8 Tips for Stocking Your Kitchen Pantry

Why Stock Your Pantry?

There's a lot of buzz around a stocked pantry, You've got a lot on your plate (no pun intended). Is it really worth it to restock your kitchen pantry completely? Absolutely! Just a few of the benefits include:

• Shorter Grocery Lists: When you have most of the ingredients already in your pantry, you won't feel overwhelmed tracking down additional items for new recipes. At the same time, since most meals are based on staple ingredients, you'll buy less while creating a variety of delicious meals.
• Last-Minute Meals: When you get stopped at every red light on the way home from work and have to feed the kids before rushing off to soccer practice, you need a quick meal! A stocked pantry enables you to make healthy, delicious meals in a pinch.
• Saves Money: As mentioned above, most meals have the same staple ingredients. This saves money in two ways. First, it keeps you from spending on specialty grocery items that can only be used for one meal. Second, having meals ready to prepare reduces expensive fast food runs.
• Saves Time: Deciding on meals every day can be burdensome and time-consuming. When you have a stocked pantry, you know exactly what meals you have on hand and can make quickly. A shorter grocery list also saves you time wandering around the store!
• Healthier Meals and Snacks: When you have healthier meal and snack options stocked at home, your entire family will eat healthier!

Like many lifestyle changes, keeping your pantry stocked can be an adjustment. But stick with it, develop your own system, and reap the rewards!

1. Out With The Old

Before stocking your pantry, take time to pull everything out. Throw away old food, consolidate similar items, and donate items you won't use to a local community food pantry. Wipe down all the shelves and check for any bug infestations.

2. Pick Appropriate Organizational Methods 

Improving the organizational system within your pantry will keep food from getting lost or forgotten. Your pantry might need tiered shelves, an over-the-door wire shelf, bins for snacks, or other additional tools.

3. Choose Your Favorite Meals

Buying food that your family won't eat is a waste of money and space. It's paramount to keep your pantry stocked with items you'll actually use. Start by choosing a range of favorite meals, aiming for about 15 (lunch and dinner for every day of the week with a little wiggle room). Don't be overwhelmed; this can be as simple as peanut butter and jelly or mac n' cheese! It can be helpful to write these meals down on a list or calendar to remind yourself in a pinch.

Next, buy the ingredients for each of these meals and keep them stocked. Check your pantry before grocery shopping or make a grocery list as you use ingredients for meals. This will ensure you never run out.   

4. Meal Plan

After you've made your initial list of favorite meals, continue adding to it over time. Once you reach about 30 meals, you can begin meal planning by scheduling a rotation of the meals. This will help encourage your family to try new dishes and not get burnt out on the same meals. 

Meal planning is very helpful for grocery shopping. Once you've scheduled a meal, just buy all the necessary ingredients. This will save you time, money, and the hassle of figuring out what's for dinner!

5. Keep Staple Items Stocked

If you enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, you can make dozens of delicious meals with just a few staple ingredients. The Spruce Eats provides an exhaustive list of staples to keep on hand in your pantry. They include:

• Herbs and Spices - A little bit of spice goes a long way in jazzing up a dish!  If your pantry is on the smaller side, consolidate your spice collection by using an over-the-door organizer.  Everything will be contained and easily accessible.
• Baking Supplies - Items such as flour, sugar, and leavening ingredients.
• Liquids - Cooking sprays, oils, and cooking liquor
• Sauces and Condiments - Make sure to always have ketchup, mayo, mustard, and other universal sauces on hand.
• Special Seasonings - Such as taco seasoning and chili mix
• Cans and Jars - Beans, meat, veggies, peanut butter, and more
• Pre-Package Food -Like breakfast bars, brownie or cake mix, chips, mac and cheese, and more
• Pasta and Rice - Both are staples in a variety of meals and side dishes. 
• Storage and Cooking Aids - Baggies, aluminum foil, and more

6. Organize Similar Items Together

Placing similar items together will keep them from getting lost at the back of your pantry. It will also help you quickly see if you're running low on a staple ingredient. For instance, place canned goods, grains, cereals, breakfast items, and boxed meals next to one another.

7. Use Storage Containers

Store foods like grains, flour, sugar, and dried beans in sealed containers. This not only makes it easier to see what and how much you have, but it also increases your food's shelf life and prevents potential problems with bugs.

8. Have a System

The biggest hindrance to keeping a well-stocked pantry is not keeping track of used items. It's easy to grab the last item and not write it on your grocery list, only to forget it at the store later.

No matter what system you have, it's important to stick with it. If possible, make a note on a handwritten list, checklist app, or store app immediately after using the last of your staple ingredients. This will ensure you won't forget it the next time you're at the grocery store.  

Conclusion

Stocking your kitchen pantry can appear intimidating, but once you develop a system and stick with it, you'll reap the many benefits. The best way to stock your pantry is by knowing the foods your family eats. Create a list of favorite meals so you can plan and always have those ingredients on hand. Additionally, stock your pantry with other staples like baking supplies, sauces, and condiments. Once you develop a system, keep it going! Maintaining a stocked kitchen pantry is easy and cost-effective once you know what works for your family. Be sure to make a grocery list of missing items.

Sources

• https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-stock-your-kitchen-pantry-3129171