If you're a college student, a newlywed, or anyone moving into your first apartment, you might need some easy cooking tips and kitchen basics for quick and easy meals. The key here is to keep things simple and to have convenience foods on hand for quick and easy recipes. To help out, here are some grocery lists for frozen foods, pantry foods, and perishable food for your refrigerator. In addition, here's a grocery list of herbs and spices and condiments for you to keep on hand to help you throw together tasty meals.
First, let's talk about herbs and spices. The folks on the Food Network are always condemning people who use dried herbs and spices, especially if the containers sit around for awhile. But you know what? This isn't the Food Network, and we're talking kitchen basics here. Yes, it's true that herbs and spices taste better fresh, and that containers lose some of their flavor after a while. So go ahead and use fresh ones for a special occasion, but for everyday quick and easy meals, keep a collection of dried ones on hand that won't go bad. Herbs and spices can be kind of pricey sometimes, so look for super cheap containers in dollar stores. Natural foods stores often let you buy small quantities of spices, which can save money because you don't have to buy a huge container of something you won't use often.
Here's a grocery list of suggestions for basic dried herbs and spices to keep on hand. Again, this isn't the Food Network. These are just the basics.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Garlic salt
- Onion powder
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Chili powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Paprika
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Sage
- Celery salt
- Curry powder
Now, let's talk about condiments. Most of these are things you keep in your refrigerator, so keep in mind that these go bad eventually. Condiments aren't usually very expensive, but never underestimate the value of hording little packets from fast food joints and Chinese restaurants. Here's a grocery list of condiment suggestions.
- Ketchup
- Mustard, yellow or brown
- Salsa
- Salad dressing
- Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
- Butter or margarine
- Barbecue sauce
- Parmesan cheese
- Pickle relish
- Soy sauce
- Steak sauce
- Worcester sauce
- Tabasco sauce or similar hot sauce
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
- Honey
- Sour cream
- Sweet and sour sauce
- Chocolate syrup and other sundae toppings
- Tartar sauce
- Cocktail sauce
- Creamy horseradish sauce
Best of luck and happy cooking!
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
