Pantry Inventory List to Boost Food Security

Create a pantry inventory list to always have what you need on hand. It will save time, money, and boost your household food security!

Back when we were first married, I was new to all homemaking. I vowed to be the best housekeeper, cook, and wife I could be! I created a pantry and freezer inventory list that kept our kitchen stocked. Now years later, we have four children and are in a whole different season of life. I still keep a pantry inventory list but have added to it, and it has grown, and changed alongside our family.

This freezer and pantry inventory list prove to be a very useful and serve our family well. Though it is likely to vary from household to household, having a pantry inventory list is a useful tool for any household. To always be prepared.

Why you need a pantry inventory list

Saves money

Food prices are on a general price increase with inflation. Staying stocked up has been one way that our family has saved money on groceries and household goods. We are always paying less because we pay the “one-year-ago-price”. Not only that, buying bulk in general allows for companies to charge less because packaging is not involved. Having a proper food storage system, so that bulk items can easily be handled properly is useful.

Helps waste less food

Keeping a home inventory list allows you to set up a rotating pantry and discourages buying food that isn’t on the list. A well taken care of rotating pantry with a pantry checklist will allow supplies to be replenished as they are used. Use the older dates first and save the newer dates for later. This will naturally waste less food. As long as the food is being stored properly and accounted for.

Allows you to easily set up a rotating pantry

Setting up a rotating pantry is a different type of system than a “prepper pantry.” A rotating pantry is only storing foods you regularly eat….just more of them. Storing more of the foods that you already eat, ensures that less food will go to waste and that no food is just sitting there JUST for an emergency. A rotating pantry is just a massive pantry that is organized and regularly used. It happens to be great for emergencies.

canned sweet relish sitting on pantry shelf

How to make a pantry inventory list

Write down what is currently in your pantry

Keeping track of the types of meals you make and foods you eat for a month are two is the first step. Get a notepad and take a quick inventory of what is currently sitting on your pantry shelves. Make a list of 30 meals you regularly make and what ingredients are needed to make those meals. Just observe your habits.

Take note about what you will buy on your next trip to the store

What is needed to make 30 of your “go to” meals? Write down ALL the ingredients. What do you see yourself buying for the household within the next 6 months to a year? Batteries, baby wipes, wheat berries? Anything and everything that is a consumable should be accounted for.

Explore other pantry checklists

After developing an awareness of your own habits and household needs, explore other lists. Other people that are skilled at keeping an organized inventory list might have some great ideas.

Just a word of caution: don’t get too carried away looking at other people’s home inventory lists. This can cause you to buy too much of what isn’t practical for YOUR household.

With that being said, it is hard to foresee everything you might need for the next year. That is where exploring other lists can be helpful.

How to Categorize pantry inventory list

A pantry inventory checklist can be set up any number of different ways. The home cook needs to assess what is best in order to stay organized, and make meals easily. We have organized ours into these 15 categories:

Basics
Baking
Drinks
Rice & Grains
Snacks and Cereals
Canned Goods
Spices
Dairy & Eggs
Fresh Produce
Condiments
Freezer
Bathroom
First Aid
Laundry/Cleaning
Extra Supplies

This number of categories works well for us, but might not for you.

What is on our Pantry inventory list

What is on our pantry inventory list might night be on yours. This list does not include the full list or amounts of items that we keep on hand, but it might be helpful for your own research. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Basics

Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Red Wine Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Rice Wine Vinegar
White Wine Vinegar

Baking

Wheat berries
Pastry flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Cocoa Powder
Chocolate Chips
Evaporated Milk
Vanilla Extract
Granulated Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Brown Sugar
Maple Syrup
Honey
Bricks of Active Dry Yeast

Drinks

Loose Leaf Tea (Black, Green, Chai, oolong)
Bagged Tea
Coffee
Wine
Beer
Lemonade
Freeze Dried or Powdered Milk
Kombucha Making Supplies
Alcohol (Whisky, vodka, tequila)
Orange Juice
Cranberry juice
Ginger-Ale
Grape juice
Apple juice
Pineapple juice

Rice & Grains

White Rice
Brown Rice
Quinoa
Cous cous
Oatmeal
Egg noodles
Spaghetti
Short pasta
Fettuccine
Polenta
Panko breadcrumbs
Regular breadcrumbs

Snacks & Convenience

Crackers
Flour Tortillas
Corn Tortillas
Pretzels
Mini Marshmallows
Popcorn Kernels
Raisins
Dried Fruit
Dried Cranberries
Tortilla Chips
Chia Seeds
Sunflower seeds
Flax seeds
Peanut butter
Almond Butter
Applesauce
Pancake Mix

Canned Goods

Chicken Broth
White beans
Red Beans
Black beans
Refried Beans
Kalamata Olives
Black Olives
Capers
Green chilis
Hot Salsa
Mild Salsa
Tomato Paste
Tuna
Diced Tomatoes

Spices

Chili Powder
Cajun Seasoning
Cayenne pepper
Crushed red pepper
Curry powder
Fennel seed
Granulated garlic
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Cloves
Cumin
Ground ginger
Smoked paprika
Sweet paprika
Italian seasoning
Oregano
Sesame seeds
Thyme
Nutmeg

Dairy & Eggs

Milk (Freezer & Freeze Dried)
Freeze Dried yogurt
Salted butter (Freezer)
Freeze-Dried Cheddar
Freeze-Dried Mozzarella
Freeze-Dried Parmesan
Freeze Dried Eggs

Fresh Produce*

*Most fresh produce is bought bi-weekly, or grown in the garden. What is grown is either frozen, canned, or freeze-dried. That makes up a significant part of storage.)

Condiments

Jams and Jellies
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Dijon Mustard
Yellow Mustard
Sriracha
Tabasco
Worcheschire
Soy sauce/Braggs
Fish Sauce
Sesame Oil
BBQ Sauce

Freezer

Ground Beef
Chicken
Venison
Lamb
Breakfast Sausage
Italian Sausage
Hot Dogs
Bacon
Hamburger Buns
Costco Frozen Fruit
Walnuts
Pecans
Almonds
Cashews
Puff Pastry
Vanilla Ice Cream
Cream Cheese

Bathroom

Toilet Paper
Bar Soap
Disposable Diapers
Diaper Wipes
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Floss
Q-tips
Razors
Feminine Products

First-Aid

Rubbing Alcohol
Iodine
Neosporin
Peroxide
Bandaid
Bandaid Tape
Alleviate
Tucks
Epsom Salt
Emergen-C
Cough Drops
Ibuprofen
Elderberry Tabs
Litecain
Benadryl
Kid’s Benadryl
Kid’s Motrin
Thermometer
Eyewash kit
Carmex
Vicks
Vaseline
Cotton balls
Inhaler
Superglue
Lotrimin
Rubbing Alcohol Towelettes
Hand sanitizer

Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

Clothes Pins
Laundry Detergent
Oxiclean
Bleach
Costco Dawn Dish Soap
Dish Detergent
All-Purpose Cleaner
Pledge
Windex
Trash Bags
Steel Wool Pads
Magic Erasers
Scotch Pads
Rubber Gloves

Extra Supplies

T-Lights
Tapers
Candle Making Supplies
Mason Jars
Drano
Paper Towels
Tin Foil
Freezer Bags
Sandwich Bags
Parchment Paper

How do I keep track of my large pantry inventory?

Keeping track of a large stockpile can be challenging. Staying organized is worth the effort to maximize the benefits of keeping a large pantry inventory. Some ways to help stay on top of organization is to create definite categories that make sense to the person that will be mainly responsible for managing the pantry. Create categories and define specific zones are spaces for that specific category of food/goods. It is helpful to have a pantry inventory tracker. This allows you to always know the amount of a specific item.

What kind of food should I keep in my pantry to boost food security?

Food you can make more than one thing with-like wheat berries. They can be used to make ANY wheat based food. As long as you have a wheat grinder.
Food with a good shelf life-like freeze dried or canned foods.
Food you actually eat-skip buying “prepper food” for an emergency. This can lead to food waste.