10 Foods I Stopped Buying

I found an old online shopping list in my account the other day and I noticed just how many products I stopped buying and started making myself over the years. It’s been a gradual process of course! I went through the list and noticed that I hardly ever buy 10 foods now – there are exceptions of course … life and all, but I generally make these myself regularly.

Caro in her country kitchen holding a white tea cup

I thought I’d share them and my favorite recipes with you in case you want to reduce the amount of processed food you consume over time as well. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Granola: We regularly bought granolas, cornflakes, and other colored cereals for the kids. I know make our olive oil granola in all sorts of varieties as it’s a great base recipe.

2. Bread: I used to buy so many types of bread and still am but here are some I now make myself. Seeded rye sandwich bread, sourdough bread, overnight pizza dough, cottage cheese flatbreads, soft German pretzels, high-protein bagels, and biscuits.

Flatbreads on a plate wrapped in a tea towel.

3. Syrups: Once you know that simple syrup is simply a 1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in water, and you get over the sheer amount of sugar being used in these syrups, you can easily make any type at home. Vanilla syrup, hibiscus syrup, and Rosé syrup are some easy and super versatile ones to make that aren’t widely available.

4. Spice mixes: If you’ve followed me for a while you know that I love a custom spice blend. They’re super convenient and ensure the mix suits your taste. Most Mexican spice mixes are too salty and spicy for our taste, so I started making it myself, saving waste and money in the process. My burrito spice mix is a reader favorite and so is my chai spice mix. Check out all spice blend recipes.

Five spice jars stacked up on a wooden background next to loose spices.

5. Cookies: I used to buy chocolate chip cookies from the supermarket and at cafés all the time until I tweaked my recipe to an extend that no bought cookie is quite as good. An extra motivation to keep baking my giant chocolate chip cookies. German gingerbread and stollen cookies are other festive favorites in our house that I no longer buy. I created my energy cookies during my marathon training and they’re dangerously good as well. Fresh cookies are simply the best!

6. Stock: I initially bought my Instant Pot because of the bone broth function but I now use it for all kind of staples and recipes. Making stock, especially from scraps, is one of those budget power moves I think. High quality, nourishing stock is expensive and making it yourself costs just some patience and electricity if you’re making it with scraps and leftover bones. It’s called liquid gold for a reason. Here is my base stock recipe.

Two jars of golden lamb stock with an onion and sprig of rosemary. Moody scene

7. Yogurt: Speaking of the Instant Pot, Greek yogurt is another staple I started making myself. With growing kids and an increasing demand in yogurt, making it yourself saves you tons of money. I’m glad I got the large Instant Pot!

8. Pesto and dips: Hummus had a moment in New Zealand a few years ago and when I realized how easy it was to make myself I didn’t go back. Although technically not hummus, my butter bean dip with harissa is one of my favorites. Pesto is another one that’s so easy to make, especially once you go beyond the classic basil and pine nut combination and explore other nuts and seeds and herbs such as my sunflower seed pesto. There are endless flavor combinations that suit any season and palate.

A cup of ceremonial cacao on a wooden board.

9. Hot chocolate: I grew up on Nesquick in Germany and never questioned what was in there until starting my scratch cooking journey. I love a super chocolatey flavor without too much sweetness, so I started making a hot cacao drink myself. It is now my evening treat when the kids are in bed and I have the flavor down pat in my opinion. Super chocolatey, not too sweet, some spice, pinch of salt …. a hug in a mug!

10. Dressings and sauces: Most store-bought dressings are packed with too much sugar, flavor enhancers, and additives that make them shelf-stable. It’s so simple to make a basic vinaigrette or yogurt dressing such as my Greek yogurt ranch dressing. Double or triple the amount to have it on hand during the summer months. Other easy sauces I stopped buying are creamy Alfredo-style sauces such as my meatball Alfredo and tomato based sauces including pizza sauce.

What foods have you stopped buying or are keen to start making yourself? I’d love to grow this list over time and I am always open for new ideas.