It’s summer, the birds are singing, the sun is shining and it looks like another glorious day. Want to invite someone over for a barbecue? Heading off to a pool party? No problem, you think… I’ll just throw together my favorite summer salad and we’re good to go…except wait…I don’t have all the stuff I need for my favorite salad. That’s OK…I know everyone loves my corn and bean salad…shoot…I don’t have any black beans. Ugh! Is this you? I think it is actually most people. 😉

In the summertime, I really dread going to the grocery store…like I despise it. My preference is to stop at a local market and use things from my garden. However, there are inevitably things I need from the grocery store. But I don’t want to spend a lot of time wandering the aisles and then realize a few days later I still need an ingredient or two to make my favorite salad. That’s why you need a summer pantry stock-up list.

I have a list of foods that I make most often in the summer. I do a lot of barbecuing and throwing together salads, potatoes, veggies, etc. It’s also handy to have things on hand for trips to the beach, a picnic or visit to the park.

A lot of summer plans are very spontaneous and last-minute. It’s a beautiful afternoon, you decide to invite someone over, everyone is having fun and you need to make a dinner or put out some snacks. Having the ingredients on hand, ready for when you need them, is a game-changer.

So, I like to make one stock up trip to the grocery store. I want to make sure I have the pantry items I need for Corn and Bean Salad, Chickpea and Black Bean Salad, Potato Salad. I want to know that I have crackers and salsa to be able to make a quick snack plate with some fresh berries and cheese. Summer is fleeting, we don’t want to be wasting time running to the grocery store every other day to pick up one or two items, which is why you need a Summer Pantry Stock-Up List.

I did a big stock up a few weeks ago. It felt so good when I got home and realized that I was set…for a few weeks anyway…with my pantry ingredients and anything else I needed could be picked up at a local market. Then I thought this might be something some of you might also like and need. 🙂

Most of my items are condiments, crackers, beans, salsa, marinades, barbecue sauce and things for salads like noodles, oils and dressings. This list goes a long way in making summer entertaining easier.

I actually made the complete Summer Pantry Stock-Up List into a printable form. If you are interested in having it as a printable, just sign up here.

Then just hit the grocery store this week, stock up on those items you know you use the most this time of year, and get set to make the most of our summer days and evenings. Summer memories keep us going all year. Be ready to make yours without the stress of wondering if you have everything you need. Food in the summer should be easy, and with a pantry stock up list, it should make enjoying those days just a little bit easier.

Looking for more ideas? Check out Margaret’s post with some great ideas on a Zero Waste Summer Pantry Stock-Up.

Photo by Heidi Jirotka Photography

What’s on your summer pantry list? I’d love to know…I might add it to my own. 🙂 Leave a comment and share.