My Organized Pantry + Recipes

My Organized Pantry + Recipes! If you cook as much as I do, you need an organized kitchen and pantry. These new bins from The Home Edit by iDesign Wooden Collection, from the Container Store helped me to get organized!

I also share some pantry essentials and some great recipes down below.

Disclosure: I am a Brand Ambassador for The Container Store.

The Home Edit by iDesign Wooden Collection

This line is the first sustainable collection by The Home Edit, made with responsibly sourced Paulownia wood, The Wooden Collection is crafted with renewable materials, and the products can be used anywhere in your home: your bathroom closet, your storage closet, your work space, wherever you need to get organized!

The bins are light weight but still durable and sturdy. I love how they match the countertop I have in my pantry. Now, everything is organized and categorized. And if you cook as much as I do, you really need to know where everything is! I was on the fence about leaving some items in their boxes. I wasn’t sure if I wanted everything in a bin. Let me know what you think and how you have your pantry space organized! Would love to hear some feedback! Click here to check out the products and more pantry basket type containers.

Pantry Essentials

I always say that with a well stocked pantry, you can always find something to cook. This is what I like to keep in my pantry at all times.

IN YOUR PANTRY

Pasta: all types
Potatoes: all types
Rice
Lentils
Beans: all types
Quinoa
Chicken stock, beef stock, vegetable stock
Soups
Jarred or canned tomato sauce
Canned diced, crushed tomatoes
Tomato paste
Canned tuna
Oils (olive oil, coconut, vegetable etc)
Nut butters
Herbs and spices: Chili powder, Lemon pepper seasoning, Cumin, Paprika, Hot chili pepper flakes, oregano, Italian seasoning, powdered ginger, just to name a few
Kosher salt
Pepper
Dijon mustard
Vinegar (red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar)
Onions
Garlic
Bread: all types
If you like to bake: flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate chip morsels

ASIAN FOOD PANTRY STAPLES

Low sodium soy sauce
Sesame oil
Hoisin sauce
Rice wine vinegar (or brown rice vinegar)
Oyster sauce

IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR

Obviously, we all know fresh fruits and vegetables are not long lasting. You will have to use them within the week but I still urge you to keep buying and eating fresh fruits and vegetables during this time. Eat your greens!

Fresh vegetables; I am stocked with carrots, cucumbers, celery, spinach, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes and bell peppers
Fresh fruit: apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, lemons and limes, whatever you can get
Eggs
Milk
Bacon
Cheese
Butter
Protein: chicken, beef, pork, tofu, fish, deli meat: Now this has been the hardest to purchase. Beef and chicken around me in PA is very hard to find. I was able to buy some pork chops yesterday. Remember, don’t panic. You can get your protein through other food sources

IN YOUR FREEZER

Frozen vegetables: green beans, peas, carrots, corn just to name a few
Frozen fruits
Toaster waffles
Frozen rice packs
Frozen pizza
Frozen ready made meals
Frozen cookie dough balls; if you know me, you know this. Recipes I use: this and this

25 RECIPES USING PANTRY STAPLES

If you have some of the grocery items listed above, you can make these recipes. My advice for the new school year? Start meal planning, stock that fridge, pantry and freezer and let’s get cooking!

If you don’t have every ingredient for these recipes, that’s fine. Use what you have at home and substitute things. Use the base of these recipes as a foundation and for inspiration. That’s how you learn and grow as a cook! I hope these can get you started this new school year!