Save Your Money: These Grocery Store Pantry Essentials Can Be Easily Made at Home

      I'm nearing 30, and I still struggle to manage my self-control in a grocery store. I'm like a little kid, constantly reaching for every shiny new item on the endcaps. While I know most people might not share my enthusiasm, I genuinely enjoy grocery shopping. There's a thrill in filling up a cart with exciting new products and pantry essentials.

      Sadly, my excitement for grocery shopping hit a wall earlier this year when I assessed my budget and realized I had been overspending. Prices for groceries are rising rapidly (which is a downer), prompting me to examine my purchases closely. Unsurprisingly, I found that I was wasting money on items I could easily prepare at home—from my favorite sauces to the treats I secretly enjoy.

      To help lower my grocery expenses, I began making some of my beloved pantry staples at home instead of purchasing them. Below, I’m sharing 10 foolproof recipes for common pantry staples that will help you save money at the grocery store. Trust me, these recipes are delicious, quick, and simple—you won’t want to buy the store-bought versions again.

      1. Roasted Garlic Hummus

      Source: Ambitious Kitchen

      The first time I made hummus at home, I felt embarrassed about my previous weekly purchases. A $6-8 item was now just $1 after I swapped my favorite organic hummus for a can of organic chickpeas. All you need is a blender, chickpeas, and a few essentials (salt, lemon, tahini, and olive oil), and you have hummus. The best part? It's easily customizable. For a twist on this basic recipe, skip the garlic and add dill or roasted red peppers.

      2. Almond Pecan Granola

      Source: Ahead of Thyme

      I realized how overpriced granola is at the grocery store only after making it myself. Simply combine oats, maple syrup or honey, coconut oil, and any fruits, seeds, or nuts you prefer in a bowl and bake it. You probably already have many of these ingredients at home! If not, you can purchase them in bulk to make several batches of granola.

      3. Strawberry Chia Jam

      Source: Eating Bird Food

      In my home, we consume jam like it's going out of style. Unfortunately, good-quality jam can be pricey. Luckily, this super simple recipe only requires four ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. I love using it on my yogurt bowls and spreading it on toast for my 10-month-old, while my husband has been craving breakfast sandwiches topped with a generous layer of jam.

      4. Peanut Butter

      Source: Love & Lemons

      Peanut butter is another item we go through quickly, which used to mean buying it every other week. Thankfully, peanuts are relatively inexpensive, and all you need to make your own at home is a food processor or blender. This recipe calls for three cups of peanuts and a pinch of salt for one cup of peanut butter. Even if you don't consume it as often as my family, you'll still save quite a bit by making it yourself. Want to enhance the flavor? Add a little honey!

      5. Everything Bagel Seasoning

      Source: Fit Foodie Finds

      I have to say goodbye to Trader Joe’s because now that I've learned to make my own Everything But the Bagel seasoning, there's no turning back! It’s true that buying all the ingredients initially will be more expensive than purchasing the pre-made seasoning. However, you'll end up with a much larger quantity in the long run. Plus, I find that store-bought versions often lack enough onion (is it just me?), so making your own allows you to adjust the ratios to your taste.

      6. Croutons

      Source: Love & Lemons

      I used to think that making croutons required culinary skills. It seemed so... sophisticated? However, it’s actually one of the simplest pantry staples to prepare. You only need crusty bread, garlic, olive oil, salt, and a bit of dried parsley, all of which I bet you already have. I whip up a batch of croutons whenever I have stale bread and store them at room temperature.

      7. Peanut Butter Cups

      Source: Ambitious Kitchen

      Peanut butter cups are my guilty pleasure, but they can get pricey at the grocery store. I've been repeatedly making this recipe since I discovered it. All you need is chocolate, peanut butter, coconut flour (to give the peanut butter a mousse-like texture), and a bit of salt. Since I crave something sweet at the end of the day (and often during the day), these don’t last long in my home.

      8. Honey Mustard

      Source: Eating Bird Food

      If you’re always on the lookout for a dipping sauce, let me introduce you to your new favorite. As a honey mustard lover, I used to struggle to find an affordable option without a long list of added ingredients. This recipe uses items I