Pantry Recipes for Busy Nights and Emergencies

We're digging into fast & easy real food recipes using pantry-only ingredients! 

A few people have reached out asking for pantry staple recipes lately. Regardless of your immediate concerns, it's always good to have those back-pocket ideas on hand for busy nights. 

It seems like a good time to highlight some meals you can make with pantry items, fridge staples, and non perishables. 

Tips for Real Food Pantry Recipes

1. Keep protein in mind. Things like beans and quinoa are going to be more satiating and better for overall health than loading up on tons of white rice and oatmeal!
2. COLORS. Get (natural) colors wherever you can! Dried herbs and spices, nuts and seeds, and veggie pastas are a good way to make sure you're at least getting some phytonutrients while produce options are lean. (Not to mention their immune-boosting benefits!)
3. Don't forget the fat! I love coconut oil (and milk), olive oil, and ghee because they can all be left at room temperature (but away from direct sunlight) for extended periods of time without going rancid. Healthy fat is absolutely your friend when you're rationing out your food or looking for something fast to feed a crowd.

Please let me know if you have other awesome suggestions - leave them in the comments below so everyone can benefit. 

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Pantry Recipe Ingredients, Snacks, and Additional Ideas

When things are looking dire in the fridge or freezer, we want to do our best to get adequate protein and whatever colorful foods we can find, but here are some other ideas to help!

This is a mix of pantry recipe ideas using nonperishable ingredients that will last for several months. Some are great for camping and emergency preparedness, while all of them can be boosted with whatever animal protein or fresh produce you might have.

Additional Pantry Recipe Ideas: 

• Red Lentil Pasta (try Cybele's fortified with vegetables) + Marinara Sauce
• Black Beans, Salsa, and Tortillas
• Simmered Canned Coconut Milk and Chickpeas (plus either Thai Curry Paste or ginger, garlic, and lime juice/zest)
• Canned fish - Mackerel, Tuna or Salmon (I like SafeCatch and Wild Planet Foods for Omega-3s) + Crackers and Dried Herbs
• Annie's Mac & Cheese - for those days when you just need comfort. Pair with canned tuna if you're into that kind of thing. (I'm not, personally, but I grew up with that dish and many people love it!) Also - boxed mac and cheese is delicious boosted with green chiles, salsa, or a few Tablespoons of diced tomatoes!
• Amy's Soups - having a few cans on hand can be sanity savers!
• Red Lentils + Canned Coconut Milk + Thai Curry Paste or Thai Bouillon - this combo is a personal favorite!
• Canned Black Beans + Canned Tomatoes + Canned Veggies = 

Produce That Lasts:

• Winter Squashes
• Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
• Onions & Garlic
• Carrots & Parsnips
• Most Root Vegetables
• Oranges, Clementines, and Apples (1-2 weeks at room temperature)
• Bananas (1 week at room temperature)
• Woody Herbs - Rosemary, Thyme
• Dried Herbs and Spices (they're actually rich in phytonutrients!)

Energy-Dense Snacks: 

• Nuts & Seeds
• Energy Date Bites
• Dried Fruit & Freeze-Dried Fruit
• Coconut Butter
• Energy Bars - Purely Elizabeth, Bob's Red Mill, Epic Bars, 88 Acres, Healthy Warrior, and Perfect Bars are my top choices. 
• Simple Mills Baking Mixes 

That's a wrap! There are tons of other pantry items you can keep on hand - dry goods like oats, quinoa, rice, and beans will last for months or even years and can be good in a pinch!

Nut-Free Cookie Dough Bites Recipe:

And just for good measure, these cookie dough bites are a GREAT thing to keep on hand! All of the ingredients are non-perishable and they're a delicious treat. Feel free to use any nut or seed butter here.