Have you noticed the prices at the grocery store lately? It feels like every trip ends with a little sticker shock. But here’s a silver lining: many of the items you’re used to tossing into your cart can actually be made at home, often for a fraction of the cost. This list of foods you’re better off making yourself is both a fun way to get creative in the kitchen and a smart strategy for keeping your budget in check.
Applesauce
Homemade applesauce beats the jarred stuff hands down, and when you’re up to your eyeballs in apples come fall it’s the best way to make use of them. Applesauce can be made on the stove-top, in a slow cooker or even a pressure cooker. Make it in bulk, adjust it to your tastes and save it to enjoy throughout winter by canning it.
Pickles
Pickling your own vegetables is a simple and fun way to preserve seasonal produce, with the added benefit of controlling the flavor and crunch. You won’t find food dye (yes, check your pickle jar label) in homemade pickles and you can experiment with different spices and herbs to create your favorite kind. We love a good sweet and spicy pickle!
Spaghetti Sauce
Store-bought spaghetti sauce often comes with added sugar and preservatives. Making it at home means you get to play with flavors, adding your own mix of herbs and spices, and letting fresh seasonal tomatoes shine. Your pasta dishes will get an instant upgrade with a homemade batch of sauce.
Chicken Stock
Simmering your own chicken stock is a great way to get more bang for your buck, utilizing leftover bones and vegetable scraps. It’s healthier, richer in flavor, and free from the high sodium and additives of many canned or boxed stocks. Plus, it can be frozen in portions for easy use in recipes.
Bread
Baking your own bread can be incredibly satisfying and surprisingly simple, with numerous quick recipes that don’t require extensive kneading or rising times. Homemade bread is free from the preservatives found in many store loaves and you can make an organic loaf for much less money. This oat bread recipe is a great place to start.
Granola
Baking your own granola means you can handpick wholesome ingredients, avoiding the excessive sugar and oils common in commercial brands. Your kitchen will smell amazing and you’ll wonder why you ever shelled out $10+ for the tiniest bag before when it was this easy to make yourself. This coconut almond granola is a favorite.
Jam
Homemade jam lets you enjoy seasonal fruit without the high fructose corn syrup or preservatives of many store-bought options. It requires minimal ingredients and is the perfect recipe to get into canning. Although, refrigerator jams will last weeks even without traditional canning methods. This one’s a no-brainer!
Honey Mustard
Whisking together your own honey mustard sauce is incredibly easy, allowing you to balance the sweet and tangy flavors perfectly. It’s a healthier alternative to processed versions, free from artificial colors and flavors, and versatile enough to be a dip, dressing, or glaze. Drizzle it over some pecan chicken for dinner.
Hummus
Homemade hummus is not only cost-effective but also allows for customization that can’t be matched by the pre-packaged variety. With just chickpeas, tahini (although you don’t even need this ingredient if you don’t have it on hand), lemon juice, and garlic, you can create a fresh, creamy spread that’s perfect for snacking.
Guacamole
Making guacamole at home is a game-changer. Not only do you control the freshness and the flavor balance—think just the right amount of lime and cilantro—but you also avoid the preservatives found in many store-bought versions. Whipping up a batch is as simple as mashing ripe avocados and mixing in a few key ingredients.
Nut Butter
Making nut butter at home is surprisingly easy and allows for complete control over ingredients and texture. Without the added oils and sugars of many commercial nut butters, you get a purer, more flavorful spread that can be customized with different nuts and seasonings. All you need is a food processor and some nuts! This macadamia nut butter is so creamy and decadent and would’ve cost a fortune in the store.
Vanilla Extract
Creating your own vanilla extract might take patience, but it’s a straightforward process that results in a richer, more flavorful baking ingredient than many store-bought extracts. With just vanilla beans and alcohol, you can have a cost-effective, high-quality extract without artificial flavorings. It’s also a great DIY holiday gift for friends and family.
Pesto
Homemade pesto is fresher, more vibrant, and can be made with a variety of greens and nuts, not just the traditional basil and pine nuts. It freezes well too so it’s perfect for making in big batches, especially in the summer if find yourself with an abundance of herbs you have no idea what to do with. This arugula pesto recipe is a great place to start.
Croutons
Since you’re making your own bread now, homemade croutons are a tasty way to repurpose any of it that’s gone stale, and they’re far superior to the store-bought version in both flavor and texture. With just a little oil, seasoning, and oven time, you can have crunchy addition to salads and soups.
Seasoning Mixes
DIY seasoning mixes not only save money but also allow you to adjust flavors to your taste and skip the unnecessary fillers or high sodium levels of commercial packets. Whether it’s taco seasoning or a herb blend, homemade mixes are quick to put together from spices you likely already have.
10 Foods That Have Priced Themselves Out Of Our Shopping Carts Lately
Ever noticed how some grocery items have gone from ‘yeah, let’s grab it’ to ‘wait, how much?!’ lately? We’re looking at a bunch of foods that have gotten so expensive, we’re just shaking our heads and putting them back on the shelf. From breakfast staples to quick dinner fixes, let’s talk about the stuff that’s not making the cut anymore and how whipping up alternatives at home might just be the wallet-friendly (and fun) way to go.
See them here: 10 Foods That Have Priced Themselves Out Of Our Shopping Carts Lately
10 Foods That Deceive You Into Thinking They’re Healthy
It’s easy to be fooled by foods that wear a healthy halo, especially when we’re trying to make better eating choices. Here’s the truth behind 10 foods that might seem like they’re on your side in the health department, but actually aren’t. Learn what makes them less than ideal and what to opt for in their place.
See Them Here: 10 Foods That Deceive You Into Thinking They’re Healthy
Boost Your Health With These 11 Superfoods Already In Your Kitchen
Ever wonder what makes a food a “superfood”? It’s all about those nutrient-dense ingredients that pack a punch for your health with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But here’s the kicker: you don’t need to search high and low for exotic or obscure ingredients. Turns out, some of the best superfoods are probably sitting in your kitchen right now. Here are some of the everyday items that are not only easy to find but also super good for you, proving that boosting your health can be as simple as opening your pantry or refrigerator door.
See them all here: Boost Your Health With These 11 Superfoods Already In Your Kitchen
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
