If you want to simplify your meal planning, cooking and grocery shopping, it’s time to get acquainted with the capsule pantry. Similar to a capsule wardrobe, a capsule pantry is made up of important meals you like to make use of that could additionally be made to make quite a few meals. The goal with a capsule pantry is to have the ability to open your pantry door and get excited by what number of meal possibilities are in there. Think everything from burrito bowls to chicken curry to spaghetti bolognese, all of which you could make utilizing the identical base ingredients. We’re letting you in on how to create a capsule pantry with our greatest tips and hacks.
What is a ‘Capsule Pantry’?
If you’re acquainted with a capsule wardrobe, a capsule pantry follows the identical principles. A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated choice of clothes items that you can simply combine and match to create different outfits. A capsule pantry is a assortment of non-perishable and longer-lasting perishable meals that allow you to streamline your cooking and simply create wholesome go-to meals. This helps reduce stress whereas meal planning and cooking, which is particularly useful for busy weeknights. A capsule pantry is supposed to present you with full means rather than a random assortment of ingredients that make you scratch your head when your kids ask “what’s for dinner?”.
A capsule pantry saves time, cash and reduces waste because it urges you to remain mindful about the meals you throw in your cart whereas grocery shopping. Keep in mind, having a capsule pantry doesn’t imply you’re solely restricted to what’s in your pantry. It’s a easy method to create a base layer of necessities you can construct upon to make cooking easier. Instead of going to the shop with a list of random ingredients, a capsule pantry gives you a base for wholesome meals to make on the common so that you solely have to pick up a few ingredients right here and there. But you can (and should) really feel free to experiment with new recipes!
How to Create a Capsule Pantry
1. Declutter
Go through your present pantry and take everything out. Toss any expired items and donate ones that you don’t use. Also consider tossing any extremely processed meals you have saved away to make sure you’re consuming as wholesome as possible. Be honest with your self about what you use and what you don’t- if one thing has been sitting unused for months, you probably don’t want to incorporate it in your capsule pantry.
2. Organize
Once your pantry is decluttered, organize it by classes like spices, grains, nuts & seeds, baking items, condiments, etc. Make a behavior of checking through your pantry weekly and when you discover one thing is getting low, make a note to restock it. You don’t want to maintain a fancy, super-organized list of the items in your pantry. Doing a fast visible check is easy when your pantry is well organized.
3. Invest in Storage Containers
To assist keep your pantry organized, make investments in air-tight containers to make it easy to navigate on the daily. Here’s a glass option if you prefer. Toss items like dried pasta, nuts, seeds, dried cereal, oats and baking ingredients into containers and label them with a label maker. To track expiration dates, keep stickers on the bottom.
Keep all ingredients in view and in attain by keeping shorter bags and jars towards the entrance and taller ones towards the back. Food storage containers will additionally assist keep your ingredients fresh! You can additionally use woven baskets to maintain packaged meals tucked away.
4. Personalize Your Pantry
The key to creating your capsule pantry is filling it with items you’ll actually use and eat. Your go-to meals could additionally be different than somebody else’s, so it’s important to discover the items that work for you and your family. The idea is to inventory your pantry with items that could additionally be utilized in a number of various recipes you personally like to make.
Review your favorite dishes and what type of foods/meals you gravitate to week after week. For example, if you constantly end up making Asian-inspired meals, you’ll want to have ingredients like rice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and rice wine vinegar on hand.
5. Create Your Shopping List
Once you’ve taken note of what you have already got in your pantry, make a shopping list of the capsule pantry items you want to add. If you’re caught on what ought to be in your capsule pantry, we’ve created a list for you below!
Remember, constructing a capsule pantry doesn’t occur overnight. You can add to your capsule pantry little by little till you’re satisfied with it. To save in your pantry items, inventory up when the ingredients go on sale, particularly extra costly ingredients like nut butters and gluten-free flours.
The Ultimate Pantry Capsule List for Beginners
Whole Grains/Legumes
Old fashioned rolled oats
Long grain white or brown rice
Lentils
Beans (black, kidney, pinto)
Chickpeas
Quinoa
Bread
Nuts and Seeds
Almonds
Cashews
Pistachios
Nut butter (peanut, almond)
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Jarred/Canned/Boxed Foods
Dried pasta
Dried rice noodles
Tahini
Salsa
Canned tuna
Canned greens (corn, peas)
Diced tomatoes
Tomato paste
Crackers
Curry paste
Tortilla chips
Corn or flour tortillas
Popcorn kernels
Canned coconut milk
Non-dairy milk (oat, almond)
Baking
Baking powder
Baking soda
All purpose flour or oat/almond flour (for gluten-free recipes)
Brown sugar
Cane sugar
Honey
Vanilla extract
Chocolate chips
Cocoa powder
Sauces and Condiments
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Hot sauce
Soy sauce or tamari
Oils and Vinegars
Extra virgin olive oil
Virgin coconut oil
Sesame oil
Balsamic vinegar
Red wine vinegar
Rice wine vinegar
Seasonings and Spices
Salt
Black pepper
Turmeric
Oregano
Cumin
Chilli powder
Garlic powder
Ginger
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Basil
Bay leaves
Parsley
Red pepper flakes
Produce
Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Garlic
Onions
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Lemon
Limes
Fridge/Freezer
Eggs
Butter
Block of cheddar cheese
Smoked salmon
Chicken thighs
Ground beef
Chicken or vegetable broth
Frozen berries
Frozen veggies
It can take time to create your capsule pantry, so don’t rush it. Be affected person and construct a capsule pantry filled with your favorite go-to essentials.
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