31 Things to Make from Scratch to Save Money
I am always trying to find new ways to save money and reduce our exposure to unnecessary ingredients in our products. Check out this list of 31 things to make from scratch to save money! These simple swaps will save money and reduce the toxic chemicals you bring into your home. Additionally, you’ll also realize how simple it is to make these changes and wish you had done it sooner!
I started making homemade versions of commonly used products in our home a few years ago to help save us money. When our son was diagnosed with cancer, I did it as a way to control what he was exposed to in his diet and reduce the amount of harmful chemicals we were bringing into our home.
As I started making changes, I quickly realized that most of the swaps I made were so simple that it became a thrill to find new recipes and alternatives to the products I had been purchasing.
Many of the swaps I’ve made only take 5-10 minutes, which is perfect for a busy mom like me! This encouraged me further and helped me to see how easy it is to avoid buying convenience foods that contain questionable ingredients and make them myself.
I’m excited to share my favorites with you today!
Whether you want to save money, reduce your exposure to questionable ingredients, or become more confident in your abilities to make your products from scratch, this list of things to make from scratch will inspire you to try!
Things to make from scratch
Bread
I started making bread from scratch at the beginning of this year and have never looked back! Not only have we saved money, But I’ve also reduced the amount of unnecessary ingredients dramatically by baking bread myself. I want to take it a step further and start working with sourdough, but until then, I feel good about the change we’ve made!
Breadcrumbs
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of store-bought breadcrumbs? Why are there so many ingredients? On my mission to add to my list of things to make from scratch, this was easy. I set my oven to 210 degrees F, place 10-12 pieces on a cookie sheet, and let it crisp for about 15-20 minutes. Flip each piece of bread and cook for about 15-20 more minutes. Add the bread to a blender, a few pieces at a time, and blend. So easy! When a recipe calls for breadcrumbs, I add whatever seasonings I want, and that’s it.
Dinner rolls
We love rolls with soup or stew recipes, and making them from scratch was a simple addition to my list of things to make from scratch. This recipe is so easy, and if you want to make it extra special, try this honey butter recipe!
Buns
Like dinner rolls, buns were simple to start making from scratch. I never have to run out for hamburger or hot dog buns, and I love how few ingredients this recipe has. The rise time isn’t very long, making it easy to plan my day and make these in time to cool for our meal. I think that’s the most challenging part of baking- waiting for things to cool long enough to try them!
The recipe:
2 cups very warm water
4 tbsp dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup softened butter
6-6 1/2 cups flour
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, add the warm water and yeast and stir. Let sit for about 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
Add the sugar, salt, eggs, and softened butter once the yeast has activated. Stir in about 3 cups of the flour and let that combine. Add in the other 3 cups. Add 1/4-1/2 cup more flour if your dough is still sticky. Your dough should form a ball.
Let rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Flour a clean work surface and pour the dough onto it. Cut the dough in half, then cut each half into 16 equal pieces. Roll all 32 buns into balls and place them on a cookie sheet at least 2-3 inches apart.
Let the buns rise until tripled in size.
Place in oven and cook for 10-12 minutes.
Let cook for about 20 minutes before cutting into, and enjoy!
French bread
Large loaves of French bread are excellent for special dinners and when we make sub sandwiches. We like the crust crispy, so I add a few ice cubes to the oven when the bread is baking and skip buttering the outside while it cools as the recipe suggests. The loaves are always beautiful, and the leftovers make delicious French toast the following day!
Pizza crust
Weekly pizza night is a family favorite. The kids still get a delicious dinner, but because it’s so easy, it feels like a treat for me, too. We usually eat and watch a movie as a family every week, and the kids look forward to our night as a family, which we love. The recipe I linked is one that I created and has never failed! It makes 3 good-sized pizza crusts perfect for loading up with your favorite toppings.
Pie crust
Around the holidays, my husband looks forward to dozens of cinnamon tarts. They are one of his favorite treats from childhood, but the store-bought dough is filled with margarine and other gross ingredients. Pie crust used to intimidate me until I tried it honestly and realized how simple it is! Now I can make him cinnamon tarts (And my homemade pumpkin pie!) whenever I want without the nasty stuff.
Cinnamon rolls
Cinnamon roll Saturdays are another tradition we’ve started, but there aren’t many places around us that offer a decent cinnamon roll, and the kind that comes in a can isn’t that impressive. Adding cinnamon rolls to my list of things to make from scratch was the perfect solution! (Tip: drizzle heavy cream over the rolls right before you place them in the oven, and they come out deliciously fluffy.)
Pasta
My kids could eat their weight in pasta. And while it’s not that expensive, the ingredients are less than stellar. I got a pasta attachment for my KitchenAid as a Christmas present last year and have put it to good use this year! Lasagna, fettuccini, and spaghetti are going to be the easiest. Shaped pasta can be a pain, but the kids enjoy helping enough that it is manageable. This recipe has been delicious every time!
Cookies
Probably an obvious food to make from scratch, but it counts! My daughter loves baking and has tried a few recipes recently that we’ve added to our rotation! The sense of responsibility is great for her, and we have a snack option for the week! While store-bought dough can be yummy, making it from scratch is so simple.
Cake
I used to take my kids to the store to look at display cakes when they were younger because baking a cake was intimidating to me. Once I felt confident enough to try it and start practicing, I never bought another cake from the store again! I recently made a double chocolate cake that was incredible, and strawberry with strawberry cream cheese frosting is a big hit in our home! It’s much easier than you might think.
Ice cream
One of my favorite purchases I’ve ever made is a Cuisinart ice cream maker. Our kids ask at least once a week if we can make ice cream, and with how simple it is, how can I say no? Some recipes can be a little heavy, but this recipe has never failed me. Delicious, creamy, and easily customizable.
Dry pancake mix
A large bag from Costco is only about $10, but when I can make it from scratch with 4 ingredients for pennies, I will do that instead!
Here is the recipe:
To make pancakes, mix 1 cup of dry pancake mix with ¾- 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 4 T melted butter, and ¼ cup water. Mix ingredients. If it is too thick, add a splash of more milk or water and pour the batter onto a hot skillet. Wait for bubbles to form before flipping. Enjoy!
Alfredo sauce
One of our favorite dinners is chicken alfredo, but jarred alfredo does not taste the same as homemade. It’s so easy and tastes way better. I like mine heavy on the garlic and pepper. The alfredo sauce can easily be customized to your flavor preference and used for any recipe that calls for alfredo.
Directions:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter
2 cups milk
1 cup preferred cheese
salt, pepper, garlic powder to preferred taste
In a pot, add butter and allow to melt completely. Add flour, stirring constantly. Once combined, slowly pour in the milk and stir together. Let sit for 1-2 minutes, then add cheese and seasonings. If the sauce is too thin, add a little more cheese. If it’s too thick, add more milk. That’s it!
Mayo
I love mayo. It’s probably among one of the worst condiments out there, but I have also loved putting it on my burgers and in egg salad. This year we’ve worked hard to reduce our consumption of seed oils for our health, and I have never found a mayo that meets what I’m looking for. So, instead, I make it! I have used avocado and coconut oil, and both taste incredible. This recipe is super simple; just remember to have patience when adding the oil! Seriously. Just a few drops at a time, or it won’t come together correctly.
Taco seasoning
Prepackaged taco seasoning is filled with MSG and unnecessary sugars. I make this recipe every 2 months and use it for every taco and enchilada night. You can tweak the measurements to fit your taste and preferred level of spice easily.
Ingredients:
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground pepper
1 TBPS chili powder
1- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
Add all ingredients to a small jar and shake together. Feel free to tweak amounts to your liking.
Sloppy joes
I used to hate sloppy joes growing up. Turns out it wasn’t actually sloppy joes, just the canned sauce we used to use. This recipe is a huge hit with my family. I have to serve myself first, or it’ll be gone before I sit down! Pair with the bun recipe shared above, and a side of roasted veggies or salad and homemade fries for a balanced meal!
Stock
Making vegetable stock is one of the easiest things to make from scratch. Add ends of carrots, onions, celery, and any other veggies you love to a bag and store in the freezer. Once it’s full, put a stockpot filled with water on the stove and simmer your veggies for a few hours. Add salt and pepper to taste, and that’s it! It really is that simple.
Salad dressing
Salad dressing is another product often made with seed oils and dozens of harmful ingredients. I love vinaigrettes best, but a good ranch dressing is great to have on hand for dishes like ranch chicken, roasted potatoes, and veggies. These salad dressing recipes are simple and delicious for a variety of meals.
Granola
Yogurt parfaits are one of my favorite snacks and quick breakfast choices. Making it yourself makes sense when it takes 5 minutes to mix and 45 minutes left in the oven to cook. Don’t touch the granola until it’s cool, and then gently crack it with a serving spoon to break it apart. Store in an airtight jar in your pantry.
Apple butter
One of the best parts of fall is apple butter. On scones, a piece of toast, or mixed into oatmeal, apple butter is so comforting. To a crockpot, add 6-8 apples peeled, diced apples, ¼ cup water, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp vanilla, and ¼ cup brown sugar. Stir all the ingredients together and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Once the apples have softened, you can use an immersion blender to blend until smooth or add the ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour the ingredients back into the crockpot and cook uncovered on low for another 2 hours to tighten the apple butter. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Apple sauce
Similar to apple butter, applesauce is really simple. Using any variety of apples that you enjoy, peel and chop 8-10 apples and place in a saucepan. Add ½ cup water, 1 tsp cinnamon, and if a splash of vanilla. I don’t think applesauce needs extra sweetener, but if you prefer, add 2-3 TBSP sugar to the mixture. Cover and let apples simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Remove the lid and cook for another 5 minutes to thicken. Pour apples into a blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, if you like chunky applesauce, mash with a masher. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Whipped cream
With just 2 ingredients, making whipped cream is so simple. Add your desired amount of heavy whipping cream to a stand mixer and turn it on medium speed. Once it reaches stiff peaks, turn off the mixer and add powdered sugar to your desired level of sweetness.
Butter
I accidentally made butter once when I was trying to make whipped cream. Pour about 3 cups of heavy cream into a mixer, turn it on, and walk away. Seriously, just walk away. Once it starts to separate, you’re getting close! Pour off the liquid and save it! That’s buttermilk. Run the butter under cold water, squeezing it into a ball. Try to remove as much moisture as you can and place it back in the mixer. Add a sprinkle of salt and turn your mixer on low for about a minute. Scrape down the sides of the mixer and store the butter in an airtight container in the fridge.
Chocolate syrup
My kids love chocolate milk and hot cocoa, but I don’t love how pricey it can get when you have 6 kids running to the kitchen for a chocolatey treat. Making chocolate syrup is super easy with only 2 ingredients. Adding this to my list of things to make from scratch was a no-brainer.
Recipe:
In a jar, add 1 cup maple syrup and ¼ cup cocoa powder. Screw on the lid tight and start shaking. If you have a mini frother, you can use that to incorporate the cocoa powder better. Use 2-3 T of chocolate mix per cup of cocoa or chocolate milk, and enjoy!
Making products from scratch goes beyond food! Here are more things to make from scratch that don’t involve cooking:
Dry shampoo
I only wash my hair a few times a week. It’s cut back on how much product I go through, but it’s also healthier for my hair in the long run to wash it less. I can go about 3-4 days before I rewash it. With the help of dry shampoo, I can push that even further. I haven’t found a spray dry shampoo that I enjoy or feel safe using regularly.
The ingredients and amounts you use will vary depending on your hair color.
For brunette hair:
Add ¼ cup cornstarch and 1 TBSP cocoa powder to a jar and shake well. I love this jar. To apply, use a makeup brush, dip the tip of the bristles in the powder, and tap onto your roots. Massage in style as usual!
For lighter hair, use less cocoa powder; for dark hair, add more cocoa to match your hair color.
This mixture lasts forever, and the best part is you’ll smell like chocolate!
All-purpose cleaner
To a spray bottle, add ½ cup vinegar and fill the rest of the way with water. For a fresh scent, infuse vinegar with orange peels or pine needles for 2 weeks before using.
Window cleaner
To a spray bottle, add 2 TBSP alcohol and fill the rest of the way with water. Spray windows and wipe with a microfiber cloth for best results.
Floor cleaner
Castile soap and vinegar are both excellent options for floor cleaners.
To use vinegar, add 1 cup to a mop bucket and 1 gallon of scalding hot water. Mop floor as usual.
To use liquid castile soap, add 2 TBSP to a mop bucket and 1 gallon of scalding hot water. Mop floor as usual.
Laundry detergent
My homemade laundry detergent recipe is by far the best if I say so myself! I love how simple it is, yet still effective. I like to add tea tree essential oils for antimicrobial effects and 10 drops of orange essential oil to a wool dryer ball when drying. The combination is lovely. Completely optional if you don’t enjoy those scents.
Fabric softener
As I mentioned, I like to use wool dryer balls to remove cling and soften clothes.
Another great option is vinegar. Add one cup per load to the wash and wash as usual. It won’t leave any vinegar scent on clothes, so don’t worry! A bonus to using vinegar is that it also cleans your washer!
This list of things to make from scratch is constantly growing. Challenging myself to make things from scratch, whether it’s to save money or reduce our exposure to harsh chemicals, has been incredible for me to focus on. We work hard to be good stewards of our money, and if I can contribute to that habit by making things from scratch, I will!
Thank you so much for being here today! If this post has been helpful to you, please remember to comment below and pin it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Until next time,
-M
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