How I Use AI to Use All of My Pantry Items & Waste Less

Good day, Aioli readers. Here’s one of the first editions of the newsletter meant to demystify AI and show you real-life applications for how you can use this powerful new tech in your everyday.

Today I am sharing the AI hack that inspired me to take this pursuit of sharing content online more seriously…

My two passions in life (at the moment) are the pursuit of culinary excellence (making really good food for myself and my husband to enjoy) and experimenting with different ways to use AI tools like ChatGPT. However, it wasn't until my kitchen reached peak chaos that I truly realized the power of AI in transforming my culinary practices. I turned to ChatGPT and documented my journey of pantry organization and meal planning, which, to my surprise, went viral on TikTok.

This is “How I Use AI to Use All of My Pantry Items & Waste Less”, and get really good recipes out of it…

Step 1: The Pantry Overhaul Challenge

Facing the clutter of cans, jars, and boxes, I realized my pantry needed more than just tidying up—it needed a smart inventory system. So, I rolled up my sleeves and began the first step: clearing out the pantry. This wasn't just about organization; it was about understanding what I had and reducing waste.

‍

Step 2: Taking Inventory

I meticulously listed every item in my pantry, from Italian butter beans to yuzu ponzu. This step was crucial—it transformed my heap of ingredients into clear, actionable data. I used my notes app on my iPhone, but you could write this out manually with pen and paper, take a photo of the list, and upload it directly to ChatGPT. With this comprehensive list, I moved on to the next phase.

‍

Step 3: Enlisting AI for Recipe Curation

Here's where the AI magic happened. Using ChatGPT, I input my pantry list and asked for recipes that would use these ingredients. The goal was to make the most of what I had, catering to dietary preferences and avoiding extra grocery runs.

‍

‍

Step 4: Curated Recipes Ready to Go

ChatGPT didn't just deliver; it amazed me with tailored recipes that breathed new life into my pantry items. From Laksa Curry with Chickpeas to Stuffed Tomatoes with Quinoa and Beans, I had a diverse menu that made use of every ingredient in innovative ways.

‍

Tik Tok went crazy for this hack, and the photo carousel has been viewed nearly 1 million times. Here’s the post if you want to read through the comments to see what people think!

Will you try out this ChatGPT hack? Let me know if you do! If you have any questions, email me at [email protected] 

Until next time!

-Meg, the girl behind Aioli