July 28, 2017
5 Tips for a Well-Stocked Pantry
A well-stocked pantry makes cooking and baking easier and it keeps the kitchen running smoothly – I love having a well-stocked pantry. With three always hungry children, I have found that there are a couple things that really help us keep the pantry stocked, easy to access, and simple to see what we have and what we need. (Keep reading for an amazing affiliate offer from my favorite place to stock our pantry!)
5 Tips for a Well-Stocked Pantry:
Choose containers wisely – Don’t buy that big box of containers and expect them to fit and work in your space. Measure your space, measure the containers, and double check those measurements. I like glass containers for direct food storage (rice, pasta, dry beans, nuts, etc.) and plastic handled bins for snacks, mixes, and pre-made items. Once you have your space set up, label, label, label.
Arrange so you can see what you have – It’s a pain to find a can of expired artichoke hearts hiding behind the pasta sauce. Use tiered organizers and keep things arranged so you can see what’s lurking at a glance.
Group like with like – The golden rule of organizing is to group like with like. This rule most definitely applies to the pantry. Five cans of tomato sauce should be grouped together with other canned goods. Not only does this make it easy to locate but it allows you to see what you have at a peek.
Separate cooking from baking – This simple organization tweak works really well for keeping those supplies close together but separate. I keep baking supplies (sugar, baking soda, baking spray) and cooking supplies (olive oil, vinegar, sauces) on large turntables. Not only does it keep these supplies grouped together but it takes up less space in the pantry.
Buy more than one item at a time – Anytime I have one pantry item on my list like salad dressing, kidney beans, rice, black olives, etc. I ask myself if I will use this ingredient again in the next couple months. If the answer is yes, I always buy multiples of that item. This saves time, helps with menu planning and keeps shopping to a minimum.
I’ve found the easiest way for me to keep the pantry stocked is to place a monthly order from Thrive Market. I’ve mentioned it before, but my favorite online resource for natural and organic food and pantry goods at a huge discount, is Thrive Market.
See that Primal Kitchen dressing? It’s SO good – I like to mix the ranch with the honey mustard for a fun twist on ranch dressing.
Thrive Market is an online grocer that makes it possible to buy all the healthy foods and products you want at prices everyone can afford. Thrive Market offers all the natural products and non-GMO foods you love for 25-50% less than what you’ll find in traditional retail stores—all delivered straight to your door.
Even our dog Stella looks forward to the Thrive deliveries 😉
Want to see more pantry organization posts – head here!
I used 4 basic organizing items in the pantry – acrylic bins, glass mason jars (this post has a couple sources and details), acrylic turntables, and acrylic tiered storage. I chose all clear storage because I like being able to see everything at a glance and I find that it’s easier for the kids to grab their own snacks and gather supplies and food for their lunches.
I labeled the glass storage jars (and I love how this functions) – check out this post for all the details and sources.
There are affiliate links in this post – go here to see my full disclosure policy.
Fran Gibson Says
Delighted to see you using glass containers for food storage. Plastic is a toxic and unhealthy option.
Diane Says
Where can I find the glass containers, plastic turntable, and plastic can organizer. thank you
b r Says
Post authorI updated the post – check the bottom for sources and more details!
Terry Spiller Says
Do you share resources for your tiered shelf organizers, round turntables, bins, and glass storage containers?
My pantry could use a little help.
Thank you
b r Says
Post authorI updated the post – check the bottom for sources and more details!
Diane Says
Use a marker to write the ‘expiration/best by’ date on the front of your cans so you will know which items need to be used first before expiration.
Carmel Chen Says
Your picture of oils (or dressings?) from Thrive Market look like they’re stored in baskets on the door. What do you use and where can I find them?
b r Says
Post authorThey came with our home but The Container Store has something similar 🙂
Vicki Says
When you say “sign up for free” does that mean we don’t pay the $60 membership fee at all? Or is it just automatically billed later? I’d love to try Thrive, but don’t want to get charged the membership fee next month. Thanks!
b r Says
Post authorThe fee is waived for the first month so you can try it out. If you like it and want to continue, you’ll pay the fee. Don’t want to pay the fee? Cancel the membership 🙂
Andrea Williams Says
How do you organize your spices? Mine are currently in a bin in the pantry but they are all over and hard to find
b r Says
Post authorI have them in a cabinet – check it out here:
https://www.cleanmama.net/2017/06/organized-herb-spice-cabinet.html
Kristin Says
What do you use for large amounts of flour, sugar, etc?
b r Says
Post authorI keep them in glass canisters on the counter 🙂
Joanna Crookston Says
Can you share more of your favorite items from Thrive? I’m a new member but not sure what to order.
Also, can you share your favorite snacks for your kids that you keep stocked in your beautiful pantry?
Thank you!
b r Says
Post authorHi Joanna! I love the tuna, mayo, almond crackers, nut butters, protein powder, creamer…
CB Says
What do you use to line your shelves?
b r Says
Post authorClear contact plastic – non-sticky.
Jill Says
I have a VERY well stocked pantry and, for things I buy multiples of, I use the first-in-first-out. When I restock, I put new containers in the back and push the older ones up to the front. This way, when I grab the front one, it’s always the oldest – cuts way down on the amount of expired goods.
I also keep only open containers of food in the kitchen. Unopened extras go in my basement pantry. This way, I”m sure to use up one container before opening another one – and all the excess storage isn’t cluttering up my busy kitchen.
Sarah Says
I am glad to hear of someone else doing this, because I am trying to do that in my new home. But never heard of anyone else doing that. Thanks!
Leslie Says
I do not have a “pantry” per say in my kitchen. The custom cabinets were built by the former owners of the house so l, of course, had no say in the design & they can’t be redesigned. I have had to make 2 small panties out of regular cabinets but they are dark, deep (no pull out shelving), very tall (about 10 feet) & not user friendly! My cabinets are a beautiful mapel & even though the trend is white there is no way I will paint even the inside of them. Do you have any advice on how to make them work better?
b r Says
Post authorTry using clear acrylic bins with handles 🙂
c.lee2316 Says
That’s what I’m missing….risers on the top shelves.