Healthy, Quick-Prep Pantry Staples Special Enough for the Holidays
Grab these picks for a stress-free season.
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Holidays—even if they look different this year—can be intense. By stocking up on some special pantry staples, you can save yourself time and hassle during a hectic time, whether you’re doing bigger cooking projects, hosting guests, or socializing over Zoom. These are our favorite healthy picks to keep on-hand for quick snacks or apps with minimal effort—and it’ll seem like you totally planned it.
6 Healthy, Fancy Pantry Staples
Saffron Road Bombay Spice Crunchy Chickpeas | $7.32 for a 6 oz pack
Packed with savory spices and 6 grams of protein per serving, swap these crunchy roasted chickpeas for a bowl of mixed nuts for a light-yet-satisfying snack. (They also go great with a post-run beer.)
Bare Snacks Sea Salt Beet Chips | $4.29 for 1.4 oz
Guac! Hummus! Yogurt herb dip! These baked veggie chips are ideal for dipping into literally anything, and deliver a classy, colorful upgrade to your standard chip-and-cracker game. Plus, they’re fat-free and a solid source of fiber and potassium.
Stonewall Kitchen Old Farmhouse Chutney | $13 for 8.5 oz
The combo of apples, cranberries, peaches, apricots, and raisins mixed with ginger, roasted garlic, cider vinegar, and mustard seeds makes this a killer condiment. Serve it with charcuterie, smother it over baked brie, or smear it on sliders for an instantly elevated flavor profile.
Patagonia Provisions Black Pepper Wild Pink Salmon | $14 for 1 package
Sustainable, high-quality protein that’s also shelf-stable? Yes, please, and thank you. This smoked and peppered wild pink salmon is fully cooked and ready to eat. Parse it out over crackers for a simple, healthy, delicious appetizer, or mix it into a frittata for a post-feast breakfast that delivers on flavor and nutrition.
POM POMS Fresh Pomegranate Arils | Available October-January
Nothing screams holidays like a garnish of pomegranate seeds (aka arils). The tart sweetness and subtle crunch pair with everything from cheese and guac to salads and steak. (Bonus tip: Sprinkle them into champagne for an easy “signature holiday cocktail.”)
Brightland Awake Olive Oil | $37
High-quality extra-virgin olive oil is a clutch healthy pantry staple. This one, from Brightland in California, pairs exceptionally well with warm bread: It’s bright and flavorful enough to stand alone, but it would also be a delicious vehicle for dips that deliver on healthy fats.
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