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There are groceries you always run to the store for not knowing you can make the best version for yourself at home with the ingredients you already have. Here is a list of DIY homemade groceries I know you would love making and won’t want the company-made ones anymore.
Homemade groceries allow you to save money on items you consume every day and also help you make it to the best quality of what you have out there.
17 Easy DIY groceries
Bread:
Bake your bread using simple ingredients like flour, yeast, water, and salt.
A simple homemade bread recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup (240ml) warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or any other vegetable oil)
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm water with the sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Mix everything until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the dough with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles.
- Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan. Alternatively, you can shape it into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until it is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your homemade bread! You can customize this recipe by adding herbs, spices, or other ingredients to create different flavors.
Jam:
Create delicious homemade jams using fresh fruits, sugar, and pectin.
A simple DIY jam recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups (about 1kg) of your favorite fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.), washed and hulled if necessary
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Optional: 1 tablespoon pectin (for firmer jam, especially with fruits low in natural pectin)
Instructions:
- Prepare the fruit by washing it and removing any stems, hulls, or pits.
- If using larger fruits like strawberries, chop them into smaller pieces.
- In a large pot, combine the chopped fruit, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir well to coat the fruit evenly with sugar.
- Let the mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the sugar to draw out the juices from the fruit.
- Place the pot over medium heat and bring the fruit mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit breaks down and the mixture thickens.
- If using pectin, add it to the pot according to the package instructions and stir well.
- To test if the jam is ready, place a small amount on a chilled plate and let it cool for a few seconds. If it wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s done. If not, continue to cook for a few more minutes and test again.
- Once the jam reaches your desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Transfer the jam to clean, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp cloth to remove any residue.
- Seal the jars tightly with lids and let them cool completely at room temperature.
- Once cooled, store the jars of jam in the refrigerator for up to several weeks. If you’d like to store them longer, you can process the jars in a water bath canner according to safe canning practices.
Yogurt:
Make your yogurt using milk and yogurt culture or a yogurt starter.
Granola:
Bake homemade granola using oats, nuts, seeds, honey, and dried fruit.
Pasta:
Craft homemade pasta using flour, eggs, and water. You can also experiment with different flavors by adding herbs or vegetables.
Salad Dressing:
Mix salad dressing using olive oil, vinegar, mustard, herbs, and spices.
Salsa:
Prepare fresh salsa using tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and spices.
Nut Butter:
Blend your nut butter using roasted nuts and a food processor. You can make peanut butter, almond butter, or any other nut butter you prefer.
Hummus:
Whip up homemade hummus using chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Stock/Broth:
Make your stock or broth using leftover vegetable scraps, bones, and aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery.
Pasta Sauce:
Cook homemade pasta sauce using tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, and spices.
Pancake/Waffle Mix:
Prepare a batch of homemade pancakes or waffle mix using flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Just add eggs and milk when ready to cook.
Pizza Dough:
Create homemade pizza dough using flour, yeast, water, olive oil, and salt.
Ice Cream:
Make your ice cream using cream, sugar, and flavorings like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or fruit puree.
Pickles:
Preserve your pickles using cucumbers, vinegar, salt, and spices.
Applesauce:
Cook homemade applesauce using apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon.
Cereal Bars:
Bake homemade cereal bars using oats, honey, nut butter, dried fruit, and nuts.
Making these groceries at home not only allows you to customize the ingredients to your preferences but also saves money in the long run. Plus, homemade versions often taste better and are healthier than store-bought alternatives.