10 foods I make from scratch to avoid $100 in upcharges

10 foods I make from scratch to avoid $100 in upcharges

If you've noticed your grocery bill creeping up, it's probably not the big-ticket items doing it-it's the small, prepackaged foods marked up for convenience. Making more of those basics from scratch saves way more than you'd think.

The best part is, most of them take minutes, not hours, and taste better anyway. Once you realize how much you're paying for someone else to stir, bake, or mix, you'll start keeping that extra $100 in your pocket every month.

Bread

Store-bought bread might seem cheap, but the cost adds up fast-especially if your family goes through a loaf or two a week. A homemade loaf costs a fraction of that, and you can control the ingredients.

All you really need is flour, yeast, water, salt, and a little oil. A basic dough takes less than 10 minutes to mix, and once it's baked, it's soft, fresh, and better than anything from the store.

Yogurt

A single-serve yogurt cup can cost as much as making an entire quart at home. And most store options are full of added sugar or artificial flavoring.

To make your own, heat milk, add a spoonful of yogurt as a starter, and let it sit warm for a few hours. The result is creamy, tangy, and affordable. Sweeten it naturally with honey or fruit, and you'll never go back to buying it.

Salad dressing

Bottled dressings are one of the biggest grocery markups out there. Most are loaded with preservatives, too. A homemade version costs pennies and tastes fresher.

Mix olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, a bit of mustard, salt, pepper, and herbs. You can make enough for a week in under five minutes. Once you realize how much better it tastes, those store bottles won't tempt you again.

Granola

A small bag of granola can cost $6 or more-and it's mostly oats. Making it yourself lets you skip the hidden sugar and save big.

Combine oats, honey or maple syrup, oil, and your favorite add-ins like nuts or coconut flakes. Bake until golden and crisp. It keeps for weeks and costs a fraction of what you'd spend on name brands.

Pancake mix

Boxed pancake mix is basically flour, sugar, and baking powder-things you already have in your pantry. When you buy it pre-made, you're paying for packaging, not convenience.

You can make your own dry mix in minutes and store it in a jar. Then when you want pancakes, just add milk, eggs, and butter. It's cheaper, cleaner, and makes breakfast taste homemade every time.

Coffee creamer

Flavored creamers are expensive and often packed with oils, gums, and additives. Making your own is quick, clean, and customizable.

Use milk or half-and-half with a little vanilla extract and sweetener of choice. For flavored versions, try cocoa powder, cinnamon, or maple syrup. You'll save several dollars a week and still have that café-style taste.

Pizza dough

Frozen or takeout pizza costs way more than it should. A homemade crust costs under a dollar and tastes better than most delivery options.

All you need is flour, yeast, salt, and olive oil. Mix it, let it rise for an hour, and roll it out. You can even freeze extra dough for quick weeknight dinners. It's one of the easiest ways to cut your food budget without giving up flavor.

Tortillas

Fresh tortillas are ridiculously easy to make and way cheaper than store-bought. The cost difference is huge, especially if you go through them regularly.

All it takes is flour, salt, water, and a bit of oil. Roll them out, cook for a minute or two on each side, and you've got warm, soft tortillas ready for tacos or wraps. Once you try them, the packaged kind will taste bland in comparison.

Hummus

A small container of hummus can run you $4 or more. Homemade hummus costs less than a dollar to make and has better texture and flavor.

Blend canned chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and tahini. It's quick, healthy, and perfect for snacking. Store it in the fridge for up to a week, and you'll always have something fresh on hand.

Soup

Canned soup used to be affordable, but prices have jumped-and the flavor hasn't improved. Making it from scratch is both cheaper and healthier.

Use leftover vegetables, beans, rice, or chicken stock to create a hearty meal. A big pot can feed your family for days at the cost of one or two store-bought cans. Homemade soup also lets you cut the sodium and bump up the nutrition without losing comfort or flavor.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.