PALEO CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS

Before you can stock your paleo cupboard, the first thing you need to do is remove anything "non-paleo" that might be in the house, car, office, etc. You are human and the urge to eat those things that are familiar to you will be too strong. When I first started, I knew that if those items were nearby I would probably reach for them out of habit or hunger. I grabbed a big box and gathered up all of the refined, packaged foods in my cupboards and cleared out my fridge of any non-paleo items. You can donate any unopened, non-perishable items to a local food shelter....or just give them to a neighbor you don't like. After I removed all of the bad stuff, I went out and restocked my cupboards with all of the items I needed to start living a paleo lifestyle. I started shopping at Farmers Markets and Natural Food stores. I had to learn new ways to cook and new ingredients to cook with, but when everything you eat tastes delicious and makes you feel good, you really don't feel like you are missing out on anything.

Below are my recommended items you should keep on hand (other than your meats, fruits and vegetables). Some of these items are not included in the very strict paleo diets, and I noted those where applicable. These are all of the items I gathered when I started my paleo journey, and you will run across most of these items in paleo recipes. You should try different brands until you find what works best for you, but these are a good set of basics and just some ideas to get you started.

OILS AND FATS

In addition to the paleo friendly oils and fats below, you may also want to pick up some lard or tallow for savory cooking.

Olive Oil

I use olive oil in my dressings and sauces, but I stick to the coconut oil or animal fats for the higher heat cooking. Olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar and some spices makes a great sauce for vegetables and proteins as well

Coconut Oil

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Organic, extra-virgin coconut oil is great for high-temperature cooking and baking. There are lots of studies on the benefits of coconut oil, and it also works great as a lotion or hair conditioner.

Ghee

Ghee is like butter, but has almost all of the protein and lactose removed. This is not considered paleo by some, so decide for yourself if you want to use it or not. Because the lactose has been removed, many people who react negatively to dairy find they are able to use ghee just fine.


SPICES AND FLAVORINGS

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is great on salads or drizzled on vegetables and proteins. The flavors help to brighten upm any dish so make sure to keep some handy. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

This apple Cider Vinegar is made from organically grown apples. It is minimally processed and heated in order to retain as much enzymes and minerals as possible.

Fish Sauce

Red Boat Fish Sauce is gluten free and made without any shellfish. The only ingredients are anchovy, sea salt and water. This will help to add a pleasant savory taste to many of your paleo recipes.

Curry Paste

Many curry pastes are paleo friendly and make a great meal when combined with coconut milk, sliced vegetables and proteins.

Sea Salt

Sea salt is produced through evaporation of ocean water or lake saltwater which requires little processing, while table salt is usually mined and contains additives.

Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos are a soy-free seasoning sauce made from coconut tree sap, which are used as a substitute for soy sauce. I use this frequently in my recipes.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil adds flavor to many different recipes, and I find myself reaching for it often when I cook. This brand is unrefined, cold pressed and extra virgin.

Raw Honey

Raw, unprocessed and unheated honey is a great way to add sweetness to your recipes. Raw honey will be mostly solid and you just need to warm it up a little to get it to a liquid state.

Spices

The usual suspects: allspice, cumin, oregano, rosemary, pepper, chili powder,
garlic, ginger, thyme, basil, cinnamon, curry, etc.

FLOURS AND BAKING

Almond Flour

Almond flour is blanched almonds ground up into a fine powder. I recommend using Honeyville brand. If you are allergic to nuts then sunflower seed flour is a good alternative.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is dried coconut meat that is ground up into a fine powder. It is high in fiber and you will find it in many paleo recipes.

Arrowroot and Tapioca Flour

Ground arrowroot is a natural thickener used in place of cornstarch or wheat flour in paleo baking. Tapioca flour is another flour that I often use in baking and cooking. Both are great to keep on hand.

Almond Butter

There are a lot of different kinds of nut butter around so gather your favorites . I always keep almond butter on hand. Remember - No peanut butter as peanuts are actually a legume.

Cashew Butter

Cashew butter and almond butter are the two most common nut butters that you will see used in recipes. I like to have a couple different kinds around so I don't get bored with just one!

Macadamia Nut Butter

Macadamia nut butter is so delicious  Sure you can make your own, but having a jar handy in your cupboard is a lot easier when you need a quick protein-filled snack.

Coconut Cream/Butter

Coconut cream is raw coconut ground up into a delicious cream. It is sometimes called coconut butter, but there are also "butters" available made from coconut and other non-paleo materials so make sure to read the labels.

Coconut Milk

You will use coconut milk a lot in paleo cooking. It has so many uses and is a great substitute for dairy, so stock up on it! Look for coconut milk that does not contains any preservatives or extra additives.

Shredded Unsweetened Coconut

Shredded, dehydrated coconut is used for baking and in various recipes. You can also make your own coconut cream by blending coconut until it turns into a buttery paste. 

SAUCES AND BROTHS

Marinara Sauce

Canned marinara is great for when you don't have time to prepare your own. Look
for a brand with no added sugars or preservatives. A popular paleo friendly
brand is Rao's Homemade sauce.

Tomato Sauce

I do a lot of cooking with sauces, so Tomato Sauce is always in my paleo cupboard. Look for gluten-free tomato sauces that do not have additives or preservatives.

Tomato Paste

Tomato paste, just like tomato sauce, is a great item to keep stocked in your paleo cupboard. Make sure to look for a gluten-free brand without any additives.

Chicken and Beef Broth

I usually make my own broth whenever possible, but I do keep a few containers of organic, low sodium stock or broth in my cupboard for when I run out of the homemade stuff.

Salsa

Organic salsa is always good to have in your cupboard because you can throw it on anything to give it some extra flavor. I like it on my eggs or to throw on top of grilled chicken or meat. Delicious!

Gelatin

Gelatin has a variety of uses including to help thicken sauces. This variety is grass-fed and works very well compared to other brands. 

SNACKS

There are quite a few paleo "snacks" on the market. I have not tried many of them because I will usually reach for vegetables, fruit or proteins if I am hungry. Below are the few things I do keep in my paleo cupboard. Other great snack ideas are deviled eggs, guacamole or hummus with fresh vegetables, or paleo granola.

Coconut Water

Coconut water or coconut juice is a nice refreshing beverage if you are craving something other than water. It is also great frozen with some fresh fruit in Popsicle molds (kids absolutely love them).

Dried Fruit

Dried fruits are a good snack (in moderation) if fresh fruit is not available. I mix them with raw nuts and pack them for when I travel. Make sure to read labels carefully because many dried fruits contain added sugars and oils.

Raw Almonds

Keep a few bags of your favorite nuts around for snacking. I find raw almonds and cashews are used most often in recipes so these are generally what I keep stocked in my cupboard.

Larabars

These bars that make a good grab-and-go option. Many varieties are paleo-friendly but make sure to read the labels before buying. I don't eat these often, but they are handy to have around. Epic bars and Tanka bars are also a great choice.

Canned Tuna

Tuna is delicious on its own or over salads. It is a great protein-packed snack to keep around. Look for tuna packaged in water (no oil) with no additives. Smoked oysters are also a great snack and quick protein option.

Pork Rinds

It's not often that I snack, but when I do, I reach for these. Many  brands are fried in unhealthy oils or have nasty additives, but these are made of only pork, olive oil, salt and pepper.

EQUIPMENT

You wind up using a lot more equipment (and doing a lot more dishes) than you may be used to. In addition to the items below, you should have basic cooking equipment (measuring cups and spoons, casserole dishes, baking sheets, can opener, grater, rolling pin, garlic press, saute pans, sauce pan, strainer, steamer basket, spatula, stirring spoons ,and a ladle). I try to list out any required equipment in my recipes so you can gather everything up ahead of time. I hate getting halfway through a recipe and realizing I need some weird item and not having any idea where it is in my kitchen.

Slow Cooker

A good slow cooker will be a huge help for you when you start a paleo lifestyle. Slow cooked meats and vegetables are delicious and easy!

Spiral Vegetable Slicer

This tool turns fruits and vegetables into delicious and healthy noodles. This is a MUST have for any paleo cupboard!

Grease Catcher

Don't throw away that amazing bacon grease! Save the grease in one of these and store it in your fridge. Anytime you need some paleo fat to cook with you can just reach for the container. It's a great way to save money!

Fun Plates

If you have kids, convincing them to eat paleo friendly can be a little challenging. Serving meals on fun plates can help take away some of the fighting and make meals fun instead.

Food Processor

You will use this A LOT. It will take the place of your toaster on your counter. I broke both my old blender and food processor after 2 weeks of paleo because I used it so much, so consider investing in a quality one if you can.

Blender

You will use a blender frequently,  so this is another handy item to have around. I splurged and bought an expensive one because I use mine so often, but it has lasted longer than the blenders I used to have to replace every few months.

Nut Milk Bag

It is hard to find any pre-made nut milks without sugar or other additives. I like to make my own almond milk and I use one of these to strain the milk. They can also be used for straining juices.

Muffin Pans

You will use both mini and regular sized muffin pans quite a bit. I use the mini pans for making egg muffins for a quick grab-and-go breakfast, and the regular sized muffin pans for desserts and larger quiches.

Vaccum Sealing System

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A food sealer is a great way to save money by buying meat and produce in bulk and sealing it to properly freeze for future use.
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