Fact Sheet

Pantry, fridge and freezer essentials

Having a cleverly stocked pantry, fridge and freezer is essential for creating quick and easy meals. Use this list to ensure you have all the basic ingredients on hand to make healthy meals every night of the week. You can also use it as a starting point for a grocery shopping list. Download checklist

Pantry essentials

Canned foods are great long lasting pantry items that form the basis of many meals. Below includes a list of canned foods you might like to consider for your pantry:

VegetablesFruitMeat and alternativesDairy
Tomatoes

Corn kernels

Corn spears

Creamed corn

Asparagus

Beetroot

Peaches

Apricot

Apple

Fruit salad

Pineapple

Tuna in spring water

Salmon in spring water

Sardines

Chickpeas

Cannellini beans

Lentils

Baked beans

Reduced fat evaporated milk
Potatoes
Onions
Garlic
  UHT milk
Skim milk powder

Herbs, spices, sauces and dressings

These items can be added to dishes to add flavour. Below is a list of items that you might like to add to your pantry:

Sauces and flavouringsHerbs and spicesOils and dressings
Tomato paste

Curry paste

Soy sauce

Oyster sauce

Fish sauce

Sweet chilli sauce

Plum sauce

Worcestershire sauce

Liquid stock (reduced salt)

Stock powder (reduced salt) – vegetables, chicken, beef

Mustard

Vanilla extract

Coconut essence

Honey

Basil

Mixed herbs

Oregano

Parsley

Chives

Rosemary

Thyme

Dill

Coriander

Ginger

Cumin

Cinnamon

Turmeric

Chilli

Black pepper

Mixed spice

Curry powder

Paprika

Olive oil

Canola oil

Spray oil

Sesame oil

Balsamic vinegar

White vinegar

Reduced fat mayonnaise

Dried foods

Dried foods add flavour, bulk and crunch to a lot of meals. They can be used at breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. Use the list below to select the foods you would like:

FruitGrainsMeat alternatives
Sultanas

Prunes

Mixed fruit

Apple

Dates

Flour – plain, self- raising including wholemealCorn flour

Rolled oats

Pearl barley

Quinoa

Cous cous

Rice – Arborio, Basmati, brown

Pasta – spaghetti, risoni, lasagne sheets

Wholegrain instant noodles

Red lentils

Brown lentils

Yellow split peas

Nuts (unsalted) – cashews, almonds, pine nuts, peanuts

Sesame seeds

Tahini

Peanut butter

Fridge and freezer essentials

These items will have a shorter shelf life and need to be stored in your fridge or freezer. Use the following list to guide your choices.

Vegetables and fruitDairyMeat alternatives
Carrots

Celery

Apples

Frozen vegetables

Frozen berries

Reduced fat milk or soy milk
Reduced fat natural yoghurt
Reduced fat cheese
Reduced fat feta cheese

Cottage cheese

Ricotta cheese

Parmesan cheese

Canola or olive based spreads

Eggs

Tofu

Hommus

Frozen fish fillets

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