With the change of season, cleaning out closets is right of passage for many. The pantry should be no exception. With a few simple steps, you will be rewarded with a well-stocked and organized pantry. You will be surprised how this small but necessary chore will help save time and energy moving forward and contribute to a healthier diet in the long run.
Step 1: Empty and Organize items in your pantry into 4 different categories:
- Items you use every day
- Items you use less frequently
- Unopened items that will never be used. These items can be donated to a food pantry
- Remove any stale, expired or suspicious items and toss in the trash
Step 2: Clean the Shelves!!
- Now that your pantry is completely empty, take this opportunity to wipe shelves clean and vacuum any crumbs off the floor.
Step 3: Evaluate your Space
- Space is always at a premium! Look around at what you currently have in your pantry. Perhaps there are items that may be able to be stored elsewhere. For example, relocate extra paper towels to the garage.
- Consider how you will organize your pantry. Do you need to invest in containers for storage? Clear, stackable containers or labeled baskets for small items are very helpful.
- Utilizing space efficiently is key. Perhaps an over-the-door shelf would be helpful to increase space. A Lazy Susan or stacked shelves can do wonders with increasing space.
Step 4: Restock
- The pantry offers an excellent place to take control and begin the journey towards good health.
- Refilling your pantry in organized zones is the best way to ensure you don’t have to do another pantry overhaul in a couple of months.
- Keep heavy items, like jugs of olive oil, on the bottom shelf. Place the items you reach for every day easily accessible.
- Put baking items (flour, sugar, baking soda, etc.) in one section and breakfast items in another.
- If you have kids, set up a snack zone so they can find what they need easily. This will help keep your pantry neat and organized.
- Store all canned goods together, then separate into different products into specific categories, for example, tomatoes, beans, and fruits.
- Stash a stepstool nearby for those hard-to-reach high shelves.
- Examine product labels. You might identify some high sodium foods you may want to replace in the future with lower sodium options. You may decide to revamp your snack selections.
- As you are reloading your pantry, take inventory of those items you may be running low on. You may identify some products you might be missing.
- Spices are always challenging. Keep a separate list of those spices you have on hand and be sure to put those that you need on a shopping list!
- Rotate and Reorganize
- When you purchase new items, be sure to rotate products. Practice the first in – first out rule to make sure older foods get used up first.
- You can also take a minute to put back any out of place items into their proper space.
The beauty of a well-stocked pantry is once you have basic ingredients on hand, you can prepare quick and last-minute meals in a pinch. The idea is to make sure you have enough proteins and sturdy vegetables on hand to pull together satisfying meals, plus some flavorful condiments and seasonings to keep things interesting.
- This Tuscan White Bean Soup comes together with a few fresh ingredients along with pasta, cannellini beans, canned diced tomatoes and chicken broth, key pantry ingredients.
- Prepare this easy Tomato Barley Risotto dish using pantry staples of pearl barley, tomato paste, chicken broth, diced and stewed tomatoes.
- Grab your spoons and prepare your taste buds for a hearty and delicious Vegetarian Chili recipe! Once again, basic pantry ingredients make this last-minute dinner doable with canned beans, diced tomatoes, and kidney beans.
- Sometimes you need a sweet ending. These Key Lime Squares can be made straight from your pantry with the addition of some fresh limes. No bake time here, these tropical treats go from the freezer to your plate.
