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Best Way To Organize A Pantry

The secret to a functional pantry is organizing by cooking routine rather than just food type.

GUIDE: Organizing your pantry | Zone ingredients by how you cook so every staple stays clearly visible.
POINT: Empty and purge — Clear every shelf completely, toss expired items, and donate unopened goods you will not use.
POINT: Group by cooking zone — Group ingredients into clusters like weeknight grains, baking essentials, canned bases, breakfast foods, and snacks.
POINT: Decant dry staples — Pour flour, rice, and lentils into clear airtight containers to track supply and keep pests out.
POINT: Tier your cans — Set up stepped risers for canned goods so labels remain visible across deep shelves.
POINT: Position by frequency — Store daily essentials at eye level, heavy bulk jugs low, and seldom-used backstock up top.
POINT: Label everything cleanly — Stick expiration dates and names on decanted bins so cooking stays fast and effortless.
TIP: Choose square clear bins over round jars to avoid wasting shelf corners.

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