My Pantry: Whole Foods Taste but a Costco Budget

My husband and I got married when I was 22, just out of nursing school. From the start, healthy eating has been important to me—but so has delicious food. We’re both foodies who love to eat, so restrictive diets and tiny portions have never been our thing. Instead of following rigid meal plans, I’ve learned to keep a well-stocked and versatile pantry. This way, I can always whip up something nourishing and satisfying without feeling limited to specific meals.

Y'all, when my husband and I first got married, we were broke college students, gym rats, and had big savings goals—not exactly a recipe for gourmet grocery shopping. But we’ve always loved to eat, and I refused to sacrifice taste or nutrition just because we were on a budget.

That’s how our approach to food was born:

  1. Protein – The foundation of every meal.

  2. Complex Carbs – Keeps us fueled and satisfied.

  3. Something Saucy or Flavorful – Because boring food is not an option.

With this simple formula, I’ve figured out how to stock our pantry with affordable, versatile staples that make it easy to throw together healthy, delicious meals any time. Here’s what I always keep on hand:

Complex Carbs (Fuel for Workouts and Life)

  • Yams & Potatoes (in bulk) – Our house can't function without these!

  • Quinoa & Brown Rice – Essential for balanced meals, high in fiber and nutrients.

  • Banza Pasta – High-protein, chickpea-based pasta that we love.

Protein Staples (Budget-Friendly and Versatile)

We eat almost only frozen meat that we thaw the day we plan to cook. I would love to say we eat "organic grass-fed stuff," but the volume of food and budget we are working with means KIRKLAND BRAND is our favorite.

  • Frozen Chicken Thighs and Breasts – Versatile, affordable, and protein-packed.

  • Lean Beef – A staple for high-protein meals.

  • Shrimp – Lowkey the weight loss CHEAT CODE and cheap as heck at Costco.

  • Salmon (as a treat) – More expensive, but worth it when we can fit it in.

  • Pork Loin & Pork Carnitas – The Dutch oven and slow cooker champions.

  • Canned tuna & salmon – High in protein and omega-3s, great for salads or wraps.

  • Canned beans (black beans, chickpeas, lentils) – Plant-based, protein-packed, and super cheap. Perfect for soups, chilis, and salads.

  • Eggs – When eggs aren’t $10 a dozen, we live on tons of them! Plus, Costco egg whites are a protein hack—$11 for 6 cartons is a steal.

  • Nut butters – While these can be great, I find it easy to demolish nuts and nut butters in one day. Instead, PB Fit is my best friend—all the flavor, way more protein, and way less temptation to overdo it.

  • Protein powder – We’ve been gym rats forever, so this is a must for smoothies and baking.

  • Frozen and canned foods – Frozen veggies and fruit are inexpensive lifesavers! We also live on Kirkland tuna and chicken salad in the summer—healthy and frugal, my code.

Sauces & Flavor Boosters (The Key to NOT Boring Meals)

  • Soy sauce or coconut aminos – A must for stir-fries and marinades.

  • Hot sauce & sriracha – Because sometimes, a little spice fixes everything.

  • Canned coconut milk – Perfect for creamy sauces, soups, and curries. We eat so much curry—it’s the perfect vehicle for rice, veggies from our freezer, and meat!

  • Apple cider vinegar & balsamic vinegar – Great for dressings and flavor balance.

  • Spices (garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon) – Elevates any dish without extra cost.

  • Canned tomatoes – These go into half the meals I cook, from soups to sauces.

Snacks (Simple and High-Protein)

We don’t honestly eat a ton of snacks, but when we do, these are our go-tos:

  • Hardboiled or quick-cooked eggs – A fast, protein-packed option.

  • Yogurt with fruit – A great balance of protein and natural sweetness.

  • Raw veggies – Easy, fresh, and crunchy.

  • Plain cottage cheese with mustard on raw veggies – Trust me, it's amazing!

Why I Don’t Meal Plan (And What I Do Instead)

If you ask me, strict meal planning and meal prep is the worst. It creates burnout, and I get so frustrated with it. But, I LOVE and appreciate food prep. This means I might have rice and a protein prepared, but one day I’m making a taco bowl with it, and the next day, I’m throwing it into a big salad or wrap. I like to have some building blocks in place to remove barriers and make healthy eating fast and easy, without feeling stuck eating the same thing every day.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive or boring—you just need the right pantry! What are your go-to budget-friendly staples? Drop them in the comments!