4 Pantry Staples We Stopped Buying and Started Making at Home
Save money on groceries, reduce processed ingredients, and stock your pantry with homemade staples.
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list on something you buy every week and thought, "I could probably make that myself?"
That's exactly how my homemade journey began.
It all started with something as simple as baking a loaf of bread. That one recipe sparked a much bigger change in our home. I started paying closer attention to the ingredients in the foods I was serving my family and discovered that many everyday pantry staples are surprisingly easy to make from scratch.
Not only has making more food at home helped us save money on groceries, but it has also given me peace of mind knowing exactly what goes into the foods we eat. With grocery prices continuing to rise, I've been amazed at how many homemade pantry staples can be made using simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Today I'm sharing four pantry staples I no longer buy at the grocery store anymore because they're simple to make, budget-friendly, and taste just as good, if not better than the store-bought versions.
1. Homemade Brown Sugar
Brown sugar was one of the first pantry staples I stopped buying. One day, I looked at the ingredient list and realized it contained just two ingredients: sugar and molasses. My first thought was, "That's it? I already have both of those in my pantry!"
Another reason I prefer homemade brown sugar is that I no longer have to deal with a bag turning into a hard brick before I can use it all. While there are tricks like storing a slice of bread in the container to keep it soft. However, I love being able to make only what I need. It's always fresh, soft, and ready to use.
I've also noticed that many homemade pantry staples simply taste better when they're freshly made, and brown sugar is no exception.
Does Homemade Brown Sugar Save Money?
For our family, it absolutely does.
A 4-pound bag of granulated sugar costs about $4.04, which works out to roughly 45¢ per cup.
A jar of molasses costs about $3.94 and provides about 24 tablespoons, making it about 16¢ per tablespoon.
That means one cup of homemade brown sugar costs approximately 61¢ to make.
Compare that to buying a 2-pound bag of brown sugar for around $3.97, which works out to nearly $1 per cup.
If you bake often or use brown sugar regularly, those savings can really add up throughout the year.
Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe
Light Brown Sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
Dark Brown Sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1½–2 tablespoons molasses
My Tip: Make only a couple of cups at a time and store it in an airtight container. While you can use a mixer, I've found that a simple fork works just as well and creates fewer dishes.
2. Homemade Taco Seasoning
Taco night is a regular thing in our house. We usually have some kind of tacos at least twice a month, which meant I was constantly reaching for those little packets of taco seasoning at the grocery store. They may not seem expensive individually, but when you're buying them month after month, the cost starts to add up.
When I started looking for recipes, I was surprised to see that the ingredients were simply spices I already had sitting in my pantry. Why keep buying little packets when I could mix up a jar myself in just a few minutes?
And honestly, one of my favorite parts of making my own taco seasoning is that I get to control the flavor. We can make it as mild or as spicy as we like, and I always have a homemade blend ready to grab when taco night rolls around.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (use less or leave out for a milder seasoning)
Add all of the ingredients to a small jar with a lid. Secure the lid and shake well until everything is thoroughly combined.
Store your taco seasoning in an airtight jar or container in your pantry.
How to Use It
When you're ready to make tacos, use 2½ tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat. Add a little more or less depending on your family's taste.
This seasoning works great with ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even shredded chicken. And once you have a jar mixed up and ready to go, taco night becomes just a little easier!
3. Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Homemade ranch seasoning is one of the easiest pantry staples to make, and in my opinion, it tastes even better than the store-bought packets.
I stopped buying ranch seasoning when I realized how simple it was to make and discovered I already had most of the ingredients sitting in my pantry.
What I love most is how versatile it is. One jar can be used to make homemade ranch dressing, vegetable dip, season roasted potatoes, chicken, popcorn, and so much more.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Combine the following ingredients into a jar, shake well until combined, and store in an airtight container:
1 cup dry milk powder
¼ cup dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried minced onion flakes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
½ tablespoon black pepper
Homemade Ranch Vegetable Dip
Mix together:
1 heaping tablespoon ranch seasoning
1 cup sour cream
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Combine:
¾ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
¾–1 cup milk
1–2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
Whisk until smooth and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
My Tip: Make a double batch of the seasoning mix and keep it in your pantry. It stays fresh for months and makes homemade ranch dressing or dip just as convenient as opening a packet.
4. Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Italian food is a favorite in our house, and we found ourselves buying at least four large jars of spaghetti sauce every month.
After doing a little research, I discovered that I could make a homemade spaghetti sauce seasoning mix ahead of time and simply add it to a can of crushed tomatoes whenever I needed it.
It was just as convenient as opening a jar, but I could control the ingredients, customize the flavor for my family, and save money at the same time.
The best part is that homemade spaghetti sauce uses simple pantry staples you probably already have in your kitchen. Once the seasoning mix is prepared, dinner comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
One of the resources that truly helped me get started on my homemade journey was The Dry Mix Pantry by Mel from The Homestead Fam. Her cookbook is filled with homemade seasoning mixes and pantry staples that have saved our family both time and money.
If you're looking to replace more store-bought foods with homemade versions, I highly recommend checking it out. I'll leave a link below because it has been such a valuable resource for our family.
Final Thoughts
Making food from scratch doesn't mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen every day.
Start with just one pantry staple that your family uses often. Once you realize how easy it is, you'll naturally begin replacing more store-bought products with homemade versions.
That's exactly how it happened for us. One loaf of bread led to homemade brown sugar, taco and ranch seasoning, spaghetti sauce, and so much more. Little by little, we've built a pantry full of homemade staples that save us money, taste better, and give us confidence in what we're feeding our family.
If you're just beginning your own homemade journey, don't feel like you have to do everything at once. Pick one recipe, give it a try, and build from there. Every homemade swap is one step closer to a simpler, more intentional kitchen.
Ready to Start Your Homemade Journey?
If you'd like more simple recipes, pantry swaps, and practical tips for creating a homemade lifestyle, be sure to download my FREE Homemade on Purpose Starter Guide. It's the perfect place to begin if you're ready to save money, reduce processed foods, and confidently start making more from scratch—one recipe at a time.
