12 Fridge Essentials To Make Your Parents Think You're An Adult

It's time to prove you're an adult. Stock up your fridge with these essentials, take a #fridgie, and send it over to your folks to show that you have officially arrived.

1. Lemons

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Lemons add some nice color to your fridge, and they also imply that you cook. Because no one just eats lemons on their own, right?

2. Fresh herbs

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Parsley, cilantro, mint, rosemary, thyme... having any combination of these shows that you actually put thought into how your food tastes. And it's this attention to detail that will convince your parents that you're all grown up.

3. A section for fresh fruits and vegetables

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Having fresh produce on hand shows that you like to eat healthy, and also that you regularly replenish your fridge (because produce will go bad if you don't actually use it!).

4. Eggs

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This is the staple of any kitchen. They take time to spoil, you can use them for all sorts of different dishes, and they're cheap. Always having eggs is just a sensible, adult thing to do.

5. Tupperware containers of meals you made for the week

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Your parents will be floored to discover that you actually plan out meals in advance. The assumption, of course, is that you're too busy being a grown-up to deal with food during the week.

6. A cooking wine or two

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Not only have you proven that you care about how things taste, but that you enjoy the finer things in life. The days of soda and takeout are far behind you.

7. Dijon mustard

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This isn't just any old mustard, this is fancy mustard. Because you care about using good ingredients to enhance the flavor of your food.

8. Chicken broth

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This is one of the most versatile ingredients you can have. You can use it to make soups and sauces and can even add it to rice... literally anything!

9. Soy sauce

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This adds a whole new dimension to your cooking, and just having it in your refrigerator shows that you are an out-of-the-box thinker.

10. A few good cheeses

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Parmigiano-Reggiano, gouda, blue cheese... having a few different cheeses on hand shows that you appreciate the complexity that an above-average cheese can bring to a meal.

11. Fresh ginger

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Having fresh ginger on hand shows that you are prepared to add some extra zing to any dish at a moment's notice. This is that foresight your parents hoped you would eventually get, and what do you know — you got it!

12. Edamame

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This is pretty much the perfect snack, and your parents will be so happy that you've replaced your chips-and-salsa habit with a healthier alternative.