Restocking the Kitchen

Restocking the kitchen can be a big challenge when moving to a new home.  I frequently use up as many food items as possible before the move for two reasons.  One, I don’t want to have to pack up food and hope it stays fresh during a move.  Two, moving companies usually won’t pack food items.  Food items are typically on their prohibited list.  During our last interstate move, I left things in the pantry with the intention of donating them once the apartment was packed.  The movers packed up those food items and transferred them with the rest of our belongings.  Some of the products did not maintain their freshness.  Therefore, it was wasted space on a moving truck and lost time to pack and unpack because the items had to be thrown out.

Because we usually start with a clean slate in the kitchen, we have to restock the kitchen.  Therefore, we plan a restocking trip to a couple of grocery stores to rebuild our supply.  Obviously, the list below is a basic list of items I frequently use while cooking.  I included more detailed information on my favorite products.  Using this list keeps me from making endless runs to the grocery store.  You can add or take from this list quickly.

Spices & Condiments

• Barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce
• Jam, jelly
• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Pepper
• Salt
• Spices & seasonings:
  • cayenne pepper
  • chili powder
  • cinnamon
  • cream of tartar
  • crushed red pepper
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • ginger (ground)
  • kosher salt
  • nutmeg
  • onion powder
  • oregano
  • paprika
  • rosemary
  • sesame seeds
  • thyme
  • turmeric
  • vanilla extract

Pantry

• Almond butter
• Beans: black, kidney, garbanzo
• Bread
• Canned tomatoes
• Cereal
• Chicken broth
• Coffee
• Crackers
• Flour
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Oats
• Oil – canola, coconut, olive, vegetable
• Pasta
• Peanut butter
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Sugar –  brown, granulated white, powdered
• Tea
• Tomato paste
• Water chestnuts
• Vinegar – apple cider, balsamic, red wine, rice, white

Refrigerator

• Butter
• Cheese – goat, feta, pepper jack
• Eggs
• Fruit – bananas, berries, clementines, watermelon
• Hummus
• Milk
• Water or water filter (if you live in an area where you cannot drink tap water)
• Tortilla bread
• Vegetables – lettuce, onions, mushrooms, squash, tomatoes
• Yogurt

Freezer

• Frozen fruit – blueberries, mango
• Frozen vegetables – butternut squash, corn, green beans, peas, veggie mixes
• Ice Cream
• Last minute freezer meal ideas – TJ’s chicken fried rice, pizza
• Meat – beef, chicken, shrimp, turkey