There is a timeless tradition that is making a comeback in kitchens everywhere – Cooking from scratch! Not only is it fun and relaxing to slow down and create something delicious, but there’s a practical benefit too: Saving money. Let’s take a look at how embracing the art of cooking from scratch can not only enhance your culinary skills but can also save you money in the long run!
A few years ago, sourdough had its moment and it feels like that started the revolution of cooking from scratch. Pair that with the sudden increase in food prices and our grocery bill and it just makes sense.
How Cooking From Scratch Saves Money:
1. Cost-Effective Ingredients: When you purchase pre-packaged or prepared meals, you’re not just paying for the food itself; you’re also covering the cost of packaging, processing, and marketing. Cooking from scratch allows you to buy basic ingredients in bulk, reducing your overall grocery bill.
We often buy the following items in bulk and transfer them into smaller containers to make them easier to access. These will cost more upfront, but in the long run, it will save you a lot of money – when doing your research, be sure to compare the price per ounce for the best deal:
- Herbs and Spices
- Dried chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans
- Oatmeal
- Rice – White and Brown rice
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2. Reduced grocery bill: When you start cooking from scratch, you will be stocking your pantry with basic ingredients like vanilla, spices, flour and oats. These ingredients are often on sale which will end up saving you money. When paired with meal planning, you’ll save even more because you’ll only be buying what you need.
Convenience breakfast foods are one of the most common places where money can be saved. Try whipping up a batch of birthday cake protein cupcakes or preparing a few servings of overnight oats. These are both easy make ahead recipes for busy mornings.
3. Versatility and Flexibility: When you cook from scratch, you can control what goes into your meals. This is especially important for people with food allergies or intolerances. For example, did you know that most store-bought bread has dairy? If you make your own bread, this won’t be a concern.
It also means you can adapt recipes based on what’s in season or what’s on sale at the store, allowing you to take advantage of the best deals and stretch your budget further.
One of my favorite recipes to batch cook is a homemade Jam with chia seeds. It can be made in bulk and placed in the freezer in smaller containers. The blueberries in this recipe can be replaced with any berry that is on sale.
4. Portion Control: When we were younger, we were focused on getting a good deal at the grocery store so It took a lot of time for us to realize that buying in bulk wasn’t always best for our health. It was a better deal to buy a large bag of cookies from Costco than a smaller bag from the grocery store. But it wasn’t good for us to have so many cookies in the pantry!
It was an even better deal to make our own cookies using simple ingredients that we could cater to our tastes. We could make a small batch of 12 cookies and store any extras in the freezer.
Most pre-packaged meals are designed to serve multiple people, and that can lead to food waste. Cooking from scratch allows you to tailor portion sizes to your specific needs, making your dollars go further.
5. Healthier Choices: It’s no secret that convenience foods often contain high levels of salt, sugar, and preservatives. By cooking from scratch, you can choose wholesome, nutritious ingredients, leading to better overall health and potentially reducing healthcare costs in the long run.
6. Learn New Kitchen Skills: Learning to cook from scratch is more than just saving money, it can be a new hobby that keeps your mind active! If you have kids, it’s an amazing life skill that they will use for the rest of their lives.
As you become more comfortable in the kitchen, you’ll rely less on expensive convenience foods and gain the confidence to tackle more complex recipes and impress both yourself and your friends!
Where to Start When Cooking From Scratch
Cooking from scratch can be overwhelming in the beginning. The biggest mistake people make is taking on too much. Most of us have limited time in the kitchen to prepare meals. So until you are comfortable with the basics, it isn’t realistic to think that everything you eat has to be homemade.
The key is to start slow. Pick one item from the list below and start there. Once you see how easy and delicious your homemade version is, you’ll be motivated to make more.
Cooking from Scratch for Beginners:
- Granola Bars or Oat Balls – A super easy snack customizable to what you have on hand
- Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing – You can make it in a food processor, or put it in a jar with a lid and shake it vigorously
- Taco seasoning – Mix up a large batch of taco seasoning and store it in an airtight container
- Whole Chicken – Store rotisserie chicken is pumped with ingredients to make it heavier. The taste of a store-bought rotisserie chicken is nothing compared to the one you make at home!
- Homemade Chocolate Syrup – This recipe is so fast and easy and it has no processed sugars
- Almond Milk or Cashew Milk – You will need a nut bag for this one, but making your own will cut back on your food budget
- Homemade Pancakes – Stop buying the box mixes. Chances are you already have everything you need at home!
@naturaldeets When you realize at the last minute that you’re out of milk. 😭 Try this 2-minute almond milk! #almondmilk #kitchenhack #whatsfordinner #dairyfree
♬ Show Me the Good Stuff – Becca Lynn
Cooking from Scratch for the Pros:
- Homemade Chicken Broth – This is a great one because it just involves adding water, chicken, and spices to an Instant Pot and letting it cook for hours. The only reason it is in the advanced section is because it is time-consuming. You’ll have to cool it and then transfer it to smaller jars for freezing.
- Homemade Bread – This one requires patience because there is a skill to making bread
- Homemade Yogurt – So many uses for this delicious snack, but it does take some know-how. Find an Instant Pot recipe
- French fries or chips from potatoes – Grab a mandolin and give this one a try!
Cooking from scratch isn’t just a fun trend; it’s a practical and cost-effective way to eat healthy and delicious meals while saving money in the process!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking From Scratch
Is it really cheaper to cook from scratch?
Cooking from scratch saves you money when you are looking to make nutritious food with quality ingredients. If you were to compare a bag of store-brand cookies with a batch of homemade cookies made with dairy-free alternatives and organic flour, the store brand may be cheaper. However, if you were to compare it to a gourmet Crumble cookie (ignoring the health comparison) it is cheaper by far! Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
What does food from scratch mean?
Food from scratch means you are starting with ingredients in their least processed forms. This would include flour, oatmeal, eggs and milk alternatives
These recipes would be a great place to start!
- Easy Homemade Beefaroni
- Chocolate Sauce Recipe
- Turkey Breakfast Sausage
- Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie
- Apple Nachos Recipe
