Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Which Pantry Staples Are Worth Making Yourself?

Ever wondered if making your own pantry staples actually saves money and tastes better, or if it’s just a time-consuming hassle? Some homemade versions are cheaper, healthier, and surprisingly easy, while others take too much effort for too little reward.

Which Pantry Staples Are Worth Making Yourself?

So, which pantry staples are worth making from scratch—and which ones are better left on the grocery store shelf? Let’s break it down.

Worth Making: Things That Cost Less and Taste Better

Some pantry staples are easy, inexpensive, and way better homemade than anything store-bought.

1. Bread

✔ Why Make It? A homemade loaf costs about $1, compared to $4–$6 at the store. Plus, no preservatives, better texture, and you control the ingredients.
✔ Best for: Basic sandwich bread, dinner rolls, and no-knead bread.
✔ Skip it if: You don’t have time or need bread with a long shelf life.

No-Knead Bread (Super Easy & Only 4 Ingredients!)

✔ Why Make It? Cheaper, fresher, and no preservatives.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water

Instructions:

1️⃣ In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and yeast. Stir in warm water until combined.
2️⃣ Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
3️⃣ Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven (or oven-safe pot) inside to heat for 30 minutes.
4️⃣ Transfer dough to a floured surface, shape into a ball, and place in the hot pot. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
5️⃣ Remove lid and bake for another 10–15 minutes until golden brown. Cool before slicing.

⏳ Time: 5 minutes active, overnight rise, 30 minutes cook time
💰 Cost per loaf: ~$1

2. Broth & Stock

✔ Why Make It? Store-bought broth costs $3–$5 per quart. Homemade uses kitchen scraps and costs nearly nothing.
✔ Best for: Chicken, beef, and vegetable stock.
✔ Skip it if: You don’t cook often or don’t have freezer space to store it.

Homemade Chicken Broth *(Using Scraps!)

✔ Why Make It? Practically free using kitchen scraps!

Ingredients:

• 1 rotisserie chicken carcass (or raw bones)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 8 cups water

Instructions:

1️⃣ Add all ingredients to a large pot or slow cooker.
2️⃣ Simmer on low for 6–12 hours (or 4 hours in a pressure cooker).
3️⃣ Strain and store in jars or freezer bags.

⏳ Time: 5 minutes prep, long simmer
💰 Cost per quart: Almost free!

3. Taco Seasoning & Spice Blends

✔ Why Make It? Pre-made packets cost $1–$3, but making your own costs just pennies and avoids fillers and preservatives.
✔ Best for: Taco seasoning, ranch mix, Italian seasoning, and dry rubs.
✔ Skip it if: You don’t cook with spices often.

DIY Taco Seasoning *(Better Than Store-Bought!)

✔ Why Make It? No fillers, just pure spices, better for you!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Mix everything together store in a small jar.
2️⃣ Use 1 tablespoon per pound of meat for tacos.

⏳ Time: 2 minutes
💰 Cost per batch: ~$0.10

4. Granola & Granola Bars

✔ Why Make It? Store-bought granola is expensive and often loaded with sugar and preservatives. Homemade is cheaper and fully customizable.
✔ Best for: Breakfast, snacks, and yogurt toppings.
✔ Skip it if: You don’t eat granola often.

Easy Granola (No Baking Required!)

✔ Why Make It? Healthier, cheaper, and you can add your own flair.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup chocolate chips or dried fruit (optional)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Heat peanut butter and honey in a microwave for 30 seconds.
2️⃣ Stir in oats, vanilla, cinnamon, and mix well.
3️⃣ Press into a baking dish, let cool, and cut into bars or crumbles.

⏳ Time: 5 minutes
💰 Cost per batch: ~$2

5. Salad Dressing

✔ Why Make It? Most bottled dressings are full of preservatives and artificial flavors. A simple vinaigrette takes less than a minute to make and costs way less.
✔ Best for: Vinaigrettes, ranch, and creamy dressings.
✔ Skip it if: You don’t use dressings often or prefer long shelf life.

1-Minute Salad Dressing (Better Than Bottled!)

✔ Why Make It? No preservatives and costs pennies.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar (apple cider, balsamic, or red wine)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1️⃣ Shake everything together in a jar.
2️⃣ Drizzle over salads, veggies, or grilled meats.

⏳ Time: 1 minute
💰 Cost per batch: ~$0.50

6. Mayonnaise

✔ Why Make It? Store-bought mayo often contains preservatives, seed oils, and unnecessary additives. Homemade mayo is fresher, richer, and made with simple, real ingredients.
✔ Best for: Sandwiches, dips, dressings, and homemade sauces.
✔ Skip it if: You rarely use mayo or need it to last longer than a week.

Homemade Mayonnaise (So Easy & Tastes Better Than Store-Bought!)

✔ Why Make It? No preservatives, better flavor, and costs less than premium brands.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 cup neutral oil (avocado, sunflower, or light olive oil)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1️⃣ In a tall jar, add the egg, lemon juice (or vinegar), mustard, and salt.
2️⃣ Pour in the oil on top—do NOT stir.
3️⃣ Using an immersion blender, place it at the bottom of the jar and turn it on.
4️⃣ Blend for 10–15 seconds without moving, then slowly lift the blender to emulsify.
5️⃣ Store in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to a week.

⏳ Time: 2 minutes
💰 Cost per batch: ~$0.50 vs. $3+ store-bought

💡 Pro Tip: For thicker mayo, use only the egg yolk instead of the whole egg!

7. Butter

✔ Why Make It? Fresh, homemade butter tastes richer, has no additives, and can be customized with herbs or salt. Plus, if you have heavy cream on hand, it’s shockingly easy to make.
✔ Best for: Spreading on bread, baking, or making compound butter.
✔ Skip it if: You don’t use butter often or prefer the convenience of store-bought sticks.

How to Make Homemade Butter (In 5 Minutes!)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream (preferably high-fat, not ultra-pasteurized)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (optional, for salted butter)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Blend or shake – Pour heavy cream into a mason jar or use a stand mixer/hand mixer. Blend on medium-high speed (or shake vigorously in a jar).
2️⃣ Watch the magic happen – After about 3 minutes, the cream will separate into butter and buttermilk.
3️⃣ Drain & rinse – Strain out the liquid (save it for baking—it’s buttermilk!). Rinse the butter under cold water and knead it gently to remove excess liquid.
4️⃣ Store – Keep in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.

⏳ Time: 5 minutes
💰 Cost per batch: ~$2 vs. $4+ for premium butter

💡 Pro Tip: Add garlic, herbs, or honey for a flavored compound butter!

Side note: Once it makes stiff peaks – you can throw sweetener in instead of salt and you have whipped cream!

Better to Buy: When Store-Bought Wins

Some pantry staples are too time-consuming, require specialty ingredients, or aren’t much cheaper to make at home.

1. Pasta

✔ Why Buy It? A box of pasta costs $1–$2 and lasts for months. Homemade pasta is delicious, but requires eggs, flour, kneading, and drying.
✔ Best for: Quick weeknight meals.
✔ Make it if: You love fresh pasta and have time.

2. Canned Beans

✔ Why Buy It? Dried beans are cheaper, but require hours of soaking and cooking. Canned beans cost about $1 per can and save tons of time.
✔ Best for: Quick and easy meal prep.
✔ Make it if: You cook beans in large batches or use a pressure cooker.

3. Peanut Butter

✔ Why Buy It? Homemade peanut butter costs about the same as store-bought, but can separate quickly and require refrigeration.
✔ Best for: Convenience and long shelf life.
✔ Make it if: You want a sugar-free or all-natural version.

4. Vinegar & Condiments

✔ Why Buy It? Making vinegar, ketchup, or mustard takes weeks (or months) and requires special fermentation. Store-bought is cheap and consistent.
✔ Best for: Reliable flavors and convenience.
✔ Make it if: You enjoy DIY food experiments.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Balance of DIY and Store-Bought

Some pantry staples are worth the effort, while others are better bought for convenience.

✔ Make at home: Bread, broth, seasoning mixes, granola, butter, mayo, and salad dressings.
✔ Better to buy: Pasta, canned beans, peanut butter, some condiments.

The key? Choose what fits your time, budget, and lifestyle. Sometimes homemade saves money—but other times, store-bought wins for a reason!

📌 Have you tried making any of these from scratch? What’s been worth it for you? Let’s chat in the comments!