Have you ever opened your pantry and felt like you’re drowning in cans of beans, half-empty pasta boxes and spices you don’t even remember buying? Trust me, I’ve been there too. Just last week I regretfully threw out a bunch of expired items I only used once or twice. But then I stumbled on the the 2024 TikTok Pantry Challenge, watching people “shop” their own kitchens instead of heading to the store, and honestly, I was hooked. It’s a clever (and fun) way to save money, get creative with neglected items and even discover new dishes that could become household favorites. If you’re curious about how to get started, how it works and what delicious meals you can make with what you already have on hand, I’m sharing it all. Here’s everything you need to know about tackling the TikTok Pantry Challenge.
What is the TikTok Pantry Challenge?
In a nutshell, the TikTok Pantry Challenge is all about using up what you already have instead of going out and buying more groceries. The goal? Take a closer look at your pantry and fridge, inventory the ingredients you already own and see if you can create something amazing without making a single grocery run. And we all know how expensive groceries can be!
@karig119 Over the last year, we accumulated a lot of food. I would go the the grocery store and buy things and then we would end up eating out. So for January I’m going to try to shop the pantry and feedour family healthy-ish meals. Follow along. #shopmypantry #januarychallenge2024 #letssavesomemoney
Many people on TikTok have documented their experience using the hashtags #shopmypantry and #pantrychallenge2024. I’ve seen a ton of creative cooking solutions, turning cans of chickpeas, dried pasta, sauces and even frozen vegetables into surprisingly fancy dishes. It’s as much a budgeting hack as it is a decluttering tool, which might just give you a renewed appreciation for those “boring” pantry staples. Oh, and did I mention that you’re also helping the environment by reducing food waste? That’s a little extra love to the planet.
How to get started with the TikTok Pantry Challenge
The first step in any successful pantry challenge is to take a full inventory of what’s hiding in your pantry, fridge and freezer. You’d be surprised at what’s accumulated over time—think old spices, forgotten grains or that can of coconut milk you bought on a whim months ago. Start by grouping items in a way that makes sense for you: grains, canned goods, spices, and any sauces or condiments. Jot everything down on a list, either by hand or digitally, so you have a visual. You can also write down expiration dates for each item. This inventory list will be your guide as you start planning meals.
Finding recipe inspiration without a cookbook
One of the biggest hurdles in a pantry challenge is figuring out how to put your ingredients together into actual meals. Here’s a fun trick that users swear by: plug a few ingredients you have on hand into a search engine (or TikTok itself!) and see what recipes pop up. For instance, if you have pasta, canned tomatoes and a can of chickpeas, search for “pasta tomato chickpea recipe” and see what comes up. Chances are, you’ll find dozens of ideas that use those specific items.
@jessicalaynerush I am proud of myself for cleaning out the pantry! #pantrychallenge #nowaste #outofdate #threeriverspantrychallenge #cook #homestead #homecooking #useitup #food #pantry #groceries #nospendchallenge #budget
Another approach is to look at your ingredients and think of categories of meals you can prep. Let your ingredients guide the meal type instead of following a specific recipe. Here are some other meal types to keep in mind:
- Casseroles
- Tacos and wraps
- Stir-fries
- Soups and stews
- Sheet pan meals
- Crock pot or slow-cooker meals
- Pasta and rice bowls
Get creative with substitutions
A huge part of the TikTok Pantry Challenge is learning to adapt and substitute ingredients. Say you’re following a recipe that calls for black beans, but you only have cannellini beans. No problem—swap them out! Pasta recipes calling for tomato paste can work with a can of diced tomatoes instead. And if you only have corn tortillas instead of flour, that’s fine, too. Here are some other helpful substitutions to note:
- Greek yogurt for sour cream
- Applesauce for eggs or oil
- Soy sauce for salt
- Mashed bananas for butter
Remember, cooking is all about experimenting. If you need help figuring out what can replace what, look up substitution charts or common swaps online. Here are some other helpful substitutions to note:
Tips for completing the TikTok Pantry Challenge
While you don’t have the follow this challenge to a T, I have some helpful tips that helped me through each day:
- Plan by expiration date: Try planning your meals based on what’s closest to its expiration date. This way, nothing goes to waste.
- Embrace batch cooking: If you have a lot of one ingredient, consider cooking a big batch at once. Then, you can use it in different ways throughout the week. With batch cooking, you can save time while staying efficient.
- Set little goals: Start small by making three meals a week with pantry staples, then working up. Try revisiting it every month or so to keep your pantry organized and your grocery bills down. And if you run out of essentials, allow yourself to purchase necessary items.
