🗄️ The 5-Minute Pantry Audit: What to Keep, What to Toss, and What to Add

By Rossi Voss | August 25, 2025

You’re not alone if you’ve ever opened your pantry, stared into the abyss, and then Googled:

“food near me”
“what should I eat?”
“easy meals near me”

But the real problem isn’t your hunger. It’s your pantry.

If you can’t see what you have, you can’t cook with it.

That’s why I created the 5-Minute Pantry Audit — a simple system to organize your shelves so you can always answer: “What’s for dinner?” — without opening an app.

🔍 Step 1: Empty Your Pantry (2 minutes)

Take everything out and place it on the counter or table.

Yes, everything.

This gives you a clear view of what you actually have — not what you *think* you have.

🗑️ Step 2: Sort into 3 Piles (2 minutes)

As you go through each item, ask:

“Have I used this in the last 3 months?”

Then sort into:

✅ Keep: Staples you use weekly (rice, beans, spices)
🗑️ Toss: Expired items, stale spices, mystery jars
🎁 Donate: Unopened, non-perishable items you won’t use (extra sauces, boxed meals)

💡 Pro Tip: If you haven’t used it, it’s not saving you money — it’s wasting space.

🛒 Step 3: Add the 10 Core Staples (1 minute plan)

Restock these 10 essentials — the foundation of 90% of fast, high-protein meals:

Dried red lentils
Black beans (dried or canned)
Brown rice or quinoa
Steel-cut oats
Canned diced tomatoes
Vegetable or chicken broth
Coconut milk (for creamy sauces)
Spices: cumin, turmeric, paprika, garlic powder
Olive oil or avocado oil
Frozen mixed veggies (no chopping needed)

With these, you can make:

All from my 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook.

📦 Step 4: Organize for Speed

Put items back with purpose:

Top shelf: Oats, cereals
Middle shelf: Canned goods, broth, tomatoes
Bottom shelf: Grains, beans, rice
Door or basket: Spices (group by flavor: Mexican, Indian, Italian)

📌 Bonus: Tape a checklist to the inside of the door: “Always Have These 10 Staples”

📥 Download the Free Pantry Audit Checklist

I’ve created a printable 5-Minute Pantry Audit Checklist with:

The 10 core staples list
Keep/Toss/Donate guide
Pantry organization tips

👉 Get the Free Pantry Audit Checklist

No broken links. Just real help for real kitchens.

📚 More from Rossi Voss

100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook – Fast, filling meals using pantry staples.
Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes – Perfect for soups, stews, and one-pot wonders.
100 Beginner's Air Fryer Rotisserie Recipes – Crispy, juicy meals in minutes.

— Rossi Voss
Author of the $0.99 Cookbook Series
rossivoss.blogspot.com

The 5-Minute Pantry Audit: What to Keep, What to Toss, and What to Add