Cook with What You Have – Make Meals with Pantry Finds

If you are feeling overwhelmed with what to cook, You’re not alone. Here are some tips to help you put a quick dinner on the table fast using what you already have, so you can transform items in your pantry and fridge into a tasty dinner.

a picture of several jars of assorted beans such as white benas, black beans and kidney beans

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Keep a well-stocked kitchen

The key to being able to cook with what you have is knowing what’s in your kitchen. It doesn’t have to be a large stash of food, but a decent variety of foods that you enjoy eating is helpful. This will be helpful when you need to put a dinner together fast. Jot down what’s in your kitchen in a notebook, an inventory sheet or a spreadsheet, use what works best for you.

What to stock in your pantry

Having a well-stocked pantry is essential for any home cook. Below is a list of suggestions of what to have, but feel free to add your preferred items of choice.

  • Whole grains and pasta – Keep staples like rice, pasta, and quinoa on hand – they can be the foundation fo many meals.
  • Canned goods – Stock up on your favorite beans such as black beans, kidney beans, tuna, white beans, and garbanzo beans. In addition, items like canned tomatoes or tomato sauce are good to have on hand.
  • Spices – Keep a supply of your favorite spices such as black pepper, salt, garlic, cumin, oregano and whatever your favorite spices are.
  • Condiments, Oils and SaucesOlive oil, soy sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise and your favorite hot sauce are good to have on hand and can be used in a wide range of meals.
  • Produce – not all produce goes into the refrigerator, store onions, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and winter squash in a cool dry pantry.

What to stock in your fridge and freezer

A well-equipped fridge and freezer are a good idea too. Here are some suggestions of items to keep handy in your fridge and freezer. Again, choose foods that you know you will eat to avoid food waste.

  • Fresh produce – Keep staples in the fridge like lettuce, cabbage, carrots, broccoli cucumbers, peppers or whatever you enjoy eating.
  • Proteins – Have options in your freezer like chicken breasts, pork chops, tofu, tempeh and ground meat. These are versatile proteins that will fit into almost any meal.
  • Frozen Vegetables and Fruit – These are convenient and healthy; they maintain their nutrients well.
  • Frozen Leftovers – Make extra chili, sauces and stews and freeze them for another day.
  • Dairy and Eggs – Ensure that have milk or plant-based milk, cheeses and eggs which are a great source of protein.
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Browse your Favorite Recipes

Once you have an idea of which foods you want to use up, it’s time to start browsing through your favorite recipes. Head over to your favorite cookbooks, recipe apps, Pinterest or Google and start searching by ingredients for ideas based on what you have in your kitchen.

Use AI

Today’s technology can give you a helping hand in cooking, and using AI tools is an easy way to do that. Simply ask chat GPT, Gemini or Copilot what you can make for dinner with the ingredients you have on hand. It should give you a list of suggestions of what you can make. Take these suggestions and search Google, Pinterest, your cookbooks and recipe apps for a recipe or try to create your own with the suggestions.

I don’t recommend using a recipe from AI, instead, search the recipe title in Google for a recipe that a person has made and tested. AI recipes have not been human-tested and are not always accurate.

Here are a few examples of prompts that you can type into AI:

  • What dinner suggestions can you give to me that I can make with [ingredients] I eat a [dietary restriction] and I don’t like [ingredient]. Don’t give me the recipe, just suggestions.
  • I have [leftover meal/ingredient] what can I make for dinner with it, don’t give me a recipe, just suggestions.

Here is an example of what I asked chat GPT along with the response that I received back:

Me: “I have leftover beef brisket, what can I make for dinner with it, don’t give me a recipe, just suggestions.”

Chat GPT: “Here are some ideas for using your leftover beef brisket:

A brisket and vegetable soup.

Brisket tacos with salsa, avocado, and lime.

Beef brisket stir-fry with vegetables.

Loaded baked potatoes topped with shredded brisket and cheese.

Brisket sliders with coleslaw.

Brisket quesadillas with cheese and peppers.

Add it to a salad with greens, tomatoes, and your favorite dressing.

Brisket fried rice.

BBQ brisket pizza with onions and peppers.

Beef brisket nachos with cheese, beans, and jalapeños.”

I received some good suggestions! Now I can search by recipe names or get creative and make something without relying on a recipe.

Don’t be afraid to substitute

Most recipes are forgiving with substitutions. If you are out of milk, mix some yogurt with a little bit of water or substitute olive oil for butter. Need, sour cream, use yogurt or cottage cheese instead. The next time you are out of an ingredient, experiment with what you have in your kitchen.

Get Creative

Get creative in the kitchen and enjoy the freedom of cooking without a recipe. Mix and match what you have on hand and see what you can create.

Toss together a quick stir fry with chicken, your favorite vegetables, and a splash of stir-fry sauce or soy sauce. Mix up the veggies and discover new flavors. Or whip up a quick veggie soup using broth, mixed vegetables and hearty beans. If you are a meat lover, toss in leftover beef or chicken for extra protein. Scramble some eggs with any veggies in your fridge or freezer, and don’t forget the condiments and sauces like soy suace, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and spices to flavor your dishes.

Cooking this way lets you play with flavors and textures while offering endless possibilities. Give it a try and see where you tastebuds take you.

Using what you have at home to cook also helps to reduce food waste. I like to make sure my pantry has essential ingredients so I can easily put together a meal whether it’s leftovers that need to be used up or I just don’t know what to cook, there’s always something I can come up with. So before you make a shopping list or reach for the takeout menu, take a look at what you have, you might find your next favorite meal.

chicken soup in a white bowl with a spoon

Here are some easy pantry recipes to give you some inspiration.

FAQs

How do I maintain variety if I cook with limited ingredients?

Focus on different cooking techniques and use your spices creatively. Mix and match ingredients in new ways.

How can I learn to improvise in the kitchen?

You can start by understanding flavor. Taste as you go and experiment. Over time, you will build confidence and develop your style.

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