diff --git a/backend/app/api/ingredients.py b/backend/app/api/ingredients.py
index 17ab7a4..55d6432 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/ingredients.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/ingredients.py
@@ -55,6 +55,26 @@ def get_ingredient(ingredient_id: UUID, db: Session = Depends(get_db)) -> Ingred
     return row
 
 
+@public_router.post("", response_model=IngredientRead, status_code=status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
+def create_ingredient_public(payload: IngredientCreate, db: Session = Depends(get_db)) -> Ingredient:
+    row = Ingredient(
+        name=payload.name,
+        name_lower=payload.name.lower(),
+        aliases=payload.aliases,
+        aisle=payload.aisle,
+        unit=payload.unit,
+        typical_price=payload.typical_price,
+    )
+    db.add(row)
+    try:
+        db.commit()
+    except IntegrityError:
+        db.rollback()
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=409, detail="ingredient name already exists")
+    db.refresh(row)
+    return row
+
+
 @admin_router.post("", response_model=IngredientRead, status_code=status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
 def create_ingredient(payload: IngredientCreate, db: Session = Depends(get_db)) -> Ingredient:
     row = Ingredient(
diff --git a/frontend/src/api/index.ts b/frontend/src/api/index.ts
index 1a24c65..201722f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/index.ts
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ export const mealPlannerApi = {
     get: (id: string) => api.get(`/recipes/${id}`),
     create: (data: any) => api.post('/recipes', data),
     delete: (id: string) => api.delete(`/recipes/${id}`),
-    listIngredients: () => api.get('/recipes/ingredients'),
-    createIngredient: (data: any) => api.post('/recipes/ingredients', data),
+    listIngredients: () => api.get('/ingredients?limit=500'),
+    createIngredient: (data: any) => api.post('/ingredients', data),
   },
 
   meals: {
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Pantry.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/Pantry.tsx
index 01f701c..be9f88d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Pantry.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Pantry.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import type { HomePantryItem, Ingredient } from '../types'
 import { Button } from '../components/ui/Button'
 import { Card, CardBody } from '../components/ui/Card'
 import { Input } from '../components/ui/Input'
-import { Select } from '../components/ui/Select'
 import { Skeleton, SkeletonText } from '../components/ui/Skeleton'
 import { EmptyState } from '../components/ui/EmptyState'
 import { showToast } from '../lib/toast'
@@ -14,10 +13,13 @@ import { showToast } from '../lib/toast'
 export default function Pantry() {
   const queryClient = useQueryClient()
   const [showAddForm, setShowAddForm] = useState(false)
-  const [selectedIngredient, setSelectedIngredient] = useState('')
+  const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('')
+
+  /* ingredient name typed by user */
+  const [ingredientName, setIngredientName] = useState('')
   const [quantity, setQuantity] = useState('')
   const [unit, setUnit] = useState('')
-  const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('')
+  const [aisle, setAisle] = useState('')
 
   const { data: pantryItems, isLoading } = useQuery<HomePantryItem[]>({
     queryKey: ['pantry'],
@@ -29,15 +31,23 @@ export default function Pantry() {
     queryFn: () => mealPlannerApi.recipes.listIngredients().then(r => r.data),
   })
 
+  /* fuzzy match existing ingredient */
+  const matchedIngredient = ingredientName.trim().length > 0
+    ? ingredients?.find(
+        ing => ing.name.toLowerCase() === ingredientName.trim().toLowerCase()
+      )
+    : undefined
+
   const addMutation = useMutation({
     mutationFn: (data: { ingredient_id: string; quantity?: number; unit?: string }) =>
       mealPlannerApi.pantry.add(data),
     onSuccess: () => {
       queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['pantry'] })
       setShowAddForm(false)
-      setSelectedIngredient('')
+      setIngredientName('')
       setQuantity('')
       setUnit('')
+      setAisle('')
       showToast.success('Item added to pantry')
     },
     onError: () => {
@@ -56,12 +66,45 @@ export default function Pantry() {
     },
   })
 
-  const handleAdd = () => {
-    if (!selectedIngredient) return
+  async function handleAdd() {
+    const name = ingredientName.trim()
+    if (!name) {
+      showToast.error('Please enter an ingredient name')
+      return
+    }
+
+    let ingredientId = matchedIngredient?.id
+
+    if (!ingredientId) {
+      try {
+        const res = await mealPlannerApi.recipes.createIngredient({
+          name,
+          aisle: aisle.trim() || undefined,
+          unit: unit.trim() || undefined,
+        })
+        const created = res.data as any
+        ingredientId = created?.id
+        // refresh ingredient list so next add sees it
+        await queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['ingredients'] })
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        if (err?.response?.status === 409) {
+          showToast.error('Ingredient name already exists')
+        } else {
+          showToast.error('Failed to create ingredient')
+        }
+        return
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (!ingredientId) {
+      showToast.error('Could not resolve ingredient')
+      return
+    }
+
     addMutation.mutate({
-      ingredient_id: selectedIngredient,
+      ingredient_id: ingredientId,
       quantity: quantity ? parseFloat(quantity) : undefined,
-      unit: unit || undefined,
+      unit: unit.trim() || undefined,
     })
   }
 
@@ -70,11 +113,6 @@ export default function Pantry() {
     (item.ingredient?.aisle || '').toLowerCase().includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase())
   )
 
-  const ingredientOptions = ingredients?.map(ing => ({
-    value: ing.id,
-    label: ing.name + (ing.aisle ? ` (${ing.aisle})` : ''),
-  })) || []
-
   if (isLoading) {
     return (
       <div className="space-y-6 animate-fade-in">
@@ -132,14 +170,17 @@ export default function Pantry() {
         <Card className="animate-slide-down">
           <CardBody>
             <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-surface-900 mb-4">Add Pantry Item</h3>
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-4 gap-4">
+            <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-5 gap-4">
               <div className="md:col-span-2">
-                <Select
-                  label="Ingredient"
-                  options={[{ value: '', label: 'Select ingredient...' }, ...ingredientOptions]}
-                  value={selectedIngredient}
-                  onChange={(e) => setSelectedIngredient(e.target.value)}
+                <Input
+                  label="Ingredient name"
+                  value={ingredientName}
+                  onChange={(e) => setIngredientName(e.target.value)}
+                  placeholder="e.g., Avocado"
                 />
+                {matchedIngredient && (
+                  <p className="mt-1 text-xs text-success-600">Matched existing ingredient ✓</p>
+                )}
               </div>
               <Input
                 label="Quantity"
@@ -154,11 +195,17 @@ export default function Pantry() {
                 onChange={(e) => setUnit(e.target.value)}
                 placeholder="cans, lbs, etc."
               />
+              <Input
+                label="Aisle"
+                value={aisle}
+                onChange={(e) => setAisle(e.target.value)}
+                placeholder="e.g., Produce"
+              />
               <div className="flex items-end">
                 <Button
                   onClick={handleAdd}
                   loading={addMutation.isPending}
-                  disabled={!selectedIngredient || addMutation.isPending}
+                  disabled={!ingredientName.trim() || addMutation.isPending}
                   className="w-full"
                 >
                   Add