Does anyone else have whiplash from the SNAP situation?
First, SNAP benefits were paused; then, the Trump Administration announced it would issue partial benefits to people, but that it could take some time. Meanwhile, President Trump said the benefits wouldn’t be released until after the government shutdown was over. The only thing we know for sure is that it’s vital to stock up on pantry essentials, whether you’re on SNAP and waiting for your benefits to return or you’re just trying to save money amid the ever-increasing costs at the grocery store.
TikTok user @andersonacres14 made a video providing some of her tried-and-true pantry essentials to buy right now. Here are some of her tips.
Most Versatile Ingredients
When you’re stocking up on groceries, it’s helpful to reach for items that you can do a lot with — the ones that help you stretch your dollar further. This TikToker suggests brown and white rice as a go-to. Big bags of both rice varieties are notoriously cheap, and because rice expands in water, the yield is usually around 3 cups of cooked rice for every 1 cup of dry rice. As a bonus, since rice is a carb, it keeps you fuller longer. The same benefits are true with dried beans, especially over their canned counterparts, since you get way more out of dried beans than you do from a can.
Oats are another shelf-stable ingredient she recommends, and, as she points out, they’re good for meals other than breakfast. Think nutritious snacks, like granola bars and protein balls.
Potatoes are also one of the most flexible ingredients — you can use them in breakfast, lunch, dinner, and side dish recipes. Like rice, potatoes are very filling, so they’re an excellent base for any meal. And, of course, pasta is always a faithful pantry addition, celebrated for not only its adaptable nature, but its ability to fill a belly.
Canned Goods to Grab
When we think of stocking up on pantry essentials, canned goods are always at the forefront. Whether it’s canned tomatoes to bulk up a recipe, canned vegetables that are cheaper than their fresh counterparts, or canned fruits that allow you to enjoy something that’s sweet and out of season, canned goods have a longevity that’s essential when stocking up. If you do want to purchase some fresh produce, make sure it’s something that’s in season.
Canned meat is also a reliable alternative to cheaper protein. Canned chicken and tuna lend themselves to a variety of recipes well beyond the typical tuna or chicken salad sandwiches that first come to mind — pastas and casseroles, for example.
Cheaper Ways to Get Your Protein In
Meat is expensive. We know. The best thing to do is to watch for sales, especially on meats that you know you can do a lot with. This TikToker suggests stocking up on ground beef when you find it on sale, since it can be used in a range of recipes and it’s easy to stretch, especially if you follow her tip to swap half the meat a recipe calls for with beans.
Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are also go-to pantry essentials for added protein without breaking the grocery budget in the meat department. If you’re not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese, you can blend it and add it to a pasta sauce in place of expensive meat in order to still satisfy your protein requirement.
More smart grocery tips:
- Groceries You Should Never Buy Generic — Check out these 10 generic groceries that we’d never, ever buy.
- 50 Smart Food Storage Tips to Make Your Groceries Last as Long as Possible — These 50 food storage tips are designed to help consumers spend less and enjoy more.
- 12 Groceries You Should Never Buy at the Last Minute — From seafood to seasonal produce, here are 12 grocery items you should never buy at the last minute.
