All the Low Carb Ketogenic Pantry Essentials to start your low carb diet or keto diet. The staples you need to begin, sustain and flourish on your health journey!
Photo Credit Dana Miller, www.houzz.com
How to Stock a Keto Pantry
Stocking a pantry with low carb and keto pantry essentials may take a little bit of time to acquire all the items you need, but with a few great items you will be well on your way.
Keep in mind you can add a little more over time or add one new thing each week you shop. Stocking a keto pantry doesn't have to be as hard as you think and in fact you may already have a bunch of the items you need.
Most important to remember is you need three things to be successful on a keto diet. You need good quality protein, good quality fats and keto snacks for when you are on the go and really don't have time for a meal at home.
Obviously if you're ready to take control of your health and new keto lifestyle, making keto recipes at home is key.
While having these ready to go packaged keto snacks are great, if you have time it's better to make your own great keto snack at home where you can control what's in your food.
I've broken down my keto food list into 4 categories. Portable Protein, Healthy Fats, Keto-Friendly Snacks On-The-Go and Baking Keto Essentials for the ultimate guide for your Ketogenic Pantry.
This keto shopping list won't include fresh produce, or refrigerated items which are easier to find while grocery shopping.
When looking for fresh keto foods, stick to whole foods like meats, fish, eggs, leafy greens, low carb veggies and fruits like berries and dairy products like cream cheese, heavy cream, sour cream, cheddar cheese.
Dairy-free alternatives like unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk are a great way to swap dairy in many recipes.
Also, now it's quite easy to find dairy free alternatives for cream cheese, sour cream, yogurt and even dairy free mozzarella or cheddar cheeses. If you don't have an allergy to dairy but only to lactose that is found in most dairy, I have found lactose free sour cream, cream cheese and cottage cheese at Market Basket.
This post today is a guide for a well stocked keto pantry with items that are shelf-stable for a low carb diet and those following a ketogenic lifestyle.
I've linked my list of keto pantry staples buying on Amazon, but other online stores like Thrive market and iherb.com offer competitive prices and some even free shipping. Many items may be found at your local grocery store but specialty ingredients are often harder to find at your local store.
On-the-Go Portable Keto Protein Sources
When you're busy and on the go, having portable protein sources is key to keeping you full of energy and satiated.
Quality is important so be sure to look at the ingredient list of any packaged product, even those that may have the name "keto" on the front. Some include ingredients like potato starch, rice flour, agave, and other ingredients that would not be considered sugar free, low carb or keto friendly.
My rule of thumb is that if sugar or any of the names of sugar are listed in the first 5 ingredients on the label, I tell my clients and those in my courses to avoid it. This method has served me well for many years and is helping many of my members to see great results in their weight loss journey.
- Beef meat sticks
- Canned tuna
- Canned salmon
- Canned sardines
- Canned smoked oysters
- Cheese Crisps
- Hard boiled eggs
- Jerkey
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Pork rinds
- Epic meat bars
Healthy Keto Fat & Oils
Staying away from oils like vegetable oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, canola oil, corn oil, peanut oil, flax oil, grapeseed oil and margarine is important because they are very refined, processed and highly inflammatory to the body.
Using these healthier oils listed below;
Keto Snacks
Low Carb Nuts and seeds are a great quick snack to grab on the go, but there are calorie dense so you need to be cautious of portion control.
An easy way to keep your snack to just a serving is to portion them out and have ready in your pantry to grab-n-go.
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Hazelnuts
- Hemp seeds
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Macadamia nuts
- Walnuts
- Pili nuts
- Nutzo
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Cheese crisps
- Olives single servings
Sugar Free Low Carb Nut Butters and Seed butters
Nut butters and nut free butters are wonderful as a healthy snack and for keto desserts!
One of the most common questions I get often is if coconut butter is the same and dairy butter that you can cook with. It's not at all like dairy butter but more like peanut butter in texture. Here's a great post about the differences between coconut butter, coconut oil and coconut milk to explain when and how to use each of them.
Unsweetened Macadamia nut butter
Unsweetened sunflower seed butter
Tahini, which is sesame seed butter
Keto Baking Essentials
Low Carb Flours are one of the most needed products in your low-carb pantry and a keto baking essential in my opinion.
Almond flour is one of the most popular because of how versatile it is in baking. Many times you can simply swap the same amount of white refined flour with almond flour and the recipe will still turn out well.
Unfortunately many people including my own child has tree nut and peanut allergies so I limit recipes using almond flour since he can't have it. I often choose nut free low carb flours like coconut flour, sunflower seed flour or sesame flour.
I've found that the best nut free flour to equally swap with almond flour in recipes is sunflower seed flour. You can make your own almond flour from almond meal and your own sunflower seed flour from raw, unsalted sunflower seeds, but you run the risk in a food processor that it could process too much and you end up with butter.
- Almond flour
- Coconut shredded, unsweetened
- Coconut flour
- Cacao butter
- Chia seeds
- Collagen powder, is great to add to coffee or tea for extra protein
- Ground Flaxseed
- Sesame flour
- Pork rind breadcrumbs
- Unsweetened Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Bone broth
- Cream of tartar
- Unflavored beef Gelatin powder
- Xanthan gum
- Apple extract
- Almond extract
- Caramel extract
- Lemon extract
- Maple extract
- Vanilla extract
Keto Sweeteners
We are all different as far as our sweet tooth and taste buds and what one person thinks is a fabulous low carb sweetener with no aftertaste but have a terrible aftertaste to someone else.
It's really about trial and error for your personal preferences when it comes to making sweet treats without added sugar.
Also, some people think that because honey, coconut sugar and maple syrup are natural, they are better to use than low carb sweeteners with funny names. This is a big misconception because those are all still sugar and will raise blood sugar and cause cravings for more.
I don't use any artificial sweeteners in my recipes because studies show how they spike blood sugar. When your blood glucose is spiked it leads to cravings. Here's my sweetener guide and conversion chart to give you the most information on all the best low carb sweeteners.
Protein Powders
Strawberry Whey Protein Powder
Vanilla egg white protein powder
Recipes that include protein powders; Strawberry Angel Food Cake, Dairy Free Cloud Bread, New & Improved Cloud Bread Loaf, Hoagie Rolls, Cloud Bread Bagels
Keto Pantry Condiments
While I love making my own condiments, I don't always have the time so having some trust worthy condiments from companies that use pure ingredients and great healthy oils, is a great option to have on hand in the pantry.
- Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
- BBQ Sauce
- Italian Salad dressings
- Ranch dressing
- No Sugar Added Ketchup
- Mustard
- Lakanto maple syrup
- No Sugar added Tomato sauce
- Coconut aminos
- Apple cider vinegar
- Red wine vinegar
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
Seasonings & Spices
I pretty much use salt, pepper and garlic in every savory recipe with the exception to some recipes. But here are the most important ones to spice up your meals and take them from bland to fantastic!
Italian Seasoning
Dried Basil
Garlic Powder
Dried Parsley
Dried oregano
Cayenne powder
Chili powder
Cumin
Onion Powder
Ground ginger
Ground cinnamon
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
If you're a little overwhelmed, don't be. You can build a well-stocked keto pantry over over time, a little by little as you start making recipes in your keto kitchen.
Finding seasonings and spices at Aldi's, Walmart, Price Right can help cut costs as well as buying in bulk at Whole Foods or larger quantities like at Costco or Sam's Club.
You can find all my favorite kitchen gadgets, appliances and products I use in my Amazon Shop!
HUGE BAKING GIVEAWAY!!!
If you have my new book, The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, one of the most popular recipes is my Dairy Free Cloud bread and you need liquid Allulose as well as egg white protein powder which many people have difficulty finding.
So to help you out this new year I am offering two people, (one in the USA and one not located in the USA) a keto baking products giveaway!
I want to support your weight loss low-carb diet or keto journey! This keto baking giveaway includes some amazing products to help you have a well-stocked pantry!
Many of my readers want to make my popular Dairy Free Cloud Bread as well as other popular recipes that include some hard to find products so this will help you be ready to make all the low carb keto recipes.
There will be two winners!
One USA reader will win the following. The Winner is Sandy from MA!!!
Monk fruit liquid, chocolate flavor
If you are outside the USA, you will win a $75 Amazon gift card so you can purchase your products of choice! The WINNER IS FIONA from South Africa!
How to Enter the Baking Giveaway
Here's the contest guidelines:
- You must be an active email subscriber to my free newsletter, active means you open emails. Not a subscriber? Sign up here for my free email newsletter!
- Follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
- Bonus entry if you have my new book, The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet.
- Extra entry if you've given an Amazon review of the new book.
Comment below if you have done any of the above and you'll be entered for the baking giveaway!
All entries need to be completed by January 31st at midnight.
Winners will randomly be selected using a random comment picker and be notified via email. Winners will be selected on February 1st and have 48 hours to email me back or a new winner will be selected.
I truly thank you for following my blog, making my recipes and sharing my website with your friends and family. If you've purchased my new book or my previous cookbook, Naturally Keto, thank you so much for your support!
Rebecca Charles
I just found you on FB and signed up for your news letter and Instagram feed
Lots of great info and recipes.
Sandra Madsen
I have your book and get your emails.
I have signed up for your coarse Fb. 3/2023
Cathy Davis
I'm a weight loss surgery success & now follow a modified keto plan & found your wonderful site & have tried so many of your excellent recipes. Never been disappointed!! THANK YOU!!
Suzette Thompson
Love your book, “ The 30 Day Sugar Elimination Diet.” I’m shocked at how my family has enjoyed all the recipes and not just a few as with most cookbooks I buy! Your recipes have made eliminating sugar easy.
Jackie
I have purchased your 30 day sugar elimination book but haven’t received it yet. Follow you on facebook and enjoy watching your cooking segments. I find it difficult at times to purchase all the necessary ingredients for some of your recipes.
Stephanie S
Today I made the cloud bread loaf and currently in my oven is the skillet chocolate chip cookie. There is a dessert auction this weekend for someone who passed recently and to help the family with hospital bills, they are doing the auction. I hope to make the skillet cookie as a sugar free option for anyone who could really use it and donate it. I’ve been enjoying all the non-sweet sweets so far!
Adina Goldman-Walker
Hi Brenda,
Loved your 5-Day sugar detox! I just purchased two of your books and follow you on social media and get your newsletter. Super excited to get baking!
Susan Stevens
Thank you for the amazing book, all of the research and easy to follow recipes! I subscribe to your newsletter, follow you on Facebook, received your new 30 day sugar elimination diet as a gift. I loved it so much I just purchased Naturally Keto as well. Amazing!
Melissa Landau
Hi Brenda! I am a new subscriber and have followed you for a while on Facebook. Glad to be here and will look for your book as I am going sugar free in 2023.
Patti
Hi Brenda,
I follow you on Facebook and am an email subscriber. I just tried the cloud bread fir the first time, wow it was terrific.
Thank you!!!!
Jeanine Sumption
I am learning SO much from you! I have your “30 Day” (kindle) book, LOVE your recipes (both book and online), follow you on Facebook, and signed up for your emails. “Sugar free” has taken on a whole new life for me and I am GRATEFUL to you!
debra slocum
Oopsy! On my 1st comnent I entered the wrong E- Mail.
Dawn
Hi Brenda!
I follow you on Facebook and Instagram. I have your book and I am doing the 30 day challenge right now in your special Facebook group. I've left a review on Amazon. I love your book and I love the sense of community you are nurturing. Thank you! I also and part of your email group and I read your emails!
Mary Bowen
I do not have the book yet. It is out of stock everywhere but will get as soon as I can. I have done 1 and 2.
Brenda
HI Mary, the kindle version is available on amazon and the printed copy is still available from Barnes and Noble online https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-30-day-sugar-elimination-diet-brenda-bennett/1140907152?ean=9781628604740
Renee Burgett
Done!
Cynthia Roundtree
I have followed you and your recipes for at least a year. Love. Them. I can’t afford the book right now but it’s on my wishlist. Good luck everyone. Cook away
Brenda
The Kindle version is available on Amazon for $9.99.
Loretta Miller
That’s great to know!!
Margaret Parrett
Is this a new give away? I have done all of the above except the Amazon review. I bought the 30 day elimination book. at Barns and Noble.
Jennifer Mann
I’m an email subscriber, follow on FB and instagram Thanks for all you do!
Melissa Dorman
I am an e-mail subscriber and I follow you on Instagram and Facebook.
Marcella Neubauer
Thank you so much for this. I never know what to buy. I’m loving your 30 day sugar detox elimination book. Sweets are my weakness. I’m an email subscriber, follow on FB and instagram
Thank you for everything you do!!
Niki
Brenda, I've done all the things listed here...not because you asked, but simply because I love your recipes. Once I have all the staples, it will be so fun to try all your recipes! They are easy to follow, have healthy ingredients and are easy to prepare. You've included items for everyone's tastes. Excited to get back on this keto journey and feel healthier!!
Jennifer Foxx
Thank you for this amazing giveaway! I have done all of the things you listed. Thank you SO much for providing us with the tools we need to be healthy and sugar free! 🙂 You are amazing!
Candy Hake
Hoping to win, but beyond that, this book is fabulous for sure. Bought weeks ago, left a review on Amazon, have subscribed to your newsletter and have been a facebook fan forever. Just followed you on instagram too (but don't use it often.) Our whole family has become such fans of your recipes (including my 2 teenage sons) that I've been scouring your website to extend this longer and then I'm sure many of them will become regular favorites.
Debra Rohlfing
I have everything and I have your book and love it. I save all your recipes off of Facebook!
Lisa
Thanks for providing great products, recipes and tips! I have lost 34 lbs and have improved overall health over the last year with low-carb/keto.
Rebecca Pohlmeyer
Signed up for newsletter and following on Instagram and Facebook
Gail
I subscribe and follow on socials. We don't have quite the selection on keto foods in Canada but just requires more cooking or baking.
Carole Williams
I follow you on everything!! I have your book. I'm doing the 30 day sugar free book. I have & do all the other things you requested!! I post on your sugar free site a lot!!
Tammy Shaw
I follow you on all social media and love the newsletter, and book should be here tomorrow from Amazon! Thank you for all you do, your recipes have changed my life
Rhiannon
My mind has been blown since I started the 30 day sugar elimination. I have had an unhealthy relationship with food and wished eating wasn’t necessary to survive. Now I have figured out I can abstain from sugar, gluten, and processed carbs and it seems to fox my problem. I have subscribed to emails, I follow on Facebook and can’t believe all your amazing recipes you have created, I have your new book and love it, and I have an Amazon review. I guess I’m a big fan!!
Jean Shelly
I have done all of the above.
Followed you on Facebook and Instagram, gave a review on amazon about your book which I have and I am a subscriver.
Thank You
Jeannie T
Hi Brenda first I’d like to thank you for all the support resources and recipes
I am a subscriber and do read all your mail I also follow you on Facebook
Sonia
Hi Brenda! Your book is empowering and life changing. The first day I received it, I could not put it down. I read halfway through it on that first day. The information you share is truly empowering. I’m so thankful for your willingness to share with others what you learned throughout your own journey. Please know that it is making a huge difference in our home and on our entire family. Thank you and God bless you!