10 Things I Stopped Buying When I Started Cooking from Scratch
Discover 10 things I stopped buying when I started cooking from scratch. Easy swaps that save money, reduce waste, and bring simplicity back to the kitchen.
When I first began cooking from scratch, I didn’t set out to overhaul our entire kitchen. I just wanted to feed my family simpler, more nourishing food. But along the way, I realized how many things I was buying that we truly didn’t need anymore.
Today I want to share 10 things I stopped buying when I started cooking from scratch, and how these small changes have helped simplify our home, save money, and bring more joy to my kitchen.
1. Pre-shredded Cheese
Once I learned how to shred my own, I never looked back. Freshly shredded cheese melts better, tastes better, and doesn’t have the added anti-caking agents or preservatives.
2. Canned Soups
Homemade soups are one of the easiest from-scratch meals to master. A pot of soup from real broth, fresh veggies, and herbs tastes worlds better, and it’s far more frugal, too.
- How to Make Homemade Bone Broth in the Instant Pot
- How To Make Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
- Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup in 5 Simple Steps (No Cans Needed!)
3. Boxed Pancake Mix
This was one of the first things I stopped buying when I started cooking from scratch. It’s just flour, baking powder, salt, and milk mixed together, something I can whip up in minutes.
If you’ve got a sourdough starter, I highly suggest trying my delicious, fluffy sourdough pancakes!
4. Frozen Garlic Bread
Making garlic butter and spreading it on a fresh loaf (or even sourdough) is so easy. And it’s free from the additives that come in the boxed kind.
5. Jarred Pasta Sauce
I didn’t realize how simple homemade pasta sauce was until I tried it. Now I can adjust the flavor exactly how we like it—and skip the sugar that’s often hidden in store-bought versions.
6. Salad Dressing
Another one of the things I stopped buying when I started cooking from scratch! A quick vinaigrette of olive oil, vinegar, and herbs is so much tastier than anything from a bottle.
7. Packaged Bread Crumbs
Now I just save the ends of our homemade bread, toast them, and crush them up. It’s a great way to reduce waste, too.
8. Pre-Made Cookie Dough
There’s nothing wrong with the convenience of store-bought, but once you get used to mixing your own dough, it’s hard to go back. I like knowing exactly what’s in it—and letting my kids help!
9. Instant Oatmeal Packets
Cooking rolled oats on the stovetop takes just a few minutes and costs a fraction of what individual packets do. Plus, I can sweeten them with honey or maple syrup instead of processed sugar.
10. Store-Bought Muffins
Homemade muffins freeze beautifully, cost pennies on the dollar compared to store-bought, and can be sweetened more naturally.
These buttermilk oatmeals muffins are a hit around here!
Why It Matters
What started as small choices, like making my own pancakes or shredding cheese, slowly added up to something bigger. These things I stopped buying when I started cooking from scratch weren’t about being perfect or doing it all at once. It was about learning, little by little, how to feed my family well with the work of my own hands.
And you can do the same. One small swap at a time.
Related Posts You Might Love:
- From Store-Bought to Homemade: 10 Easy Swaps You Can Start Today
- Beginner’s Guide to Cooking with Cast Iron
- Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread
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