes to take out when I crave it. If you do this once a week, you can have your freezer full of options in just a few weeks. No crock pot? No fear-they are quite inexpensive these days. This one is my favorite. (Amazon affiliate link)
Whole Grains
I keep a shelf stocked with a variety of whole grains that I can mix and match in soups and stews. The heartier grains such as barley, farro and wheat berries are fantastic changes of pace for rice and quinoa.
Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal casseroles like this Pumpkin and Cranberry Oatmeal bake and these Espresso Oatmeal Blueberry Bites make frequent appearances in the cooler months. Again, it’s easy to make a casserole on the weekend and divide it up into individual portions to reheat during the work week.
Legumes
Each week, I restock my stash of beans and legumes. Canned chick peas, black beans and kidney beans are all perfect bases for a hearty winter meal. This Chick Pea and Farro Power Bowl is perfect for a cold night. They are inexpensive and full of plant based protein and vitamins.
Vegetable Stocks
Keeping vegetable stocks in the pantry means you can create a great sauce or soup in just a few minutes. Look for lower sodium options and salt to taste.
Bonus: Canned tomatoes
Stock a few cans of different sized diced or whole tomatoes in your pantry and you are just a few steps away from a homemade marinara sauce or chili.
PS-Hope to see you for the Ultimate Coffee Date Saturday
What are your favorite Pantry Staples To Stock Up For Winter?
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Funny–I just made falafel for my family last night. Except I only had one can of garbanzos, so we could only have 3 falafels each. Sigh. If only my pantry had been stocked…
Ha ha! Falafel rationing 🙂
I just did the pantry stock-up as well! I’m down to my last bag of tomatoes from the garden so I got canned ones as well. I love cozy winter cooking!
Cozy winter cooking is the best!
These are definitely all great things to have on hand for the Winter! I’m excited to experiment with the instant pot for Winter soups and chilis and stuff 🙂
I still have not bought an insta pot yet!
I have all these things in my pantry…. but every time I’ve tried making something in my crockpot, it doesn’t turn out well… so I just do all my soups on the stovetop… I know so many people who swear by the crockpot, but I basically now just use mine as a serving dish to keep soup or chili warm if I’m having people over.
Hmm I wonder why the crock pot does not work well for you?! I find it to be a life saver. You might have to fly out for some cooking lessons 🙂
I need to use my crock pot more. I have not had it out all summer. I really want to make more of my meals and have leftover for lunches this winter.
It is such a big help!
Oatmeal is my jam in the winter! I also can’t believe winter is around the corner.
I know it’s crazy this time of year
I’m so glad I have all of these things! Whenever I shop for a night’s dinner, I usually double my purchase so I am ready for next time. We always have tons of brown rice, quinoa, legumes, and various stocks. That way it’s pretty easy to whip up a nice soup or stew on a cold night!
I agree makes winter time cooking so much easier
I always have pasta on hand, but am finding I don’t rely on it as much as I used to. I love my canned (diced) tomatoes….perfect for last-minute chili 😉
I am trying not to eat as much pasta myself but it is one of my favorite meals
Well, most of those things are really year round for me! Quinoa — I use my rice cooker to make some most weeks.
The crockpot is working as I type (except it’s not meatless, sorry — it would be if it were just me).
That’s ok I make a ton of meat things for my boys in the crock pot as well
I’ll add hot chocolate mix 🙂 I have a chocolate-peppermint mix from Whole Foods, and it’s yummy! I also add in some Campbell soups for when I want something cozy for lunch during the cold months.
I have not had hot chocolate this year yet!
Yes, let the crockpot cooking begin! I stock up on lentils
Definitely! I love lentils myself
Oatmeal is a huge pantry staple for me since I eat it almost daily in the winter!
I do love to find new ways to make it as well
I love using my crockpot! I even use it in the summer! But now I have an excuse to break it out to make chili and soups.
Definitely!
I use the crock pot SO MUCH when it’s cold out. It’s so much easier, the meals are super hearty, and we have leftovers for days!
Yes the leftovers are the best part of crock pot cooking
Barley is a good idea! I have never made a soup with barley in it but I think I am ready!
Things we always have in our pantry: black beans, parm cheese, whole wheat pasts and sauce, salsa, shredded wheat, generic cheerios, tortilla chips, quinoa, cous cous, and in the fall/winter… pumpkin pie puree!
oh yes pumpkin pie puree is a must! I have been craving a soup w barley I need to get on that
Great ideas. I’m all about the oatmeal — year round! If oatmeal ever ceases to be around, I don’t know what I’d do! I love it in cookies, protein bars, everything! 😀
I took a break from oatmeal over the summer but I am ready to be back!
I love having quinoa and oatmeal. This morning one of my friends mentioned farro. I’ve never heard of it but plan to get it now.
Farro is so good you have to check it out
I don’t know where I’d be without my crock pot. It has been a lifesaver since little man joined our family. Before he was born, I enjoyed being able to spend time in the kitchen cooking dinner almost every night. Now I’m lucky if I can do that one or two nights during the week. Crock pot to the rescue! Throw dinner into it in the morning before I leave for work, and like magic dinner is ready when we all get home!
It is a life saver for sure!
Definitely beans and crockpot recipes. I love a good thick chili, or a hearty soup. Of course, we don’t have too many days where it’s “soup weather” but we do what we can.
Yes I know your weather is a little milder down there but crockpot meals are great
Great staples! I like to have lots of organic boxed stocks so I can make quick soups!
Yes indeed!