15 Must-Have Pantry Staples for Effortless Summer Meals

With summer in full swing, it's tempting to spend more time outdoors enjoying the sun rather than cooking in the kitchen. While grilling is always an option, having a pantry designed for summer is just as essential for effortless meals.

From no-cook dinners to quick 30-minute meals, high-heat grilled dishes, and vibrant seasonal salads, stocking your pantry, fridge, and freezer with these 15 versatile ingredients ensures a season of effortless meals.

Grains, Pasta, and Other Essentials

1. Quinoa

Quinoa is celebrated for its impressive nutritional profile. According to the USDA, a cup of cooked quinoa provides 8 grams of protein and is packed with fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and B vitamins. Not only that, but despite being technically a seed, this naturally gluten-free pseudocereal is one of the few grains—along with amaranth and buckwheat—that contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.

This versatile ancient grain can be transformed into dishes like Quinoa Fried Rice, Quinoa Black Bean Burgers (perfect for your next Meatless Monday meal), or even a Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad—an ideal plant-based filling for burritos.

2. Couscous

A key ingredient in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine, couscous is made from steamed and dried semolina. Although not a true grain, couscous is often used as a substitute for rice or pasta due to its low calorie content—just 176 calories and around 6 grams of protein per cup. Even better, couscous found in U.S. grocery stores is pre-cooked, so it only requires rehydrating before it’s ready to serve, making it a great time-saver for busy nights.

3. Pasta

Stocking pasta in your pantry offers the perfect solution for quick, budget-friendly meals. Whether you're craving a classic Spaghetti Alla Carbonara, a comforting bowl of Macaroni and Cheese, easy one-pot pasta dinners, or light yet satisfying summer pasta salads, having a variety of pasta shapes—like spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, and macaroni—on hand is essential this summer. Not sure which pasta to pick? Explore our guides to different pasta shapes and the best sauce pairings.

4. Corn and Flour Tortillas

Tortillas are a summer kitchen staple that goes far beyond tacos. Use them to make everything from Chicken Quesadillas (make extra to freeze for later) to crispy homemade tortilla chips in the air fryer. Enjoy them as a snack with fresh tomato salsa or in a savory one-pan meal like Quick Black Bean Chilaquiles.

Bottled and Canned Goods

Canned tuna is incredibly versatile—perfect for dishes like tuna melts, one-pot casseroles, or fresh green salads. This affordable pantry hero is more than just a quick meal fix. A can of tuna packed in oil is rich in protein, as well as vitamins and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, choline, and omega-3 fats, all of which support brain and heart health. Check out our list of 24 amazing canned tuna recipes for your next summer seafood feast.

6. Beans

Beans are a pantry essential year-round, and they're especially perfect for summer meals. These protein-packed legumes not only serve as excellent meat alternatives, but they also bring a wealth of nutrients like fiber, B-vitamins, iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and zinc. They're ideal for supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol. Stock up on chickpeas, navy beans, cannellini beans, and kidney beans, and you'll be able to make dishes like Pasta Fagioli, Mediterranean Zucchini and Chickpea Salad, and a variety of quick, protein-rich meals made with canned beans.

7. Marinara Sauce

A jar of marinara sauce in your pantry is more than just a pasta topper. This incredibly versatile ingredient is perfect for making flatbread pizzas, meatball subs, and even a speedy chicken parm. For more inspiration, check out our roundup of 12 Delicious Dinners That Start with a Jar of Spaghetti Sauce to make the most of your marinara this summer.

8. Canned Soup

While hot soup might not be your go-to this summer, stocking up on canned soups is a smart move. Cans of cream of chicken, mushroom, or tomato soup can make preparing dishes like beef stroganoff, sloppy joes, and chicken noodle casserole a breeze. Here are 16 dinner ideas that start with a can of soup to keep your summer cooking effortless.

9. Chicken/Vegetable Broth

Substituting vegetable broth for water in recipes is a game-changer, especially for easy summer meals. Keeping cans of vegetable or chicken broth on hand will add rich flavor to everything from stews and curries to pastas like Microwave Risotto and other summer favorites.

10. Marinades & Condiments

Essential condiments like marinades, soy sauce, mayonnaise, and jars of salsa are pantry staples for quick summer dinners. Bottled sauces, like Momofuku’s Ssäm Sauce and Bibigo Gochujang Barbecue Sauce, not only elevate your meals but also help you spend less time in the kitchen on hot days. Try them next time you’re cooking Korean Fried Chicken or Gochujang Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, and get your pantry ready for summer with these essentials.

• Soy sauce, Tamari (for gluten-free), or Coconut Aminos: They're used to marinate your steaks or in a balsamic-soy glaze drizzled over oven roasted summer asparagus.
• Mayonnaise: It's handy not just for those summer sandwiches but in quiches, muffins, and more.
• Salsa: A jar of salsa goes with more than just chips and guacamole. Here are 16 easy dinners made with a jar of salsa.

In the Fridge

11. Hard Cheese

Hard cheeses like blocks of parmesan and cheddar, with their lower moisture and higher fat content, stay fresh much longer in the fridge than their shredded versions. Perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, a creamy Alfredo sauce, or sliced for a charcuterie platter at your next wine and cheese night.

12. Cured Meat

Having a variety of cold cuts in your fridge is the ultimate convenience for quick summer dinners. Pastrami, prosciutto, and salami are just a few deli meats and cured options that can easily be turned into sandwiches, added to charcuterie boards, or used as toppings for grilled pizzas. They're also great in summer salads, like this shaved asparagus and pastrami dish.

The Freezer

13. Pizza Crust

14. Mixed Vegetables

Frozen vegetables are picked at their peak ripeness, meaning they retain just as much nutrition as fresh produce. Plus, they’re more budget-friendly and last longer without the worry of spoiling. Stock up on frozen mixed vegetables for your summer meals, and check out these 15 dinners that start with frozen mixed veggies for inspiration.

• Corn
• Green peas
• Chopped spinach
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli

15. Meat and Seafood

Frozen shrimp is a must-have for convenience and versatility in your summer meal planning. Since fresh shrimp is often thawed and refrozen in stores, buying frozen shrimp is not only a cost-effective choice but also ensures a longer shelf life. Use it to prepare delicious dishes like Shrimp and Cheese Grits or throw them on the grill for Garlic Shrimp Kabobs.

Ground beef, ground turkey, or Italian sausage are excellent lean, high-protein meats to keep in your freezer this summer. Add them to one-pot pasta sauces, burrito fillings, or fried rice dishes to elevate your summer meals without overspending. For inspiration, check out our list of the best healthy ground turkey recipes.

Frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lifesaver for busy summer nights. They can be cooked directly from frozen or safely thawed in under 30 minutes. For a quick meal, toss them frozen into the Instant Pot with some chicken broth to create tender, shredded chicken in just 15 minutes—perfect for salads, sandwiches, or tacos. Need more ideas? Here are 17 of the best boneless chicken breast recipes ready in 30 minutes or less.