Creative Tips For Making Meals With What You Already Have In Your Pantry
It's easy for certain ingredients to get lost and forgotten in a full pantry. You probably have things you didn't even know were in there. Instead of buying more of what you already have, why not try to "shop" from your own pantry?
Follow these simple steps, and you can save money and energy by learning to make the most with what you already have.
Step 1: Take everything out
The first step to overhauling your pantry is to remove everything. Once you've laid everything out, you'll be able to see what you have and take a proper inventory.
Start by removing the products you'll never use and anything that is expired or damaged. Be sure to wipe down your pantry while it's empty to give your items a fresh start when you return them.
Step 2: Organize what you have
Next, return the products to your pantry in an organized manner. Be sure to put foods with faster-approaching expiration dates near the front so they get used first.
How you organize your pantry will depend on what works best for you. You can group products by category, or simply put larger containers in the back and smaller in the front for better visibility.
Step 3: Create an inventory
Now that your pantry is organized and you can see what you have, it's time to make an inventory. Make a list of everything you currently have in your pantry and how much of it you have left.
Don't forget to record expiration dates as well. This way, you can prioritize the foods that need to be eaten first.
Step 4: Make a list of your family's favorite meals
The next step is to make a list of your family's go-to meals. When it comes to deciding what to cook, it's easy to forget your typical recipes in the moment.
Having a list in front of you will give you inspiration based on dishes you know how to make and you know your family will enjoy.
Step 5: Make a list of meals using the ingredients you have
If you've completed the previous steps, this step should be pretty simple. This time, make a list of possible meals you can make using the ingredients you already have in your pantry.
Use your family's favorite meals as inspiration, and feel free to throw in some new dishes that you'd like to try.
Step 6: Make a weekly meal plan
The final step in this process is to create your weekly meal plan. Assign a meal from your list to each day of the week.
This will save you the time and effort of deciding what to make on busy weeknights. You can also prep meals and ahead and freeze them for convenience.
Tip: Only buy what you really need
It's important to use what you already have on hand whenever possible, but you will still need to replenish missing ingredients. Knowing what you have and planning meals around it will ensure that you are not spending extra money on duplicate items.
Use your inventory to determine what's missing so you can grocery shop more efficiently.
Cut costs and reduce waste
Taking inventory and meal planning based on what you already have is the most efficient way to cut grocery costs and reduce food waste.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure a more organized pantry and limit the stress that comes with meal planning and preparation.