Making Easy, Healthy Meals with Pantry Staples
Now that you have your pantry set up, what sort of meals can you make with all those ingredients? Use this simple formula to create meals using mix and match based on what you have.
*Note: If oil is added it is usually to saute onions or other ingredients. Add salt to taste.
Lunch or Dinner Examples:
Veggie Stir-fry: brown rice + frozen edamame + sesame oil + frozen veggie blend (carrots, green beans, peas) + soy sauce + dried ginger + garlic powder
Black Bean Quinoa Bowl: quinoa + black beans + avocado oil + diced onion (fresh or frozen) + canned diced tomatoes with green chilis + cumin + chili powder
Chickpea Curry: brown rice + cooked chickpeas + coconut milk + frozen veggies (broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, or green beans) + red curry paste + yellow curry powder
White Bean Soup: white beans + olive oil + chopped onion (fresh or frozen) + frozen spinach + vegetable broth + dried thyme + dried rosemary + garlic powder + black pepper
Turkey Chili: pinto beans + frozen corn + ground turkey + avocado oil + chopped onion (fresh or frozen) + canned diced tomatoes + canned green chilis + cumin + chili powder + dried oregano
Kale Buddha Bowl: brown rice + cooked chickpeas + tahini (lemon tahini dressing) + kale (sauteed) + canned or roasted beets
Spaghetti dinner: whole wheat spaghetti + ground 90-95% lean beef + olive oil + chopped onion (fresh or frozen) + marinara sauce + side of steamed broccoli + dried basil
Breakfast or Snack Examples:
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal: Oats + pecans + canned pumpkin + pumpkin pie spice
Trail Mix: Raisins + walnuts + sunflower seeds
Granola: Oats + sliced almonds + avocado oil + maple syrup + cinnamon
Granola Bars: Oats + dates + sliced almonds + almond butter + maple syrup + cinnamon
Hummus: Chickpeas + tahini + olive oil + black pepper + lemon juice + garlic powder + cumin
Check out more pantry meal ideas here. You might also find some inspiration for using your pantry staples in our posts about cooking beans or batch meal cooking.
Need more ideas for pantry meals? Chat with us in your Brook app!
Reviewed by Kelsea Hoover, MS, RDN
on March 19th, 2020. Kelsea is a Registered Dietitian with her Master's degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA, and is one of our Health Coaches.