12 Forgotten Foods Every Kitchen Needs

AUTHOR: Adam Spraker

Some foods, once staples in kitchens, have faded into obscurity. Yet, these forgotten treasures are worth rediscovering. Packed with flavor and nutrition, they can add a unique twist to your meals. Here are 12 such foods that deserve to reclaim their spot in every kitchen for their taste and health benefits.

Table of Contents

1. Barley
2. Cabbage
3. Lentils
4. Bread Crumbs
5. Collard Greens
6. Sloppy Joe Seasoning
7. Canned Soup
8. Corn Bread Mix
9. Marinara Sauce
10. Tortillas
11. Bell Peppers
12. Taco Seasoning
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1. Barley

This versatile grain is helpful in many different dishes. Barley can be added to stew for a richer broth, paired with rice for a great pilaf, or mixed in with granola. A local home chef agrees, "Barley is such a wonderful grain, and I love making barley pilaf for a side dish."

2. Cabbage

A great vegetable to keep in your crisper, cabbage can be added to salads, soups, and stir-fries or made into a cole slaw as a side item. One online cook says their go-to recipe is cabbage rolls filled with various meats and onions. A simple, quick meal, cabbage should be a staple in your fridge.

3. Lentils

Various Lentils — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Not a bean but a legume, these fibrous, vitamin-rich foods should earn a spot in your pantry. A great source of protein, home cooks use lentils in stews, soups, and salads. A handful of people love lentils for being super cheap, making them a weekly meal.

4. Bread Crumbs

Breadcrumbs are often an item I buy once and forget about, but when I need them, I'm happy they sit on my shelves. Bread crumbs are super handy when you need them most to make homemade meatballs, meatloaf, thickening stews, or topping casseroles.

5. Collard Greens

I had only appreciated collard greens once I moved down to the South. Now, I get it. It's a standard of Southern cooking. I like to use collard greens as a variation from my typical green veggies to avoid repetition. Rich in vitamins, collard greens should be in your rotation in the kitchen.

6. Sloppy Joe Seasoning

Sloppy Joe Mix — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Have you ever been in the middle of a busy day of work and parental responsibilities? A simple dollar packet of sloppy joe seasoning could make dinner a no-brainer. Simply add ground beef and some buns, and you are done! One home cook likes to keep a few packets in her pantry for days when she needs a family-satisfying meal in a pinch.

7. Canned Soup

Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Canned soup is useful for times of power outages and can be a quick go-to snack if you are in a hurry. Warm up a nice can of chicken noodle soup on a cold winter day and have a warming lunch. Sometimes, the simplest items are handy when you need them.

8. Corn Bread Mix

For myself, cornbread is always an item I wish I had after I have already made a dish. A perfect side to most stews and meat dishes, cornbread can be easily made with a store-bought packet. One person says they keep it on hand for a quick addition to their soups and casseroles.

9. Marinara Sauce

Spaghetti and Marinara Sauce — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The jar of Marinara sauce is a pasta sauce that will always live in my kitchen. I always keep one on hand for a quick meal of spaghetti or meatballs. While not an ingredient people would forget about, it's an ingredient everyone should have in stock in their kitchen.

10. Tortillas

If you were to check my fridge, 99.9% of the time, you would find it stocked with tortillas. A perfect item for a snack, I use mine to make deli snack wraps on the go. Also, a good dessert item is simply heating up a tortilla and spreading some butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and you have yourself a poor man's churro.

11. Bell Peppers

These colorful veggies are sure to add color to any dish you may serve. While not only adding some vibrant color and flair to your dinner, peppers are also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. One home cook shares her go-to meal as a bell pepper stuffed with spicy ground beef and onions. Sounds like a delicious dinner to me.

12. Taco Seasoning

Los Angeles, California, United States - 02-01-2023: A view of several packets of Old El Paso taco seasoning, on display at a local grocery store. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

A packet of taco seasoning can be picked up for around a dollar in every grocery store. I like to stash a few packets and cook mine with some ground turkey for a healthy turkey taco salad. It's a quick and easy addition to a home-cooked meal when I need to spend more time preparing meals. One person writes, "My family loves taco night at home. It's an easy and fun meal where we all get to choose our toppings and make our own tacos." Fun and delicious.

Source: Reddit.