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22 Homemade Pantry Staples To Make At Home

Making homemade pantry staples can be a game-changer if you want healthier, tastier, and more budget-friendly options for your cooking. We’re going to look at the benefits of creating your own pantry staples and share some easy and delicious recipes to get started.

The beauty of making your own staples is that it can save you trips to the store, cost less than store-bought products, and save you money over the long haul.

Collage photo of homemade pantry staples

Why Make Homemade Pantry Staples?

Making your own pantry staples offers various advantages that go beyond the simple act of cooking. Here are a few reasons why you should consider taking the DIY approach:

Quality Control

When you make your own pantry staples, you have complete control over the ingredients used. You can choose organic, locally sourced, or even grow your own produce.

This enables you to be sure you’re eating high-quality, nutritious food without any added preservatives or artificial flavors. It also means you can avoid allergens, animal products, or any ingredient you don’t want in your food.

Money Saving

Buying pre-packaged pantry staples can add up over time. Making them at home allows you to save money by buying ingredients in bulk and in-season.

Additionally, homemade versions typically give you larger quantities, which can last longer and reduce your grocery expenses.

Customization

By making pantry staples yourself, you have the freedom to customize each recipe to your taste as well as your dietary needs. You can experiment with different spices, flavors, and textures.

Essential Homemade Pantry Staples

Before we get into the individual recipes, let’s explore some single-ingredient pantry staples you can make at home.

Vegetable Stock

Store-bought vegetable stock often contains additives and high levels of sodium. Making your own vegetable stock is easy and allows you to control the ingredients and flavors.

Simply simmer a mixture of vegetables like carrots, onions, celery, and herbs in water for an hour or two, strain, and store in the fridge or freezer for future use.

Tomato Sauce

Homemade tomato sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used as a base for many dishes: pasta, pizza, soups and more.

Start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil, then add fresh or canned tomatoes, herbs like basil and oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for an hour to develop rich flavors and blend until smooth.

Nut Butter

Store-bought nut butter often contains added sugars and preservatives. Making your own nut butter allows you to control the ingredients and create unique flavors.

Roast your favorite nuts until lightly golden, then blend in a food processor until smooth. Add a pinch of salt or sweeteners like honey or maple syrup to enhance the taste.

Salad Dressings

Homemade salad dressings are healthier and more delicious than their store-bought counterparts. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar (such as balsamic or apple cider), Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and herbs to create your own signature dressing. Experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite.

Spice Blends

Creating your own spice blends allows you to enhance the flavor of your dishes while avoiding additives or excessive salt. Some popular blends include curry powder, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, and garam masala. Mix together a combination of herbs, spices, and salt (if desired), and store in airtight containers for future use.

Sauces That Keep

All of the below sauces will keep for some time in a fridge, and they’re good to have on hand for all sorts of meals and snacks.

Homemade Pantry Staples Recipes