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!
Kim Wesley
Hi Brenda
I have the book & am down 4lb in first 5 days my blood sugar is also amazing having been previously poorly controlled. I open my emails follow on face book and Insta
Thank you for all you do for us
Kim (UK)
Amanda Hall
I have done all but leave a Review of your book on Amazon (3 out of 4 not bad). I’ve been a long time follower of your recipes and was super pumped when your book came out!
Julie
I have an email account and follow you on fb. So looking forward to starting the 5 day detox. I also ordered your cookbook. Cannot wait to get it!
Sue
I’m an email subscriber! I started today on my Keto journey.
Lori
I follow you on Facebook and Instagram. I am an email subscriber. I have ordered the 30 day sugar elimination diet book and am doing the challenge.
Thank you for the amazing recipes!
Janice Perriens
Thank you for this pantry giveaway. I am determined to get the non-dairy cloud bread a try, the old recipe I have tried never works out for me. My husband is semi following the plan with me and he loves everything that we’ve had for dinner so far I have the Kindle version but I decided to buy the book also and I follow you on Facebook And I am a subscriber to your newsletter
Julie
I have been an email subscriber for quite a while and love your recipes. Thank you for helping me sustain a sugar free lifestyle❤️
Cyndy Ramey
i love the recipes. they are very good and help me to stay on track.
Linda Mount
I have everything that is listed. I am a follower and also tell other people how wonderful all your recipes are
Vicki
I'm an enthusiastic email subscriber and follow you on FB and Instagram. I love your recipes!
Holly L Nagy
I follow you on Facebook & Instagram. Have the Kindle version of your book.
Would love some pantry staples! Thank you.
Dolli Neikirk
Hi Brenda!
I am loving the book! I’m down 5 lbs the first week! I follow you on Facebook and just did on instagram. I left a review of your book too. Thank you for sharing so freely in your blog posts. I enjoy getting your emails and I actually learning how to cook. You are amazing!
georgann rizzo
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway. I done 1 and 2 steps.
Nanette Watson
Thank you for all you do to help us in our journey! I follow you on FB and been using your recipes for awhile now. Got the book and ready you start my 30 day sugar elimination diet. Thank you again!
Ronda Bartlett
Hi Brenda!
I definitely open my emails 🙂
Follow you on Facebook
Follow you on instagram
Have the book
Have reviewed the book
Thank you for all you do!
Ronda
Margee
I have tried to be sugar free most of my adult life due to health reasons, but have never found any good recipes till I purchased your Naturally Keto cookbook. Thank you for giving me some great sugar free options! I receive your emails and follow you on Facebook and Instagram.
Carol
I use so many of your recipes! Thanks for what you do. I am an email subscriber, as well.
Barbara M Tomczyk
I have it all, Facebook, Instagram, your cookbooks, I have don your courses I am a alumni of your six week course and a member of your sugar free tribe. I still have to lose so I am taking both your detox and six week course again. I love that in those courses I am not doing it alone!
Debbie Fites
Hi! I am an email subscriber and follow you on Facebook and Instagram. I bought the kindle book and the real book also! I am very happy with the book it is so pretty and I have loved all your recipes that I have tried. Before this challenge, I did your five day challenge back in September and I really love your cheesecake in the instant pot recipe. So far out of the cookbook I love the mushroom chicken skillet. I also made your lemon cream pie with a coconut crust yesterday. Mine is not as pretty as yours, but it is very delicious. Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful giveaway! I ordered a waffle maker and can’t wait to try the chaffles and make the breakfast sandwich.
Kim
Hi Brenda! I’m so glad I found you!! I’ve been following you on Facebook and Instagram. I am an email subscriber and I bought your book. I’m in the fb group and love all the support. I’m down 6 lbs already! You are changing my life! Thank you!
Gordana
I am your e-mail subscriber. I learned a lot from your blog. I don't like coconut, so I don't use all the recipes. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Elizabeth Sewall
I am an email subscriber and love your recipes.
Lorraine Leclerc
I am a Canadian email subscriber! xo
Kat
I would like to eliminate sugar altogether. Thanks. Made your recipe for the sugar free pecans and friends didn't know the difference. Saved some for my salads also. Thank you!
Kelly Zimmerman
I’ve been following you for sometime now and love getting your posts. I was sugar free for years and went off the diet as I have 4 daughters and a husband that loves sweets. I felt so much better when I didn’t eat the sweets. I have an autoimmune disease and every time I eat sugar the next day I suffer. I have horrible inflammation and all my symptoms come back. The worst symptom is the brain fog as I have dealt with pain for years and can get through it however the brain fog is debilitating. I think it’s wonderful you are giving the giveaway as it will help someone like me get started. Sugar free is actually a medicine as it heals your body, mind and spirit. Think about it!!! I’ve got to motivate myself and get back as I know the benefits are great. Pray for me and wish me luck. I know it’s mind over matter and that’s tough got a lot of people like me. Thanks for all the great work you do as I’m sure you have helped many people get their health back. I love getting your posts.
Glenda Ledford
Loving the book and the Facebook group! Thank you for the opportunity! These are the best recipes I have ever used and they certainly don't resemble "diet" food! ❤
Yanira Murphy
Hi, I have purchased your new book and follow you on both Facebook and Instagram. I am an active email subscriber and open and read all your emails. Thank you for all the great information and guidance as I give this way of eating and living another try! I am loving the 30 day sugar free challenge!
Kristen Matthieu
My husband desperately needs to go on Keto. He’s pre diabetic. The part where you talk about artificial sweeteners raising blood sugar is so important because he thinks Splenda is great. We live in a very rural area of NC so finding these ingredients can be difficult! He’s also a picky eater and travels every day so buys his meals on the road. I’m on your email list and Facebook group of course!! 🥰! Love your recipes! I’ve been using Allulose actually in canning. It’s hubby that needs help ! 😔