Can't make it to the grocery store? No worries, we've got you covered!
Times of uncertainty tend to make us realize that we take a lot of things for granted. An example may be something as simple as going to the grocery store anytime we want. In cases of extreme weather or widespread illness, items like food, water, and hygiene products become a lot more valuable. Unfortunately, they also become more difficult to find. We know how stressful it can be when the food in your fridge and pantry begins to dwindle, but it’s important not to panic. Take a look in the kitchen and then check out these recipes that require six ingredients or fewer.
Related: How to Pack Your Freezer Meals Like a Pro
Do you have ingredients to make a few of them? If so, great! You can at least get through the next few days. If you find that you still lack in the ingredients department, at least now you know what to stock up on when you head to the store. Preparing meals that require very little effort, and even fewer ingredients, can keep stress levels and spending low.
Check Out: 14 Healthy Freezer Meals to Make Your Life Easier
Running Short on Ingredients? Make These Recipes with6-Ingredients or Less!
When stocking up on essential ingredients, you want to consider what will last a while and what won’t. You don’t want to purchase perishable items like lettuce, avocado, bananas, sushi, or dairy. While we don’t normally recommend buying canned and boxed goods, they end up being invaluable when it comes to stocking up your kitchen for a couple of weeks to ensure you and your family have food. Other items like chicken, beef, and fish can be frozen for months, so don’t hesitate to load up on them, either.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde
If you don’t have any cilantro, don’t sweat it. This chicken chili is still incredibly flavorful without it. All you need is some chicken, chicken broth, salsa, and navy beans!
6-Ingredient Orange Chicken
The six ingredients include: chicken breast, flour, coconut oil, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and navel oranges. Citrus fruits last for up to four weeks in the refrigerator, so you have plenty of time to make this. Serve it with a side of rice or some ramen noodles!
3-Ingredient Tender Broiled Salmon
This salmon is easy as 1-2-3-ingredients! All it takes is salmon, salt, and crushed red pepper! This dish can be served with a side of rice or frozen asparagus for a nutrient-dense, well-rounded meal.
5-Ingredient Apple Cider Braised Chicken
Flavorful and fast, this recipe calls for chicken breast, apple cider, whole grain mustard, salt, and yellow onion. Don’t worry about any of the ingredients going bad, either! The chicken can be frozen until you’re ready to use it, and the onion will last for up to three months at room temperature.
Plant-Based Cashew Flat Bread
This is a base recipe for cashew flatbread that can be used for a variety of different meals. All you need are cashews, maple syrup, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and some water. Use this flatbread for sandwiches, dip it into canned soup for a hearty meal, or make a pizza by adding sauce, cheese, and pepperoni!
Slow Cooker Everything Chicken
This is a recipe that I make pretty much every week. It’s extremely versatile and great to have on hand. You can use it to make quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps, or eat it as an entree with some rice and veggies. Enjoy it with ranch, Caesar, or blue cheese dressing, or it’s great with buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, and more! The most perishable ingredient is garlic and even that lasts up to six months in the pantry. The other ingredients include chicken breast, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chicken broth (although I often use water).
5-Ingredient Vegan “Chicken” Salad Recipe
If you’re vegan or following a plant-based diet, chances are good that you already have plant-based chicken in the freezer. Other than that, you need apples, vegan mayo, onion, and pecans for this recipe. Apples can last up to two months in the fridge and onions can last even longer, so be sure to stock up on these ingredients!
Easy 3-Ingredient Chicken Tacos
Chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning are all you need for this easy recipe! Buy some boxed taco shells at the store and break them out on Taco Tuesday!
Instant Pot Skinny Spaghetti
This Instant Pot spaghetti offers eight servings and is incredibly easy to make. It has very few ingredients. In fact, all you need is whole-wheat spaghetti, marinara sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, water, and turkey sausage! Of course, if you’re vegetarian, you can leave out the turkey sausage.
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Stuck inside and craving something sweet? Satisfy your sweet tooth with these ridiculously easy and delicious peanut butter cookies. Whip out the peanut butter, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, and an egg, and you’ve got dessert! Don’t worry; eggs last up to five weeks in the refrigerator.
Barbecue Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas
While avocados don’t have a very long shelf life, this recipe is still incredibly tasty even without them. The required ingredients include chicken, barbecue sauce, whole grain tortillas, and mozzarella cheese. The shredded cheese lasts up to six weeks unopened in the fridge and two weeks after opening.
Authentic Everything Beef Tacos
The beef recipe only requires six ingredients and is perfect for preparing now and freezing for later. Use it to make tacos or pair it with a side of mac and cheese!
Crock Pot 3-Ingredient Balsamic Chicken
All you need for this slow cooker meal is salsa, balsamic vinegar, and chicken breasts! You’ll get six servings out of it, so you’ll definitely end up with leftovers. Don’t worry; it freezes well, so you’ll have ready-to-eat chicken when you need it!
Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
We didn’t forget about breakfast! Oatmeal is a great option when you’re in a pinch, but this recipe is particularly good. Aside from oats, you’ll need water, cinnamon, apples, and honey. Apples last up to eight weeks in the fridge, and the honey is optional for additional sweetness.
6-Ingredient Buffalo Chicken Noodle Bake
Casseroles are an excellent way to prepare several days worth of meals at once. There is dairy in this recipe, but as long as you make it in the next week or two, it will be totally fine. Of course, you can always prepare it ahead of time and freeze it for later.
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Speaking of meals that can be frozen for later, this delectable mac and cheese is perfect for a quick dinner when you’re feeling under the weather. All you need is penne pasta, cornstarch, milk, cheddar cheese, and egg whites.
We hope that these easy recipes that require six ingredients or fewer have eased your mind a bit. There’s no reason to stress out when you’re well prepared. Next time you’re at the store, stock up on some of the common ingredients.
You may have noticed that a lot of these meals required similar ingredients such as chicken, salsa, pasta, and more. Luckily, many of these items can be stored for several months, meaning you can be prepared for whatever life throws at you!
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