EVALUATE your PANTRY

Efficient (and satisfying) meal preparation requires having the ingredients on hand that for that delicious end result. This is particularly true in a situation where meal prep time is short – long day away from home, unexpected guests, etc. Weekly shopping lists can help with desired fresh ingredients, such as produce. But having a well-stocked pantry meets a lot of needs as well, especially if inventory is related, in part, to meal-time favorites.

GOOD-START INVENTORY – Compare what’s in your cupboards/fridge with the list below.

Goes without saying: salt, pepper, yeast, baking powder/baking soda

 Freezer:  

• Rotate freezer storage frequently.
• Vacuum seal meats for longer freezer storage life.
• Vacuum seal OR repackage “store-bought” frozen fruit and vegetables in freezer Zip-Loc bags for better quality down the road.                                                                                                     
• Beans – cooked, frozen
• Bread products: bread, rolls, tortillas, pie crust
• Berries, jams – freezer variety
• Cheese – shredded
• Hot dogs/Polish sausage/Bratwurst
• Beef: patties, ground, roasts, steaks
• Chicken: breasts, legs/thighs
• Fish: breaded, un-breaded fillets
• Pork: sausage, boneless ribs, roast
• Veggies – assorted

Refrigerator: (Check proper storing of fresh produce tip)

• Apples, oranges i.e. fruits in season
• Butter
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Ketchup/mustard
• Lettuce, carrots, i.e. veggies in season
• Mayonnaise
• Milk
• Salad dressings

Cupboards/Pantry

• Barley (good in soups)
• Beans, canned
• Bullion/soup base: Chicken, beef – some may need to be refrigerated after opening
• Chocolate – chips, baking, syrup
• Cornstarch
• Crackers
• Cranberry jelly
• Cornstarch
• Fruit – canned/bottled, dried (raisins, etc)
• Garlic
• Jam
• Honey
• Milk – canned evaporated, non-instant powdered
• Nuts
• Oats
• Oils: Olive, Sesame, Vegetable
• Olives
• Onions
• Soups: canned, dried mix
• Potatoes – fresh, instant
• Pasta sauce
• Pasta – assortment
• Peanut butter
• Pie filling
• Rice
• Soy Sauce
• Sugar: white, brown, powdered
• Teriyaki Sauce
• Tuna/Salmon
• Veggies – canned and dehydrated
• Vinegar
• Worcestershire Sauce

Seasonings:

• Chili powder
• Packaged: Taco Seasonings
• Stir Fry
• Chili Seasonings
• Cheese Sauces
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Garlic salt, powder
• Italian Seasoning
• Lemon pepper
• Liquid Smoke
• Nutmeg
• Onion salt, powder
• Oregano
• Vanilla

ADD: your favorite items not included here

AS YOU CONTINUE TO PLAN MENUS AND PURCHASE GROCERIES, you will adjust, add, reduce, experiment with, and personalize your list of needs and wants for your short-term storage.

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Press forward at a steady pace and soon you will be adding a 5 gallon bucket of rice or dry beans, or a #10 can of dehydrated or freeze dried food to stretch the shelf life and usefulness of your home storage