Recipes for Healthy & Flavorful Pantry Cooking
A well-stocked pantry makes it easy to pull together a healthy, flavorful meal at a moment’s notice—and we’re ready to prove it. But first, let’s talk about what belongs on your shelves. Start with the essentials—flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices—but don’t stop there. The real secret to a well-stocked pantry is a carefully curated mix of California Grown dried fruits, nuts, beans, and canned fruits and vegetables.
The secret ingredients for flavorful pantry cooking
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits like raisins, dates, figs and prunes are an easy, wholesome way to add natural sweetness to any meal.
They bring balance to savory dishes while adding depth of flavor and moisture to baked goods. California grows virtually all of the nation’s raisins, prunes, and figs—and more than 85% of its dates—so if your dried fruit is grown in the U.S., chances are it comes from the Golden State.
Nuts
Nuts are an excellent source of plant-based protein, and an incredibly versatile ingredient. Add California Grown almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and pecans to your shopping list – they’ll add fabulous flavor and texture to your favorite recipes. While you can store nuts in your pantry, they’ll actually last longer in the fridge or freezer. To cut costs, buy in bulk and store nuts in the freezer for up to six months!
Beans
Beans are a powerful pantry staple. Stock your pantry with a mix of canned and dried beans. Start with the basics – chickpeas, pinto beans and black beans. Then, if you’re feeling fancy, add California Grown heirloom beans to the mix.
Jarred + Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are fabulous, but jarred and canned ingredients like California Ripe Olives, artichokes, tomatoes and peppers are essential to a well-stocked pantry.
These ingredients are picked at their peak and packaged quickly to preserve the flavors and nutrients – adding a burst of California Grown goodness to soups, salads, sauces and more.
California Olive Oil
California Grown olive oil is a must in any well-stocked pantry. Obviously, you’ll want a versatile, high-quality EVOO for cooking + baking – but add some flavored or co-crushed oils into the mix, too! They’re a great way to add a brilliant burst of flavor to sauces and salad dressings.
Wild Rice
Did you know that California is the world’s largest producer of cultivated wild rice? This gluten-free grain adds protein, fiber and flavor to soups, veggie bowls, salads and casseroles.
Pantry-friendly recipes
Once you’ve stocked up on the essentials, there’s really no limit to the delicious dishes you can create. Check out a few of our favorite pantry-friendly recipes!
Marvelous Main Dishes
Slow Cooker Chili
No time to cook? We beg to differ. This Slow Cooker Chili recipe is perfect for hectic weeknights.
Pasta Foriana
Pantry-friendly perfection! Pasta Foriana is one of our most popular recipes – and we’re willing to bet you already have the majority of the ingredients on hand.
Sweetpotato Burgers
Made with California Grown sweetpotatoes and black beans, this plant-based patty will change the way you think about burgers!
Taco Salad with Walnut Taco Meat
What’s the secret to a healthier taco salad? One simple swap – walnut “taco meat”. We love the taste, but we also love that this recipe calls for spices, nuts and jarred tomatoes + peppers that you probably already have in your pantry.
Roasted Potato and Bean Marbella
If you like Chicken Marbella, you’ll love our vegetarian version – Roasted Potato and Bean Marbella!
Veggie-Loaded Rice Bowl
One of the best parts about Veggie + Rice Bowls is that they’re totally customizable. This recipe isn’t just full of flavor; it’s made with a carefully curated mix of canned, dry, and jarred ingredients you’ll find in any well-stocked pantry, along with a few long-lasting veggies for good measure.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Dense bean salads are all the rage. Our Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is full of fiber, packed with protein and full of California Grown goodness.
Niçoise Toast with Olive Brine Vinaigrette
Sure, you could make a simple Tuna Sandwich – but with a little extra effort, you can indulge in this Niçoise Toast with Olive Brine Vinaigrette from our friends at California Ripe Olives.
Simple, Healthy Sides
Pilaf with Almonds and Raisins
If you’re not adding California Grown raisins to your pilaf, you should be! Our friend Jaíne‘s recipe for Arroz de Festa is served at any manner of Brazilian celebrations – but you don’t need an excuse to whip up this pantry-friendly recipe!
Fig and Mandarin Focaccia
Did you know citrus can last for up to a month when stored properly? Stock up so that you can make this irresistible Fig and Mandarin Focaccia all throughout mandarin season!
Cool Wild Rice Salad
In case you missed the memo: not all salads are created equally. We love our leafy greens, but this recipe from California Ripe Olives calls for a flavorful mix of jarred olives, peppers and artichokes. No need to hit the store for more ingredients – simply chop, stir and savor!
Pantry-Friendly Breakfast Recipes
Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? You betcha! Loaded with seven different dried fruits and nuts, our Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies are a sweet treat you can feel good about sharing. Unless, of course, you’d rather keep them all to yourself.
Cinnamon Swirl Yogurt Muffins
Real California yogurt and a cinnamon prune swirl transforms these muffins into something truly magical. This light, fluffy, and flavorful breakfast comes together in a flash and (you guessed it) calls for ingredients you’ll find in any well-stocked pantry.
Carrot Raisin Walnut Scone
Live out your British Baking Show fantasies and whip up a batch of our Carrot Raisin Walnut Scones. Our California-style riff is packed with California Grown goodness – but still pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.
Sweetpotato Muffins
California Grown purple sweetpotato puree is the secret to marvelously moist muffins – and we’re not mad about the fun pop of color either!
Fun fact: Sweetpotatoes are always in season and can last up to six months in your pantry.
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Would you believe us if we told you that most of the ingredients you need for this Carrot Cake Smoothie are already in your pantry? Dried fruits, nuts and warm spices add flavor and depth to this brilliant breakfast from our friends at Real California Milk.