What’s in Your Kitchen? Your Guide to Essential Vegan Ingredients and Kitchenware

When you start diving into vegan cookbooks and recipe blogs, it can be overwhelming. You’re likely going to find ingredients you’ve never heard of or used before. But do you need them all? If you’re starting the vegan lifestyle or overhauling your vegan kitchen, here are the ingredients and items you need to have. 

Stock Your Pantry 

The Basics

• Dried or canned beans (dried are cheaper, but canned are pre-cooked)
• Dried peas
• Dried lentils
• Whole-grain, eggless wheat pasta (there is a protein variety)
• Chickpea pasta
• Rice noodles
• Vegetable stock*
• Quinoa
• Brown rice
• Wild rice
• Oatmeal (can be turned into oat flour)
• Tofu*
• Salsa*
• Olives*
• Bread
• Rice paper
• Nori wraps
• Onions
• Garlic
• Potatoes

Snacks

• Nutritional yeast
• Popcorn
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Other seeds of your choice, such as pepitas, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds
• Nuts (your choice)
• Other dried fruit of your choice, such as cranberries, raisins, and goji berries
• Cocoa nibs
• Corn starch
• Dairy-free chocolate chips

Baking

• Applesauce*
• Agave
• Coconut sugar, raw sugar, pure cane sugar, or monkfruit (granulated)
• All-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
• Almond flour or almond meal
• Cornmeal
• Coconut flakes
• Dates
• Cocoa or cacao powder
• Baking soda
• Baking powder

Spices

• Pink Himalayan salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Cream of tartar
• Garlic powder
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Nutmeg
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Onion powder
• Paprika (sweet, not smoked, is used more often in recipes)
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Red pepper flakes
• Thyme
• Vanilla extract

Sauces, Butters, Oils, and Vinegars

• Lemon or lime juice* **
• Tamari*
• Coconut aminos
• Ketchup*
• Mustard
• Sriracha
• Your favorite nut butter, such as almond, cashew, or peanut
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Toasted sesame oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Rice vinegar

Refrigerator 

• Your favorite vegan milk, such as coconut, hemp, almond, rice, soy, and cashew milk
• Your favorite vegan yogurt, such as coconut, almond, or soy
• Maple syrup*
• Tempeh
• Your favorite organic, fresh produce

Freezer Must-Haves

• Edamame
• Cauliflower rice**
• Frozen fruit for smoothies**
• Your favorite frozen vegetables**

Kitchenware

• Crockpot
• Food processor or blender
• Muffin tin
• Potato masher (also great for making guacamole)
• Vegan food wraps
• Glass bowls
• Knives
• Cutting boards
• Dry measuring cups
• Liquid measuring cups
• Vegetable peeler
• Can opener
• Colander or strainer
• Wisk
• Spatulas
• Tongs
• Potholders
• Stockpot
• Large skillet

When it comes to veganizing your kitchen, remember that you don’t need all of the latest gadgets and wares. All you need are the essentials. We hope this list gives you a good idea of where to start. 

Size up your kitchen as it is and start adding these essential items gradually. It helps if you have a specific recipe you are purchasing for to try a new item, so as you look through your kitchen to decide what items to purchase first, check out your favorite vegan recipe sites and books for inspiration.

Are you looking for a vegan cutting board or floor mat for your next cooking adventure? Check out our house and home section. 

 

Notes

* denotes items that can be stored in your pantry, but once they are opened, they must be refrigerated. 

** denotes items that are best fresh but are suitable otherwise, especially when you don’t use an item often.

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