What to Cook With What You Have: The Complete Guide
It's 6 PM. You're hungry. You open the fridge and stare at random ingredients wondering, "What can I actually make with this?" Sound familiar? You're not alone—this is the #1 cooking frustration for home cooks.
The Problem With Traditional Recipe Search
When you search "chicken recipes," you get millions of results—none of which account for what you actually have. You find a recipe that looks great, only to realize you're missing three key ingredients. Now you're either making a grocery run or abandoning the idea entirely.
The solution? Flip the script. Instead of finding a recipe and buying ingredients, start with what you have and find recipes that match.
Method 1: The Pantry Staples Approach
Master a few flexible "template" recipes that work with whatever protein and vegetables you have on hand:
Stir-Fry Template
Works with almost any combination:
- Protein: Chicken, beef, tofu, shrimp, or eggs
- Vegetables: Whatever you have (broccoli, peppers, onions, carrots)
- Sauce: Soy sauce + garlic + ginger (basics you should always have)
- Base: Rice or noodles
Sheet Pan Dinner Template
Minimal effort, maximum results:
- Protein: Any meat or firm tofu
- Vegetables: Root vegetables, brussels sprouts, zucchini
- Seasoning: Olive oil + salt + pepper + any herbs
- Method: 400°F for 25-35 minutes
Pasta Aglio e Olio Template
When you have almost nothing:
- Base: Pasta + olive oil + garlic + red pepper flakes
- Upgrades: Add any vegetables, cheese, or protein you have
Method 2: Ingredient-First Recipe Search
Several websites let you input ingredients and find matching recipes:
- SuperCook: Input what you have, get recipe matches
- MyFridgeFood: Similar concept, community recipes
- Allrecipes Ingredient Search: Filter by ingredients you have
The limitation: These only search existing recipe databases. If your combination of ingredients doesn't match a stored recipe, you're out of luck.
Method 3: AI Recipe Generation (The Game-Changer)
Why AI Changes Everything
Unlike database searches, AI recipe generators create custom recipes based on YOUR specific ingredients. They understand cooking principles, flavor pairings, and techniques—not just keyword matching.
Apps like Sous let you input exactly what's in your pantry and generate completely original recipes tailored to those ingredients, your dietary preferences, and even your skill level.
How AI Recipe Generation Works:
- Input your ingredients - Either manually, via barcode scan, or photo
- Set preferences - Dietary restrictions, cuisine type, cooking time
- Get custom recipes - Not matches from a database, but original recipes created for your exact situation
- Cook with guidance - Step-by-step instructions, often with interactive features
Quick Reference: Common Ingredient Combos
Here are some reliable combinations when you're stuck:
Chicken + Rice + Any Vegetable
Stir-fry, casserole, or soup
Eggs + Cheese + Vegetables
Frittata, omelet, or scramble
Ground Meat + Tomatoes + Pasta
Bolognese, baked ziti, or tacos
Beans + Rice + Spices
Burrito bowl, soup, or curry
Potatoes + Any Protein
Hash, roasted dinner, or soup
Bread + Eggs + Cheese
French toast, sandwich, or strata
The Pantry Staples You Should Always Have
Keep these on hand and you can always make something:
Proteins
- • Eggs
- • Canned beans
- • Frozen chicken
- • Canned tuna
Carbs
- • Rice
- • Pasta
- • Bread
- • Potatoes
Flavor Builders
- • Garlic
- • Onions
- • Soy sauce
- • Olive oil
Stop Staring, Start Cooking
The next time you find yourself staring into the fridge, you have three options:
- Use a template recipe and substitute what you have
- Search ingredient-based recipe sites
- Let AI generate a custom recipe for your exact ingredients
For most people, option 3 is the fastest and most reliable. Download Sous, input what's in your kitchen, and get a personalized recipe in seconds. No more "I have nothing to eat" when you have a fridge full of ingredients.