Grocery Shopping for a Scratch-Made Kitchen

Transitioning to a scratch-made kitchen is more than just a culinary shift; it is an intentional move toward food independence and wholesome living. By moving away from the convenience of pre-packaged goods, you gain total control over the ingredients on your table and the flavors in your pantry. Whether you are looking to slash your grocery bill, reduce your household waste, or simply rediscover the rich taste of a loaf of bread fresh from the oven, the journey begins with a well-curated foundation. This guide breaks down the essential raw ingredients you need to transform your kitchen into a self-sufficient powerhouse, allowing you to ditch the preservatives of the grocery store aisles for the authentic satisfaction of homemade staples.

Acids

• Apple cider vinegar

• Lemon juice

• Lime juice

• Rice vinegar

• Soy sauce (or liquid aminos)

• White vinegar

Dairy

• Eggs

• Greek yogurt

• Heavy cream

• Milk

Fats

• Avocado oil

• Coconut oil

• Olive oil

• Sesame oil

• Unsalted butter

• Vegetable oil

Flavor

• Almond extract

• Black pepper

• Cayenne pepper

• Chili powder

• Dried basil

• Dried oregano

• Dried thyme

• Garlic powder

• Ground cumin

• Onion powder

• Red pepper flakes

• Smoked paprika

• Unsweetened cocoa powder

• Vanilla extract

Leavening Agents

• Active dry yeast

• Baking powder

• Baking soda

Pantry Staples

• All-purpose flour

• Bread flour

• Dry beans

• Kosher salt

• Lentils

• Oats

• Rice

• Sea salt

• Semolina flour

• Quinoa

• Wheat flour

Sweeteners

• Granulated sugar

• Honey

• Maple syrup

• Molasses

Thickening Agents

• Agar-agar

• Cornstarch

• Cornmeal

• Pectin

Keeping these items stocked means now we do not have to buy store-bought…

• Baking aisle: baking powder, brown sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, self-rising flour, powdered sugar, vanilla extract

• Beverages: chocolate milk, electrolyte drinks, hot chocolate, lemonade, sodas, syrups

• Breads: bagels, biscuits, cornbread, corn tortillas, croissants, Hawaiian rolls, English muffins, glazed donuts, hamburger buns, hotdog buns, muffins, pancakes, pizza dough, pretzel bites, rolls, sandwich bread, scones, tortillas, waffles

• Breakfast: bagels, cereals, cinnamon rolls, coffee creamer, coffee syrups, cream cheese, English muffins, glazed donuts, flavored yogurt, granola, hashbrowns, hot cocoa mix, muffins, oatmeal pancakes, pop tarts, waffles

• Condiments and sauces: BBQ sauce, butter, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, cream cheese, gravy, enchilada sauce, guacamole, hazelnut spread, hot sauce, hummus, ketchup, marinara, marshmallow fluff, mayonnaise, pasta sauce, peanut butter, pizza sauce, salsa, sour cream, sundried tomatoes, teriyaki, queso

• Dairy: butter, buttermilk, coffee creamer, condensed milk, mozarella cheese, sour cream, Velveeta cheese, whipped cream,

• Desserts: brownies, chocolate chips, cookies, fudge bars, ice cream, marshmallows, pie crust, sandwich cookies, whipped cream,

• Dinner: croissants, fries, gnocchi, pasta noodles, pizza, rolls,

• Dressing: caesar, green goddess, ranch, vinaigrette,

• Mixes: brownies, cake, corn muffins, gravy, oatmeal, pancakes, pudding, ranch seasoning, soups, taco seasoning, waffles

• Snacks: apple sauce, cheese crackers, fruit rolls, fruit jams and jellies, graham crackers, granola bars, gummy snacks, pickles, potato chips,

What’s Left to Buy?

All that is left to purchase are…

• Fresh Produce

• Fresh Proteins

• Specific Ferments

Now you can stick to the perimeter of the store.

How much are we really saving?

Percent saved by going with homemade over store-bought (last updated 5/8/2026)

• Fruit rolls 90%

• Donuts 85%

• Waffle mix 83%

• Creamer 83%

• Corn tortillas 82%

• Pancake mix 82%

• Flour tortillas 80%

• Chips 80%

• Oatmeal packets 80%

• Cinnamon cereal 79%

• Bagels 78%

• Gravy 75%

• English muffins 73%

• Gummy snacks 70%

• Apple cereal 69%

• Cinnamon rolls 67%

• Hawaiian rolls 65%

• Brownies 63%

• Hamburger buns 62%

• Sandwich bread 62%

• Hashbrowns 62%

• Pudding 61%

• BBQ sauce 59%

• Croissants 59%

• Ranch seasoning 57%

• Vanilla extract 56%

• Graham crackers 55%

• Granola bars 53%

• Taco seasoning 48%

• Cheese crackers 45%

• Ranch dressing 44%

• Self-rising flour 42%

• Cake mix 39%

• Apple sauce 39%

• Corn muffin mix 35%

• Chocolate sauce 33%

• Peanut butter 32%

• Powdered sugar 31%

• Hazelnut spread 27%

• Mayo 26%

• Cream cheese 23%

• Ketchup 22%

• Butter/Buttermilk 22%

• Caramel sauce 21%

• Brown sugar 8%