We completed a full 30-day Pantry Clean Out Challenge that began on April 1, 2017. The experiment accomplished what we hoped: we saved money, experimented with new recipes, and used many canned and packaged items that might otherwise have been forgotten. Below is a concise recap of how the month went. For details on why we did the challenge and the original meal plan and inventory, see Part 1 of the Pantry Challenge.
Challenge rules (April 1–May 2)
- No restaurant spending for the month, except a planned three-day vacation in mid-April.
- Budget limited to $100 for produce and dairy only.
- Main goal: Use what we already had instead of buying more food.
Grocery spending results
- April 3 – $20.48 (lettuce, cucumber, lemon, onion, grapes, bananas)
- April 17 – $16.63 (milk, sweet potato, limes, onion)
- April 19 – $17.00 (Costco: eggs, avocados)
- April 19 – $6.00 (bananas, pepper, bean sprouts)
- April 24 – $14.00 (mushrooms, green onions)
- May 1 – $14.32 (carrots, milk, onion, curry paste)
- Total: $88.91
Visual changes
- The pantry looks similar at first glance, but there are important differences.
- Fewer cans: several canned goods were used in new recipes.
- Snack items like cashews diminished noticeably.
- Chicken broth went from 11 cans down to 4; beans dropped from around 10 cans to 3.
- The shelves appear tidier overall.
- Rice and quinoa supplies were actively used.
- Items were consolidated so everything fits on the shelf without stacking snacks on snacks.
Inventory after the challenge
(Click here to see the inventory before the challenge)
Meals we ate
- Jalapeño Mushroom Shrimp Stir-Fry for Two
- Freezer-Friendly Sweet Potato Brownie Bites
- Veggie-Packed Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad (no mayo)
- Peanut Butter Powder Blueberry Cinnamon Smoothie
- Mini turkey pepperoni pizzas made from Trader Joe’s dough
- Simple Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Ramen
- Spicy Carrot Soup
- Chicken thighs with black beans and quinoa
- Shrimp and ravioli dishes
- Tropical smoothies (recipe in progress)
- Shrimp fried rice and scallion pancakes
- Homemade bagel sandwiches and tuna melts on homemade bagels
- Breakfast scrambles using eggs and whatever vegetables were on hand
- Burritos with rice, beans, and rotisserie chicken
- Turkey breast wraps with lettuce, provolone, and turkey bacon
- Chicken Thigh Taco Chili
- Mozzarella macaroni and cheese (we also fried it, which was excellent)
- Cereal and milk
- Smoked sausage with beans and rice
- Snacks: celery with peanut butter, turkey jerky, protein bars, Whisps, cashews, almonds, and grapes
Would I do it again?
Short answer: yes. If the pantry becomes overstocked again while the freezer and other storage are modestly stocked, I would repeat the challenge. I feel good about the money we didn’t spend and about using food we already had.
Longer answer: The month was manageable because we didn’t have birthdays, guests, or special events that required extra food. We also had enough protein—tuna, beans, chicken, shrimp—to get through comfortably. Helpful extras appeared along the way: a $25 gift card spent on a restaurant meal and leftover pizza from a friend’s poker night. Those small boosts made sticking to the plan easier. The key is to set realistic goals that fit your household and schedule.
Why it worked
- I avoided impulse purchases. When a pantry challenge is in effect, it’s easier to resist small indulgences—specialty snacks, extra flavored yogurts, and other items you might buy on a whim. Not buying those things contributed to savings.
- I used items that might otherwise sit unused. For example, a can of coconut milk with an October expiration date was used rather than forgotten. A stocked pantry is useful, but rotating and using what you buy ensures you get full value from food purchases.
- I became more aware of what we had. With the pantry organized and visible, it was simple to scan shelves and find ingredients instead of buying duplicates unknowingly.
- We cooked almost every meal at home and ate more intentionally. Preparing meals from scratch, from carrot soup to quinoa with black beans and shrimp, encouraged healthier choices and more vegetable-focused dishes.
For the original plan and pre-challenge inventory, refer to part 1 of the 30-day Pantry Clean Out Challenge. Have you tried a pantry challenge? Tailor one to your needs, set a couple goals, and give it a try. Share how it went in the comments—it’s a great way to learn tips and stay motivated.