1. Take inventory of everything in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry
Grab a notebook or use a note-taking app to make a list of everything you have. Knowing what’s in your kitchen will help you understand not only what you have to work with when you cook, but also what you lack. If your food and pantry items are unorganized, clean it up as you do inventory. The more organized your kitchen space is, the easier it will be to make that list.