Setting up a pantry that lends itself well to a plant-based lifestyle is very easy but may be costly at first, so go slow. A cost-effective tip would be to shop in the bulk bins of a health food store that has a high rotation. The goal is to make meal composition easy and flavorful. A plant-based pantry is geared toward dried, nonperishable items with the intention of combining with fresh, whole produce.

The food that you have on hand should be high in nutrients and ideally should be unadulterated, unprocessed, and in its most whole-food state.

Check out the below for my ultimate plant-based pantry shopping list.

Nuts + Seeds

Nuts and seeds will be your garnishes, snacks, salad and oatmeal toppers, and more importantly, a source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Nuts are the perfect poppable snack and can be used for adding density and protein to sauces and dressings.

Seeds make great add-ins when building a dish, no matter the meal, as they add great texture and flavor.

Opt for salt-free and raw in most cases to optimize the nutritional mileage and reduce sodium intake.

Nuts

Walnuts
Almonds
Cashews
Pecans
Pistachios
Hazelnuts
Peanuts (a legume, technically)

Seeds

Chia seeds
Ground flaxseeds
Hemp seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds

Herbs + Spices

Dried herbs and spices are great to have on hand to add flavor and vibrancy to a dish. When possible, swap in spices where salt is called for to help cut back on sodium without inhibiting flavor.

Herbs and spices add depth and volume to your dishes as well as offering anti-inflammatory benefits.

Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Dried chili flakes
Curry powder
Za’atar
Cumin
Coriander
Nutmeg
Cloves
Paprika
Ground ginger
Ground turmeric

Beans and Lentils

Dried beans and lentils are essential stables for a plant-based diet. They are a primary source of protein and fiber.

Black beans
Lentils
Chickpeas
White beans
Pinto beans
Black-eyed peas
Split peas

Whole Grains

Whole grains are another pantry staple for plant-based eaters. These should be grains in their purest, minimally processed form to provide the highest amount of complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. If you're gluten-free, select only gluten-free grains. * indicates gluten-free, but read the packaging to ensure that the grain is certified GF. Cross contamination can occur in production.