Tired of staring at a cluttered pantry and still feeling like there’s nothing to eat? During our recent Storecupboard Savings Challenge, our community did their best to use up those ingredients that often linger in the back of our cupboards, and they shared their top tips and tricks for saving money on food along the way. Here are ten standout strategies to help you get started.
1. Ask apps to plan your weekly meals
Ele swears by the Cherrypick app for managing her pantry. “I have the Cherrypick app which helps me use things in my cupboard and has takeaway hacks. I have subscribed to the top option which tells me what I have purchased recently to stop me overbuying and helps with meal planning. Although it’s more money a month, I save about £50 of food per fortnight minimum with it,” she says.
If you’re looking for a tool to streamline your meal planning and prevent overbuying, apps like this might be worth a try.
2. Get AI to write recipes for you
“I seem to have a lot of canned lentils,” said Amelia. She often inputs ingredients into websites that create recipes for you based on what you already have at home. This means that those forgotten bags of couscous, pearl barley and amaranth (us neither) at the back of your cupboards can finally get their time to shine! We like using DishGen for this.
3. Transform leftovers into new meals
Eleanor highlighted her approach to making the most of leftovers: “I use any leftover veg in the fridge – courgette, peppers, sugar snap peas – in a bolognaise or pasta base.” Not only does this reduce waste, but it also helps create hearty and nutritious meals.
4. Repurpose ingredients for takeaway dupes
Bernadette has found a way to make her ramen packs more exciting. “I have an abundance of ramen/noodle packs. I’m trying to find some takeaway dupes to make with them,” she said. Experimenting with different flavours and sauces can turn these packs into satisfying meals.
5. Create a pantry recipe repository
Lara has a practical solution for sharing recipes – create a Google Sheet or other external where you can share recipes with friends. Collaborating on a recipe document can help everyone discover new ways to use their ingredients.
6. Use frozen fruit and veggies
Alice finds frozen fruits and veggies to be budget-friendly and long-lasting. “I also love frozen fruit for yoghurt and porridge—so much cheaper than fresh and doesn’t go mouldy as all my berries seem to,” she said. Frozen fruits can be a great way to add variety and nutrients to your meals without breaking the bank.
7. Bulk buy and freeze
Ele has another budget-saving tip: “I got my food shop down to £44 this week by leveraging cupboard items and opting for click and collect to save on delivery.” Bulk buying and freezing can help stretch your grocery dollars and ensure you always have essentials on hand.
8. Incorporate as many veggies into your meals as you can
Alice recommends using up vegetables from your fridge creatively. “I use up any veggies from the fridge in my meals. For example, my veggie chilli is made with tomatoes, kidney beans, chickpeas, and a load of veg.” This approach not only reduces waste but also boosts the nutritional value of your meals.
9. Experiment with pantry staples
Natalie decided to finally make use of the less common items at the back of her cupboards – some of which were officially out of date, but still edible. “I have couscous, pearl barley and buckwheat that I’m determined to use up. I’m making a couscous salad and trying out buckwheat recipes,” she said. Experimenting with these ingredients can lead to new and delicious dishes.
10. Plan and prepare in advance
Lara asked AI to write her a meal plan based for the week based on the ingredients she already had in the cupboards, and it worked a treat. “My ChatGPT meal plan has helped me so much this week. I have been way better with my meals.” Strategic meal planning can significantly cut down on grocery expenses.
By trying out these tips from our community, you can make the most of your grocery budget and reduce food waste. Start planning, get creative with your ingredients, and watch those savings add up. Win win!
