Stocking a Vegan Pantry

It can seem intimidating knowing what to buy when starting to go vegan. I’ve been there. But if there’s anything this year of covid and going vegan has taught me, it’s preparedness. Not hoarding, don’t get me wrong. But leisurely trips to the grocery store aren’t a thing I want to be doing these days. So stocking a vegan pantry is something I’ve become good at.

I like to have just a little extra in my pantry for those in-between trips to the grocery store moments. Here’s a comprehensive list of my vegan pantry staples that you can make a meal out of in a pinch!

Plus you can download the list to take with you to the grocery store at the bottom of this post!

Stocking a vegan pantry:

Legumes and proteins

The bulk of vegan protein comes from veggies and legumes so having these in my pantry is important in a pinch to toss into almost any meal.

• Chickpeas
• Red beans
• Black beans
• Pinto beans
• Kidney beans
• Green lentils
• Red lentils
• Edamame

Grains

When throwing together a meal or recipe, grains are usually the base of my concoctions, so it’s imperative to have these on hand. A lot of these grains also contain a significant source of protein.

• Oats
• Pasta (I use gluten-free pasta like rice or chickpea, whole wheat is also an option)
• Rice
• Quinoa
• Corn tortillas
• Popcorn kernels (yes, more of a snack but a grain nonetheless 😉

Spices + seasoning:

I believe most spices are naturally vegan and you can always adjust this list based on your taste, these are just my go-to’s when cooking.

• Nutritional yeast (contains vitamin B-6 and has a cheesy flavour)
• Basil
• Pepper
• Salt
• Chilli flakes
• Cumin
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne
• Ginger
• Paprika
• Thyme
• Oregano

Sauces, oils, and vinegar

• Apple cider vinegar
• White vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Soy sauce
• Hot sauce (siracha)

Sweeteners

• Maple syrup
• Agave syrup
• Coconut sugar
• Molasses
• Dates/date syrup/date sugar
• Apple sauce

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds also contain a lot of protein and are well paired with almost anything! Smoothies, oatmeal, baking, etc.

• Flax seeds
• Walnuts
• Tahini
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Peanut butter
• Almond butter
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds

Baking needs

I like to bake a lot and having ingredients in a pinch is a necessity.

• Oat flour
• Coconut flour
• Gluten-free flour (or regular flour if you choose)
• Corn starch
• Xanthum gum
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Coccao powder
• Cocco nibs

Canned goods:

In a pinch, it’s always good to have some canned goods on hand. These guys tend to last a lot longer and are usually prepared and ready to eat in case the power goes out. We had one winter where the power lines froze and the hydro was out for a few days. Boy did I get sick of canned food but I’m awfully glad we had it.

• Corn
• Tomatoes
• Vegetable soups
• Tomato paste
• Pasta sauce
• Coconut milk
• Pumpkin
• Green beans
• Fruit
• Mushrooms
• Vegetable medleys

Using these staples I can make an array of meals in a pinch or even just because! These truly are staples that as a vegan, I can’t live without! Download the printable grocery shopping list below!

Thank you for reading! I hope you’ve found this post helpful. Please don’t forget to share this post and follow me on Instagram for daily low waste living inspiration!