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Loveleaf Co.

Streamline and simplify your kitchen and diet.

Kitchen Organization, Kitchen Tips · September 4, 2019

How to Create a Capsule Pantry

Capsule pantry ingredients on a white countertop.
Organized spices lined up on a white counter top.
Capsule pantry ingredients on a white platter against a white background. this …

Uniform spice jars with modern spice labels lined up on a white kitchen counter.

The Loveleaf Co. Capsule Pantry

One of the biggest roadblocks to healthy weeknight cooking is simply not having the ingredients you need to make it happen. Luckily, we can easily change that. Even though I love to cook, I use just a few simple ingredients in 98% (or more!) of Loveleaf Co. recipes, mixed and matched in different ways. Because exotic, hard-to-find ingredients just aren’t necessary to make exciting and healthy weeknight meals.

What’s a Capsule Pantry?

Based on the idea of a capsule wardrobe, a capsule pantry is an intentional collection of non-perishable and longer-laster perishable foods that, when kept on hand, will allow you to simplify and streamline making (and eating!) healthy meals. All without the stressful weeknight-grocery-store-scramble (… or the defeated-dinner-delivery-order ;).

All items in the Loveleaf Co. Capsule Pantry are easy to find, versatile, and simply #realfood.

Ingredients on a white kitchen counter with white subway tile in the background.

Why Should I Create a Capsule Pantry?

REDUCE STRESS
Having a capsule pantry helps reduce stress while meal planning and cooking, especially during the week. Since almost all Loveleaf Co. recipes use ONLY the items in the Loveleaf Co. Capsule Pantry, you can just choose a few of our recipes to make each week and know that you’re good to go.


SAVE TIME
Grocery shopping is infinitely easier (read: faster!) when you only need to pick up a few perishable items, like fresh vegetables and protein, and possibly replenish just a couple items from your capsule pantry.


SAVE MONEY
Once you’ve made the initial investment into your capsule pantry, you’ll spend less money overall. You’ll be able to do more bulk bin shopping, simply to replenish items that you can (now!) easily see are low. And since you’ll have more staple pantry items on hand, there is less of a chance you’ll go out to eat or order take-out.


Ok, So How Do I Create a Capsule Pantry?

Simply follow the steps below and you’ll be on your way to #kitchencalm in no time.


DECLUTTER
Go through your pantry and toss any expired items or those you just don’t use. Highly processed food with long ingredient lists (and/or ingredients you don’t recognize) can go too. #seeya


ORGANIZE
Once your pantry is decluttered, organize items by categories like vinegar & oils, spices, grains, beans, nuts and seeds, baking items, condiments, etc. in a way that makes sense to you.


PRINT
Print (or save to your phone!) the Loveleaf Co. Capsule Pantry Shopping List, which is downloadable here. These are the non-perishable items you’ll need to make most Loveleaf Co. recipes, but feel free to adapt to your tastes and preferences. Check off any items you already have.


SHOP
Hit the grocery store (and bring your list)! You can either go all out and buy all the items on the list in one shopping trip. Or opt to build your capsule pantry gradually, getting a few items each time you go grocery shopping. While most, if not all, of the capsule pantry items can be found at well-stocked grocery stores, some are cheaper and easier to purchase on Amazon. Check out my shop to browse the items are that are usually less expensive online.


SHOP THE LOVELEAF CO. CAPSULE PANTRY


Loveleaf Co. tote bag filled with greens and carrots.

The Loveleaf Co. Capsule Pantry

Here’s the list of items needed to complete your capsule pantry! Of course, feel free to add or subtract from the list depending on your tastes and preferences. If you’d prefer a downloadable, printable version, click here.


CANNED & JARRED

coconut milk
tomato paste
diced tomatoes
tomato sauce
chipotles in adobo
canned tuna
salsa
pumpkin purée
harissa paste
tahini paste
almond and/or peanut butter


OIL, VINEGAR, CONDIMENTS

extra virgin olive oil
coconut oil
sesame oil
balsamic vinegar
red wine vinegar
apple cider vinegar
rice vinegar
low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
Dijon mustard
avocado oil mayonnaise
hot sauce


SPICES

sea salt
pepper
cinnamon
nutmeg
red pepper flakes
cumin
chili powder
curry powder
oregano
paprika
garlic powder
pumpkin pie spice
everything bagel seasoning
bay leaves


LEGUMES AND GRAINS

black beans
chickpeas
cannellini beans
lentils
brown rice
quinoa
gluten-free oats
gluten-free pasta (There are lots of gluten-free pasta options! I like chickpea or lentil pasta for extra protein).


NUTS, SEEDS, DRIED FRUIT

nuts (variety depending on preference)
seeds (variety depending on preference)
raisins
dried cranberries
Medjool dates


HEALTHY BAKING

honey
pure maple syrup
vanilla extract
cocoa powder
coconut flour
chickpea flour
baking soda
baking powder


LONGER-LASTING PRODUCE

apples
bananas (freeze for smoothies)
lemons
garlic
onions
root vegetables (carrots, beets, turnips)
winter squash (butternut, acorn, etc.)
sweet potatoes and/or potatoes
cabbage
brussels sprouts


LONGER-LASTING DAIRY AND EGGS

eggs
quality hard cheeses (Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, and/or cheddar)
quality butter
boxed non-dairy milk (found in middle aisles)


FROZEN

vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower rice are my favorites!)
fruit
organic meat (chicken, beef, sausage)*
quality seafood (fish, wild shrimp, scallops)*
clean veggie burgers and/or grass-fed burgers
pizza crust (cauliflower, gluten-free, or whole grain)*
bread (gluten-free or whole-grain)*
tortillas (gluten-free or whole-grain)*

*NOTE: These items can be bought fresh and then frozen at home.


Download the Printable Capsule Pantry Shopping List


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Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. There is no additional cost to you. I only link to products I truly recommend and trust.


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