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    Home » Whole Food Recipes » Pantry Basics Recipes

    March 24, 2020 | By Jami

    Back to Basics: Homemade Pantry Items

    DIY Pantry Staples
    Make your own pantry basic staples
    pantry staples to make in minutes

    Do homemade pantry items sound hard or time consuming to make? These 20+ easy recipes will change your mind! Most take just minutes, giving you a store of pantry staples that are healthier, save money, and are better for the environment.

    jars of pantry items on shelves

    Pantry basic recipes were some of the first recipes I published here on AOC. It's because they, along with simple breads and easy canning, were life changing for me as a wife and mom.

    Why? It's hard to explain, but I felt I finally had some control over what we ate and that felt good. Plus:

    • I could save money since the recipes use items we already bought.
    • The resulting pantry staples were way healthier and I knew what was in them.
    • They tasted fresher and better.
    • Reusing containers and not buying new meant less for the landfills, helping the environment.

    What are pantry basic recipes?

    Pantry basics is the term I use for the items that are in most people's pantry or fridge door. They also include freezer items (or rather, things you can make and freeze for longer term storage).

    Pantry Basics = the things you use again and again in your meal plans that most people purchase.

    These are items I never once thought about making as a new wife and mom. I just threw them in the shopping cart on a regular basis.

    The one thing I did make was freezer jam instead of buying jars of jam or jelly because I grew up with my mom and aunt making it and I thought it tasted better.

    But things like mayonnaise and ketchup? It never occurred to me to actually make them - no one I knew made them and I actually didn't know if they could be made at home.

    When did things change? Well, it wasn't overnight and it wasn't all at once (so don't think you have to do it all, either...).

    Homemade Chocolate Syrup in pitcher

    But it all started with chocolate syrup- you know, the kind in the brown bottle. Brian has made us cappuccinos every morning since our daughter was born and he drizzles about a teaspoon of syrup on the top. Not too chocolaty, but enough to make it special.

    But then I started our healthier food journey, reading labels and making more things from scratch. One day at the store I picked up the familiar bottle and decided to read the ingredients. Ugh! There were so many, in such small type I could barely read it.

    Wait, wasn't it just chocolate, sugar, and water? Why did they need all these other things?

    In case you're wondering here they are in order:

    high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sugar, water, cocoa, potassium sorbate, salt, mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 60, xanthum gum, and artificial vanillin.

    Sounds yummy, right?

    Well, I put it back and when I got home tried my hand at making chocolate syrup. It turns out that, yes, you can make chocolate syrup yourself and it's easy, quick, and frugal.

    Not to mention that it has only five ingredients:

    sugar, cocoa, water, salt, and real vanilla.

    Here's what I discovered through this first homemade pantry basic recipe:

    1. You can adjust ingredients to your taste: I use less sugar and more cocoa because we like a darker-chocolate type syrup.
    2. It's quicker to make it myself than going to the store when we run out. And no waiting for the next shopping trip. **This was probably the biggest "a-ha" moment for me.**

    Since making that discovery, I now regularly question what's in my pantry and fridge and try to find ways to make it if there's a compelling reason to.

    Not all are worth it to me. Mustards and hot sauces, for example, usually have really simple ingredients and are pretty inexpensive.

    You have to decide for your family what are the things you would like to make and what you would still buy.

    Homemade Pantry Items

    20 recipes for pantry item staples

    Here's a list of some of the very best pantry basics recipes you can make today:

    Homemade Chocolate Syrup in pitcher
    Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe
    This homemade chocolate syrup recipe is so easy - and so wonderful tasting - that you'll never buy the store bought stuff again!
    Click For Recipe
    Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
    4 Ingredient Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
    With all real ingredients, you'll feel good about serving this hot cocoa mix to kids and adults. It's perfect for camping, after sledding, or for sipping around an outdoor fire.
    Click For Recipe
    Honey Sweetened Homemade Ketchup
    Quick Honey Sweetened Homemade Ketchup
    An incredibly easy ketchup that starts with tomato paste and uses honey as a sweetener needing only 5 minutes hands-on time to make.
    Click For Recipe
    Immersion Blender Homemade Mayonnaise-mayo on knife
    Easy Homemade Mayonnaise - Two Methods
    Yes, you can make mayo at home easily in 2-5 minutes using either a food processor or hand-held immersion blender. Never go back to store bought!
    Click For Recipe
    Basic Spice Rub makes dinner special
    Amazing Basic Spice Rub for Grilling & Roasting
    A perfect combination of salt and seasonings to keep on hand and use for grilling and roasting meats, vegetables, and more.
    Click For Recipe
    Easy, 7-minute Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
    Homemade Teriyaki Sauce + Teriyaki Chicken & Rice Recipe
    Make this homemade teriyaki sauce is in about 7 minutes and use for your own recipes or try the included super easy Teriyaki Chicken & Rice recipe. This could become a staple in your kitchen!
    Click For Recipe
    Slow Cooker Chicken broth in measuring cup
    Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Bone Broth + Instant Pot Directions
    After cooking a whole chicken, throw bones & veggies in a slow cooker to make this easy chicken broth. Or use any frozen bones you have - this is also the same method to use to make easy beef broth, turkey broth, and pork broth. Includes Instant Pot directions, too.
    Click For Recipe
    Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
    Homemade Spicy Peanut Sauce (a Pantry Basic)
    A mildly spicy sauce based on the ingredients of a favorite store brand, but without any junk and easily made at home.
    Click For Recipe
    Pesto becomes a pantry staple when made inexpensively with this delicious alternative to pine nuts
    Frugal Homemade Pesto (with Secret Ingredient)
    Use your basil to make this pesto recipe that is super easy, tastes amazing, and uses a secret alternative to expensive pine nuts that we like even better!
    Click For Recipe
    Homemade Honey-Sweetened Sweet Chili Sauce
    Sweet Chili Sauce Made with Honey & Dried Chili Flakes
    A spicy-sweet Asian condiment made easy with dried chili flakes and sweetened only with honey - perfect for lettuce wraps, stir fries and dipping.
    Click For Recipe
    Homemade Bread crumbs in glass jars
    Homemade Bread Crumbs (+ Seasoned Option)
    Use up your odds and ends of bread pieces and more by making homemade bread crumbs. In just a few minutes, you can have a jar of bread crumbs ready to be seasoned or use as-is in your favorite recipe.
    Click For Recipe
    Freeze Dry Beans-Cooked dry beans ready for freezer
    How to Cook & Freeze Dried Beans
    It only takes a few minutes of hands-on time to cook and freeze dried beans – it’s a great way to save money and control ingredients but still have the convenience of canned beans.
    Click For Recipe
    Mashing Easy Refried Beans
    Incredibly Easy Refried Beans Recipe
    With hardly any hands-on time you can have refried beans seasoned how you like for a fraction of the cost and you can make them at the same time you're cooking up dry beans to store in the freezer!
    Click For Recipe

    Salad Dressings:

    Asian vinaigrette salad dressing
    Homemade Vinaigrette Salad Dressing 4 Ways
    With a few pure, simple ingredients and about 5 minutes of your time, you never have to be 'out' of dressing again!
    Click For Recipe
    Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing on lettuce
    Perfect Honey Mustard Dressing & Marinade
    A homemade honey mustard dressing recipe that you can make at home easily with just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes – it’s perfect for salads, dipping and marinades.
    Click For Recipe
    Homemade Ranch Dressing in mason jar and bowl
    Best Homemade Ranch Dressing & Dip
    A homemade Ranch dressing that strikes the perfect balance of flavors to pass the test of every ranch-dressing lover.
    Click For Recipe
    Easy Classic Caesar Salad Dressing recipe
    Classic Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (Plus BEST Homemade Croutons)
    Easy to make Classic Caesar Salad Dressing is close to the original using pantry ingredients- and ready to eat in about 5 minutes! See notes for my quick, amazing homemade croutons, too.
    Click For Recipe
    Healthy American French dressing.
    Healthier American French Dressing for Salads
    A super easy, lower sugar American-style French dressing recipe for salads that is sweetened with honey and includes fresh onions for a brighter flavor.
    Click For Recipe

    Snacks:

    no-bake chewy granola bar-cranberry almond
    Ultimate No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
    The ultimate granola bar combination that stays together and tastes great. These are the perfect after school and hiking/camping snacks!
    Click For Recipe
    Chewy baked granola bars
    Easy Baked Chewy Granola Bars
    Easy recipe for homemade baked chewy granola bars that don't fall apart and stay moist. They take just minutes and are healthier and tastier than anything you can buy!
    Click For Recipe
    holding whole wheat sourdough crackers
    Sourdough Whole Wheat Crackers
    A surprisingly easy recipe for sourdough whole wheat crackers - mix, roll out and bake in less than an hour. And so good you won't believe it!
    Click For Recipe
    Roasted Almonds perfectly salted and delicious
    Perfectly Salted DIY Roasted Almonds - seriously the BEST!
    Roast your own almonds at home with this easy technique and you'll never want to buy commercial nuts again.
    Click For Recipe
    Healthy Maple Sweetened Chili Pecans
    Healthy Maple Sweetened Chili Pecans
    With just a few tablespoons maple syrup these pecans are just slightly sweet and perfectly spiced for snacking, parties, salad toppings and gift-giving!
    Click For Recipe
    Healthy & Quick Maple-Honey Granola
    Healthy, Quick Maple Honey Granola with Bark-Like Clusters
    This granola uses less natural sweeteners, is the easiest (& quickest) granola you've ever made, and tastes amazing. It will become your go-to granola recipe!
    Click For Recipe

    What basic pantry items will you be making?

    If you'd like more ideas for a healthy pantry, be sure to read this article about the key items to have in your pantry (with a checklist you can download) AND the recipes you can make with them (55 total!).

    Pin this arrow
    20 pantry basics to make

    This article had been updated- it was originally published in July of 2010.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My goal is to help you live a simple homemade life on your terms: cooking delicious real food, painless gardening, and making easy things that are totally worth your time. 

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