The Best Organic Pantry Staples
The Best Organic Pantry Staples
The best organic pantry staples are the everyday basics you cook with most, bought certified organic and in sizes that last: rice and grains, flours, beans, and naturally sweet dried fruit. Stocking a few of these means you always have the makings of a meal without a special trip. The picks below are all live and in stock at Madeline's, and most are milled and packed by Country Life Natural Foods, a supplier that specializes in organic bulk staples. They run from about $5 for a bag of beans to about $22 for a specialty flour, so you can restock one shelf or fill the whole pantry.
The short answer: for the most useful all-rounders, organic Jasmine Rice and Garbanzo Beans earn their shelf space in almost any kitchen. For natural sweetness, organic Medjool Dates are a staple for snacking and baking. And for something a little special, organic Forbidden Black Rice makes an everyday dinner feel new.
Organic dried fruit
Organic Medjool Dates
Soft, caramel-sweet organic Medjool dates from Country Life Natural Foods are a pantry workhorse for snacking, stuffing, and natural sweetening in baking and smoothies. They keep well and are endlessly useful. At about $9 they are one of the best-value staples here.
Organic Golden Figs
Organic golden figs from Country Life are chewy and honey-sweet, lovely on a cheese board, chopped into oatmeal, or eaten as a snack. They add a little something special to the pantry. At about $12 they are a versatile dried fruit to keep on hand.
Organic Mango Slices
These organic dried mango slices from Country Life have no added sugar, so they are a naturally sweet, chewy snack straight from the bag or chopped into granola. They are a lunchbox and trail favorite. At about $12 they are an easy staple to restock.
Organic Apple Rings
Organic dried apple rings from Country Life are a simple, wholesome snack and a nice add to oatmeal, baking, and homemade trail mix. They are a kid-friendly pantry basic. At about $12 they round out an organic dried-fruit shelf.
Organic rice and grains
Organic Jasmine Rice
Fragrant organic jasmine rice from Country Life is the everyday white rice that goes with almost any meal, from curries to stir-fries. It is the most-reached-for grain in many kitchens. At about $7 it is an affordable, high-use staple.
Organic Forbidden Black Rice
Organic forbidden black rice from Country Life cooks up deep purple with a nutty flavor, an easy way to make a weeknight bowl feel special. It is striking on the plate and simple to cook. At about $7 it is a low-cost way to add variety to the grain shelf.
Organic Wild Rice
Organic wild rice from Country Life brings a chewy texture and toasty flavor to soups, pilafs, and holiday sides. It is the grain to have on hand for a heartier dish. At about $14 it is a versatile staple for cooler-weather cooking.
Organic Hulled Barley
Organic hulled barley from Country Life is a hearty, chewy grain for soups, stews, and grain bowls. It is filling, wholesome, and one of the most affordable staples on this list. At about $5 it is a budget-friendly pantry basic worth keeping stocked.
Organic flours and baking
Organic Buckwheat Flour
Organic buckwheat flour from Country Life is a naturally gluten-free flour with a deep, earthy flavor for pancakes, crepes, and rustic baking. It is a useful flour to keep for variety. At about $22 it is the specialty staple on this list.
Organic Yellow Cornmeal
Organic yellow cornmeal from Country Life is the base for cornbread and muffins and a handy dusting for pizza and bread. It is an everyday baking and cooking staple. At about $15 it is a practical shelf basic.
Organic beans
Organic Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)
Organic dried garbanzo beans from Country Life are the base for hummus, curries, soups, and roasted snacks, and they cost far less than canned per serving. They are one of the most versatile staples a pantry can hold. At about $6 they are an easy, high-use basic to keep stocked.
How to stock an organic pantry
Start with the basics you actually cook with. A versatile white rice like jasmine and a jar of dried beans like garbanzos cover countless meals, so they earn their place first. Add one heartier grain, such as wild rice or barley, for soups and cold-weather dishes, and a specialty grain like black rice to keep things interesting. Keep a couple of flours for baking, and a few kinds of dried fruit for snacking and natural sweetness. Buy sizes that match how fast you cook through them, and store everything cool, dry, and sealed. Whole grains, whole-grain flours, and beans keep for months this way, while white rice keeps even longer. Buying organic staples in larger sizes usually costs less per serving than small packages, so a few well-chosen bags stretch a long way.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful organic pantry staples?
The most useful staples are the ones you cook with most: a versatile white rice, a couple of kinds of dried beans, an everyday flour, and some dried fruit for snacking and baking. Jasmine rice and garbanzo beans are especially high-use, and Medjool dates cover natural sweetening.
Is it cheaper to buy organic staples in bulk?
Larger organic bags usually cost less per serving than small retail packages, so buying staples in bigger sizes can save money over time if you cook through them. Dried beans, for example, cost much less per serving than canned. Just match the size to how quickly you use each item.
How long do organic grains and beans last?
Stored cool, dry, and sealed, white rice keeps for a long time, and whole grains, whole-grain flours, and dried beans keep for many months. Older dried beans still cook, though they may need a longer soak and simmer. Keep whole-grain flours in the freezer if you want to extend their freshness.
Where do these organic staples come from?
Most of the organic pantry staples in this list are milled and packed by Country Life Natural Foods, a supplier that specializes in certified organic bulk grains, flours, beans, and dried fruit. You can browse the full range in the Organic Gourmet Foods collection at Madeline's.
What is a good organic staple for baking?
For baking, an organic flour is the key staple. Buckwheat flour adds an earthy, naturally gluten-free option for pancakes and crepes, while yellow cornmeal covers cornbread and muffins. Medjool dates are also handy for natural, refined-sugar-free sweetening.
Related
Shop the collections: Organic Gourmet Foods and Dried Fruits & Nuts.
More guides: the best organic dried fruit, the best organic loose-leaf tea, and the best gifts for the home cook. See how Madeline's works as an artisan food marketplace.