Say Goodbye To Store-Bought
Have you ever bought a jar of salsa, only to realize later that you could've just made it at home—better and cheaper? Well, you're not alone. Making your own pantry staples isn't just about saving money (though that's a nice bonus); it's about fresh flavors, no weird additives, and total customization over what you eat. So go over 20 pantry essentials you can easily make at home.
1. Mayonnaise
Homemade mayo is one of those things that, once you make it yourself, you'll never go back to the store-bought version. Simply grab an egg, a cup of oil, a tablespoon of lemon juice, or, if preferred, vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a blender. That’s all!
2. Pancake Mix
You don't need those boxed pancake mixes. Making your own pancake mix is quite easy and saves you money. Just mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and a little bit of salt. Now, mix your eggs, milk, and butter, and you have an instant fluffy pancake magic.
3. Salsa
Store-bought salsa is fine in a pinch, but why settle for "fine" when homemade is a better option? You get to skip the added sugar and preservatives while customizing the spice level to your liking. Diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, salt and pepper are all you need. It's fresher, tastier, and completely customizable.
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4. Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is a golden kitchen essential. However, store-bought versions are often loaded with sodium, and homemade versions are so easy that it's almost sad not to make them yourself. Take the leftover bones from a roasted chicken, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns, and salt, and let it simmer for at least 4 hours. Strain and store in jars till needed.
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5. Garlic Powder
Do you check the ingredient list on a store-bought garlic powder? It's often filled with anti-caking agents and fillers. Preparing garlic powder at home is super easy, and the taste is a million times better. Just roast thinly sliced garlic cloves, blend until fine, store in a jar, and you're good to go.
6. Rice Flour
Homemade rice flour is a way cheaper alternative than pre-packaged products. Second, it's fresher and customizable—you control the grind, so you can make it as coarse or as fine as you like. Plus, the best part is that you need one ingredient: rice.
7. Kimchi
Kimchi is a flavorful burst that adds a spicy, tangy, and umami kick to dishes like rice bowls and grilled cheese. The homemade version is not only more delicious but also customizable. To make it, combine chopped cabbage with salt, minced garlic, ginger, onions, carrots, sugar, and soy sauce. Let the mixture ferment for about 3 to 5 days before refrigerating.
8. Hot Cocoa Mix
There's something magical about a warm cup of hot cocoa. Since pre-made cocoa mixes usually have corn syrup solids and hydrogenated oils, they are not so healthy. Skip the weirdness and brew your real-ingredient cocoa mix using cocoa powder, powdered sugar, powdered milk, and a pinch of salt. Add some finely chopped chocolate for a little kick.
9. Spaghetti Sauce
Yes, store-bought spaghetti sauce is convenient, but homemade spaghetti sauce is a whole new level of deliciousness. Moreover, it's extremely easy to make. You'll need to saute onions, add crushed or fresh tomatoes, and stir in salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and some sugar to balance the acidity.
10. Bread
If you're into healthy sandwiches, preparing bread at home is easier than you think. It smells amazing and doesn't have the additives and preservatives found in factory-made loaves. You'll need flour, yeast, water, sugar, salt, and olive oil, but you can customize it by adding herbs and garlic or using whole-grain flour.
11. Pancake Syrup
Many pancake syrups at the mart aren't even real syrup. They're just corn syrup with artificial maple flavor. So, when you make the syrup yourself, you can get a better, authentic taste, and it doesn't require tapping a tree. Using brown sugar, water, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and butter extract, you'll have a healthier and cheaper syrup.
12. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a gut-health superstar packed with probiotics, vitamins, and delicious tangy crunch. You'll need two ingredients: shredded cabbage and non-iodized salt, like sea salt. Manufactured sauerkraut is often pasteurized, killing all the good probiotics, but this one is customizable and healthier.
13. Worcestershire Sauce
This one might surprise you, but Worcestershire sauce is super easy to make at home—no mysterious chemicals, no preservatives, just bold, tangy, umami-packed goodness. Prepare it using apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and onion powder, mustard powder, and cinnamon. You can also add tamarind, molasses, or anchovies for more flavor.
14. Homemade Chips
Packed chips are either too greasy, too salty, or just disappointingly stale. Thankfully, you can make them way more satisfying. Use thinly sliced potatoes or tortillas. Then, add lime zest, paprika, or garlic powder. What's more to ask for?
15. Homemade Pasta
Making pasta from scratch might sound fancy and time-consuming, but it's not that hard, and the taste depends on you. Keep yourself equipped with flour, eggs, salt, olive oil, and some elbow grease. Choose a good recipe video and cook fresh and chewy pasta that is not bland and starchy like the boxed one.
16. Gravy
Gravy isn't just for turkey day—it's the hero of comfort food. It's even better if it's homemade. Avoid buying those packets full of unwanted ingredients. You'll need three ingredients: butter, flour, and broth, but it takes some whisking and patience to make. The result is rich gravy without any weird chemicals or mystery flavors.
17. Pizza Sauce
If you're putting store-bought pizza sauce on your homemade pizza, there's no need to depend on it anymore. Making it fresh takes just five minutes. Have some crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and sugar. There are also chili flakes or black pepper to enhance the flavor.
18. Powdered Sugar
Ever found yourself halfway through a frosting recipe and realized you're out of powdered sugar? Instead of running to the store, make it in 30 seconds at home. You'll just need some granulated sugar and cornstarch, but you might have to sift them to remove lumps. Add some cinnamon for a fun twist.
19. Almond Butter
Almond butter is delicious, packed with protein, and ridiculously expensive if you buy it at the store. It takes 10 minutes to blend roasted almonds yourself until they are smooth. You can add salt, honey, cinnamon, or cocoa powder, depending on what you like.
20. Italian Herb Blend
Mix some dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, parsley, marjoram, garlic powder, and crushed red peppers, and you'll have a healthy Italian herb blend. It's free from all the cheap fillers you can find in store-bought versions, and you can control the quality and taste.
Homemade Italian Seasoning Spice Mix Recipe by Yellow Chili's
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