15 Pantry Staples Every Australian Kitchen Needs

Some ingredients earn their place on the shelf by turning up in recipe after recipe. Keep these 15 pantry staples on hand and you will always be a few steps away from a wholesome meal, no last-minute shopping trip required.

The everyday essentials

• Rice — a long-grain like basmati and a wholegrain brown cover most meals. See our rice range.
• Pasta and noodles — the fastest route to dinner. Browse couscous, pasta and noodles.
• Rolled oats — breakfast, baking and a natural thickener for smoothies.
• Tinned and dried legumes — lentils, chickpeas and beans for protein-rich meals. See beans and legumes.
• Flour — plain flour plus a specialty option for baking. Explore baking and flours.

Fats, acids and seasoning

• Cooking oil — a neutral oil for high heat. See our oils.
• Extra virgin olive oil — for dressings and finishing.
• Vinegar — balsamic and a wine vinegar for dressings and marinades. Browse vinegars.
• Salt — a good rock or sea salt makes everything taste better.
• Black pepper — freshly ground is worth it. Find it in herbs and spices.

Flavour and finishing

• Core spices — cumin, paprika, cinnamon and a curry powder.
• Dried herbs — oregano and mixed herbs for quick seasoning.
• Nuts and seeds — for snacking, texture and healthy fats. See seeds and grains.
• Dried fruit — natural sweetness for baking and snacking. Browse dried fruits and nuts.
• A sweetener — honey or raw sugar for baking and drinks. See sugar and sweeteners.

Make the list your own

This is a starting point, not a rulebook. Adjust it to the way you actually cook — if you love Asian flavours, add soy sauce and rice vinegar; if you bake often, keep cacao and extra flours on hand. The goal is a shelf that supports the meals you enjoy most.

Stock up in one place with our full pantry range, delivered across Australia.