As Christmas approaches, the festive buzz starts to build, and with it, the inevitable kitchen prep. Whether you’re hosting family meals, baking treats, or just trying to keep on top of things before the big day, there’s one task that should be on your to-do list: sorting your kitchen cupboards.
Here’s how to get your kitchen cupboards in order with a simple countdown cleaning plan.
Full disclosure, I speak from experience here and this isn’t my Christmas clear out but what I have been doing for years every time I came home to visit my parents.
Start simple with herbs and spices
We all have jars that are past their best, often collecting dust behind others. Check the dates and smell-test any items that might be a little too old. Spices lose their potency over time, so if your cinnamon no longer smells like Christmas, it might be time to replace it.
Consider what you’ll need for Christmas cooking and plan accordingly. Will you be roasting turkey or preparing mulled wine? Stocking up on the right spices, like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, will make your festive cooking so much more enjoyable. Donate any unopened packets of herbs or spices you no longer need, and dispose those that have truly expired.
Your freezer and fridge
Next up, tackle your freezer and fridge. These two will be working overtime during the holidays, so if there’s anything you can use up before (such as finishing a jar of something, or using leftovers you froze and won’t need for Christmas) will help.
The freezer is often an out-of-sight, out-of-mind place, but it’s also the key to preparing ahead of time for Christmas cooking. This is where getting a notepad (or your phone) is good, so you can jot down what is in there. Start by going through frozen meat, veggies, and leftovers. If you’ve been stashing away frozen pre-cooked meals for busy days, be sure to check the best before dates. If something’s been in there too long, it’s best to toss it to make room for items you’ll actually need in the lead-up to Christmas.
Check your fridge for long-forgotten cheeses, sauces, and opened jars. You may find a bottle of salad dressing from months ago, or that half-finished jar of pickles that are no longer in their prime. While it’s tempting to hold on to things “just in case”, you’ll be better off using up what you have, or tossing things that are past their best. For fresh ingredients, like herbs or dairy products, assess what you’ll actually need for your Christmas meals; if you have fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, for example, freeze any leftovers to use in the coming weeks for festive dishes.
The cupboards
Here, a pen and paper will come in handy again, because it’s not just about what you have, but how much of each. Unlike spices, you may go through a bit more of your kitchen basics over the holidays.
As you go through the cupboards and also oil and vinegar drawers, check the following:
- What do you need and use in everyday cooking (and do you still have enough)?
- What will you need more of during the holidays and should stock up on?
- What items have you forgotten about? Before buying more, check the use-by date!
- Is there anything you rarely use but could include in your Christmas meals to avoid it spoiling?
- Is there something that always goes off and can you buy smaller quantities or store it differently?
Using, disposing and donating
Now that you are aware of everything you have, it’s time to organise.
Anything that is still within their best before date but you simply don’t need them, donate them to a local food bank or charity. Do so as soon as possible as they are most in need in winter.
Anything that needs to be disposed of, try and do so in an environmentally friendly way: compost what you can and separate the packaging where possible. And finally, plan to use what you have and will need. Use our meal planner to help you plan how and when to use everything. If there are any ingredients you aren’t too familiar with, it’s time to try a new recipe. Check out AI to find simple ideas using your ingredients or leftovers
