As kids, while fantasizing about growing up, we did not anticipate how much of our time would be devoted to figuring out what to have for dinner. Though some of us were probably certain that the grown-up versions of ourselves would eat mac and cheese every night, it hasn’t quite panned out that way.
Of course, the DISH Weekly Menu is a handy resource when you are fresh out of ideas. But sometimes you’ll find yourself at home and hungry without the ingredients for a recipe, and—in another shock to our fiscally unaware younger selves—you can’t always order in. This is when you turn to your pantry, desperate to find enough components to throw something together.
If you’ve been in this place and left disappointed, here is a list of 10 things all food lovers should have on hand for last minute meals that actually taste good and fill you up.
1. Frozen shrimp
Frozen shrimp are maybe the best thing you can have in your freezer for a last-minute dinner. In addition to being a great source of protein—helping to bulk up what might be an otherwise skimpy meal—frozen shrimp are relatively inexpensive (particularly at member warehouse stores), quick to thaw, and quick to cook. Take out a handful when you get home and place them in a bowl under running cool water. By the time you’re ready to cook, they’ll be defrosted.
Though raw shrimp gives you the chance to cook them to your specifications, there are some good quality pre-cooked options that you can defrost in minutes and throw over a salad, toss into pasta, mix with mayo for a shrimp salad sandwich, or wrap up in a tortilla. Or shrimp cocktail for dinner, because who doesn’t want that?
2. Beans
Beans are the least surprising thing on a list of pantry staples. They are inexpensive, nutrient-dense, and easy to cook—particularly the canned variety. Even if beans don’t end up being the main component of your meal, they are great for bulking up limited ingredients. They can also be blended with other odds and ends for a creamy sauce or smashed and spread on toasted bread.
Keep a variety of beans on hand for a mix of flavor and texture. Tossed with lemon juice (or vinegar, if you have some) and shallots, they will take on a simple classic flavor that you can pile over grains, toss with buttered pasta, or added to leftovers that weren’t quite enough for dinner on their own.
3. Frozen Broccoli
Substitute broccoli for whatever frozen veggie you are always happy to eat. Frozen vegetables may not be your go-to on a regular basis, but when you’re faced with a last-minute meal with no veggies versus one with your favorite veggie that happens to be frozen, you can work quickly defrosted broccoli into any dish.
Add the broccoli to a hot pan for a quick sear to build flavor if you like, then mix into a bowl of seasoned beans, stir-fry with noodles, ginger, and some soy sauce, toss into pasta with olive oil, lemon juice, and shallots, or layer into tortillas with black beans and a sprinkle of chile powder.
4. Shallots
Shallots are a kitchen workhorse. They are inexpensive and stay good for a long time. Their flavor is often described as a mix of onion and garlic, meaning in a pinch, you don’t need either of those two to add flavor to anything you’re cooking.
Shallots can be finely minced and added raw to grain salads (add beans!), sautéed with broccoli and lemon juice (add shrimp!), or stir-fried with ginger, broccoli, and whichever protein you prefer. If you have virtually nothing else to flavor a dish, shallots will always make ingredients taste like food.
5. Ginger
Ginger packs a punch and a little bit goes a long way. It also stays good for ages, meaning you can take little bits from one knob and always have some leftover for next time. Like shallots, ginger turns your ingredients into a meal, bringing big flavor to virtually anything you have one hand. Sauté some minced ginger in butter and toss over rice for a stunningly simple side to stir-fried shrimp and veggies, add a slice to the cooking water for beans, or grate into some lemon juice for a quick dressing.
If ginger isn’t a go-to aromatic for you, consider keeping it on hand anyway. Though we don’t love shelf-stable ginger pastes (and powdered doesn’t quite do the job for savory dishes), check the freezer section at your grocery store. Look for grated ginger frozen in small cubes, which defrost in barely a minute and taste just like fresh. They’ll last longer than fresh (almost indefinitely, though keep an eye on expiration dates).
6. Chile Powder
If you’re going to have any single spice in your pantry, chile powder is a good choice. It’s reasonably priced compared to other spices, and you can choose from a few varieties. A simple, basic chile powder, though, is a great neutral spice that can suite nearly any cuisine in a pinch.
Use as a single ingredient spice rub (plus salt, so two ingredients) for grilled, broiled, or seared shrimp. Tuck the shrimp into a warm tortilla with some beans, minced shallot, and lemon juice (or lime, if you have that, too). Or, pile on top of grains with beans and veggies, adding things you might have on hand like pickled jalapeños, a dollop of sour cream (or yogurt!), or a scoop of hummus. You can also sprinkle chile powder into a stir-fry to add some savoriness and spice, add it to a leftover vinaigrette to give it a different vibe, or mix with oil and shallot for a quick marinade.
7. Lemons
When a dish is boring and bland (as some of our last-minute pantry meals can be), nothing will freshen it up faster than a squeeze of lemon juice. Acidity makes everything taste a little more fresh, and whether you use the zest or juice, it’s the perfect finish for virtually anything you prepare. Mix with whatever oil you have on hand to toss with grains, pasta, or beans. Let the lemon juice marinate with shrimp and minced shallot for a tangy toast topper, or stir it into canned soup to round out the flavors.
If you don’t have lemons, other acidic ingredients can serve the same purpose, though sometimes with a little extra flavor. Vinegars (white wine, red wine ,and cider are the most versatile), limes or grapefruits, or white wine or dry vermouth from the bar cart will all get the job done.
8. Quick Cooking Grains
Grains are the go-to when you don’t have a ton of proteins or veggies on hand, since they are nutrient-dense and very filling. Most grains are not especially quick-cooking, but you can cook quinoa and bulgur in about 15 minutes. You might also look for par-cooked versions sold as “instant” or “quick-cooking,” or frozen varieties for a shortcut.
Once hot and cooked through, use the grains as the base for a bowl, chill for a salad, or as a simple side. Sprinkle in chile powder, finish with lemon juice, or add shallot sautéed in oil or butter to give it a little personality.
9. Noodles
Just like grains, noodles are a great way to turn a little bit of food into enough-for-dinner. We like to keep an assortment of wheat pastas, super quick-cooking rice noodles, and even packets of instant ramen on hand. Choose depending on your mood and/or how long you can wait for dinner to be ready. You can serve the noodles hot, cold, or stir-fried with your shrimp, broccoli, and ginger. And if you’re really low on energy or ingredients, channel your inner kid—because buttered noodles count as dinner.
10. Tortillas
Flour tortillas are the basically the no-cook version of grains and noodles, adding some substance to whatever else you have on hand. Some of us learned in college that you can put anything in a tortilla and call it dinner, and the concept still applies. Scant leftovers? Put them in a tortilla. Nothing but beans? They are basically best friends with tortillas—wrap them up! You can even spread tortillas with peanut butter and roll them into little cigars for the quickest to-go snack (or late night sustenance).
Corn tortillas are obviously an incredible ingredient, and we love having them to reach for in a pinch, too. Unlike flour tortillas, you will need to heat corn tortillas in a skillet or over the grill to make them pliable and flavorful, making them slightly less convenient than their flour counterparts.
These basics can all be elevated with a well-stocked pantry. Some of our most reached-for extras and condiments include soy sauce, chile crisp, hot sauces, mustards, and hard cheeses.
