What's in My Pantry? Top Chefs' Favorite Pantry Staples of 2025

This Original Ghee is a kitchen workhorse with a rich, nutty flavor and a high smoke point that we found excellent for frying, roasting and finishing dishes. During our review we appreciated that it’s lactose-free and non-GMO, but our experience shows packaging has been inconsistent — several customers reported leaking jars and a switch from glass to plastic that affected perception. The texture can be runnier than expected for some cooks, so expect a looser pour when warm. Overall it’s a flavorful alternative to butter for high-heat cooking.

Lucini Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a reliable countertop bottle if you want a bright finishing oil for dressings and light sautés; in our testing its pronounced, slightly bitter flavor carried through salads and sauces, which some tasters loved while others found too strong. We found the certification profile—Non-GMO, Kosher, vegan and gluten-free—reassuring for diverse diets, and its labeled uses for cooking, seasoning and sauces make it versatile. During our review the higher price and occasional complaints about bitterness are worth weighing against its dependable quality.

Yiayia and Friends Extra Virgin Olive Oil impressed us during our review for its cold-pressed technique that preserves nuanced flavor and nutritional qualities, making it a lovely finishing oil for salads and grilled vegetables. We found the stylish 500ml bottle looks great on the counter and is built for everyday use, but our experience shows the $48 price tag may be steep for some shoppers. If you prioritize exceptional taste and presentation, it’s a pantry splurge that rewards simple preparations.

Bright & Peppery Olive Oil from La Tourangelle is one we reached for in our testing when a lively, early-harvest flavor was needed for dressings and marinades; its cold-pressed, organic and non-GMO credentials back up the bright, slightly peppery profile. We found the bottle adds real lift to simple salads and vinaigrettes, but our experience shows it costs a bit more than standard oils and the pouring spout can be fiddly. If you prioritize nuance and quality, it's worth tracking down despite limited availability.

If you want a simple way to introduce Middle Eastern flair, Badia Za'atar is an affordable pantry pick that we found useful for sprinkling on roasted veggies and flatbreads. During our review we appreciated that it’s gluten-free, kosher and contains no MSG, and it’s vegan-friendly for most diets. In our testing the blend leaned milder than expected — some cooks will call it bland — and the packaging lacks a detailed ingredient list. Our experience shows it’s best used as a gentle finishing spice or mixed with olive oil to boost flavor.

S&B Golden Curry Mild is a reliable convenience product that we found makes weeknight curries incredibly easy — just add water and simmer for a fast, comforting sauce. During our review its mild profile is approachable for families, but our testing shows spice lovers may find the flavor too subtle and wish for a hotter option. Note it contains MSG, so if you avoid that ingredient you’ll want to skip it. Practically speaking, it’s great for quick rice-and-curry meals or as a base you can spice up to taste.

Aji Amarillo paste is a concentrated way to add authentic Peruvian heat and fruity chili notes, and in our testing a little went a long way in stews, sauces and marinades. During our review the paste proved convenient for brightening dishes, but we noted quality-control issues: some jars have arrived with broken seals, and returns aren’t always accepted. It’s gluten-free, vegan and easy to store, so treat it like a potent pantry condiment and check seals on delivery before using. When used cautiously, it lends bold flavor without much effort.

Maille Old Style Mustard adds a satisfying grainy texture and robust flavor that we found lifts sandwiches, vinaigrettes and glazes with minimal effort. In our testing the texture provides pleasant crunch and a complex bite, though some buyers report jar leakage in transit and many consider it pricier than everyday mustards. It’s non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan, which makes it versatile for different diets. Our experience shows it’s worth splurging on for special recipes where the mustard is a star, rather than a background note.

Spiceology Greek Freak Seasoning is a bright, herb-forward blend we found excellent on meats, roasted vegetables and even popcorn, delivering a fresh flavor that stands out in our testing. It's gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO, so it fits many pantry needs, but our experience shows a few customers received damaged jars in shipping and some felt the jar size doesn't match the price. Use it as a go-to finishing seasoning—just inspect packaging on arrival and buy where shipping is reliable.

Organic Tahini from Soom offers a velvety, smooth texture we found especially useful for dressings, hummus and baked goods, and in our testing its versatility across sweet and savory recipes stood out. It’s certified organic, non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free, which makes it a safe pantry choice for many diets, but our experience shows some batches can taste bitter and there have been reports of leakage during shipping. Given the higher price, it’s best for cooks who value quality sesame flavor and careful handling.

ONETANG Dried Shiitake impressed in our testing with fast rehydration and a rich, authentic mushroom flavor that lifted soups, sauces and stir-fries—being stemless also cut prep time and reduced waste. We found some packages arrive with compromised vacuum sealing and an initial strong odor that demands a good rinse, so inspect seals on arrival; our experience shows proper sourcing matters for dried goods. Certified organic, gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO, these mushrooms are versatile and flavorful, though they sit at a higher price point than commodity dried varieties.

Yumepirika Hokkaido short grain rice stands out for its sweet, bold flavor and high stickiness, which in our testing made it ideal for sushi, onigiri and glossy rice bowls. During our review we found the texture can turn overly soft if you don’t tweak the water ratio, and some cooks report the grains lose shine when not cooked precisely. The rice is non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan, so it fits many diets. Our experience shows a careful rinse and exact water measurements deliver the best, lustrous results.

Bob’s Red Mill Rolled Oats are a pantry staple we recommend for breakfasts and baking, and in our testing they performed well across porridge, granola and cookie recipes. During our review we liked that they’re organic and non-GMO, and their versatility makes them a go-to grain in our kitchen. Some users reported occasional husks in certain batches, which can affect the texture, so we advise sifting or inspecting before use. Our experience shows investing a little time to check the oats pays off with consistently pleasant results.

This bread flour is a strong choice when you want reliable gluten development and better chew in homemade loaves — we found the higher protein content noticeably improves structure. During our review it produced bolder rise and better crumb than standard flour in several tests, though some customers have reported issues with packaging durability during shipping. It’s not certified organic, but it is vegan-friendly and designed specifically for baking. If you bake often, this flour is worth stocking, just inspect the bag on arrival.

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour is a smart swap when you want a straightforward 1-to-1 substitute for regular flour; in our testing it handled cakes and quick breads with consistent structure. We found batters can run thinner than conventional mixes, which in our experience leads cookies to spread more, so you may need to chill dough or adjust binders. It's non-GMO, vegan and explicitly for baking, making it practical for gluten-free home bakers who prioritize ease.

Barilla Spaghetti Rigati stood out in our testing for its ridged surface that really hangs on to sauces, so every bite packs flavor, and it reliably reaches al dente in about 6–7 minutes which is handy on busy nights. We found the use of non-GMO durum wheat and kosher certification reassuring for many diets, but our experience shows it’s not suitable for anyone avoiding gluten. Some cooks prefer smooth spaghetti and may not love the texture, and the price is higher than basic brands.

Chaokoh Coconut Milk delivers the rich, creamy texture we appreciated in our testing for curries, soups and baked treats, and it performs well as a base for sauces. During our review we noted some consumer concerns about ethical sourcing, and our experience shows cans often arrive dented, which can affect confidence in the product. It’s gluten-free and vegan, but not certified non-GMO; if packaging integrity and sourcing transparency matter to you, consider alternatives or buy from sellers with careful handling.

Dill Pickle Spears are an easy pantry staple we reached for in sandwiches and snack plates—during our review we liked the simple, garden-fresh ingredient list, kosher certification and the fact they’re only about 5 calories per serving. We found several customers reported leaking jars in transit and a lid that can be hard to open and re-seal, and our experience shows the brine leans fairly salty, so they may not suit low-sodium preferences. They’re vegan and gluten-free but not organic or non-GMO, so treat them as a flavorful, everyday option with a few packaging caveats.

KORALLVIPPA dry food jars from IKEA are an affordable storage solution we found very handy for decluttering pantries thanks to airtight lids and a stackable, transparent design. During our review the clear containers made it easy to identify contents at a glance and they preserved aromas well. They come in fixed sizes, though, and our experience shows that limitation can be annoying if you need taller jars for items like spaghetti; material durability is also less than glass. Still, they’re great for spices, grains and snacks when budget and space-saving matter.

If you want to tidy your pantry, Praknu Kitchen Storage Jars are a smart, space-saving pick—during our review we appreciated the square design that maximizes shelf real estate and the bamboo lids with silicone seals that create an airtight closure to keep dry goods fresher. We found the clear glass is handy for identifying contents, but our experience shows the glass feels thin and some customers received broken jars due to light packaging, so buy from a reliable seller or add protective padding. They’re not organic or certified for special diets, but as a practical storage upgrade they work well for staples you reach for every day.

Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce is a versatile, lower-salt option that we found retains much of the classic umami, making it a practical swap for everyday cooking and marinades. In our testing it delivers about 38% less sodium while still working well as a dipping sauce, though some tasters said the flavor feels lighter and they used a little more to hit their preferred saltiness. Be aware it contains wheat, so it isn’t suitable for gluten-free diets. Our experience shows it’s a smart compromise if you’re cutting sodium but still want familiar soy flavor.

If you're looking to add a savory, tangy flourish to cheese boards and stews, Opies Pickled Walnuts can be a unique pantry addition that we found brings old-world character to dishes. During our review we liked that they’re suitable for vegans and vegetarians, but our experience shows the inclusion of barley malt vinegar makes them unsuitable for gluten-intolerant cooks. Be mindful of the nutrition profile—at roughly 26g sugar and 2.6g salt per 100g, they’re bold and salty, so use sparingly as a seasoning or garnish.

Yondu Umami Essence is a pantry shortcut we leaned on in our testing to deepen soups, stir-fries and sauces with minimal effort; its versatility made it an easy reach for weekday dinners. We found its certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan profile makes it broadly diet-friendly, but our experience shows a few tasters thought the umami was milder than expected and some considered the price on the high side. Treat it like a condiment—start small and adjust to taste.

Red Boat Fish Sauce is essentially as pure as it gets—made with just black anchovies and sea salt—so in our testing it delivered a rich, clean umami that boosted dipping sauces, marinades and dressings without any noticeable MSG taste. We found its clarity and non-GMO, gluten-free profile reassuring, but the aroma is intensely fishy and the bottle is pricier than many mass-market brands, so use sparingly if you’re sensitive to smell or salt. Our experience shows this is a go-to when you want authentic depth; start light and adjust to taste because the sodium is high.

Shio Koji is a subtle workhorse we kept handy for boosting umami—during our review we found it brightens marinades, tenderizes proteins and adds complexity to quick pickles and sauces with minimal effort. In our testing its versatility across cooking, seasoning and sauce uses made it an easy reach for weeknight meals, and being gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO helps it fit many diets. Our experience shows delivery can sometimes take longer than expected, so plan ahead when you want it for a specific recipe, but once it’s in your pantry it stretches flavor in surprising ways.