28 Vegan Pantry Staples You Need In Your Kitchen

A well-stocked pantry with essential vegan pantry staples isn’t just helpful—it’s a game-changer. Imagine your own culinary command center, stocked with ingredients poised to transform into mouthwatering meals at a moment’s notice. Intrigued? You should be.

In the vegan food world, the pantry isn’t merely storage; it’s where the magic begins. From hearty grains and whole grain flours to a medley of canned and dry legumes, baking essentials, seasonings, pasta, and nuts—these vegan pantry staples are the quiet champions of our kitchen escapades. Sure, our pantry might look a bit overstocked, but that’s part of the charm. The more options you have, the more delicious meals you can whip up without a hitch.

Armed with our trusty pantry checklist, we ensure all essentials are stocked and ready for action. Whether it’s a 15-minute vegan breakfast or a plant-based dinner that dazzles in under an hour, these staples are the backbone of our culinary wizardry.

So, let’s delve into and uncover the vegan pantry staples that will fuel your cooking passion, spark your creativity, and make every meal an adventure worth savoring.

Almond Butter

Almond butter is a delicious and creamy alternative to peanut butter, perfect for spreading on toast, adding to smoothies, making homemade vegan nut butter cups, or using as a base for dressings and sauces. Its rich flavor and smooth texture make it a versatile ingredient for both savory and sweet recipes, ensuring it’s always a pantry favorite.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This tangy vinegar is a staple in many vegan kitchens. Apple cider vinegar is great for salad dressings like this tangy vegan French dressing recipe, marinades, and even in plant-based taco recipes. Its unique flavor adds a zesty kick to a variety of dishes, making it one of the most valuable vegan pantry staples.

Black Beans

Canned black beans are a convenient and versatile protein source. Use them in tacos, black bean veggie burgers, salads, soups (or dry soup in a jar mixes), or to make a quick and delicious black bean dip. They’re a must-have for easy, hearty meals.

Canned Chickpeas

With a can of chickpeas, quick and easy protein is just a can opener away. Sprinkle these gems on salads, roast them in the oven for a savory snack, blend them with tahini for a homemade oil-free hummus, or smash them into chickpea ‘tuna’ salad. In addition to the chickpeas themselves, a can is handy for the chickpea liquid brine called aquafaba which is versatile in so many vegan recipes.

Canned Lentils

Lentils are a quick and easy ingredient to have on hand for those busy days. Canned lentils eliminate the need for soaking and lengthy cooking times, making them a convenient option for protein-packed veggie meatloaf, stews, and salads. They’re hearty and absorb flavors beautifully, making them a versatile staple for any vegan kitchen.

Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are a pantry essential for quick and delicious meals. Whether you’re whipping up a hearty creamy tomato soup, a savory stew, or a quick pasta sauce, canned tomatoes provide a rich, flavorful base. They’re versatile and convenient, making plant-based meal prep a breeze on busy days.

Cashews

What would vegans do without cashews? They are our go-to nut for creamy pasta sauces and flavorful dips, and they’re also great in smoothies! Try making your own cashew milk with them… it’s easy!

Chia Seeds

These tiny, versatile seeds are one of the must-have vegan pantry staples. Chia seeds can be used in a variety of ways—soaked in water or plant-based milk to create a pudding, added to smoothies for a boost of texture, or sprinkled over salads for an extra crunch. Their ability to absorb liquid makes them great for thickening and adding a bit of fun to your dishes.

Coconut Milk

Canned coconut milk is a necessity for quick vegan curries, and also adds creaminess to an array of vegan sauces. Refrigerate and scoop out the contents for a decadent vegan whipped cream. When looking for vegan pantry staples, this one is a must-have!

Dried Split Peas

Dried split peas are perfect for making hearty soups and stews, like this sweet potato and split pea soup. They cook relatively quickly and break down into a creamy texture, making them a fantastic base for plant-based comfort food dishes.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Everyone has their favorite oil and this is mine. A high-quality olive oil is essential for sautéing, roasting, drizzling over salads, making decadent focaccia, and even fluffy vegan olive oil cake! Look for cold-pressed varieties for maximum flavor and nutritional benefits.

Ground Flaxseed Meal

Not only are flaxseeds packed with omega-3s and a healthy addition to any diet (Dr. Greger recommends a tablespoon a day!) but they’re a must-have for vegan baking. Any baking recipes that call for eggs can be made with a mixture of ground flaxseed meal and water instead. Flaxseed egg replacer to the rescue!

• Flax Egg Ratio: 1 tbsp of ground flaxseeds + 2.5 tbsp of water = 1 Egg

Maple Syrup

Nature’s sweet nectar, maple syrup is the perfect natural sweetener for everything from vegan pancakes and Belgian waffles to glazes and marinades. It’s even delicious in coffee, baked goods, and licked straight off a spoon.

Nori

Seaweed sheets are for more than fun sushi creations, although we use them often for making vegetable and avocado rolls, as well as these easy-peasy hand rolls. One of the lesser-known vegan pantry staples, we love it for its unique taste, texture, and versatility. Nori also makes a fantastic wrap around vegetables and hummus or for making any creative sushi dish you can think of like sushi cupcakes! Equally, it adds flavor to rice bowls and soups when cut up and sprinkled on top.

Nutritional Yeast

It’s an emergency in our house if we run out of nutritional yeast (aka “nooch”). This flaky deactivated yeast is a natural seasoning that adds a cheesy flavor to sauces and dishes but is also easily devoured sprinkled over a batch of freshly popped popcorn.

Olives and Capers

Tossed in salads, bowls, sauces, and pasta, these condiments add a delicious briny taste to any dish, plus they are delicious offerings on an antipasto or a decked-out vegan charcuterie board.

Polenta

Polenta, made from ground cornmeal, is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a creamy base for stews, savory polenta bowls, these adorable gluten-free pizza bites, or baked into deliciously crispy fries. It’s easy to prepare and adds a comforting, hearty element to many dishes.

Pumpkin Puree

Canned pumpkin puree is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. It’s perfect for making soups, delicious vegan pumpkin cupcakes, curries, iconic pumpkin pies, and even cozy vegan pumpkin spice lattes and creamy, plant-based pumpkin milkshakes.

Quinoa

This superfood grain is a vegan’s best friend. Packed with protein, quinoa makes a great nugget, as well as a base in a hearty vegan bowl. It can be used anywhere you would traditionally use rice—burritos, tacos, served with stir-fried veggies, and, if you can believe it, in these delicious quinoa cookies!

Rice Paper

Rice paper is essential for making fresh spring rolls and summer rolls. Pack them with vibrant, rainbow veggies for a fun snack! It’s a great pantry staple for creating light, fresh, and customizable wraps filled with your favorite veggies and herbs.

Rolled Oats

There are so many ways to use this must-stock ingredient. Make healthy and filling overnight oats in mason jars, blend into smoothies, or bake into snacks and treats for the whole family. These vegan no-bake cookies are winners!

Soba Noodles

Soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, are perfect for quick and nutritious meals. They can be served hot in soups or cold in salads with peanut sauce, and their nutty flavor pairs well with a variety of sauces and vegetables.

Soy Sauce (or Tamari, Shoyu or Braggs Liquid Aminos)

These liquid seasonings add a salty flavor to your marinades, sauces, and dressings. We love it in the sesame peanut sauce in cold noodle salads, and this heavenly sweet and sour tofu. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to soy sauce, there are many alternatives for lower-sodium choices.

Sundried Tomatoes

Sundried tomatoes add a burst of umami flavor to a variety of dishes. Use them in pasta dishes like this dreamy sun-dried tomato sauce, salads, and sauces for a rich, concentrated tomato taste that enhances the overall flavor profile of your recipes.

Tahini

This creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds is one of the most incredibly versatile vegan pantry staples. Tahini is a key ingredient in hummus (we love it with creamy white beans or traditional chickpeas) and can also be used to make rich dressings, dips, and balanced sauces like in this vegan stuffed acorn squash recipe. It adds a luxurious depth of flavor to both sweet and savory dishes, making it a fantastic plant-based pantry staple.

Tomato Sauce

Dinner is only 10 minutes away when you have a high-quality marinara and pasta tucked in the pantry. We always keep a few cans of our favorites on hand. If you shop at Trader Joe’s, their Arrabbiata sauce is amazing. But if you have extra time, easy homemade pasta sauce and this feisty, spicy Arrabiata sauce recipe are worth the effort.

Vegan Broth (or Bouillon)

Vegetable broth is an essential item for any vegan pantry. It’s a great stand-in for sautéing vegetables, and it is a necessary ingredient in soups, stews, and sauces. Imagine’s No Chicken variety is a great option because it tastes like chicken without the chicken! Better Than Bouillon also has a vegan chicken stock, as well as several vegetable bouillon varieties. Broth and versatile vegan bouillon add savory flavor to anything you mix it in.

Vegan Chocolate Chips

We love to bake in our home so these go quick. Hooray for vegan chocolate chips! They are great for stirring into energy balls, healthy yet decadent stuffed dates, fun vegan pumpkin muffins, this deceptively healthy chocolate zucchini bread, and topping dairy-free ice cream sundaes. They also sprinkle nicely on top of banana soft serve and add a sweet treat to homemade snack mixes.

Vegan Sprinkles

What’s life without a rainbow of color sprinkled across your baked goods, like these vegan pop tarts? Whether we’re whipping up cupcakes for a birthday bash, tucking them into a vegan cake for a surprise, dabbing them onto vegan rice krispies treats or bringing them along camping to make campfire banana boats, a collection of colorful sprinkles is an essential. Many mainstream sprinkles aren’t vegan, so it’s helpful to have vegan sprinkles already stocked in your pantry so you don’t have to go searching for them last-minute!

Now, Get Cooking!

Feeling inspired to elevate your culinary creations and embark on new flavor-packed adventures in the kitchen? With these must-have vegan pantry staples at your fingertips, you’ll not only streamline meal prep but also unleash your creativity to craft delicious, wholesome dishes that nourish both body and soul.

So, stock up your pantry, don your apron, and let the magic unfold as you whip up amazing vegan dishes with these essential vegan pantry staples. Happy cooking!