Vinegar, stock cubes and tinned vegetables are some of the most unloved foods in the nation’s kitchen cupboards with many of them languishing unused for five YEARS – or more – due to lack of food inspiration.
Pantry staples have topped a list of the top 50 items which are likely to remain unused a year or more after being purchased.
Tinned tuna, chickpeas and various herbs and spices also made the list, as did gravy and nuts.
Soy sauce, kidney beans and dried pasta are also among foodstuffs lying unused in the nation’s pantries.
The research of 2,000 UK adults found three-quarters feel uninspired by what’s in their store cupboards.
With almost a third (32 per cent) experiencing the ‘store cupboard stare’ – often looking in their pantries and fridges and walking away unenthused by what’s there.
When staring absently to see what’s in stock, 12 per cent feel it’s ‘too much effort’ to decide what to make, and 11 per cent don’t think they’re creative enough to turn old ingredients into exciting dishes.
How to make the most out of your cupboard staples
To tackle the lack of mealtime inspiration, the rice brand Tilda has created a recipe generator tool that helps you to make the most of your cupboard staples.
The poll was commissioned by the rice brand as part of the launch of their latest flavour Ready to Heat Golden Vegetable Rice.
Spokesperson Anna Beheshti said: “We know people lead busy lives, with little time to cook tasty and balanced dishes, including vegetables.
“In a bid to cut down on costs and make life a little bit more affordable, simple meals with fewer ingredients are increasing in popularity.
“All that’s needed is a little inspiration to help people make the most of their store cupboard staples.”
The research went on to find that with the recent increases in the cost
