Supermarket Staples to Add to Your Next Shopping List

Pick a few items from each category to inspire easy, healthy dishes.

Going to the grocery store can be stressful if you don’t know what to look for. Here’s a list of go-to ingredients to keep at home for delicious, healthy, budget-friendly meals. Remember: you don’t need everything at once. When you have an idea of what you’re going to cook for the week, pick a few items from each category.

Proteins

• Canned or dried beans (black beans, chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans)

• Lentils

• Eggs

• Canned fish (sardines, salmon, tuna)

• Ground turkey or chicken

• Tofu

Grains

• Brown rice

• Whole wheat pasta

• Oats

• Quinoa

• Barley

• Multigrain bread

Vegetables

• Frozen vegetables (broccoli, mixed vegetables, spinach)

• Cabbage

• Bell peppers

• Green beans

• Zucchini

• Sweet potatoes

• Peas

• Corn

• Onions

• Garlic

• Celery

• Carrots

Fruits

• Bananas

• Apples

• Frozen berries

• Oranges

Dairy or Alternatives

• Milk or non-dairy milks (soy, almond, oat)

• Cheese (block cheese can be more affordable than shredded)

• Unsweetened yogurt (buy in larger containers for cost savings)

Pantry

• Canned tomatoes and corn

• Chicken or vegetable broth

• Olive oil

• Vinegar (white, red, or apple cider)

• Spices (salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning)

Extra Items

• Peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter

• Nuts (for snacks or adding to meals)

• Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flaxseeds)

• Condiments (mustard, soy sauce, hot sauce)