For every step in the production process, every hand involved in making something that you eventually buy from the store, the cost to you goes up. Not only does it often cost a lot less to make things yourself, it often tastes better too! You also get to decide exactly what goes in it, and what doesn’t.
Foods that may cost less to make than to purchase:
Bread & Baked Goods
Making your own bread can save you money compared to buying it from the store, especially if you buy your flour in bulk. Start with a simple two ingredient bagel, and easy to make sandwich bread, or learn how to make a sourdough starter and start making your own sourdough bread.
Baked goods like cookies, cakes, and muffins are also typically tastier and more cost effective to make than to buy, and you get to choose the ingredients (and maybe hide some veggies or beans in there!)
Sauces
When you start with a basic tomato sauce, you’ll soon find that making your own sauce is pretty straightforward and so delicious that you’ll be making your own cheese sauce, sweet & sour, and pesto in no time.
Basic tomato sauce
- 4 lbs of very ripe tomatoes, diced (or 29oz/800mL canned plum tomatoes)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb sweet onion
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
- salt & pepper
- sugar, if needed to adjust the acidity
If using fresh tomatoes, add them to a large pot over medium heat and cook until they are very soft and cooked down (about 45 minutes), then pass through a food mill and set aside.
If using canned tomatoes, drain them but save the juice. Chop the tomatoes and set aside.
Sweat the garlic and onions in oil over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened. Pass through a food mill or blend in a food processor or blender. Season to taste with salt & pepper and any additions you’d like (eg. tomato paste, fresh herbs, steamed or roasted vegetables, pesto, cooked ground beef, etc.)
Salad Dressing
Store bought salad dressings often contain lots of added sugars and preservatives. Making your own salad dressing is quick, easy and you get to choose the ingredients. Start with a simple vinegarette – oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt & pepper. Use a blender to make flavourful creamy dressings with ingredients like avocado, herbs, and garlic.
Soup Stock
Making your own stock can cost next to nothing and can also be very hands-off for most of the process. It makes a great base for soups, stews, sauces, and more, and homemade broth is much more flavourful than storebought.
Coffee
If going to the drive-thru for coffee is one of your “guilty” pleasures, far be it from me to take that away from you! –but if the habit is daily, and the cost is getting too costly, consider making your own fancy coffees at home (at least some of the time). With home brewed coffee and some simple syrups you can have all the flavour you love for pennies on the dollar. Click to check out my copycat recipe for Starbucks’ Sweet Vanilla Cream Cold Brew:
Granola
Making your own homemade granola (and granola bars) is easier than you think, very cost effective (oats are cheap!), and without all that packaging that goes in the garbage, they’re also environmentally friendly!
Try this simple granola recipe and adjust to your liking
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup dried fruit, chopped if large
- Optional additional add-ins: ½ cup chocolate chips or coconut flakes
Intructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper the silicone baking sheet
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
- Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
- Bake until lightly golden, about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips or coconut, if desired). Break the granola into pieces with your hands, or stir it around with a spoon if you want a less clumpy granola.
- Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
