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.
I didn’t think I’d get this excited about food storage, but Vakuen’s vacuum seal containers are so worth it. I use them for everything — chopped veggies, salad greens, snacks, dinner rolls ... — and stuff stays fresh for way longer than with regular Tupperware. You just tap the little pump and it sucks the air out in seconds. I’ve had berries last over a week without going mushy, which feels like magic.
They’re also stackable and don’t leak, so they’ve seriously helped declutter both my fridge and pantry. A couple of the lids felt tight at first, but they loosened up after a few uses.
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.
I didn’t think I’d get this excited about food storage, but Vakuen’s vacuum seal containers are so worth it. I use them for everything — chopped veggies, salad greens, snacks, dinner rolls ... — and stuff stays fresh for way longer than with regular Tupperware. You just tap the little pump and it sucks the air out in seconds. I’ve had berries last over a week without going mushy, which feels like magic.
They’re also stackable and don’t leak, so they’ve seriously helped declutter both my fridge and pantry. A couple of the lids felt tight at first, but they loosened up after a few uses.
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.