18 Grocery Items You Can Easily Make at Home (And Save Big!)

This article was originally published on ChaChingQueen.com, a site my wife and I own. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.

A woman and a child, both in aprons, smile while preparing vegetables in a kitchen.Photo byDepositPhotos

Have you ever looked at your grocery bill and thought, "There must be a better way"? As a mother of three kids, I always look for ways to save money and be more efficient. I've found that making things at home is a great way to do both. 

Not only does this approach help our family budget, but it also allows us to create healthier options and reduce our impact on the environment. Over time, we've built up quite a list of items we now make ourselves. 

These homemade versions often taste better, contain fewer preservatives, and give us complete control over the ingredients. There's something really satisfying about creating food with your own hands. 

In this article, I'm excited to share 18 things you can easily make at home. For each item, I'll explain why it's worth making yourself and give you a quick overview of what you'll need and how long it takes. 

Do you make any of these items at home? What’s your favorite recipe? Share your experiences in the comments!

Bread

The aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home is hard to beat. Making bread at home allows you to skip the preservatives found in most store-bought loaves. You can customize it to your liking, whole wheat, gluten-free, or packed with seeds and nuts. 

The process is simpler than you might think. Mix flour, water, yeast, and salt, knead the dough, let it rise, and bake. In about 2-3 hours, including rising time, you'll have a warm, crusty loaf that tastes amazing and costs a fraction of artisanal bread prices. 

Your family will love the fresh taste, and you'll love knowing exactly what's in it.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a staple in many households, but the store-bought versions often come with added sugars and preservatives. Making yogurt at home is surprisingly easy and much more cost-effective. All you need is milk and a small amount of plain yogurt as a starter culture. 

Heat the milk, mix in the culture, and let it sit in a warm place for 8-12 hours. The result? Creamy, tangy yogurt that's full of beneficial probiotics. You can adjust the thickness and tanginess to your liking, and add any flavors you enjoy. 

It's a great way to ensure you're getting all the health benefits without any unwanted additives.

Granola

Store-bought granola can be expensive and often contains more sugar than necessary. Making your own at home lets you control the ingredients and customize the flavors. Mix oats with your choice of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. 

Add a bit of honey or maple syrup for sweetness, and a touch of oil to help it crisp up. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The result is a crunchy, delicious granola that's perfect for breakfast or as a snack. 

You can make a big batch and store it for weeks, saving both time and money in the long run.

Nut Butter

Nut butters are packed with protein and healthy fats, but the store-bought versions can be pricey and often contain added oils or sugars. Making your own is incredibly simple. Choose your favorite nuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, or a mix. 

Roast them lightly to enhance their flavor, then blend in a food processor until smooth. It takes about 15 minutes of blending, with occasional stops to scrape down the sides. Add a pinch of salt if you like, and you've got fresh, natural nut butter with no additives. 

You can make it as smooth or chunky as you prefer, and even experiment with adding honey or cocoa for flavored varieties.

Salad Dressings

Those bottles of salad dressing in the store often contain preservatives and unhealthy oils. Making your own dressings at home is quick, easy, and allows you to create flavors you love. 

Start with a basic vinaigrette: mix olive oil with vinegar or lemon juice, add a spoonful of mustard, and season with herbs and spices. Shake it all up in a jar, and you've got a fresh dressing in under 5 minutes. 

You can get creative with different oils, vinegars, and add-ins like garlic or honey. Homemade dressings taste better, cost less, and you know exactly what's going into them.

Hummus

Hummus is a versatile and healthy snack, but store-bought versions can be expensive and often contain preservatives. Making it at home is simple and lets you adjust the flavors to your liking. Blend chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor. 

In about 10 minutes, you'll have smooth, creamy hummus that's perfect for dipping or spreading. You can easily customize it by adding roasted red peppers, extra garlic, or different spices. 

Homemade hummus is not only cheaper but also fresher and more flavorful than what you'll find in the store.

Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth is a kitchen staple that's easy to make at home and a great way to reduce food waste. Save vegetable scraps like carrot tops, onion skins, and celery leaves throughout the week. When you have enough, simmer them in water with some herbs for about an hour. 

Strain the liquid, and you've got homemade vegetable broth with no added sodium or preservatives. It's perfect for soups, sauces, and cooking grains. Plus, it's essentially free since you're using scraps you might otherwise throw away. 

The flavor is richer than store-bought broths, and you can customize it based on the vegetables you use.

Meat Stock/Broth

Similar to vegetable broth, homemade meat stock or broth is more flavorful and nutritious than store-bought versions. Start with bones left over after a meal, chicken, beef, or any other meat. 

Place them in a large pot with water, vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, and some herbs. Simmer for 4-8 hours, allowing all the flavors and nutrients to seep into the broth. The result is a rich, gelatinous stock that's full of flavor and nutrients. 

It's perfect for soups, sauces, and gravies. Making your own stock is an excellent way to get the most out of your food purchases and reduce waste. Plus, it's much cheaper than buying pre-made stock, and you can control the sodium content. 

Mayonnaise

Making mayonnaise at home is easier than you might think, and it tastes much better than store-bought versions. You'll need egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, mustard, and oil. Whisk the egg yolks with the vinegar and mustard, then slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk. 

In about 10 minutes, you'll have creamy, fresh mayonnaise without any preservatives or artificial ingredients. Homemade mayo has a richer flavor and smoother texture than what you find in jars. 

You can customize it too, adding herbs or garlic for different flavors. Once you try homemade mayo, you'll never want to go back to store-bought.

Pasta

Fresh pasta might seem like a luxury, but it's surprisingly simple to make at home. All you need is flour, eggs, and salt. Mix these ingredients to form a dough, knead it until smooth, then roll it out and cut it into your desired shape. 

The whole process takes about an hour, including resting time for the dough. The result is tender, flavorful pasta that cooks in just a few minutes. Homemade pasta has a better texture and taste than dried store-bought versions. 

Plus, you can experiment with different flours or add herbs to the dough for unique flavors. Making pasta can be a fun family activity, too.

Pickles

Homemade pickles are crunchier and more flavorful than their store-bought counterparts. Start with fresh cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, and your choice of spices. Combine these ingredients in a jar, making sure the cucumbers are fully submerged in the liquid. 

Let them sit for 24-48 hours, and you'll have crisp, tangy pickles. You can adjust the flavors to your liking, make them sweeter, spicier, or more garlicky. This method works for other vegetables too, like carrots or onions. 

Homemade pickles are free artificial preservatives and have a fresher taste. They're also a great way to preserve a bumper crop of cucumbers from your garden.

Dried Herbs

Drying your own herbs is a great way to preserve their flavor and save money. If you grow herbs in your garden or have extra fresh herbs, don't let them go to waste. Tie small bundles of herbs together and hang them in a dry, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. 

Alternatively, you can dry them in the oven on low heat for a few hours. Once dried, crumble the herbs and store them in airtight containers. Homemade dried herbs have a stronger flavor than store-bought ones and can last for months. 

This method works well for basil, rosemary, thyme, and many other herbs. It's an easy way to enjoy the flavors of your garden year-round.

Tomato Sauce

A good tomato sauce is the foundation of many meals, and making it at home allows you to control the ingredients and flavor. Start with ripe tomatoes (or canned if fresh aren't available), olive oil, garlic, and salt. 

Cook these ingredients together for about 45 minutes, mashing the tomatoes as they soften. You can add herbs like basil or oregano for extra flavor. The result is a fresh, vibrant sauce that tastes much better than jarred versions. 

Homemade tomato sauce is free preservatives and added sugars often found in store-bought sauces. Make a big batch and freeze portions for quick and easy meals later.

Jam or Fruit Preserves

Making your own jam or fruit preserves is a great way to capture the flavors of seasonal fruits. You'll need fruit, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook these ingredients together for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. 

The process is simple, but it does require some patience. Homemade jam has a fresher taste than store-bought versions and allows you to control the sweetness. You can experiment with different fruit combinations or add spices like cinnamon or vanilla. 

It's a wonderful way to use up ripe fruit and enjoy summer flavors all year round. Plus, homemade jam makes a great gift for friends and family.

Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream is a treat that's well worth the effort. You'll need milk, cream, sugar, and flavoring like vanilla. Mix these ingredients, then churn them in an ice cream maker, or use the no-churn method of whipping the cream separately. 

After 4-6 hours in the freezer, you'll have creamy, delicious ice cream. The best part about making ice cream at home is the ability to create unique flavors you can't find in stores. You can also control the sweetness and make it healthier using alternatives to sugar. 

Homemade ice cream has a fresher taste and creamier texture than many store-bought versions. It's a fun activity to do with kids, too.

Spice Blends

Creating your own spice blends at home is easy and allows you to customize flavors to your taste. Start with individual spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix them in proportions that suit your palate. 

It only takes about 10 minutes to create a unique blend. Homemade spice blends are fresher and more potent than pre-made mixes you buy at the store. They're also free fillers or anti-caking agents often found in commercial blends. 

You can make classics like Italian seasoning or taco seasoning, or create your own signature blend. Store your mixes in airtight containers, and they'll stay fresh for months.

Pizza Dough

Making pizza dough at home is simple and much cheaper than buying pre-made dough. You'll need flour, yeast, water, and salt. Mix these ingredients, knead the dough, and let it rise for about an hour. The whole process takes 1-2 hours, but most of that is waiting time. 

Homemade pizza dough has a better texture and taste than store-bought versions. You can make a big batch and freeze portions for future use. It's also fun to get the kids involved in shaping and topping their own pizzas. 

Once you start making your own dough, pizza night will become a regular and budget-friendly family tradition.

Ketchup

Homemade ketchup might sound unusual, but it's easy to make and tastes much fresher than the bottled kind. You'll need tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Cook these ingredients together for about 30 minutes, then blend until smooth. 

The result is a flavorful ketchup without the high fructose corn syrup found in many commercial brands. You can adjust the sweetness and spices to your liking. Homemade ketchup has a more complex flavor than store-bought versions. 

It's a great way to use up extra tomatoes from your garden and avoid artificial preservatives. Once you try homemade ketchup, you might never go back to the store-bought version. 

Kitchen Magic: Save Money and Eat Better

Making these items at home has become a fun and rewarding part of our family routine. We've seen significant savings on our grocery bills, and we're eating healthier, tastier food. 

Start with one or two items that interest you most. You might surprise yourself with how quickly you can master these kitchen skills. As you gain confidence, try more recipes. Before long, you'll have a whole collection of homemade staples. 

Remember, it's not about perfection, but about enjoying the process and the delicious results. 

🙋‍♂️If you like what you just read, then subscribe to my newsletter and follow us on YouTube.👈