I just moved into my first apartment with a tiny kitchen and even tinier pantry, and I’m determined to stock it smart — not just fill it with random stuff I’ll never touch. I want to create a go-to stash that makes everyday cooking easier, but also makes me want to cook when I get home tired.
What are your must-have pantry essentials you always keep stocked? Would love to hear your secret sauces, flavor bombs, or just those underrated jars and boxes you never let run out.
YouCopia SpiceStack — hands down one of the best “why didn’t I do this sooner” upgrades I’ve made in my kitchen cupboard. If you’re like me and had a chaotic spice cabinet where bottles were falling out or getting lost in the back, this thing is amazing.
It’s basically a compact little drawer system that fits standard spice jars (or most supermarket ones) and lets you pull out each drawer and tilt it down so you can see all your labels at once. No more digging. No more duplicates of paprika you didn’t know you already had. It holds a surprising number of spices for its size, and you can stack them if you’ve got a big collection.
Pantry Essentials
small pantry (not a walk-in) for a solo home cook
around $200 to start
mostly quick meals
some weekend experimenting involved
I just moved into my first apartment with a tiny kitchen and even tinier pantry, and I’m determined to stock it smart — not just fill it with random stuff I’ll never touch. I want to create a go-to stash that makes everyday cooking easier, but also makes me want to cook when I get home tired. What are your must-have pantry essentials you always keep stocked? Would love to hear your secret sauces, flavor bombs, or just those underrated jars and boxes you never let run out.
Korean canned tuna (the spicy one!) and Trader Joe's kimbap.
They make such an easy yet quite well-balanced meal whenever I feel lazy.
I know the kimbap belongs in the freezer, not the pantry, but this is one thing I stock up at all times.
YouCopia SpiceStack — hands down one of the best “why didn’t I do this sooner” upgrades I’ve made in my kitchen cupboard. If you’re like me and had a chaotic spice cabinet where bottles were falling out or getting lost in the back, this thing is amazing.
It’s basically a compact little drawer system that fits standard spice jars (or most supermarket ones) and lets you pull out each drawer and tilt it down so you can see all your labels at once. No more digging. No more duplicates of paprika you didn’t know you already had. It holds a surprising number of spices for its size, and you can stack them if you’ve got a big collection.