Holiday Pantry Necessities

So much about celebrating the holiday season centers on food. Many of our cherished memories evoke images of enjoying favorite meals and desserts with loved ones. While Thanksgiving dinner revolves around the turkey and all the trimmings most of us are familiar with, Christmas has more of a diverse menu customized by family traditions, which may include a Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch, and Christmas Day dinner. Leading up to Christmas, of course, are all of the work events, potlucks, social gatherings, cocktail parties, and school activities that involve food.

Placing an order with us for your holiday meal entrée and side dishes can save you time and effort later. Did you know you can also order our delicious desserts, cakes, pies, and pastries ahead of time?

We also know there are many items you want to make yourself. To ensure that you are prepared for whatever holiday event might come your way, even last minute, we’ve created a list of helpful basic ingredients all holiday pantries should be stocked with.

Eggs

Whether it’s for baking Christmas cookies or serving your famous breakfast casserole, you can never have too many eggs on hand during the holidays.

Fresh Cranberries

Cranberries are a very versatile seasonal flavor. Not only can you cook and mash them to create a delicious cranberry sauce, they can be the finishing touch on your cake or the main ingredient in any number of baked sweets. Leftovers can be strung with popcorn as decoration around the house or tossed into sparkling wine or cider for a festive touch.

Nuts

Good for desserts, soups or salads, and side dishes, a variety of nuts can add a welcome crunch. Pour some in a bowl for a snack for guests or yourself while cooking. If anyone has nut allergies, seeds are an easy substitute.

Wine

Whether you’re running out the door to a party and need to bring a host gift, or you’re reducing it for a sauce for the meal you are serving, both red and white wines are nice to have in stock.

Coffee, Tea, etc.

An inventory of k-cups, coffee grounds, tea bags, hot chocolate, and eggnog will allow you to offer your guests their choices of favorite cold weather and holiday beverages.

Broths

Cook rice, meat, and veggies with chicken, beef, or vegetable broth instead of water to give your dishes an extra burst of complimentary flavor.

Oil and Butter

Almost any given recipe calls for oil and butter. You’ll need it for greasing a pan to sear your meats or a cake pan for baking. Even if you don’t use it all, butter will stay good in the fridge or freezer for up to six months.

Spices

Whether it’s allspice, nutmeg, and cloves for homemade mulled wine or pumpkin bread, vanilla and cinnamon for cookies and breads, or garlic salt, rosemary and oregano for perfect roasted potatoes, making sure your spice cabinet is stocked with fresh spices is imperative to a tasty holiday gathering.

Sugar

Granulated, brown, and confectioner’s sugar should be stored in a cool area of the pantry. No matter what kind of dessert you’re preparing, you’ll be glad to have all necessary sugar varieties on hand.

Chocolate

Unsweetened cocoa, baking chocolate and chocolate chips are important ingredients for baking a holiday cake or brownies, making chocolate-covered fruit, or creating a festive ganache, you can never have too much chocolate in your pantry.

Use the checklist above to help prevent rushed trips for groceries during the frenzied holiday season. It’s better to make one organized trip to Butcher Boy for all the basics for a well-stocked pantry. You can also do a little holiday shopping by purchasing Butcher Boy gift cards as stocking stuffers, and don’t forget to place your holiday order and holiday dessert order!