Okay, let’s face it: a well-stocked pantry makes for an essential cooking companion. Your pantry is your friend when you’ve just come home from a holiday or if you were too lazy to go shopping. But what plant-based alternatives, aside from all the regular stuff like pasta and grains, should you have at home most of the time to cook up some yummy vegan-friendly meals?

1. Nutritional yeast

The star of all-vegan cheesiness should always be in your pantry. Not only is it packed with B-vitamins, but you can also use it as a topping for risottos and pasta dishes, or add it to your next mac n cheese. 

2. Plant-Based Egg Substitutes

Who doesn’t love eggs in the morning? With a vegan egg substitute, you can still enjoy your usual morning ritual cruelty-free. You can use tofu and turn it into a scramble or use something like JustEgg. Even though these products have to be stored in the fridge, you can keep them for a few weeks unopened. So start your day with a veggie omelette or scrambled eggs on toast.  

3. Coconut milk

Creamy soups, curries and scrumptious deserts? Yes, please. If those aren’t enough reasons to keep coconut milk in your home at all times, then you might be happy to hear that you can use the firm part of the can as vegan whipped cream. Enjoy! 

4. All the beans 

Beans, baby, get your beans! Azuki, lima, pinto, black or kidney: beans are a must-have for any vegan pantry to add protein to your meals and keep that fiber content high. What would beans be without rice? Let’s make that our number nine!

5. Hemp Seeds, Pepitas, Chia Seeds

Those little seeds are a great nutrient-dense topping for your meals, or they can be the base for pestos or sauces. Whether you add them to your oatmeal or use them for baking, you will definitely be adding different flavors to your meals.  

6. (Dandies) Vegan Marshmallows 

What’s life without sweets? Like a sky without clouds – so keep these fluffy vegan clouds in your home for hot chocolate, smores or as a quick snack. I am sure you will find a way to use them, and they’ll be gone before you know it. 

7. Vitamin B12

OK, so this one is technically not a food, but it is an important vegan essential, as plant-based foods do not contain any B12. Make sure you always have some pills on hand, although you probably won’t run out of them as quickly. 

8. Nuts 

You’ve probably seen all the delicious recipes you can make from nuts. From cashew nacho cheese to taco walnut meat, the options are endless. I like to keep cashews, almonds, pecans, and walnuts on hand at all times. You can use them to create a yummy recipe or top your morning oatmeal. 

With these 8 plant-based alternatives you can now create delicious meals with loads of nutrients to keep your body and mind happy. Make sure to add all of them to your next shopping list!