I’m a Shopping Expert: Here Are My 5 Favorite Fall Pantry Staples and Where To Buy Them
Written by
Jake Safane
Edited by
Ashleigh Ray
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As summer turns to fall and the daylight hours get shorter (and colder), you might be spending more time cozying up indoors. One upside of that is you can save money by cooking more. That said, many Americans are still wary about rising grocery prices.
According to the most recent report from The Food Industry Association (FMI), nearly two-thirds (63%) of U.S. shoppers say they’re looking for deals and adjusting their mix of food stores, brands and products to manage grocery costs. This is even with inflation moderating recently.
The good news is that you can often get more bang for your buck by stocking up on pantry staples vs. ready-made meals. And doing so can help you create healthy, filling and budget-friendly eats that delight your senses during this popular season.
But don’t feel like you’re limited to the classics like pumpkin and apple-flavored items. There are plenty of other great items to stock up on this fall, according to Sara Ayesh, a food photographer, food blogger, recipe developer and food stylist at White Kitchen Red Wine.
Here are some of her favorite staples and where you can get the best deals on these fall essentials.
Canned Beans
If you really want to save money, you should buy dried beans, but for time-saving purposes, you can stock up on canned beans while still going easy on your wallet.
“Canned beans are economical, cook quickly and can be used in a variety of fall recipes like cozy chilis, game day appetizers, dip recipes or added to hearty kale salads for extra protein,” said Ayesh.
Alternative Grains
Autumn is known as harvest season, making it a great time to stock up on grains you can keep in your pantry for all sorts of cozy dishes.
“Don’t just think of plain white rice or pasta here,” said Ayesh. “Grains like farro, quinoa or wild rice can be a great start to many comfort food dishes. They add amazing texture to casseroles, salads and side dishes.”
Spices
Fall is often synonymous with warming spices, and stocking up on these can help get you in the fall mood without having to spend as much buying fancy fall drinks at cafes, for example. You can also use fall spices to create meals that align well with the season.
Ayesh said, “Specifically, I always stock up on cinnamon for fall. It’s used in so many desserts, our favorite fall coffee shop drinks, and I even incorporate it into many of my favorite savory comfort food dishes.”
Broth
Buying broth, such as chicken broth or vegetable broth, is another way to help you create more fall dishes you can enjoy at home. Broth is the base for many of your favorite autumn recipes like soups, sauces and risottos.
“You can also typically purchase broth in cartons, cans and even condensed into bouillon cubes,” said Ayesh. “So, depending on your storage situation, you have space-saving options to stock up on this ingredient.”
Mixed Nuts
Nuts like pecans are also common fall staples, and you can add flavors like rosemary and ginger to nut mixes for more fall fun. And if you don’t eat them all now, don’t worry; they tend to last a while in your pantry.
“I keep these on hand year-round for a last-minute happy hour appetizer, salad toppers or an addition to healthy granola. They work in a variety of recipes from sweet to savory and are economical to buy in bulk,” added Ayesh.
Where To Buy These Fall Staples
In many cases, buying in bulk when stocking up on fall pantry staples can help you save money, so warehouse stores are often a good bet.
“When shopping to stock the pantry, stores like Costco and Sam’s Club are obvious choices for buying in bulk,” said Ayesh.
You can also find good deals at other grocers without having to buy huge quantities.
“Many of us don’t have massive amounts of storage space for purchasing ingredients in such large quantities,” continued Ayesh. “So, for that, I like to shop at Aldi. With a surprising variety of pantry staples, you can purchase smaller quantities and still receive what feels like warehouse pricing.”
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