What foods do you stock up on?

[Peonyperfection]

I’m trying to get my cupboards a bit more organised. I want to see quickly what I have. I tend to buy things on offer, but I don’t always have room for everything. Thinking of keeping it simple, keeping ‘essentials’ and only stocking up when it’s a really good deal.

So far on my list:

Tinned tomatoes
Black beans
Baked beans
Noodles
M&S Olive Oil Mayo (as I don’t get to M&S often, so grab it when I can)

I meal plan and cook from scratch most nights. Do you do it this way or buy the more unusual, expensive products when on offer? What do you buy on repeat?

Great replies — I’m adding many of these to my usual cupboard staples. I’ve also realised that to avoid overflowing cupboards, I’m going to focus on stocking up on the pricier items, like olive oil (and some dark chocolate) when they’re on offer. That way I can keep a small stash without going overboard.

If you do online shops they save your favourites or previously bought so you can scroll through to see what is on offer each time. I have found that allows for the odd "luxury" item - pistachio ice cream down to £3 from £5 for eg. Basics are tinned items (tomatoes, beans, soups), artichokes in a jar, I usually get a UHT milk for the pantry because there is nothing worse than being ill and running out of milk! Pasta, cous-cous, frozen onions and spinach, butter, cheese and sweet potatoes are our staples. Fish or meat 2 times a week, fresh whatever is on offer if possible although have frozen mince as back-up.

I buy bulk in the Black Friday sales, and some things I buy to last me a year. This is cleaning items mostly, washing powder, washing up liquid, fabric conditioner etc.
I live in another country and these are things that noticeably increase in price every year. And they keep fine when stored properly.

Then I always have stocks of coffee and basic cupboard essentials. Jars of things that also keep.

Due to the temperature (hot country) I don't keep my freezer overly stocked, as we are prone to power outages. It's just too big a risk.

And then dried goods like flour / pasta / cereal etc. As you just need one lot of weevil eggs and the whole lot is contaminated.

I have boxes with clip on lids for all my extras, and then I keep them in the garage and just refill from there when I need to.

Oh and toiletries. I'm a bit of a sucker for a good deal there so I have a good stockpile, I never need to buy anything toiletries related when I do my regular shop.

I always feel better when my stocks are good, I get quite anxious around October time when I've no back ups left.

I thought it was normal to have lots of non perishable food at home. Occasionally my fridge will start looking empty, but I usually try to keep a good supply of tins, pasta, etc. I would love a pantry but don’t have the room so make do with a large pantry cupboard.

Chickpeas
Lentils
Creamed coconut
Frozen veg - sliced leeks, onions, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, spinach
Chicken breast (to go into the freezer)
Whole Earth peanut butter
Multigrain rice cakes
Brown rice
Orzo

With the above, I can always throw together a curry, a soup, and a snack without having to make a special trip to the shops or having to order takeaway. Frozen veg might always be the preferable option for texture, but I always have it as a backup.

We stock up on most dry foods if they are offer, and if we go through a lot of them. Things I have a backstock of are;

Baked beans
tinned tuna
passata
pasta
rice
ketchup
mayo
tinned soup
crisps
Also yellow sticker meat for the freezer

Pretty much all of the above. I'm old skool,in my 70s. Dry goods, tinned. Spices and herbs. We grow a lot of our own fruit and veg.my oldest DD said in case of Armageddon, she will find a way to get to mine..I cook from scratch,a lot of baking. Youngest DD,3 month old baby bf on demand, just stayed awake 12.5 DD said she had been spoilt by my chocolate cake, and that every other one she has tried had been pure s*e! I made her one yesterday, complete with Maltesers and covered chocolate flakes.