How to Stock Your Pantry for Under $100

Can you use some help stocking your pantry for under $100? You open up your kitchen cabinets and pantry and find them bare or at minimal levels, while at the same time, your bank account seems to be on life support. To make matters worse, you have several hungry mouths to feed during these challenging times!

I’m updating this post because of the shortages I am reading about. Please work to be prepared for whatever is coming our way. Having a well-stocked pantry is satisfying and builds confidence, and hopefully, you can do that without spending tons of money.

Chances are, you’ve experienced this at one point or another before, and know that it’s no laughing matter. Maybe this is a reality that you’re currently dealing with, and you’re wondering how you’ll be able to put food on the table and stay anywhere near the budget you’ve outlined. 

Fortunately, there are several different strategies to stock up your pantry when you’re on a limited budget, and it won’t require you to eat Ramen noodles every meal to do it. Whew! Some of them are also helpful tips when you’re looking to establish a pantry for emergencies. Here’s how to stock your pantry for under $100. In case you missed this post, 100 Low-Budget Meals Anyone Will Love Every Day

Please get a few can openers: a Regular Size, a large opener, and an Electric Opener for me or anyone with arthritis. My motto is to buy right the first time, so you don’t have to replace a necessary item sooner than you ever expected.

How to Stock Your Pantry for Under $100

Clean Out Your Pantry 

This may be something that doesn’t seem to make sense with today’s topic, but there are several reasons why you should do this. For starters, cleaning out your pantry helps you eliminate any food that may be outdated or something your family will never eat. Just remember that the date on the label is the sell-by date unless it’s marked another way.

Most foods are good to eat beyond the sell-by date. We also see the term “best when used by.” Again, that date would still be considered well within the edible range for most families if stored properly. 

It also allows you to take inventory and see what you’re dealing with. You may be surprised at what you’ll find that’s been sitting there all this time and is available for you to create a meal. Several immediate meals may be waiting for you, which only require one of the ingredients for you to pick up at the grocery store to complete the meal. 

Once you determine what you have available and what needs to be added or replaced, you can assemble your game plan to acquire only what is required.  

Pay Attention to the Weekly Ads 

Stocking your pantry on a budget may require more time and planning, but looking at each store’s weekly ad has several benefits. Yes, this may require you to make multiple grocery store stops during your shopping trip, but you’ll be satisfied to know that you found the cheapest price on what you needed, and hopefully, without having to drive all over town.

Another reason to pay attention to ad flyers is that stores offer coupons and other discounts. Also, looking at the ads before you visit can give you time to look in your pantry and see what meals you can create with the items on sale, alongside what you already have on hand.

You’ll probably find that many items on sale are “store brands” that they promote. These products are priced below name-brand products with a heavy advertising budget. My experience is that, with a few exceptions, the store brands do a good job matching the quality of the name brands. You can purchase less expensive foods without feeling like you’re buying inferior, cheap foods. If you haven’t used them before, test them over the next few weeks and see what you think. 

Shop the Cheapest Store

You’re not doing yourself any favors by continuing to be a loyal customer of a grocery store known for its higher prices. When you’re not shopping off the ad flyer, at least make sure you’re shopping at one of the less expensive stores in town.

Depending on where you live, that less expensive option could be Aldi, Piggly Wiggly, or Trader Joe’s. They all have private labels comparable to the national brands, and you’ll pay less. Sign up for your local grocery store’s newsletter that shares coupons.

I’m all for purchasing good-quality products, but there isn’t any reason to pay more for similar items. You must consider which stores are more local and which are more expensive. Traveling a fair distance to get things for a lower price is an additional cost. Take some time to figure out your overall costs and then visit and support the stores that will be more cost-effective. 

Purchase Non-Perishable Items In Bulk

Are there any foods that your family eats quite often? It may be time for you to consider buying them in bulk. Dried beans, rice, pasta, and oats can all be stored for extended periods, and you can find them in 20-lb and even 50-lb bags. Though you’ll be paying more upfront, deciding to buy your nonperishables in bulk can save you a lot of money over time while saving on the items when you consider the cost per ounce or pound.

Another thing to consider is that if you’re purchasing in larger quantities, you may be saving the number of trips you have to take to the store, thus saving time, gas for the vehicle, and the related maintenance expenses over time. We don’t always consider that our personal time does have value, if not only for providing more quality time with family and friends.

Stick With Water

You may have a few unhappy campers under your roof for a while, but cutting out all the “special” beverages from your grocery shopping visit is another biggie. It’s unhealthy for your family to drink pop and energy drinks constantly. Yes, that includes no longer buying bottled water when you visit, since it can be more expensive than storing water in larger containers.

Some may find that their tap water is unfit to drink. That may prompt you to consider buying a refrigerator water filter that will remove many impurities. I highly recommend installing a Reverse Osmosis system. If you’re handy, you can install one yourself for around $300.00 or less. Then, once a year, clean out the tubes and install new filters for around $100.00. You’ll seldom repurchase bottled water unless you’re going camping, and that’s a good thing.

We’ve also found that reverse osmosis water makes humidifiers less dirty and last longer. This saves having to buy distilled water from the store, which can prove expensive over the long term.

Grocery Shop Alone

While we love our children to the moon and back, don’t feel guilty if you can do your grocery shopping without them. Yes, that even means leaving your spouse behind, who can be just as troublesome. That way, you’re not walking out to your car with items placed in your cart by others based on their wants, and you’re able to focus on maximizing your value with every dollar you spend since you’re working off a menu-based food list.  

Penny-Pinching Foods:

Several food items out there are not only relatively cheap but still contain all the nutrition you want your family to benefit from when stocking pantry staples. Here are a few of them to consider when planning your food storage: 

Eggs

Large eggs usually cost around $5.00 a dozen, or even less. Eggs have risen in price the past few years due to the bird flu. The cost has come down in many areas over the past few weeks. They may be slightly higher in your area, so check around. That’s cheap for the amount of protein and the number of meals you can create with them. You’ll need them for baking purposes, for breakfast, or in your egg drop soup.  

Dried Beans

A large bag of dried beans will cost you considerably less than you’d pay for them in canned form. There are also many different types of beans, allowing you to create various dishes, whether you’re in the mood for chili, soup, tortillas, or some other bean dish. 

Rice

Rice is also super cheap and can stretch several of your meals. With the right spices and seasonings, the rice shouldn’t have to taste the same for every meal. If you need a rice cooker, check this one out: Rice Cooker

I had recently heard that rice was experiencing an increase in price and a shortage of inventory. Mark and I visited three stores yesterday and found that some store shelves seemed to be depleted. If you love rice, you may want to stock up now before things get dicey.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great breakfast item that’s not only filling but also healthy. If you avoid purchasing prepackaged sweetened varieties, you can find oatmeal for under a dollar a pound. 

Peanut Butter 

Not a week goes by that you won’t find a deal on peanut butter when you shop the ads. Besides, it’s a food item you won’t be able to go without if you have children. Peanut butter has plenty of protein and can be used in several ways besides on a PB&J sandwich. 

Potatoes

A bag of potatoes will cost you very little, and you can use them to make several meals other than baked or mashed potatoes. They can be used to make soup, in a casserole, or a yummy diced garlic roasted potatoes entree for breakfast. Please stock some instant mashed potatoes or Potato Shreds.

Mark and I saw the Idahoan brand of instant potatoes at Walmart yesterday for $1.50 per package. What a deal! We’ve grown to love their products, which come in a wide range of flavor options. I’ve been amazed by the finished product’s texture, flavor, and consistency, which taste just like freshly peeled and cooked mashed potatoes.

What Should Be In A Fully Stocked Pantry?

The items Listed Below are the Ones I Recommend You Stock Up On Now:

• Flour: Here’s the deal with flour, you can make many things to fill the belly. Bread, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, pasta, biscuits, etc. How to Make Biscuits Note that flour doesn’t have a long shelf life. I try to have on hand what I plan to use within 12 months.
• SAF Yeast: This is my favorite yeast. I use it in all my bread recipes that call for yeast. Make sure you store it properly so it works and tastes right. I generally keep mine in the fridge most of the time. Fresh yeast helps make for a successful day of bread baking.
• Salt: We need to cook, bake, and flavor our food. I love Redmond Salt the most.
• Vinegar: We can use this for cooking and cleaning. Don’t forget our homemade salad dressings.
• Condiments: Please stock ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Some people think Miracle Whip is also a necessity.
• Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, or Canola Oil:
• Garlic Powder: I prefer fresh garlic, but still stock garlic powder and garlic salt.
• Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Oregano, Paprika, Thyme, Basil, Nutmeg, and Chili Powder. Please stock these spices because you can make so many fun recipes using their unique flavor.
• Soy Sauce: what can I say, I love Chinese food, so I stock several bottles. But I make so many things with it besides Chinese food. I make marinades with it on a routine basis.
• Rice: My friends, we are in for some rice shortages. I would stock what you can now. I prefer to buy 2- and 5-pound bags and slip them into 5-gallon buckets. I only purchase non-GMO brands.
• Almonds, Pecans, and walnuts: The best way to store any nut is in the freezer. They will go rancid quickly in your pantry, but we still like them even if we store them in the freezer.
• Corn: I understand we are in for another corn shortage, so dehydrate what you can or pressure some fresh corn. Don’t forget you can dehydrate frozen corn.
• Quinoa: You can eat cooked quinoa as a side dish or use it in a salad with many add-ons.
• Lentils: It’s the perfect food item to stretch your food budget. Janet taught me about using lentils in so many ways, and I will forever be grateful. Lentils: Everything You Need to Know
• White Sugar: whatever sweetener you love to use, please stock it. It can be white granulated sugar, maple syrup, Stevia, or honey.
• Vanilla: I love the flavor of vanilla for cooking and baking, it adds so much to every recipe it’s called for.
• Molasses: I need a few bottles for baking, cooking, and making brown sugar. How to Make Brown Sugar
• Pasta: Oh my gosh, you can make pasta dishes with cream sauces, spaghetti sauce, or macaroni salads, to name a few ideas.
• Canned Tomatoes: I’m talking about diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sauce, salsa, and spaghetti sauce. Just be sure to stock what your family will eat.
• Canned Vegetables: Now, you can use any vegetable your family will eat. You can serve them as a side dish or add them to soups, salads, and stews.
• Canned Chicken: Any canned meat, shredded beef, tuna, and ham will do, but chicken is my favorite. You can make sandwiches, casseroles, soups, or stews with canned meat.
• Dehydrated Onions: These are perfect for adding to gravy, casseroles, soups, or stews. Their flavor is fantastic!
• Dehydrated Celery: The convenience of having dehydrated or freeze-dried celery is a bonus. I use them in soups and casseroles.
• Cocoa: Yep, we need this for hot chocolate and chocolate cake. Need I say more? Of course, storing regular chocolate is a must as well. Chocolate chips of various sizes and flavors are a must-have in my pantry.
• Cinnamon: I love cinnamon on apples, oatmeal, muffins, and more.
• Dehydrated Vegetables: It’s wonderful to have some dehydrated vegetables to add to soups or stews.
• Dehydrated Red Peppers: green and yellow peppers are good, but red ones are my favorite. You can add them to quiches, omelets, soups, and casseroles.
• Chickpeas: I love these added to quinoa for salads, to make hummus, or stir in a little oil and fry them until crispy.
• Beans: We can make soup with beans, hummus with beans, refried beans, Mexican foods, or bean soup; the possibilities are endless.
• Other Spices: In case you missed this post, herbs are also handy to have around when you’re meal planning.
• 33 Essential Spices I Recommend Stocking Up On

Other Savings Options:

Don’t Be Tempted By Impulse Purchases

I mentioned above that you might want to leave other family members at home when you go food shopping. Kids and spouses can often lose sight of the goal of filling the pantry with quality items needed for meal prep and healthy meals at reasonable prices. We’d be kidding ourselves if we thought we weren’t also subject to the impulse to buy items on display, particularly close to the checkout stand.

When you go shopping, it’s wise to bring your shopping list and stick to it. You’ll be glad you did.

What Are Case Lot Sales?

In our area, Utah and Nevada, we see annual case lot sales, particularly at this time of year and in the fall. The stores advertise various items, particularly canned veggies, soups, sauces, and other common non-perishable canned goods, at a discount if you’re willing to purchase a whole case at a time.

This is when I always stock up on my favorite soups, like Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Chicken Noodle, and others. I feel so confident and comfortable when I look in my pantry and see shelves full of these products. It also gives me joy to know that I filled that pantry with items I bought at a discount by shopping wisely. You can do the same.

Final Word

Even if you’re not on a tight budget, these tips can still be useful in helping you save money. It also doesn’t require you to sacrifice your family’s nutrition for you to do it. Stocking your pantry for less than $100 may require you to shop differently than before, but it will be well worth it for your checking account. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Wooden Bowls with Beans and Legumes Deposit photos_230175204_s-2019