How to plan meals with food already in your kitchen
Start by choosing two ingredients you know you have, rather than searching for a perfect recipe.
A practical approach
- Check your cupboard, fridge and freezer for a protein or bean, a filling base, and any vegetables.
- Note quantities separately: some rice is not necessarily enough rice for everyone.
- Choose one familiar combination before considering unfamiliar substitutions.
- List only the missing ingredients, then check whether another planned meal needs them too.
Example you can adapt
Rice, canned beans and frozen vegetables can make a bowl; if sauce or seasoning is missing, use what the household already likes.
Example for illustration only; results depend on your recorded pantry, preferences, and portions.
What the amounts change
A recipe can use an ingredient you own without being fully covered by your pantry. Count usable amounts, adjust portions, and review the missing ingredients before cooking.
Half a cabbage is half an item
If you have half a cabbage and a recipe needs one whole cabbage, record 0.5 head. You still need another half for that version. If the recipe asks for grams, weigh the usable half or confirm its weight before comparing it with a whole-item count.
Two eggs can mean a smaller dinner
Veggie Fried Rice lists 4 eggs for 4 servings. Two eggs cover 2 servings of the egg component. They do not cover the full recipe: review rice, vegetables, soy sauce and oil too.
The public finder matches ingredient names; it does not count your pantry stock. In the beta, enter quantities and review the portion and grocery checks. See solo portions and a two-meal rice example →
Recipes to try with this approach
Compare the full ingredient list and portions with your kitchen before choosing a meal. These are starting points; check each recipe against your household’s food needs.
Check your own ingredients in the pantry finder · Watch the phone demo
Use this with PlatePatch
Explore the related PlatePatch feature, or start with the food you already have. Your personal plans and family data stay inside your account.
Keep exploring
Browse all meal-planning guides · Explore real recipe ideas · Find recipes from pantry ingredients · Print a weekly meal planner