Effortless Pantry Planning with Notion: Streamline Your Kitchen with These Top Tips and Tools
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Not sure how to stock a refrigerator? Refrigerator staples vary person to person but I’ve created a refrigerator staples list that can be adapted to any meal plan and preference! This refrigerator stock list will help jumpstart your perishable stocking. I’ve also included information about how to stock a freezer. Keep reading and learn how I do all of this using my Notion Pantry Template!
Read about how I organize my dry goods with my Notion Pantry Template here!
Or click here to get yours today!
A well-stocked pantry is a crucial part of any kitchen. However, it can be challenging to keep track of what you have and what you need to restock. This is where a pantry planner comes in handy. I use my Pantry Planner for Notion to organize all of my perishable and nonperishable kitchen stock, save recipes, and organize my grocery list. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using a pantry planner, including some pantry organization tips, how to inventory your pantry, a Notion pantry template, pantry staples checklist, and pantry meal planning ideas.
Benefits of Using a Pantry Planner
There are so many benefits to using Notion to help organize your pantry! A pantry planner will help you save money, eat the food you have, and just make using and eating out of your pantry a better experience!
Saves Time and Money
Using a pantry planner can save you both time and money. When you have a pantry planner, you can quickly and easily check what you already have in stock, preventing you from buying duplicates. This way, you only buy what you need, saving money. Additionally, you can plan your meals based on what you already have in your pantry, reducing the need to buy additional ingredients. This can save you time and money on grocery shopping.
Reduces Waste
Using a pantry planner can help reduce waste in your kitchen. With a pantry planner, you can keep track of expiration dates, ensuring that you use up items before they go bad. You can also plan your meals based on what you already have, reducing the likelihood of throwing away unused food.
Organizes Your Pantry
A pantry planner can help you organize your pantry. When you have a system for keeping track of what you have, it becomes easier to find what you need. This can help prevent clutter in your pantry, making it easier to find what you need when you need it.
Helps with Meal Planning
Meal planning is a breeze when you have a pantry planner. You can easily see what you have on hand and plan meals accordingly. This can save you time, money, and reduce waste. Additionally, having a pantry planner can help you get creative with your meals, as you'll have a better idea of what ingredients you have to work with.
Adding all of your favorites to the Pantry Planner for Notion to start is a bit of a pain but once they’re there, it’s easy to update your stock levels and see what you have on hand without standing in front of the refrigerator. This has saved loads of time and money as I’m not constantly rebuying things I already have or forgetting what’s hidden in a cupboard somewhere!
Pantry Organization Tips
Here are some pantry organization tips to help you get started with using a pantry planner:
Categorize Your Pantry Items
Start by categorizing your pantry items. This can help you keep track of what you have and where it is located. Some categories you might consider include grains, pasta, canned goods, baking supplies, spices, and snacks. Don’t get too hung up on this, there’s such a thing as being too organized. Keep it simple so even the youngest person in your family can do it.
Use Clear Containers
Using clear containers can help you see what you have on hand and how much you have left. This can be especially helpful for items like flour and sugar, which can be difficult to see in their original packaging. I love doing this with cereal because it also helps with spills
Label Everything
Labeling is essential when it comes to pantry organization. You can use labels on containers, shelves, and even drawers to help you find what you need quickly. If you have young children add pictures to your labels to help support early literacy while making it easy for them to put their snack boxes back in the right place!
Keep Your Pantry Clean and Tidy
It's essential to keep your pantry clean and tidy. This can help prevent the growth of bacteria and pests. Regularly check for expired items and clean up any spills or messes. You’ll enjoy using your pantry much more if it’s clean and it’s much easier to clean as you go then to wait until it’s a 3 hour project!
In your Pantry Planner for Notion, you can update the preset properties to reflect your labels and groups to make pantry organization even easier! Plus, you can track expiration dates right in Notion to eliminate any concern about dumping things into new, more aesthetic containers! Unfortunately, Notion won’t clean for you but you can add a “Last Cleaned” section on your home page to help you out!
How to Inventory Your Pantry
Before you can start using a pantry planner, it's essential to take inventory of what you have in your pantry. Here's how to inventory your pantry:
Empty Your Pantry: Start by emptying your pantry shelves. This can be a bit overwhelming, but it's the best way to get an accurate picture of what you have.
Sort Your Items: Sort your pantry items into categories, such as grains, canned goods, and snacks.
Check Expiration Dates: Check the expiration dates on each item and discard anything that is expired.
Take Note of Quantities: Take note of the quantities of each item you have on hand. This will help you when it comes time to meal plan.
Create Your Pantry Planner
Once you have taken inventory of your pantry, it's time to create your pantry planner. You can use a tool like Notion to create your pantry planner. You can also save time and use the Pantry Planner for Notion I’ve created! Either way, having a Notion Pantry Page will help you immensely when it comes time to grocery shop!
Stocking Pantry Staples
Now that your pantry is organized, you need to get stocked up on the basics! I have two helpful posts on that! The first is about stocking your nonperishables. I have a good list of 10 items to get you started in that one! Last week’s post is about how to stock a freezer and how to stock a refrigerator! I have listed my top 10 freezer stock items and my top 10 things to keep in the refrigerator there!
Using a pantry planner can save you time and money, reduce waste, organize your pantry, and help with meal planning. With the pantry organization tips here, you'll be well on your way to creating a well-organized and efficient pantry.
I’ve found the best way to ensure my kitchen stays organized is by using Notion. I can plan my stock essentials, organize myself, and make a grocery list of what I need next to slowly build over time! Read more about the planner here or click below to purchase it for yourself!
