There are some food items that should always be in your refrigerator and freezer to make meals quick and easy. Get your FREE checklist of refrigerator and freezer staples.
Last week we talked about the staple foods for a well-stocked pantry. Now let’s discuss those refrigerator and freezer staples. Since most of the cold foods are ones that don’t keep as long as pantry items, the list is smaller.
Similar to the pantry checklist, this list assumes you are starting with an empty refrigerator, or just getting started cooking. This list doesn’t cover everything but does have most of the basics. These are the items that I automatically purchase as soon as I am low or out because they are used so often.
Or, this is a great list for when you move. Sometimes we can take those pantry items with us, but it’s difficult to move cold foods. Use the refrigerator and freezer staples checklist to stock up again once you get in your new home.
Originally Published On: May 3, 2018
Last Updated On: June 15, 2021
List of Refrigerator and Freezer Staples
Refrigerator:
- Butter
- Eggs
- Jam
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Sour Cream
- Condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.)
- Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, feta, etc.)
Freezer:
- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Vegetables
- Meat, Poultry, Fish
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Get Your FREE Refrigerator/Freezer Staples Checklist here:
Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking I have these items when I don’t, then get in trouble when it comes to making a meal. I will say I am the worst at making sure I have enough sour cream, for whatever reason, I just always assume it’s in there.
Just like with the pantry items, you want to make sure that you are storing your food properly and in airtight containers. There are a lot of options out there that are made of plastic, but we are trying to really cut down on the amount of plastic and waste that comes into the house. I’ve been using glass jars for storage for a few months now, and it works just as well. A few of the containers are ones I purchased if I need a specific size, but most of the jars I use are cleaned out from sauces and other foods that come in glass.
Obviously, since it’s made of glass, it can break easier, but it’s much more environmentally friendly and will last a lot longer as well. Please consider helping our beautiful Earth and the oceans by opting for glass containers over plastic.
I do a bunch of freezing. Always good to know what can be kept in the refrigerator or the freezer. I try to always use glass.
We end up freezing a lot of things, too, since my boys are young and still don’t eat a lot yet.
All things that I forget especially when I move! Great read 🙂
Yes! I started a similar list when we were moving and used it a few times so I figured others may need it, too!
thanks for sharing. I think that those stuffs are enough for daily usage.
It’s definitely enough to get your started and have some basics on hand.
Thanks for this. Great info! We also use Glass containers over plastic one. Great list!
Awesome! As long as you don’t overfill glass is so much better.
We always have condements in our fridge. In fact we have way too many and need a clear out.
I do that about every 4-6 months or so. I look through all of the condiments and things we don’t go through quickly to check their dates.
I definitely have most of the things you have listed in my freezer and fridge :D. I sometimes end up putting bananas in my fridge too :p
I’ve never tried refrigerating bananas. But my boys love them so they don’t last long here.
I am trying to switch to using/buying glass containers over plastic as well. I’ve been hearing so many bad things about plastic lately. Like you shouldn’t heat things up in plastic in the microwave and plastic water bottles left in the sun or hot car you shouldn’t drink…
Yes! I refuse plastic if something is hot. I’m slowly stocking up my glass containers. I have a lot of jars now that I’ve saved, but still need more leftover container-style glass.
This list would be great for a new home owner!!
That’s when I first made it, when we moved into our first home 🙂
Yeah, I forget sometimes when I have purchased something and whether or not I have used it when I have it in the freezer. I could definitely use another checklist.
I love having checklists! Especially, as you said, when you need to know if you have something in the house. Then you aren’t spending money on something you have or missing something you don’t.
The ones on your list are like the basic fundamental fridge essentials and we always make sure we have those stocked! Things go haywire when we dont 😀
Yes! If I am short or out of these, it makes dinner much more difficult to put together!
Your posts are so informative! I always learn something new and interesting.
Thanks, April!
This post just made me realize I never have soar cream in my refrigerator. Great lists.
I love sour cream, so it’s a must for me!
Thanks for sharing your list – that’s so useful… particularly right now whilst we are only able to shop once a week!
I find myself double-checking for these things more often lately, too. We’ve been trying to shop every other week right now.
I love this! Super helpful. I feel like sometimes we are missing basic staples this is good to have on hand to check off!
It happens! There have been a few times that I assume I have something and find out I don’t as I’m ready to use it in a meal.
The current lockdown situation requires us all to stock essential food items. Apart from the items mentioned in the list above, we also ensure we have a good stock of peanut butter. It’s a healthy and delicious snack that all three of us in the house love!
We keep peanut butter stocked, too. But that’s in the pantry so it’s a different list 😉
yep we have a lot of these in our fridge except frozen fruits! We usually only buy fresh fruits daily.
We keep frozen fruits because they are easier (and cheaper) for how often my boys like to drink smoothies.
The checklist is actually really helpful. the amount of time we go to the shops and forget the basics is crazy x
I know, it happens to me, too! That’s why I like having checklists. These are things I assume are in the house and run into issues when they aren’t!
Creating a checklist was certainty a great idea. I love knowing exactly what I need since I usually forget.
I love having lists and checklists and spreadsheets for everything 🙂
Frozen fruits and vegetables are perfect for smoothies and even creating food recipes for the family. Stocking up on these essentials is important.
We love smoothies here, and it’s a great way to get a lot of fruits and veggies in. That’s exactly why we keep frozen ones on hand, they are cheaper and work better for a smoothie.
LOL oh, I am glad you cannot see our refrigerator, Stephanie! It contains like 20,000 partial bottles of random hot sauces and marinades, too! – all “essential” to my dear husband, of course! I just wish he would sometimes finish some off and NOT replace them too soon! 🙂
Hah, well if you consider them essential, then they are for you! I would definitely have a hard time with so many half-used bottles, though!
This is a great list! I try to keep all of these things on hand, but love the idea of the checklist to stay on track!!
The checklist really helps, since I often assume they are in there and get in trouble when they aren’t!
I always shop with a shopping list so I won’t forget much needed items. But sometimes, like everyone else, I drop the ball and it irks me. I love your standard items checklist because it would always be pinned to the fridge as a reminder. Love the idea.
You could also laminate it and use a dry erase marker to check the things you run out of to make sure they are added to the list!
I’m in the middle of a pantry re-organization. I either don’t have something I need or else have too much of it. Lol.
Hah, I’ve been there before! Reorganizing my entire kitchen, pantry included, is still on my list of things to do in the next couple of weeks.