Free Printable Fridge and Pantry List to Meal Plan Easily

Do you forget what you have in the fridge until it goes bad? I made this Printable Fridge and Pantry List to meal plan easily. It helps me keep track of the groceries that I have in my fridge and pantry. It also helps me use up everything that I have before it goes bad or expires.

I hate cucumbers. They go bad so easily. I have to hide them because my kids will finish them off without my knowledge. If they can survive on cucumbers all day… they will!

Then there is Zucchini! Ughh… I can’t cut them up and store in the freezer and somehow… they always end up at the back of the fridge. Now if you know zucchinis, you will know that they go bad like in a snap!

So I had had enough of things going bad because I forgot about them. How many things am I suppose to remember… right? So, I made a list of what all I had in my fridge. It started with writing it on  piece of paper and sticking it up but then it looked so plain… and it was not motivating me at all.

Then I came up with this.

Now, every time, I bring something from the grocery store, I just put it on the list. It helps me remember to cook in time and also gives me ideas to cook.

I made another list for my pantry because things were getting pushed to the back over there too. You know how it is with dry ingredients… They either expire or get bugs in them if they aren’t used up quickly. So, I have a list which tells me what all I have. I also know before hand that something is expiring or needs to go on my grocery shopping list.

These lists help me meal plan. They have been a game changer for me actually. Together with my meal plan schedule, I use these lists to decide what to cook. It takes the headache out of deciding what to cook that day, you know.

How to use the Printable Fridge and Pantry List to Meal Plan

You can use it in a few ways actually.

1. Every time you add something to the fridge – may it be leftovers or groceries, just write it on the list. It helps you remember to finish it off.
2. Write the use by dates for infrequently used items because sometimes it just gets missed.
3. When you are meal planning for the week, think about the things you have to finish first. I use the ‘I have-I can make’ meal planning list to brainstorm with my family what they want to eat.
4. The pantry list is great to stick inside on a door. It helps me remember that there is something at the back. When I have to go shopping, I quickly make a note of things I don’t have. This gets added to the shopping list very easily.

I made this printable for you all. It is very easy to download. Just click below and I will email you the zip file.

Once you get the email, you can click on the link and it will download to your Downloads folder. Extract the file by clicking on it. The files are in PDF format. You can choose to print it from there.