Making food from scratch can feel like a money-saving move—but not every DIY effort is worth the time, ingredients, or cleanup. While some homemade staples offer major savings and better quality, others may end up costing more than their store-bought counterparts. If you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing convenience, knowing which items are worth making at home is key.
Here’s a breakdown of common grocery items and whether it pays to go DIY or grab it off the shelf.
Worth Making at Home
- Salad Dressings
Homemade vinaigrettes and creamy dressings take just minutes to make and typically cost a fraction of bottled versions. Plus, you control the ingredients—no preservatives or added sugar.
Try recipes from The Kitchn.
- Hummus
Canned chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil are all you need. Homemade hummus costs less per serving and tastes fresher than most store brands. One batch can last the whole week. - Granola
Prepackaged granola is often overpriced and loaded with sugar. Making it at home allows you to customize flavors and batch prep a week’s worth of breakfast or snacks. - Broth or Stock
If you regularly buy rotisserie chicken or cook with vegetables, saving scraps to make broth is both sustainable and cost-effective. Store-bought cartons can add up, but homemade broth is nearly free. - Bread (Sometimes)
For households that go through a lot of bread—or enjoy baking—making it at home can save money, especially for specialty loaves like sourdough or sandwich buns. However, time and effort must be factored in.
Better to Buy at the Store
- Pasta
Homemade pasta is fun for a special occasion, but for most shoppers, boxed pasta is cheaper, faster, and shelf-stable. Unless you’re making stuffed pasta or have dietary needs, store-bought wins on convenience. - Yogurt
While DIY yogurt is possible, it requires equipment, consistent temperature control, and several hours. Store brands like Chobani or Stonyfield offer affordable, high-quality options with live cultures. - Nut Butters
Buying bulk nuts, roasting, and blending sounds simple, but it often ends up more expensive than store brands—especially for peanut butter. Unless you have dietary restrictions or a high-speed blender, this one’s best left on the shelf. - Canned Beans
Dried beans are cheaper, but canned beans save hours. If you’re pressed for time, the added cost may be worth it. Look for low-sodium options and stock up when they go on sale. - Tortillas
Homemade tortillas are delicious, but require practice and time. Store-bought versions—especially from brands like Mission—offer a solid balance of quality, convenience, and price.
Stretching DIY Savings Further
If you’re already buying ingredients in bulk or making staples from scratch, amplify the savings by using cashback gift cards. Before your grocery trip, you can earn cashback with a Safeway gift card or get rewards with a Kroger gift card through Fluz. These gift cards give you immediate cashback and still allow you to use store promotions or loyalty points.
Final Thoughts
Homemade doesn’t always mean cheaper—but it can mean better. The key is knowing where the savings and quality intersect with your available time and skill. For quick wins, start with dressings, broth, or granola. And for everything else? There’s no shame in grabbing a good store-brand product—especially if you’re stacking coupons and cashback offers the smart way.
