https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:11:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought/page/2#post-2424909 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 16:28:52 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2424909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I enjoy cooking, but I'm no baker. We buy all desserts except for the made from scratch stuff BIL gives us :happy: I love buying stuff from school bake sales and freezing it. </p> <p>As for savory foods, I prefer to make my own guacamole, pasta sauce, teriyaki sauce (and other Asian sauces), DH always whips his own cream. But that's about it. I don't have time to do much more these days. It would be nice to be able to bottle my homegrown tomatoes, for instance, but it just never happened.</p> <p>Eta: I have to add that I've always wanted to make my own tea. I may try this as soon as my schedule cools down a little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought/page/2#post-2424849 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 15:01:08 +0000 rattles 2424849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I regularly/seasonally make: jam, apple butter, apple sauce, seasoning blends, baby food, granola bars, breakfast foods (scones/pancakes/waffles/muffins), pasta sauce, ice cream, pie crusts...</p> <p>I keep a stash of homemade freezer burritos, silver dollar pancakes, muffins and pasta sauce on hand in the freezer pretty consistently to avoid the draw of convenience foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought/page/2#post-2424508 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 08:02:19 +0000 dagret 2424508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Jams and jellies<br /> Bread (occasionally)<br /> Frosting<br /> Applesauce<br /> Mini muffins<br /> Pancakes<br /> Waffles </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought/page/2#post-2424475 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 05:17:06 +0000 regberadaisy 2424475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: thanks! I will look into it. When we make applesauce we buy organic so it's not an issue to keep the skin. And really, I shouldn't peel it because there's lots of good nutrition in the skin! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2424420 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:13:03 +0000 skipra 2424420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: we make applesauce without any peeling or cutting. I think the piece of equipment I use is called a ricer? Kind of like a big cone shaped colander with tiny holes and a wooden thing to press it with. It's pretty old fashioned but is amazing!</p> <p>I try not to buy convenience meals like frozen dinners or anything but always buy pasta and at least have sauce on hand. Baked goods and breakfast foods are easy to make. Also by saving our veggie scraps we make our own broth. So much better tasting and healthier!</p> <p>ETA I always buy hummus because I cannot get the consistency right, ever. That is my big convenience splurge! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2424346 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:34:24 +0000 Crystal 2424346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: what is your taco seasoning recipe? I'd love to make my own! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2424320 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:58:57 +0000 MrsRcCar 2424320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We make almost all our own things due to tight budgets and food restrictions. I actually really enjoy cooking and baking so it's kinda fun and nice for me. I find almost all my things come out better then store bought anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2424313 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:51:52 +0000 regberadaisy 2424313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: highly recommend reading the post from start to finish first. It is definitely something you can do at home with your girls! Actual hands on time is very minimal. Maybe 1-1.5 hours tops.<br /> <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-ciabatta-rolls-and-bread-at-home-baking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-159913" rel="nofollow">http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-ciabatta-rolls-and-bread-at-home-baking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-159913</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2424308 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:49:14 +0000 Bao 2424308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: yum!! Recipe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2424302 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:44:10 +0000 regberadaisy 2424302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We made ciabatta rolls today! It was time intensive in terms of rising times but not actual labor time. But it was so fun, interesting, and delicious! </p> [attach=1325/16/o12ng5.600x600.image.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2420093 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:48:52 +0000 lioneyes 2420093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>tomato sauce, hummus, pancakes/waffles, chicken/turkey/veggie burgers, salad dressing, muffins and baked goods (but not bread) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2420051 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:35:13 +0000 csross217 2420051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't like store-bought baked goods/desserts, so I make those myself. I tried making bread a few times, but my hand-me-down bread machine cooked unevenly and I never bothered to get another one.</p> <p> I like to make pizza dough, pasta sauce, salsa, salad dressing, dips, applesauce, etc.. DH and I do some canning too (pickles, jam). I find that it's cheaper to make things myself, but I also like that it's usually healthier and I know exactly what's in my food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2420031 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:27:37 +0000 ElbieKay 2420031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: The ingredient list for pancakes or waffles from scratch is pretty short, so it would never even occur to me to start with a mix. We almost always have all the ingredients kicking around.</p> <p>(Someone gave us a waffle iron a few years ago. It was a regift, and it was actually meant as a joke. But now we have a toddler so a few weeks ago we used it for the first time. He loved it!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2419428 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:03:52 +0000 brownepiano 2419428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AB810: making yogurt is seriously so easy. It takes very little actual work, only about an hour of occasionally looking at it and stirring and less than 15 minutes of actual coooking. I have a two quart yogurt maker which helps take some of the guesswork out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2419260 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:22:31 +0000 erinpye 2419260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate buying store-bought desserts and much prefer to make them from scratch! Never tried baking bread, but I'm tempted-- I know some people who do and love it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2419236 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:03:02 +0000 Greentea 2419236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really think/do it for cost reasons. So I'm not sure it is cheaper, but some things are just better (tasting and ingredients), like buttercream frosting.</p> <p>I used to make bagels and breads. I think chili is cheaper to make though! Granola can be so good handmade!!!!!</p> <p>DH makes the most amazing fridge pickles- no canning necessary and he uses bragg's, so they are healthy and so.so.good, cucs from the garden of course.</p> <p>Hummus and my beloved baba ganoush might be cheaper to make, but not if you include all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2419211 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:51:35 +0000 MoonMoon 2419211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer store bought for almost everything these days just because of time. But we always make our own salad dressing or just use oil and vinegar. With mac &amp; cheese, pudding, guacamole, frosting, and mashed potatoes, we just like the taste of homemade better so we make those at home. But bread, stock, hummus, baked goods, yogurt, etc we buy at the store. So in conclusion, I don't think we're saving a lot of money, but right now time is more dear to us.</p> <p>One thing we never get is pre cut or prepped fruits or vegetables or snack packs-way too expensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2419101 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:18:27 +0000 AB810 2419101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would love to start making my own greek yogurt (there is only one company here that makes whole milk greek yogurt and it's expensive) and kombucha. Also fermented foods, like sauerkraut and kimchi. I recently fond a recipes for ketchup and would like to make that too!</p> <p>I currently make hummus, dips, salad dressing, pizza dough, desserts, muffins, waffles, pancakes, granola, and freezer meals. I also sometimes make no knead bread. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418523 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:20:50 +0000 pinkcupcake 2418523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe food is really cheap around here but I find it's usually more expensive to make stuff from scratch (or at least close to even, but I have to spend 2-3 if I make it from scratch). Plus when I make it from scratch I tend to get the "good" ingredients which probably drives up the price. </p> <p>I like to make my own baked goods even though it's typically more expensive. It just tastes better to me! Things like pasta sauce , I tend to buy in bulk when it's on sale (I can get $8-9 jars for $5). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418495 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:03:22 +0000 brownepiano 2418495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most people have mentioned these but bread (I make two loaves and freeze one so it is more time effective)<br /> pizza dough<br /> yogurt (it is ridiculously easy, I'd even do it if I wasn't a mostly SAHM)<br /> All breakfast food (muffins, granola, pancakes, breakfast potatoes)<br /> Apple Butter</p> <p>I've made homemade tortillas but for me they are not worth the time. </p> <p>The most cost reducing stuff is the breads/breakfast stuff because flour is so cheap and they are mostly flour. Then again it depends on your ingredients. My granola is really cheap but I only use 3 ingredients and no nuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418476 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:56:23 +0000 alphagam84 2418476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We make a lot of stuff ourselves! I make all my own desserts, chicken stock, applesauce, pesto, pasta sauces, pancakes from scratch vs a mix, etc. Occasionally make bread from scratch. We never buy pre-made food items like entire meals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418469 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:50:36 +0000 travellingbee 2418469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I don't follow a recipe for my vinaigrette but it is basically 2 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic or red wine vinegar (some people like less vinegar), 1 crushed garlic clove, a pinch of dry mustard or a squirt of Dijon mustard, a teaspoon-ish of brown sugar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418437 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:38:40 +0000 jlm22 2418437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418432 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:37:57 +0000 looch 2418432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Isn't it cool? I have a file somewhere on artisan breads in 5 minutes, where you make a batch of dough in advance and use bits of it during the week for fresh bread. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418431 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:37:05 +0000 yoursilverlining 2418431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The cost effectiveness depends a lot on what you buy at the store. </p> <p>We make big batches of spaghetti sauce a few times a year and working out the cost using good ingredients it’s certainly cheaper than paying $8.99/bottle for good pasta sauce, but it’s probably more expensive than buying cheap Prego or whatever on sale. (Not talking flavor, obv, just straight costs). So, whether it will save you $$ depends entirely on what you buy. </p> <p>Making your own chicken stock is likely to be more cost effective.</p> <p>Pesto is cheaper for us because there is no decent store option under $6 I’ve found – for a tiny tub, while I can get a big bunch of basil, pine nuts, garlic and parm at the Italian grocer for less than that on a total cost basis. But, the initial cost of the ingredients is higher out of pocket than $6 here or there might be. </p> <p>We make our own roasted tomatillo salsa and that’s cheaper than buying, for sure. </p> <p>Cakes/cupcakes are super cheap to make if you already have the vanilla extract, flour, sugar, eggs, whatever. But are they cheaper long term than just buying $.99 boxes of cake? If you’re buying real vanilla extract and good eggs, maybe not cheaper. </p> <p>I make my own buttercream frosting when we have cake, and that’s definitely more expensive than buying cans of frosting on sale. </p> <p>The one big “rip-off” are 100-calorie packs of normal things, like nuts. So much cheaper to buy bulk almonds and count out 11 yourself than buy “100 calorie packs” already pre-measured. </p> <p>Of course, most of the above we make because it tastes better than buying store-bought, but if you’re looking purely from a wallet standpoint, you’ll really have to compare what you actually buy vs. hypothetical cost savings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418430 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:35:41 +0000 Meowkers 2418430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always get store bought chili (vegetarian or chicken from TJ). It's like $1.39 for a large can. It would cost so much more, and be so much time, to make the equivalent.</p> <p>I always make my own pasta sauces. It's easy, cheap and tastes better.</p> <p>We also make our own guacamole. Easy and delicious.</p> <p>We buy hummus all the time and i really want to start making my own but just have not gotten around to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418427 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:35:11 +0000 erinbaderin 2418427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jlm22: No problem! It's an Emeril recipe that I've been using for years. I tend to buy a bushel of plum tomatoes every summer and make it in giant roasting pans. </p> <p>Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce:<br /> 3 pounds Romanita tomatoes, cored ( If Romanita tomatoes are unavailable, use a combination of Roma and grape tomatoes to approximate the sweetness of Romanitas)</p> <p>1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil</p> <p>12 cloves garlic, peeled</p> <p>2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves</p> <p>2 teaspoons kosher salt</p> <p>1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</p> <p>Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.</p> <p>In a large, 14-inch, oven proof frying pan, combine all the ingredients. Stir to blend then transfer to the oven and cook until the tomatoes begin to caramelize, about 30 minutes. Remove the skillet from the oven and stir well. Return to the oven and continue to cook until further caramelized and much of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and transfer to a blender, in batches if necessary, and process sauce until coarsely pureed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418423 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:32:35 +0000 jlm22 2418423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: This is the recipe I use!<br /> <a href="http://pocketchangegourmet.com/homemade-pancake-mix/" rel="nofollow">http://pocketchangegourmet.com/homemade-pancake-mix/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418420 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:31:15 +0000 jlm22 2418420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Can you share the recipe for your roasted tomato sauce? I've been looking for one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homemade-vs-store-bought#post-2418419 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:30:33 +0000 Bao 2418419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jlm22: oh never thought to make pancake or waffle mix! </p>