20 Essential Pantry Staples For Holidays and Beyond
The holiday season brings family gatherings, surprise guests, and endless cooking, but let’s be real—not everyone has the time (or patience!) to make everything from scratch. Having the right pantry staples on hand can make holiday meals, snacks, and desserts a breeze, keeping you prepared and stress-free all season long.
Did You Know Amazon Fresh Can Deliver Groceries?
Did you know that Amazon Fresh delivers fresh groceries straight to your door? You can now enjoy the convenience of stocking up on pantry essentials and fresh ingredients without leaving the comfort of your home.
Amazon Fresh often offers same-day delivery options and affordable prices, making it easier than ever to keep your pantry well-stocked during the busiest time of the year. Give it a try for those last-minute holiday needs!
Now let’s get straight in to the top 20 pantry staples you should stock up on for the holidays!
1. Box Cake Mixes
Box cake mixes are a holiday lifesaver, perfect for whipping up a quick dessert or creating a batch of cupcakes when you’re short on time. With chocolate, red velvet, and white cake mixes, you’ll have something for every occasion. Dress up a simple mix with holiday sprinkles, frosting, or festive spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Quick Tip: Try adding peppermint extract to chocolate cake mix or swirling in food coloring with white cake mix for a festive, marbled effect.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Chocolate Cake Mix – ideal for rich, indulgent cakes or brownies that require minimal effort.
- Red Velvet Cake Mix – add a pop of festive color with its unique cocoa flavor, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Classic White Cake Mix – serves as a blank canvas for whatever flavors or decorations you want to add—just bake, frost, and enjoy.
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2. Cheese Sauce Mix
Cheese sauce mix is a must-have during the holidays, making it easy to whip up creamy mac & cheese, nacho dip, or casseroles. A pantry staple with endless possibilities, it turns ordinary dishes into warm, comforting meals that everyone will love.
Quick Tip: Try adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or mustard powder for an extra flavor boost that pairs well with pasta or vegetables.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Cheese Sauce Mix – creates the ultimate cheesy comfort foods for any occasion.
- Mac & Cheese – complete with pasta and cheese powder, making them a one-stop solution for quick and easy comfort food.
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3. Scalloped Potato Mix
Scalloped potatoes are a holiday staple, but preparing them from scratch can be time-consuming. With a boxed mix, you can enjoy creamy, cheesy potatoes without the extra prep. This side dish is a perfect accompaniment to roasts and holiday meats.
Quick Tip: For added richness, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar and fresh chives before baking.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Scalloped Potato Mix – delivers creamy, cheesy potatoes that are easy to prepare and full of flavor, with an elegant texture perfect for holiday dinners.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – a delicious addition, adding a little extra creaminess and bite to your potato dishes.
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4. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Instant mashed potatoes are one of the quickest and most versatile sides you can have on hand. They’re great for last-minute meals, and you can add your favorite seasonings or toppings to give them a homemade feel. Plus, they can thicken soups and stews in a pinch!
Quick Tip: Stir in a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with chives for extra creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Instant Mashed Potatoes – make for quick and fluffy sides, whether you’re hosting or making a simple weeknight meal.
- Dried Chives – great for a fresh pop of flavor and color, perfect for elevating the taste and look of your potatoes.
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5. Boxed Stuffing Mix
Boxed stuffing mix isn’t just for Thanksgiving! This quick, flavorful side dish is perfect for holiday meals or even as a filling for baked chicken breasts. It adds a cozy, savory element to any meal and can be ready in minutes.
Quick Tip: Add chopped onions, celery, and dried cranberries to the mix for a gourmet upgrade that adds texture and flavor.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Classic Stuffing Mix – a savory, seasoned side that pairs perfectly with holiday roasts and turkeys.
- Dried Cranberries – bring a touch of sweetness and a festive color, enhancing the stuffing’s flavor and presentation.
- Dried Apricots – can also be used, diced up small and placed in stuffing they are a uniquely light and fruity addition.
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6. Canned Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is a holiday essential, perfect for pies, muffins, breads, and even savory dishes like soups or pasta. It’s packed with flavor and nutrients, making it a great ingredient to have on hand during the winter months.
Quick Tip: Mix canned pumpkin with Greek yogurt, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup for an easy and festive pumpkin dip.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Canned Pumpkin – versatile enough for both sweet and savory holiday dishes.
- Ground Cinnamon – add warm, festive flavor to any pumpkin recipe, perfect for seasonal treats.
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7. Frozen Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are a time-saver for holiday cooking. They’re perfect for adding to soups, stews, casseroles, and stir-fries. With a simple defrost, they’re ready to use in any meal, providing fresh flavor and color to your dishes.
Quick Tip: Sauté frozen veggies in butter and garlic for a quick, flavorful side dish that pairs with any main course.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Frozen Veg – bring a touch of sweetness, ease or vibrant color to holiday meals, making them ideal for adding to casseroles or salads.
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8. Augason Farms Freeze-Dried Items
We love Augason Farms around here – they offer a variety of freeze-dried products that are perfect for winter emergencies, like snowstorms or power outages. Their long shelf-life, affordability and easy prep make them ideal for any pantry, giving you peace of mind knowing you have a backup plan.
Quick Tip: Keep a few different items, like freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, and protein, to add to soups, stews, or even holiday baking in a pinch.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries from Augason Farms add a burst of sweetness to cereals, desserts, or snacking.
- Freeze-Dried Chicken is perfect for quick soups, stews, and casseroles when you need protein fast.
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9. Cloves
Cloves are a classic holiday spice, adding warmth and depth to both sweet and savory dishes. Use them in baked goods, holiday hams, mulled drinks, or even as a simmer pot ingredient to make your home smell festive.
Quick Tip: Add a few whole cloves to simmering apple cider or mulled wine for a beautifully spiced holiday drink.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Whole Cloves – bring an aromatic, warming flavor to both food and drink recipes during the holidays.
- Ground Cloves – convenient for baking and adding subtle spice to desserts and sauces.
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10. PAM Cooking Spray
PAM cooking spray is a pantry must-have for holiday baking and cooking. It makes prepping pans quick and easy, ensuring that your baked goods and casseroles don’t stick. PAM also helps with easy cleanup, which is always a bonus during the busy holiday season.
Quick Tip: Use PAM on measuring cups when working with sticky ingredients like honey or syrup to make pouring and cleanup easier.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- PAM Cooking Spray – essential for non-stick baking and cooking, making your recipes and clean-up smoother.
- Olive Oil Spray – adds a mild, savory flavor to savory dishes and is a great alternative for non-stick needs.
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11. Boxed Pasta Meals
These boxed pasta meals are great for those days when you need a fast, comforting meal that requires minimal effort. Hamburger Helper and Tuna Helper are quick, kid-friendly, and easy to customize with add-ins like vegetables or extra cheese.
Quick Tip: Add steamed broccoli or frozen peas to your mac & cheese for a pop of color and added nutrition.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Hamburger Helper – makes a hearty, one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and customize.
- Tuna Helper – a lovely twist on traditional Hamburger Helper.
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12. Beans
Beans are a versatile pantry staple that’s ideal for adding protein and fiber to holiday dishes. While canned beans are ready to use, dried beans offer a more affordable, long-lasting option, especially when cooked in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
Black beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans are great for soups, stews, casseroles, and even dips, providing rich texture and flavor.
Quick Tip: Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium, and for dried beans, try soaking overnight before cooking to cut down on cook time.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Instant Pot – cooking dried beans becomes a quick and budget-friendly way to prepare healthy, plant-based protein.
- Canned Black Beans – are perfect for quick tacos, burritos, and hearty soups.
- Dried Chickpeas – can be used to make fresh hummus, roasted snacks, or salads.
- Kidney Beans bring richness to stews, chilis, and even holiday side dishes.
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13. Canned Soups and Broths
Canned soups and broths are a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. They make a great base for homemade soups or casseroles, and you can even use them as a sauce or gravy for meat dishes.
Quick Tip: Use vegetable or chicken broth to cook grains like rice or quinoa for added flavor and richness.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Chicken Broth – enhances the flavor of soups, casseroles, and grain dishes.
- Tomato Soup – perfect for a quick meal or as a base for pasta sauces.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – adds creaminess to casseroles and other comfort dishes.
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14. Canned Pineapple or Fruit Cocktail
Canned pineapple and fruit cocktail are versatile ingredients that bring sweetness and acidity to holiday dishes. They’re great in desserts, salads, and even savory dishes like glazed ham.
Quick Tip: Drain the fruit and mix it into a holiday fruit salad, or use the juice as a marinade for meat dishes.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Canned Pineapple Chunks – adds a touch of tropical sweetness to salads, cakes, and marinades.
- Fruit Cocktail – perfect for festive fruit salads or as a dessert topping.
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15. All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is a holiday baking essential, useful for everything from cookies to pie crusts and even thickening sauces. It’s the foundation of many holiday recipes, so make sure to have a bag or two on hand.
Quick Tip: For extra-fluffy baked goods, sift your flour before adding it to recipes.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- All-Purpose Flour – versatile and essential for baking and cooking.
- Self-Rising Flour – great for quick breads and biscuits, saving time on holiday prep.
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16. Sugar
A variety of sugars are essential for holiday baking, from cookies and cakes to frostings and glazes. White, brown, and powdered sugars each bring a different texture and flavor to your favorite holiday treats.
Quick Tip: Store brown sugar in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep it soft and clump-free.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- White Granulated Sugar – essential for most baked goods and desserts.
- Brown Sugar – adds a caramel-like depth to cookies and cakes.
- Powdered Sugar – perfect for glazes, frostings, and dusting on baked goods for a festive touch.
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17. Shelf Stable Milks
Evaporated milk is a versatile ingredient that adds creaminess to both sweet and savory dishes. Use it in pumpkin pie, creamy sauces, or even in your holiday coffee for a rich, velvety touch.
Condensed milk can be used in lots of yummy desserts and shelf stable milks can be used in a pinch for drinking, cereal and cooking – make sure your pantry always has a supply of these!
Quick Tip: Substitute evaporated milk for cream in recipes to reduce fat content while maintaining richness.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Evaporated Milk – adds a creamy, rich flavor to desserts and sauces.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – is great for holiday fudge, pies, and coffee drinks.
- Milk – great to have on hand for all purposes that you would normally use fresh milk for – chill before using.
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18. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a key ingredient in holiday baking, adding warmth and depth to cookies, cakes, and puddings. A good quality vanilla extract can elevate any dessert to holiday-worthy status.
Quick Tip: Add a splash of vanilla to your pancake or waffle batter for extra flavor.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Pure Vanilla Extract – brings authentic flavor to baked goods, frosting, and coffee drinks.
- Vanilla Bean Paste – perfect for recipes where you want the visual effect of vanilla bean specks, adding a touch of elegance to holiday treats.
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19. Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is a must-have for homemade hot chocolate, brownies, and cakes. It adds a deep, chocolatey richness to desserts and drinks, making it perfect for holiday indulgence.
Quick Tip: Whisk cocoa powder with hot water before adding it to recipes to help it dissolve and avoid lumps.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – essential for baking and making homemade hot chocolate.
- Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder – has a deeper flavor and is great for cakes, cookies, and frostings.
- Black Cocoa Powder – ideal for home made Oreo type cookies!
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20. Baking Soda and Baking Powder
Baking soda and baking powder are key leavening agents for holiday baking, helping cookies, cakes, and breads rise and achieve a light, fluffy texture. Without them, your baked goods would be flat and dense.
Quick Tip: Check expiration dates before holiday baking season, as expired leavening agents won’t work effectively.
Shop the Pantry Essentials:
- Baking Soda – a staple for cookies, cakes, and cleaning purposes.
- Baking Powder – ideal for quick breads and muffins, giving them a light and airy texture.
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The Takeaway
With these pantry staples on hand, you’ll be ready for whatever the holiday season throws at you—from big family dinners to cozy, impromptu gatherings.
These essentials simplify holiday cooking, ensuring you can make delicious meals and treats without added stress!
What to Read Next
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Share
As always, I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite holiday pantry staples? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to like, share, and spread the holiday cheer!
Last update on 2025-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
