Cooking Persian food may seem daunting between the exotic ingredients list and the time consuming process of preparing old world recipes. This stock the pantry article lists ingredients that are easy to find (where and how to get them), substitutions, and tips and tricks to simplify making delicious, nutritious Persian recipes.

Health is the greatest wealth and a well-stocked kitchen pantry is the dollars and cents building your good fortune!

Persian food involves an abundance of fresh vegetables, herbs, beans, and legumes. We grew up eating it with our families. I have yet to meet a friend that hasn’t fallen in love with the aromatic old world flavors. Nutritious and delicious, we simplify the laborious preparation process and bring Persian food to everyday tables.

The first step is having a well-stocked pantry with Persian cooking essentials.

Stocking the pantry, kitchen, and refrigerator properly is a key factor in proactively preparing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for yourself and those you share nourishment with. Take a bit of time to shop wisely to have the items on hand to create dishes and make the best possible food choices.

If you enjoy making healthy Persian recipes at home, having your pantry stocked will make it so easy to make the recipes you’re craving!

There are a handful of ingredients for Persian cooking that are unusual and potentially hard to find. I have included links for ordering them online as a resource.

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Persian Pantry Essentials

Spices

saffron
turmeric

cinnamon
cumin
cardamom

dried lime (limoo omani)
sumac
rose

mint
fenugreek
salt and pepper

Unique Ingredients for Persian Cooking

Canned Items

garbanzo beans/chickpeas

kidney beans
white beans
black-eyed peas

canned, stewed tomatoes; tomato paste, tomato sauce

Dry items

Long-grain, white Basmati rice
Flat noodles (flat Persian noodles in Farsi is ‘reshteh’ – can be substituted with fettuccine or linguine noodles)

dry legumes such as lentils
dry beans (see the list about under canned items)

Oven Hug favorite Persian dinner recipes:
Persian Rice in a Rice Cooker, Tah-Cheen, Loobia Polo

Seeds & Nuts

pistachios

raw almonds
slivered and sliced almonds
walnuts

Persian Baking Essentials

Flours

whole wheat pastry flour
almond flour
rice flour

wheat starch
corn starch

Sweeteners

honey

sugar

Oils

Olive oil
Cooking oil/ vegetable oil

Spray cooking oil

Oven Hug favorite Persian dessert recipes:
Persian Rice Flour Cookies, Baklava Spice Cupcakes and Dairy Free Rice Pudding.

Perishable Items for Persian Cooking

Condiments/Sauces

vegetable broth; chicken stock

lemon juice, lime juice
mayonnaise

Fresh Produce

pomegranate

lemons and limes
onions, garlic, chives
tomatoes

Persian cucumbers
potatoes
fresh herbs – mint, parsley, cilantro (may also use freeze-dried or dried herbs)

Oven Hug favorite Persian recipes featuring fresh produce:
Persian Cucumber Yogurt Dip and Persian Shirazi Salad.

Bread

whole-grain bread
whole-wheat pita
whole wheat naan or lavash

Dairy and Eggs

eggs
plain yogurt

With this list of pantry essentials, you are ready for a fully stocked Persian pantry ready to try making the best Persian recipes.

Best Healthy Persian Recipes

Persian Green Beans | Loobia with Chicken

A traditional Persian dish with green beans is lightened up with chicken and extra lemon juice. Tasty on it's own or served with Basmati rice.

Naan Berenji Persian Rice Flour Cookies

Light and aromatic, Naan Berenji Persian Rice Flour Cookies are delicate, lightly sweetened, pretty cookies. Traditionally served around the Persian New Year and welcome any time of year! They are low sugar and naturally gluten-free.

How to Prepare Persian Rice in a Rice Cooker

Iranians take their rice very seriously! It has to be high-quality long-grain, Basmati rice (from India). When prepared correctly each grain of rice should separate with a fork when cooked. Sticky rice is not optimal in Persian cuisine. Rice, or polo as is the word in Farsi, is served practically anytime there is a meal on the table. Follow this simple recipe to make perfect Persian rice every time.

Loobia Polo Morgh Persian Spiced Green Beans with Rice and Chicken

Loobia polo is a Persian dish that translates to mean Green Beans rice. I have altered the traditional recipe by using chicken ('morgh') in the place of beef. It is an aromatic, delicious, well rounded meal enjoyed by our family for years. Hope you try it too.