5 Store Cupboard Staples for Weaning

Starting weaning can make it feel like you need to completely rethink your kitchen overnight.

But you really don’t need a separate “baby pantry” or specialist ingredients for every meal. In fact, some of the best weaning foods are probably already sitting in your cupboards.

Here are five simple store cupboard staples we recommend having on hand if you’re just starting - or already in the thick of - weaning.

1. Oats

Oats are a brilliant all-rounder for weaning.

They’re:

• Cheap

• Nutritious

• A great source of whole grains

Most people think of porridge first, and yes, that’s a classic. But oats are far more versatile than that.

You can also use them to make porridge fingers, bake them into bars, or use them as a coating for foods like meat or fish.

A true weaning staple.

2. Smooth 100% peanut butter

Introducing allergens early and regularly is an important part of weaning, and peanuts are one of the key ones.

Smooth 100% peanut butter is an easy, practical way to do this.

You can mix it into porridge, thin it slightly for spoon-feeding, or incorporate it into other meals to keep peanuts a regular part of your baby’s diet once introduced. Remember not to offer tacky peanut butter directly off a spoon.

Simple, accessible, and effective.

3. Tinned beans and pulses

Beans and pulses are a fantastic weaning cupboard essential.

They’re:

• A great source of protein

• Rich in iron

• High in fibre

Many varieties are already cooked, which makes them incredibly convenient. You can mash them, mix them into sauces, or add them straight into family meals with very little preparation.

Our favourite use-case is for a quick and easy red pepper hummus - a really great way to boost nutrition without a huge amount of extra effort.

4. Tinned oily fish (like sardines)

Oily fish is one of the most valuable foods you can introduce in early life.

It provides:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA)

• Iron

• Other key nutrients for growth and development

These fats are particularly important for brain development.

Tinned options like sardines are budget-friendly and easy to use - for example, mashed into pasta sauces or spread onto toast fingers.

5. Low salt stock cubes

If you’re cooking family meals and want to adapt them for your baby, low salt stock cubes can be really helpful.

They allow you to:

• Add flavour without relying on salt-heavy seasoning

• Adapt meals quickly for babies

• Keep cooking family-style food rather than separate meals

It’s a simple tool that makes shared mealtimes much easier.

Keep it simple

Weaning doesn’t require specialist ingredients or complicated planning.

A few simple store cupboard staples can go a long way in supporting variety, nutrition and ease at mealtimes.

And often, the best weaning foods are the ones you already have at home.

Thank you for joining our Weaning Week series for 2026! If you've missed anything, catch up here: 

Read Weaning Week Day 1: Why Weaning Matters For Their Brain Development

Read Weaning Week Day 2: How Weaning Builds Confidence

Read Weaning Week Day 3: What Your Baby's Poo Is Telling You During Weaning

Ready Weaning Week Day 4: Gagging vs Choking Explained

Read Weaning Week Day 5: What No One Tells You About Weaning (From Our Founder)

Read Weaning Week Day 6: Your Weaning Checklist