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13 gourmet pantry essentials GT editors can’t live without

Perfect your culinary savoir-faire with these editor-approved gourmet pantry staples. Bon appétit.
wine, olives and basil leaves on a square wooden chopping board, with 3 more pints of olive oil on the right

The pantry is the heart and soul of every kitchen, and a well-stocked pantry can spark the ultimate culinary creativity. From global spices to aromatic oils and fresh herbs, a pantry with the right ingredients can transport you from Europe to Asia with a drizzle of lemon infused olive oil or the subtle spice of aromatic chili and garlic.

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Pantry staples serve as the foundation for your home cooked meals, and while saving a dollar or two on everyday essentials is an important ingredient to surviving in this economy, trust us when we say that sometimes the best pantry offerings are worth subscribing to. Among the most valuable essentials – according to GT editors – are high-quality olive oils as they bring a rich, authentic flavour. Some of our favourites, such as the Yia Yia and Friends extra virgin olive oil, are infused with cold pressed fresh lemons for an enhanced zingy flavour. Other notable pantry staples include crispy chilli oil, such as the aleppo and other chilli’s blend from renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

Be it baking ingredients for a dessert à la mode or mastering the art of mise en place, perfect your culinary savoir-faire with these editor-approved gourmet pantry staples. Bon appétit.

Gourmet Traveller’s top picks for gourmet pantry essentials

  1. Yia Yia and Friends Extra Virgin Olive Oil Lemon, $44.95, David Jones (here’s why)
  2. Chotto Motto Crispy Chilli Oil, $18.50, Amazon (here’s why)
  3. Truff Truffle Oil, $49.95, David Jones (here’s why)

The best gourmet pantry essentials to buy in 2025

01

Ortiz anchovies

$11.20, Woolworths

“These anchovies are a must-have pantry staple at my place. I love adding them to pasta sauces, herb butters and salad dressings for that umami-hit.” –  Maxwell Adey, Senior Food Editor

Key features:

  • Cantabrian anchovies
  • Flat fillets with olive oil and salt
  • No additives or preservatives

02

Yia Yia and Friends extra virgin olive oil lemon

$44.95, David Jones

”Olive oil with a citrus twist, and in an attention-grabbing bottle to boot; this lemon-spiked extra virgin olive oil from Yiayia and Friends works some old-school Greek magic on seafood and char-grilled veggies. But my favourite way to have it is drizzled over some vanilla ice-cream with a pinch of salt” – Cordelia Williamson, Digital Editor

Key features:

  • Cold pressed with fresh lemons
  • Low acidity
  • No additives
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03

T2 French earl grey tea

$16, Woolworths

“I always have multiple boxes of T2 French Earl Grey in the pantry. It’s Earl Grey with a French twist zhooshed up with floral hibiscus, rose and citrus notes of bergamot – the perfect pick-me-up tea for morning, noon or night.” – Suzanna Chriss, Senior Sub Editor

Key features:

  • French twist on earl grey
  • Black tea with sweet fruits, rose, sunflower and hibiscus, and a touch of bergamot.
  • Can be enjoyed hot or cold

04

Chotto Motto crispy chilli oil

$18.50, Amazon

“Not all chilli crisps are created equal, and this vermillion vessel of crispy chilli oil from Chotto Motto is one that is on regular rotation in my pantry. Its aromatic punch works on everything from eggs to homemade pizza, providing a subtle kick to quick midweek dinners.” – Cordelia Williamson, Digital Editor

Key features:

  • Chili, crunchy garlic, shallots and more cooked down in a blend of sesame and vegetable oil.
  • Subtle spice

05

Caramelised fig, honey & vanilla balsamic

$17.95, David Jones

“You can’t go wrong with a balsamic glaze. It’s thick and tangy but not too overpowering – I love adding it to my salads, steaks, and even my breakfast eggs for an extra kick to start the day. 10/10” – Rachel Weisz, Shopping Content Producer

Key features:

  • Caramelised fig, honey and vanilla balsamic
  • Gluten free
  • 100% made and owned

06

ChamCham smoky gochuchang sauce

$17.98, Amazon

“When former restaurant owners and husband-and-wife duo Bora Kim and Jake Park couldn’t find a ready-made Korean sauce that met their standards, they took matters into their own hands. The result is ChamCham, a range of flavourful, powerful condiments. This spicy, smoky gochuchang sauce tastes as good on fried chicken as it does avocado on toast.” – Jordan Kretchmer, News Editor

Key features:

  • Sweet and spicy smoky sauce
  • Australian made
  • Nut free
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07

Maggie Beer natural beef bone broth 500mL

$8.50, Woolworths

“This rich, slow-cooked broth enhances any meal. Add to a ragù or a beef madras curry for a fuller flavour. Plus, it is made from all Australian products.” – Sam Yates, Senior Designer

Key features:

  • 100% Australian beef & vegetables
  • Flavoured with subtle hints of ginger
  • Supports healthy collagen levels, digestion, and immune function

08

Truff truffle oil

$49.95, David Jones

“Dreamy and delicious, this truffle oil is the ultimate luxury. From drizzling over woodfired pizzas to elevating pasta, this black truffle version is my go-to for entertaining.” – Alex Harris, Editorial Coordinator

Key features:

  • Black truffe infused olive oil
  • Made in the USA
  • The perfect finishing oil for drizzling

Also available at:

09

Caputo gluten free flour 

$19.99, Harris Farm

“This proprietary blend flour is the holy grail for gluten free pizza – the dough is as close as you can get to the real deal. As a coeliac, this is an essential for pizza nights and our gluten-tolerant friends can’t tell the difference. Some have even gone as far as saying it’s better than the proper 12% gluten 00 flour.” – Sammy Preston, Head of Shopping

Key features:

  • All natural ingredients
  • Naturally gluten free

10

Luca Ciano chilli extra virgin olive oil

$12, David Jones

“When I’m entertaining and slightly time poor, I love busting out this fiery, chilli-infused olive oil. I simply drizzle it over stracciatella, top with sliced piquillo peppers, Ortiz anchovies, chopped parsley, lemon zest and serve with charred store-bought schiacciata bread for dipping – it’s such a winner!” – Maxwell Adey, Senior Food Editor

Key features:

  • All ingredients are carefully infused for up to 3 days
  • 100% natural
  • Vegan
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11

T2 Lemongrass and ginger loose leaf tea

$46, T2

“This refreshing and invigorating herbal tea is the perfect pick me up when you are feeling tired, especially good after a hard day.” – Sam Yates, Senior Designer

Key features:

  • Loose leaf
  • Herbal tea with strong, ginger and citrus notes
  • Sustainably sourced

12

Ottolenghi aleppo & other chillies

$12.95, David Jones

“Arbol chilli and Aleppo pepper flakes are the spicy stars of this Ottolenghi chilli blend. My hack is to stir it into olive oil for an in-a-pinch chilli oil that is seriously good and can be spooned over anything.” – Alex Harris, Editorial Coordinator

Key features:

  • Designed by renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi
  • An everything-blend to intensify flavour

Also available at:

13

Olasagasti Cantabrian anchovies

$12.90, The Canned Co.

“These clean, salt-forward bites are a good all-rounder anchovy to have in the pantry on hand for entertaining and eating. Olasagasti (in their words, hard to say but easy to eat) anchovies go beautifully atop oxheart tomatoes with a crack of pepper or simply served on bread with herbed butter. 48gm for $10.99” – Jordan Kretchmer, News Editor

Key features:

  • Cantabrian anchovies
  • Flat fillets with olive oil and salt

What are gourmet pantry essentials?

Gourmet pantry essentials are high-quality ingredients that elevate your everyday meals and bring a complexity and depth to your dishes. Whether it be superior flavours that bring a dish to life, artisanal craftmanship or unique origins that separate them from their more modest counterparts, a true gourmand finds pleasure in a carefully curated selection of pantry staples that take your meals to the next level.

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Where can I buy gourmet pantry staples?

You can buy gourmet pantry essentials from a variety of retailers, both online and in-store. This may include online specialty stores, supermarkets like Harris Farm Markets and David Jones, or even your local Woolworths offers high-quality pantry essentials for your home. If you are after imported ingredients, or want the convenience of fast shipping, then Amazon is a great option for finding the best pantry staples.

Are gourmet ingredients worth the investment?

Gourmet pantry essentials can be worth the investment for their high-quality ingredients, superior flavours and artisanal craftmanship. Oftentimes you will find a more elevated flavour in your food compared to more budget-friendly options. Gourmet pantry items may have also been sustainably and ethically sourced or are an organic option to the food you would buy at your local grocer. However, if you are considerate of your budget, or prefer more convenient and practical grocery options, then investing in gourmet pantry essentials may not be for you.


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