Shop the Pantry: How We Saved $400+ on Our Grocery Budget

I couldn’t believe my eyes. There I was, gawking at my budgeting app – the dollar signs were out of control. In just four months, our grocery budget had tripled in size. Transitioning from a solo dweller to a duo not only cramped my beloved closet space, but it also took a toll on my wallet. We weren’t exactly broke, but the sticker shock of shopping for two (especially one who snacks like there’s no tomorrow) seemed never-ending.

I meal planned every week. I shopped the perimeter of the grocery store and only bought the essentials we needed. So, what was the problem? The problem was in my pantry…or, lack thereof.

“What’s For Dinner Tonight?”

Here’s the deal: ever since we tied the knot, we’ve been stuck in the never-ending cycle of “What’s on the Menu Tonight?” roulette. It’s like a culinary adventure in our kitchen, with the hope that whatever I whip up will tickle both of our taste buds.

Let’s just say it’s been hit or miss. I’m allergic to bread and he’s on a tomato strike. Our meal options are pretty slim. And as for those easy, go-to meals? We’re still on the hunt for our top, twenty dishes for a regular, weeknight rotation.

Now, let’s get back to the budget ordeal. I was basically a full-time chef trying out these “fancy” recipes that required a gazillion ingredients each – and guess what? Most of them weren’t even in my pantry! Thanks a lot, newlywed cookbooks. I finally had the epiphany that I was blowing our grocery budget on these one-time, extravagant buys. A gallon of avocado oil here, three pounds of shrimp there, and oh, let’s not forget the marsala wine for the restaurant-style chicken marsala I was dead set on making that weekend. And amid all this chaos, my pantry was looking like a sad, empty wasteland.

Buy Evergreen Ingredients

Everything took a turn for the better when I hopped on the evergreen ingredient bandwagon. These items can sit tight in the pantry for ages without even thinking about going bad, and my husband absolutely adores them. I mean, who wouldn’t? I’ve made it a habit to stock up on these pantry staples in bulk so I can say goodbye to those last-minute grocery store dashes. Forget about hunting down new recipes with fancy one-time-only ingredients — I’m making magic happen with what I’ve already got stashed away. It’s all about concocting scrumptious, husband-approved dishes from the depths of my pantry and freezer.

Shopping the Pantry

Here are the five components that I keep on hand to build a meal, from my own pantry:

Fats (oil, butter, etc.)
Carbs
Meats
Veggies (frozen or canned are my favorite)
Flavor (pre-made sauces and spice blends)

These fab five food categories are the real MVPs of home-cooked recipes, fitting into any cuisine or flavor profile. It’s truly dependent on what you enjoy eating and what works for your family!

Places like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco are great and affordable places to start on your pantry stocking journey.

How It Works

Whenever I need some inspiration, I start with what I have. The other night, I had pre-made alfredo sauce and some chicken. So, I shamelessly Googled “chicken rice alfredo sauce recipes” and went for the top-rated one. I already had the rice on hand so it was an easy decision. The recipe called for steamed broccoli as a side, so it was a no-brainer to pull some out of the freezer before dinner. The shift in my meal planning and grocery shopping has been a game changer. Now, I love shopping my pantry!

Comment below and tell me what your go-to pantry staples.