🛒 The $100 Pantry: Stock It Once, Eat for Months
By Rossi Voss | July 1, 2025
You’re not alone if you’ve ever:
- Googled “food near me” at 7 PM
- Felt like cooking was too expensive
- Bought the same ingredients twice because you forgot you had them
But what if you could spend $100 once — and eat well for the next 3–6 months?
Welcome to the $100 Pantry — a simple, beginner-friendly system to stop takeout, reduce waste, and cook with confidence.
No fancy ingredients. No stress. Just real food, one pot at a time.
🧺 The 10 Core Staples (Total: ~$97)
These are the foundation of every meal in this plan — all under $100.
| Item | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dried red lentils | 2 lbs | $2.00 |
| Dried black beans | 2 lbs | $3.00 |
| Brown rice or quinoa | 5 lbs | $10.00 |
| Canned diced tomatoes | 6 cans | $6.00 |
| Vegetable or chicken broth | 6 cans | $6.00 |
| Coconut milk (canned) | 4 cans | $4.00 |
| Olive oil | 1 quart | $12.00 |
| Spices (cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder) | 4 jars | $10.00 |
| Shawarma or Black Garlic Sauce (homemade or store-bought) | 2 jars | $8.00 |
| Steel-cut oats | 3 lbs | $10.00 |
| Total | $71.00 |
Remaining $29? Use it for frozen veggies, onions, and bell peppers — or save it for next month.
📅 How to Use This Pantry for Months
Step 1: Cook in Bulk (Spend 5 Hours)
- Batch cook 4 cups of rice – Instant Pot or stovetop
- Cook 3 lbs of beans – Instant Pot (soak overnight)
- Make 2 batches of Creamy Red Lentil Dal – Freeze half
- Prep 2 lbs of roasted veggies – Air Fryer or oven
Step 2: Portion & Freeze
- Divide meals into 4-serving containers
- Label: “Use within 3 months”
- Store in freezer — ready in minutes
Step 3: Mix & Match Meals
| Base | Protein | Sauce | Veggies | Meal | |------|--------|-------|--------|------| | Rice | Lentils | Shawarma | Roasted peppers | Shawarma Bowl | | Oats | — | Black Garlic | Berries | Garlic Oatmeal (yes, really!) | | Rice | Black Beans | Coconut Milk | Corn | Cuban-Style Bowl | | — | Eggs | — | Onions, peppers | Scramble | > ✅ Over 20 meal combos from 10 staples.📚 More from Rossi Voss
- 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook – Fast, filling meals using pantry staples.
- 100 Beginner's Air Fryer Rotisserie Recipes – Crispy, juicy meals in minutes.
- Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes – Perfect for soups, stews, and one-pot wonders.
- 82 Essential Instant Pot Fermentation Recipes – Make yogurt, kefir, and more.
📥 Download Your Free “$100 Pantry” Printable PDF
I’ve created a printable $100 Pantry Checklist with:
- Shopping list
- Batch cooking guide
- Freezer labels
- Meal combo chart
👉 Get the Free $100 Pantry Printable
No broken links. Just real help for real kitchens.
📥 Download Your Free “$100 Pantry” Printable
I’ve created a printable $100 Pantry Checklist with:
- Shopping list
- Batch cooking guide
- Freezer labels
- Meal combo chart
— Rossi Voss
Author of the $0.99 Cookbook Series
rossivoss.blogspot.com