When first making the switch to a paleo diet, it can be really overwhelming. One of the difficult things is building up your ingredients so you can always make a meal with what you have. Every week you can create your shopping list from the meals you will be making, but it can be exhausting never having the condiments and repeating ingredients you need.
I created a list of the pantry items used most often with paleo cooking. I bulked some baking ingredients in here because for me, baking is essential. Feel free to eliminate those if baking isn’t your jam.
I am not an affiliate or paid in any way by Vitacost. I have links to products on their site because I find them to be the least expensive. I also have notes next to the products for places I have found them cheaper (like Costco, Trader Joe’s or the local health food store). With a $49 Vitacost purchase, you get free shipping. Often these items are less expensive than the health foods store and you don’t have to leave your house. Amazon can be great for some things as well, but I usually find Vitacost to be cheaper. Vitacost almost always has a coupon code you can find from a quick Google search. Ebates also offers 3% cash back for Vitacost purchases, if you use that.
Thrive Market is another great place to buy paleo ingredients. However, they do have a yearly membership fee of $59.95. They offer free shipping with a $49 purchase. Some things that can’t be found on Vitacost can be found on Thrive. I would recommend waiting on purchasing a membership if you are just starting out. That way you are more familiar with the things you like to buy and you can see if the membership fee makes sense. Personally, I prefer to spend that money on my Costco membership, which also has a lot of paleo staples (see notes below for a few things I prefer to buy at Costco).
In my notes I mention prices and other places I buy things. I am in southern California. Please remember these could vary depending on location.
Paleo Pantry Stocking Guide
- Coconut Aminos
- Apple Cider Vinegar I can usually find this a little cheaper at the health food store. Costco also sells an apple cider vinegar for $5.69 for two 32 oz bottles, but I have not tried those yet.
- Fish Sauce
- Sesame Seed Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Palm Shortening I can usually find this for a couple dollars cheaper at the health food store. Note: the Nutivia brand of “shortening” contains coconut oil and in recipes calling specifically for palm oil, this can be a problem.
- Hot Sauce
- Olive Oil My Costco sells two liters of organic olive oil for $14.89.
- Dijon Mustard Many Dijon mustards are paleo compliant. Just look for one without refined sugar. I get one for $1.29 at Trader Joe’s.
- Raw Honey
- Maple Syrup I buy mine from Costco for $11.59 for one liter.
- Arrowroot Starch
- Nutritional Yeast
- Tomato Paste
- Chicken Broth/Stock
- Canned/Boxed Diced Tomatoes
- Cashews I buy cashews from Trader Joe’s. They sell (non-organic) cashew pieces for $7/lb at my store.
Spices
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Oregano
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Onion Powder
- Dried Basil
- Dried Thyme
- Dried Rosemary
Baking Ingredients
- Baking Powder The baking powder I link to contains corn starch. This one contains potato starch. Neither corn or white potatoes are considered paleo. I personally don’t have trouble with the corn starch in baking powder, but if you prefer to not have corn or potato, here is a homemade baking powder recipe.
- Baking Soda You can find baking soda at the store for much cheaper, like this one at Target.
- Almond Flour Costco has their own Kirkland brand of blanched almond flour that they sell for $12 for 3lbs. I love it and use it in all my almond flour recipes.
- Vanilla Extract
- Coconut Flour
Total for these items using the links I provided: $196.80
Buy these at a store when you find a recipe that requires them:
- Coconut milk Look for a can that doesn’t have any additives in it. It should have coconut and water. Trader Joe’s also has a can for $1.69 per can. It has a little different texture, but most of the time (unless making yogurt), it should work just fine.
- White Vinegar I don’t find this to be an ingredient that is absolutely necessary to have in your pantry, but next time you are at the store, pick up an inexpensive one, like this one at Target.
These are also great to have on hand:
- Almonds I mostly use almonds for almond milk or snacks.
- Chia Seeds I love to add chia to smoothies and make chia puddings like this orange chia seed pudding. I get mine at Costco for $6 for 2 lbs.
- Ground Flax I use ground flax sometimes in baking or to thicken smoothies.
- Hemp hearts I like to add hemp hearts to smoothies. I get mine at Costco for $14 for 24 oz.
Cookbook favorites:
This list of paleo pantry ingredients should keep you well stocked and ready to cook your next paleo meal. I’d love to hear what you keep in your pantry!
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