If you want to eat more plant-based it can be hard to know where to start. After all, it would be a waste to go and buy new pantry items that you only use for one recipe and then go bad because you don’t know what to do with it. When I work with my clients, I give them food substitute and grocery lists which they can refer to when they go food shopping. Having a list of food items that you will use frequently throughout plant-based recipes can be of great help when you first start out on your plant-based cooking journey. Please note that this list serves as a guide, is not conclusive and obviously open to seasonal changes and personal preferences.
Oats/Nuts/Seeds/Dates
- GF Oats
- Chia Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Coconut Flakes
- Coconut Shreds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Spirulina Powder
- Nuts (Walnuts, Almonds, Cashews etc)
- Dates
- Cocoa Nibs
Pasta/Rice/Legumes
- Basmati Rice
- Risotto Rice
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa
- Polenta
- Brown Rice Pasta
- Lentil Pasta
- Chickpea Pasta
- Nori Sheets
- Dry Red Lentils
- Dry Brown Lentils
- Dry Black Beans
Snacks
- GF Crackers
- Rice Cakes
- Veggie Chips
- Popcorn
- Vegan Dark Chocolate
Baking
- GF Flour
- Chickpea Flour
- Brown Rice Flour
- Buckwheat Flour
- Coconut Sugar
- Maple Syrup
- Raw Cocoa Powder
- Dark Chocolate Chips
- GF Breadcrumbs
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
Canned/Dried Goods/Nut- & Seed Butters
- Canned Chickpeas
- Jarred Tomato Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Dried Tomatos
- Canned Artichokes
- Kalamata Olives
- Castelvetrano Olives
- Almond Butter
- Cashew Butter
- Peanut Butter
- Tahini
Milks/Yogurt/Butter/Cheese/Tofu/Tempeh
- Oat Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Soy Creamer (for cooking)
- Plain Coconut Yogurt
- Vegan Butter
- Vegan Cream Cheese (Cashew/Tofu/Coconut-based)
- Vegan Cheeses (Cashew/Coconut-based)
- Hummus
- Plain Firm Tofu
- Smoked Tofu
- Tempeh
Oils/Vinegar/Seasoning
- Extra Vergin Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Coconut Aminos/Tamari
- Dark Miso Paste (savory)
- White Miso Paste (sweet)
- Mustard
Spices
- Nutritional Yeast
- Pink Himalayan Salt
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Turmeric
- Ground Cumin
- Ceylon Cinnamon
- Smoked Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Cayenne
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Vanilla Seeds
- Dried Rosemary
- Dried Thyme
Produce
- Bananas
- Lemons
- Limes
- Avocados
- Kale
- Sprouts
- Arugula
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Potatoes
- Squash
- Beets
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Eggplant
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Yellow Onions
- Shallots
- Garlic
Herbs
- Basil
- Flat-leaf Parsley
- Dill
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Thyme
- Rosemary
Frozen
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Bananas
- Ice Cubes
- Sourdough/GF Sliced Bread