Here is a list of my must have Whole30 pantry items and where to buy them.
Canned Coconut Milk– Notice I underlined canned! This is what they are talking about in all those whole30 recipes, it’s not the coconut milk in the refrigerated section (which is essentially a watered down version with a lot of additives). It took me a while to figure that one out since I had never tried it before the whole30. Surprisingly, it doesn’t have a strong coconut flavor like you would expect. Give it a try in your morning coffee, or use it to make your soups, sauces and salad dressing creamy. Don’t be alarmed when you open your first can and see a solid mass at the top. It’s just the fat has separated and risen to the top, this is totally normal. Just scoop the contents of the can into a bowl and stir to reincorporate the fat into the liquid. You shouldn’t have any problems finding canned coconut milk at the grocery store. I would however double-check your labels for added sugar.
Almond Milk– Can be used as a replacement for cow’s milk. Add to your coffee or use to make chia seed pudding. You can cook with it as well, although it doesn’t have the same thickness as coconut milk. Look for unsweetened and original flavored. I find almond milk labels to be the biggest testers of my knowledge of on and off plan additives. I still have to double-check my cheat sheets every time I try a new brand. This particular brand can be found at almost all grocery stores in town. Look for it on the store shelves, not in the refrigerated section.
Light Olive Oil– This is a must when making your own mayonnaise. You can find this right along side extra virgin olive oil at your grocery store. If you know you are going to make a lot of mayonnaise during your Whole30 and beyond, I suggest purchasing it at Costco.
Primal Kitchen Mayo and Salad Dressings- If you are not into making your own m
ayonnaise , Primal Kitchen avocado mayo is the next best thing. It also comes in a chipotle lime flavor, which is my personal favorite. They recently just came out with a dairy-free ranch dressing that is whole 30 compliant. You can find primal kitchen products at Missoula Fresh Market, Natural Grocers and The Good Food Store.
Ghee- is simply butter that has had its milk solids and water removed. What’s left is pure butter oil that still has the amazing taste of butter without the dairy. You can use it for anything you would normally use butter for. My favorite thing about Ghee is that it has a high smoke point, which means you can cook with it at high temperatures . That means you can pan sear or sauté meats and vegetables and it won’t turn brown or burn like regular butter. You can find Ghee at most grocery stores, although you should ask for assistance when trying to find it. I buy mine when it’s on sale at Rosauers (Huckleberry section), The Good Food Store, or Natural Grocers. It is not located with regular butter, but rather on the shelves. Ghee can be pricey, if you want to make your own using butter you already have, then check out this how to video.
Marinara Sauce- I always have a jar on hand just in case I need a quick dinner. Brown some ground meat and add in your favorite jar of marinara and serve on top of zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash and you’ve got a quick and easy meal in minutes. Read your labels! There are a lot of marinara sauces out there with added sugar and off plan food additives. But there are plenty out there that don’t and you can easily find them at your favorite grocery store.
Chicken Broth/Stock- I use this for soups, stews, crock pot meals, and sauces. Most chicken broths have tons of additives and sugar. For example, Swanson’s chicken broth has ingredients that include MSG, soy protein, dextrose, and corn syrup. Even some of the most popular organic brands contain honey. My two favorite Whole30 approved chicken broths/stocks are Imagine Organic Free Range Chicken Broth and Kirkland Organic Chicken Stock. Imagine Organic Free Range Chicken Broth can be purchased in the organic section of most grocery stores. You can buy the Kirkland Organic Chicken Stock at Costco.
Bacon – Mmmmm……bacon. Really no explanation required for this one. Pederson’s Natural Farms and Applegate both make bacon with no added sugar and they are both Whole30 approved. You can find Pederson’s bacon at Natural Grocers, be sure to look for the Whole30 approved logo in the upper right corner. Applegate No-Sugar Uncured Bacon can be found at the Good Food Store and will have a “Paleo friendly” logo at the top right hand corner. The Kirkland low-sodium bacon is also whole30 compliant and can be purchased at Costco.
Turkey Breast– I never thought I would find Whole30 compliant lunch meat, but in fact I found three. Organic Prairie Smoked Turkey Breast And Diestel Oven Roasted Turkey Breast. The Organic Prairie Smoked Turkey Breast can only be found at Natural Grocers, while Diestel Oven Roasted Turkey Breast can be found at both Natural Grocers and The Good Food Store. Also, the Applegate Oven Roasted Turkey at the deli counter of The Good Food store is compliant. Be sure to only get the fresh sliced version at the deli counter, the pre-packaged Applegate turkey contains honey and is not compliant.
Chicken and Apple Sausage– These pre-cooked sausage links are a life saver. You can add them to your breakfast scramble or hash , put them in soups , or sauté them up with some vegetables for a quick, easy, and delicious meal. There are 3 different brands that are whole30 compliant and you can find at least one of these brands at your favorite grocery store. They are Aidells Chicken & Apple, Smoked Chicken sausage, Coleman Organic Apple Organic Chicken Sausage, and Applegate Organics Chicken & Apple Sausage.
Coconut Aminos – This is a great replacement for soy sauce. This can be purchased at Missoula Fresh Market, The Good Food Store and Natural Grocers.
Hot S
auce- Yes! Most hot sauces are okay. Unfortunately Sriracha is not, it has sugar listed as the second ingredient.
Arrowroot Powder-This is a natural grain-free, gluten-free starch that can be used as a substitute for corn starch. Use it as a thickener in your soups, stews, gravies and sauces. Do this by creating a “slurry”. Mix arrowroot powder into a cold liquid such as water or broth, whisk till smooth before adding to your hot dish. I also use it in my taco seasoning to get a thick and creamy texture.
Epic Jerky Bites and Bars– Whole30 approved jerky. These come in an array of meats and flavors. These are a perfect on the go snack. You can find them at The Good Food Store and The Natural Grocer.
Larabar & Rx Bars– The most delicious on the go treat! I always have a stash of these on me. Most stores sell them individually, but you can find them in a box of 5 at target. Check your labels though because not all are okay on the Whole30. Some include peanut butter and chocolate .
Dried Fruit and Nut Mixes– Another one of my emergency on the go snacks. I keep a jar in my car for when I need something to hold me over until my next meal. I personally like to make my own mixes with items I have on hand, but you can find pre-made ones even at the gas station. Check your labels, often the pre-made mixes add preservatives and sweeteners to the dried fruit.
Alicia! This is a fantastic list you have put together. Thanks!!