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30 Foods That Are Far Cheaper To Make At Home, As Shared By These Frugal Internet Users
Interview
Many families around the world are feeling the squeeze. With many groceries being jaw-droppingly expensive, people are looking for ways to make every cent go further. Some cut back on eating out. Others focus on buying items only on sale. And then there are the most creative folks who embrace home cooking to an impressive new level.
Redditor u/jeron_gwendolen fired up a very interesting discussion after asking the internet about the foods that are far cheaper to make at home than to buy at stores. Many redditors shared their nuggets of wisdom, and we’ve collected the best ones to share with you. Scroll down to check them out—they might just inspire you to do something new in the kitchen.
We reached out to the author of the viral thread, u/jeron_gwendolen, and they were kind enough to share their personal tips on saving money when it comes to food. You'll find Bored Panda's full interview with them below.
Image credits: jeron_gwendolen
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Omelette. Can be whipped up in a very short amount of time for a fraction of the price that it costs at a restaurant. A restaurant charges $10-15 for what is really about $1 in ingredients since the price of eggs has fallen.
Most breakfast foods are like this.
There are some tiny glimmers of hope that grocery costs—which are already sky-high—might come down in the near future. The BBC reports that in the United Kingdom, food prices dropped by 0.1% in September 2023 compared to August. This was the first monthly drop in over two years. And it’s all because of growing competition between supermarkets.
Obviously, easing grocery inflation is good for customers because they can pay less for food and have more money to save or for other needs. There are also indications that shop price inflation, which fell to 6.2% in September, is easing up. What this means, essentially, is that prices are growing more slowly. This might be good news in the long run, but for many consumers, prices are still exorbitant here and now.
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#3
Came here because I learned this year 1. How fast basil grows and 2. How expensive pesto is lol. I buy all the other ingredients then once a week when my basil plant is uncontrollably growing I get fresh pesto sauce. This is one of my favorite meals and never fails to make me smile. A very small jar of pesto can be 10-20$.
Meanwhile, the situation seems to be getting slightly better for consumers across the pond, in the United States, as well. Grocery prices rose just 0.2% in August, compared to July. And they rose 0.3% In July, compared to June. CNN noted that grocery prices are up 3% in 2023 compared to 2022; this is far better than a year ago, when they were 13.5% higher than in 2021.
The general trend seems to be that massive price spikes are out of the picture. Hopefully, prices and price growth will continue cooling. However, some food items got far more expensive than others. For instance, in August, bacon prices jumped a shocking 4% in the US. However, even with this increase, bacon prices in August 2023 are still 6.4% cheaper than a year ago.
#4
German Pancakes (Dutch Babies). They are so easy to make at home. There are only a few breakfast places that make them and I just checked, $19.59. The basic ingredients only cost $1.18.
#5
I just made bread for the first time and holy moly it’s so easy and cheap. I’m not a huge bread person or baker hence why I’m in my 40s and never made bread before lol. I was going to make the only cookies that I ever make once a year for work— pumpkin chocolate chip— but bought bread flour instead of AP flour. So I made bread instead!
Alexis Pandas 1 year ago
I have to politely disagree on this one. Good bread (sourdough based) takes a lot of patience, timing and care. I could do it during lockdown when I was working from home and could take a short break every now and then to knead, fold and let the dough rest for another 2h etc. No chance now that I’m back at the office. Good ingredients and energy aren‘t exactly cheap either. Baking your own bread is kind of satisfying but I’d go as far as to say it‘s more of a hobby and definitely not just whipping something up. There’s a great bakery nearby and I‘ve returned to leaving it to the pros.
#6
Spaghetti sauce. Instead of buying that expensive name-brand spaghetti sauce, do the following. Get a big can or jar of tomato paste. Add fried onions, garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar. If you want, add ground beef, or textured soy. Options for mushrooms, bell peppers, even seafood, basil, condensed milk, liver, sausage, wine, etc etc.
Make a huge batch and freeze the leftovers.
Much better than the Ragu or Prego c**p you find in the grocery, and a fraction of the cost.
PrettyJoyBird 1 year ago (edited)
No way all those ingredients are a fraction of the cost of a jar. Not in our stores. A jar is about 2 to 5 dollars depends on brand.
Bored Panda was very curious to learn about the inspiration behind the redditor's thread on r/Frugal. The author was happy to shed some light on this. "At that time, I was only around 2 months short of being a university student," they told us.
"Before getting thrown into adulthood head-first, I deemed it important to at least equip myself with some advice from experienced frugality-soaked people," u/jeron_gwendolen opened up that they were looking for some practical advice on saving money.
Meanwhile, we were curious to get the OP's take on saving money on groceries in these economically bizarre times. "First of all, know your town. Go for a price hunt," they advised doing some proper research.
"Visit every single store in the vicinity of your home and make a list of all the groceries you cannot live without. Write down their prices and compare them," they said.
#7
We have a large vegetable garden that gives us plenty to eat for now and to can. A friend just gave us a lot of grapes and we made some jelly
Mary Kelly 1 year ago
yes, over the long term....but, you have to buy cannig supplies and have a chest freezer to take advantage of these savings...only really pays for itself if you do this long term
#8
Salad dressing. It’s so much better tasting than bottled dressing, it’s cheap, and can be made from items I already have on hand.
I will say that sometimes I buy the Italian dressing mixes. They’re cheap, quick, and tasty.
Annik Perrot 1 year ago
I always make my own salad dressing. Bottled ones are often bland and, even in France, they generally have added sugar. The basis is vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Then you can add à bit of mustard, garlic, shallots, chives, basilic, etc... as the mood strikes. I also vary the oils and the vinegars.Takes all of two minutes.
#9
Hummus!
Duane Ringlein 1 year ago
My late wife loved Hummus, asked me to try and make it, and loved how it was. Very easy and cheap and never had to buy hummus again.
"It's not always the case that a store that's considered to be 'the cheapest' offers a better deal than 'the most expensive.' Also, avoid buying fruit and veggies at big stores that come in plastic bags and boxes. It's virtually always a ripoff. Get them in bulk instead," Reddit user u/jeron_gwendolen suggested what everyone should keep in mind if they want to save some money while shopping for food.
The author of the thread also shared their advice on starting to cook at home and gaining confidence in the kitchen. "Start with something simple. Fry an egg, throw in some bacon," they advised everyone who's completely new to making food at home.
"When you get bored of that, whip up something as simple as pancakes, no more than 3-5 ingredients. You'll warm into it, trust me. There's nothing rocket sciency about cooking. It doesn't require any talent, just a hungry stomach."
#10
I make a pretty good deli meat sandwich. Subway is so expensive these days. I shouldn't have to pay $20 for a sandwich.
PlatinumThe8-BitCat 1 year ago
Where do you have to pay $20 for a sandwich? Aren’t they usually like $8-$12?
#11
It seems like everything nowadays 😂. I’ve recently learned how to make our own bread, pickles, pickled banana peppers, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, and tortillas. We grew a ton of cherry tomatoes and are gonna make pasta sauce and then ketchup. Just small things, but I think it really makes a difference! Sure you have to buy some ingredients, but if I can use them to make multiple batches of something, it’s really worth it.
#12
Pizza
Firstname Lastname 1 year ago
Got enough ingredients to make 3 pizzas all under $10. A lot less greasy, and I can choose how thick I want my crust and how plentiful I want my toppings.
Saving money comes down to reevaluating your priorities. The first step when curbing spending is to create a proper budget. Look at your income, make a list of all of your expenses (down to the tiniest details), and search for areas where you can cut back. For example, if you’re a fan of dining out, you could reduce how often you do it, choosing to cook at home instead.
The same goes for getting take-out. There are tons of free online resources and recipes that can help you cook your favorite meals at home. This means that you end up saving cash and that you can actually eat more healthily: you’re in control of what you put into the meal. Naturally, this means that you’ll have to spend more time in the kitchen. Cooking can be an incredibly fun activity, but it means that if you have no skills to speak of, you’ll have to put in the effort to develop them slowly over time.
#13
Definitely anything related to meat. Where I live for example, a good steak is usually around $40-$80 in a restaurant. Whereas if I buy USDA choice ribeye/New York steaks and reverse sear them, I’m instantly saving a minimum of 50% of the cost and tastes very similar.
#14
Kimchi.
A small 16 oz jar at jewel costs $13. That will last me a week.
For $13 of ingredients I can make 3 60 oz jars that can last me 1-2 months each.
Plus I have my kimchi recipe down to a perfection. *chef's kiss*
Firstname Lastname 1 year ago
The problem is, if I have 180 oz of kimchi, I'll eat it all, and my bootyhole won't forgive me. It's a measure of self restraint.
#15
most food is much cheaper at home. I can cook a lot of basic asian foods and its easily 1/4 to 1/3 the cost for some dishes. I wouldn't bother with something that takes hours to make like ramen broth (and I doubt it'd be as good). But something like japanese oyakodon costs $15 in a restaurant, and might take 15 min to make for $3.
I've noticed a lot of chinese restaurants charging $5 for ... plain white rice around me. Rice that you can make 5x the quantity of for $5. Just have to be smart about stuff like that.
Spocks's Mom 1 year ago
Fried rice is really easy to make and I usually have most of the ingredients.
Other things to cut back on include red meat which is very expensive. You can find cheaper protein alternatives if money is tight. It also helps to buy food items on sale, so you can freeze them for future use.
If you cooperate with your family, friends, and neighbors, you can save even more by buying some groceries in bulk. And if you decide to start baking your own bread, then more power to you! As evidenced in this list, it’s definitely worth giving a go.
#16
Cake is stupid cheap and easy to make homemade, and lived ones will appreciate the effort that went into it.
RaroaRaroa 1 year ago
Ahh, but if I buy it I can pretend it doesn't have ridiculous amounts of butter and sugar in it.
#17
Have you read the book Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reese? It answers this question extensively with a price breakdown on many different foods and even factors find and lack rubric the equation. It’s a great resource.
Binky Melnik 1 year ago
“even factors find and lack rubric the equation.” Uh, what? It appears autocorrect had a stroke, as this can’t be turned into ANYTHING that relates to food and makes sense. Any guesses as to what she TRIED to type? I got nothing, so I hope someone smarter than I am can help!
#18
Oatmilk. Like $5 at the store and can make it for pennies. Just water, oats, blend and strain! I like to add sweetener like maple syrup and some vanilla, but up to the maker.
Ample Aardvark 1 year ago
Commercial oatmilk have vitamins and calcium added so you have to balance home made plant milk by taking supplements or loading up on the greens if you rely on a lot of plant milk in your diet. Also if you're using it for baking you need to add more thickeners to the recipe
#19
Creme Fraiche. They want $6 for a tiny jar in the store. Take a cup of cream or half and half, stir in a tablespoon of buttermilk and let it sit on the counter overnight. Delicious magic.
#20
Corn bread and tater tots.
When I was younger I always thought these were delicacies because they charged so much for them when eating out. As an adult I was gobsmacked when I saw how cheap and easy to prepare they actually are. It pretty much started my habit of eating out as little as possible after I realized how overpriced everything is and how much healthier it is to cook at home.
Mary Kelly 1 year ago
and, if you don't want to make it from scratch, a jiffy mix is super cheap and actually good
#21
My partner and I just started making homemade pan pizzas in cast iron and calzones. So insanely good. And anywhere from 1/8 to 1/2 of the cost, even buying from Trader Joe's (expensive dairy there) and premade dough
#22
Nearly everything. But I’d say pasta, soup and salads are way cheaper to make yourself at home. Pasta is like $2.00 a box and it makes a lot, making homemade sauce might be $10 for a pot full. If you go out for it, you’ll pay maybe $15-20 for a plate. Same with soup, make it at home for a couple dollars a serving or pay $8-10 a bowl. Salad? No doubt it’s way cheaper at home. $10 and up for someone to chop up a couple veggies and add a couple ingredients.
Spocks's Mom 1 year ago
Salad IS NOT cheaper at home. I buy the ingredients and they go bad three seconds after I bring them home.
#23
Cold brew concentrate. Bought one of those amazon coldbrew makers (basically a pitcher with a fine mesh sieve inside) and a bag of lavazza beans. Makes about a quart. Must have saved myself almost $1000 this summer not buying bottles of Grady’s coldbrew every week.
Also, ESPRESSO. I was gifted an espresso maker. Not a super expensive one (I think I saw it on amazon for $300) I can’t even fathom how much money it’s saved me on espresso shots over the last couple of years.
sturmwesen 1 year ago
You don't need a cold brew maker. a french press or a jar and a fine strainer do it just as well (approved by a coffee roaster)
Breadcrumb. 1 year ago
The cold brew maker is the jar with the fine strainer, just poureable.
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Breadcrumb. 1 year ago
I bought a espresso machine after some back pay came in and I love making lattes at home. The coffee shop keept messing up my order and charge extra for oat milk when it's the same or cheaper then dairy.
Steven 1 year ago
I have a strainer that fits in a wide-mouth Mason jar. I fill it with 120 grams of coarse-ground coffee and put it in a half-gallon jar. Seal it up and let it steep 24-36 hours in the refrigerator. Cheap and simple cold brew coffee. Grinding the beans too fine is the easiest way to ruin both cold brew and using a coffee press. I use an old-school cast-iron hand grinder to get the right consistency.
DarkViolet 1 year ago
A microwave, a good battery-operated handheld frother, espresso powder, and the flavorings of my choice are all I need to make my own lattés and mochas at home. I can have a salted caramel pumpkin spice latté all year long.
Natalie Odilo 1 year ago
For me $300 is super expensive. I found a good “Re-Loved” (refurbished) Nespresso brand espresso machine for $149. This price is still a stretch, but it’s my early Christmas gift to myself. If you’re budget is like mine, looking for refurbished items can make the difference between having and having to do without. And, in this example, you can recoup that expense over time by enjoying espresso drinks at home 😃
David 1 year ago (edited)
If you can't afford a higher end espresso machine, consider an Italian coffee maker. (also called Moka Pot) Some sellers claim it makes espresso. I would argue it is more like 'near espresso' but the net effect is I can make coffee drinks I like as well as the ones that cost $6+ at the local coffee stands. I have a couple I purchased at garage sales for cheap but also fairly inexpensive at places like walmart. If you like syrup flavors - see if you have a local restaurant supply store. Big bottle is cheaper than small bottle in super markets. I also get a half gallon of half and half there cheaper than a quart at grocery store. Higher fat content keeps longer than milk Full on cream even longer. I grind my own beans. My $6 coffee probably costs me about a quarter. https://upload.wikim...m_Lichtzelt.jpg
#25
Tallow and bone broth are almost free to make at home, but so expensive at the store! Very simple to make, very little effort or processing time, and you're using what you might normally throw away!
If you eat beef or chicken, save the bones in the freezer. Once you have enough to fill up a crock pot, toss them in with some vinegar and a little salt. Let it go between 12-24 hours and then strain through cheese cloth. Now you've got bone broth.
Put that in the fridge and let the fat solidify. Use a butter knife to pull the fat off the top. That's the tallow. You'll want to add water, heat, strain again, cool again, discard the water and gently scrape anything discolored(I usually immediately put that stuff on toast, lol). Now you've got clean tallow to cook with, and it is incredible.
Mary Kelly 1 year ago
sometimes cheaper is not worth your time to do at home...this strikes as one of those things
#26
Martinis and gin & tonics.
Jane No Dough 1 year ago
Any cocktail is far less expensive at home AND no designated driver or uber necessary!
#27
Espresso, if you ignore the sunk cost of the espresso machine.
Ace 1 year ago (edited)
Even if you don't ignore the sunk costs it's going to work out a lot cheaper in the long run. Where I live a decent fully automatic bean-to-cup machine starts at around chf300 and should last at least five years, at say 4 cups a day that's less than 10 cents a cup. Coffee beans around chf10 per kilo, makes around 50 cups, so around 20 cents per cup.
#28
Perhaps I misunderstand your question, but there are so many things - in fact, I believe that *almost* everything you could buy premade from a store would be cheaper than buying it at a store. Examples include:
* Tuna salad from the deli - this is so easy to make yourself. I use an immersion blender to get it as finely textured as the deli
* Just about any "frozen entree" (but some are so much easier to buy premade. For me, I like breaded fish filets, and I can get them pretty cheap and prefer to do so versus making them myself
* Frozen vegetables
* Baked goods
* Pies
Some exceptions include:
* Yogurt - I tried making my own. It cost more.
* Ice cream - It is so cheap to buy, and I didn't much like what I made (adapter fora kitchenaid mixer - a waste of money)
WindySwede 1 year ago
If they didn't like homemade ice cream they made it wrong! I still can dream about a batch of ice cream I made years ago.. thou quite occasional, but was the 👌
#29
Soda pop. I was gifted a soda stream but discovered, since I don't care for the fizzies anyway, I just use the syrup and make my pop. What else is nice, made with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup (which causes additional sweet cravings) and is less calories overall, even with using the amount they claim in directions.
#30
pretty much most foods, honestly tho there are some things by the time I buy all the stuff it is way more practical to just go eat out. Like one time I was determined to make my own pho and all the time and effort it was cheaper just to go to the restraunt and buy it. Brisket is kinda the same way like unless I wanna have a lot of it, its better to just go buy it at my local rundown bbq joint. Other than those specific cases I cook everything at home now tho.
What do you think ?
David Phillips 1 year ago
This seems rather dumb. EVERY food is cheaper made at home, with the possible exception of items where economy of scale kicks in, like if you just want ONE sandwich. Generally though, in a supermarket or restaurant, you're paying for convenience, not product.
--- 1 year ago
"It costs more to have someone make your food than it costs to do it yourself" - most of this article.
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Bec 1 year ago
It's all about a cost benefit analysis. I have to plan, shop, and then prepare the meal, and clean up too.
Trillian 1 year ago (edited)
Exactly. You pay with money or you pay with time. Also, I hate cooking/meal prep.
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Sergio Bicerra 1 year ago
Before going into a restaurant, fast food joint etc I imagine doing grocery shooping, then preparing it myself, then cleaning and washing dishes and ask myself if the $15 I saved are worth my effort... and then I get into the restaurant.
Pa4040 1 year ago (edited)
I think its worth the effort. Washing a few pans and a couple plates, knowing how to choose your groceries , researching a recipe, and the whole cooking process (ideally with a loved one) makes cooking fun and a bonding experience.
Load More Replies... Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I say this as a person who cooks at home every night except Mondays--when we just eat leftovers or cereal--but there is a lot of judgement in these comments. People are lazy if they don't cook? Maybe they don't like to cook. Or maybe they work long hours and they'd rather spend their time doing something else. I see nothing wrong if someone works all day and decides take-out is worth it if that means they have more time for video games or whatever they're into. Also, no one ever considers disabilities. It is not easy to cook if you have certain conditions. I have two auto-immune diseases and sometimes I'm in too much pain to cook. Thankfully, I live with people who are willing to step up and cook if I can't. But not everyone has that luxury. Let people do what works for them. Why judge them because it's different than you. If they're spending more money getting take-out, what do you care? It's not your money. And can we stop throwing the word lazy around?
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
People deserve downtime and to spend that downtime the way that brings them the most happiness.
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Celeste Grant 1 year ago
I have a long list of horrible food allergies which makes it difficult for me to have any shop bought processed food and makes eating out/ordering in stressful and potentially life threatening. So I learned to cook; I make every meal from scratch and make all my own bread, cakes, yogurt, and the list goes on. When my partner and I moved in together he decided he would eat what I eat so that we weren't having to cook two meals, and so we weren't stressing about cross contamination. I was worried he wouldn't be happy doing that but we gave it a go. He says he's never eaten as well as he does now and absolutely loves my cooking. When we have family or friends over to eat they are so surprised that I can eat everything I serve as it doesn't taste like they expect. It's also much cheaper too! my re
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Same. Before I had to change my diet, I disliked cooking (partly because my health was bad and it took so much energy) so I bought a lot of frozen meals, or sauces in jars. Now I can't even buy a curry paste or hummus so have to make it myself. I started with small things like that, and now cook much more adventurous meals, because my health has improved so I have more energy. I had previously lived with my brother who is Celiac (which I wasn't at the time) and we did the same, the only non-gluten free food I had was some snacks. It did make it easier (though he doesn't worry that much about cross-contamination, despite knowing it will be doing damage even if he has no symptoms) compared to when we lived with mum and she cooked his food separate. It is definitely so much cheaper to make most things compared to gluten free ones in stores, where they bump the price so much!
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Magazine 1 year ago (edited)
Pizza. So easy to make once you know how, and cheaper, and sometimes better than the one you can have in a pizzeria. And I live in Italy.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I've always preferred homemade pizza. It's what we grew up on, but I found out later in life, how much better it is homemade by Italians!
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StrangeOne 1 year ago
For some people they really know what they're doing with those ingredients, how to prep them, store them, use them all the time enough to not throw it out before it goes bad, and love cooking enough to put in the time so it's not a chore. Not everyone knows how to cook well enough to make it worth their while to make foods by scratch. There's also the space availability. If you live in a small apartment you may not have the room to put in a large freezer chest, nor have the cupboard space to store jars and jars of homemade sauces. If someone does, all the power to them. I'm just saying there's no shame in just buying the foods from the store.
dremetrius 1 year ago
Yes, it's very sad that these discussions always have very classist undertones to them, lots of "you're clearly doing it wrong" rather than just starting from the knowledge that life is vast and variable and not everyone has the same resources or even luck. Space is a huge resource people seem to assume when talking "easy" food prep. Storage for ingredients, for supplies, for prepped food...but also counter space for making it. I lived in a 200sq ft place once that was beautiful and I still miss it...but I only had a mini fridge, and a sliver of countertop space. Making even the most basic meals was a hell of a juggling act. There are lots of "make x meals on a dime" and "30 minute meals" but I sure would love to see more devoted to "meals you can make with a thrift shop frying pan, a spatula and a fork, an oven with temperature problems, and 12"x12" counter space, possibly not all together."
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Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
Compared to a restaurant, almost everything is cheaper. But as for the supermarket? Time and convenience have to factor in at some point. For instance, considering we have spaghetti at most two or three times a month, I'm happy to pay $5-$6 for a jar of really good sauce. Making it myself with ingredients that would still cost nearly half as much seems absurd. (Unless you enjoy cooking your own for fun, of course.) Similarly, doesn't homemade ketchup have to sit on the stove practically all day long? And if you don't have a vegetable garden, fresh tomatoes aren't free. Whereas a $5 bottle of Heinz lasts us for weeks.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
I feel like most of these are only considering cost of ingredients not actual labor and time. That omlette looks cheap ingredient wise, but your average line cook makes $15/hr so if it takes you half an hour, add $7.50 to that bill.
Becky Samuel 1 year ago
If an omelette takes you half an hour then you definitely have a problem.
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Verena 1 year ago
Yes, it is always cheaper at home, because you don't factor in all the "background costs" any meal selling facility has. Wages for various staff involved, energy for cooking, heating, lighting, furniture, cooking appliances, rent, maintenance and repairs and, if in the US, generous tips.
DeoManus Argentem 1 year ago
Pico de Gallo is definitely cheaper and better to make at home - a tiny tub is like $6 (USD) at grocer, and isn't even fresh! Diced roma tomatoes, onion, jalapenos (optional, but for me a must), cilantro, a little garlic, dash of lime juice, and a sprinkle of salt. A huge bowl for maybe $10. A must have for topping tacos and fajitas - but tbh, I sometimes drink it, lol, makes me salivate!
Lauren Wilder 1 year ago
When I do go out to eat I don't order dishes that I can cheaply make at home. This includes any fast food as well as quick meals such as spagetti, fettuccine, Omelets, tacos, etc.
Lucky2BAlive 1 year ago
My love of recreating restaurant quality without having to get a second mortgage to eat out, started quite a few years ago before many restaurants went commercial, a simple cheddar biscuit gave way to me studying menus and going for it. Some were harder than others, of course but over time I love the challenge. Like many I had to stretch the dollar during Covid later had a traumatic knee injury which ended with 5.5 months of in patient OT/PT, and a lot of time on my hands so I watched a lot of cooking competitions *L*. Now that I am home I use kitchen time to bang out home workout and dinner *L* (and can’t look at an ice cream scooper ever again - nearly every meal I was served came via that tool *L*). So, Get in that kitchen, and get creative on a dime. And remember the words of Edison. To paraphrase: He didn’t make mistakes he just found 100 ways NOT to make a lightbulb!
Mell 1 year ago
I'm from the Netherlands and I am absolutely flabbergasted by the amount of times some Americans eat in restaurants. For our family, we always eat at home and we make most of our meals from scratch. It is really healthier (no added sugar, less added salt, no other preservations), it is a part of our daily routine and it is waaaaaay cheaper than going to a restaurant. I just really don't get it...
Steve Hall 1 year ago
You need to remember the cost of equipment, electricity/gas, your time. Not very much on this list is cheaper to make yourself, it may be healthier or taste better, but not cheaper.
Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
And not everyone has access to a fully equipped kitchen. If a tiny microwave, a hot plate, and maybe an electric kettle are all you've got, you make do.
Load More Replies... DarkViolet 1 year ago
The biggest hindrance for most people is time. You have to set aside time to do any of these things. Once it's locked in, the sky's the limit. Make sure that your kitchen is clean, NO traffic, and you have everything you need. Have a sink with dishwater ready, and put away the ingredients as you finish with them. Wash up the used utensils as your food is baking or resting. Voila!
StrangeOne 1 year ago (edited)
(LOL I read that as dishwasher, when you said dishwater.) When you have a kitchen centered in your home, inevitable it's going to be high traffic. Available counter space, cupboard space, fridge and freezer space is a huge factor.
Load More Replies... talliloo 1 year ago
most of the time, it's always cheaper to make it yourself. while there are some younger people that love to cook/bake it seems that many prefer to use prepackaged foods or mixes. schools used to teach home economics which taught the basics. i was lucky to have a year long home ec that included budgeting/finances as well as starting the year with sewing. we made our kitchen mitts & aprons for the rest of class where we cooked.
Pa4040 1 year ago (edited)
okay, so all i see here are extremely basic foods ( pizza, burgers, deep fried stuff, bread, yoghurts and topings). So I assume the post is from the U.S.A? Generally I dislike eating out ever, as the food is c**p, overpriced and from shady ingredients. And no McDonalds/Burger King or whatever you guys eat there 6 times a week is not a restaurant. Learn to cook at home, save money and actually eat delicious and nutritious food, not just pizzas and pastas. Look up some nordic or slavic cuisine, proper chinese cuisine as well (none of that greasy noodle slob they sell to the students and drunks).
Two_rolling_black_eyes 1 year ago (edited)
Eating healthy is expensive. At minimum wage, over 2 hours of work to pay for spaghetti sauce. 25% of all the work you did that day and you still don't have noodles or any other part of the meal. Weekly flyer for my local Kroger's affiliate. 4 vine ripened tomatoes -2.93, organic green pepper -1.79, organic onion -1.09, organic mushrooms - 2.99 VS Ragu garden variety with green peppers, onion, and mushrooms - 1.99. Mom's recipe requires 4 lb of tomatoes. About $16 (before multi-use staples like olive oil, garlic, spices) vs $1.99 for sauce. For those who say you can substitute paste or other items - that can of Hunt's paste isn't pesticide free grown and used ethylene instead of letting the tomatoes grow on the vine. Its still not healthy.
Load More Replies... David Phillips 1 year ago
This seems rather dumb. EVERY food is cheaper made at home, with the possible exception of items where economy of scale kicks in, like if you just want ONE sandwich. Generally though, in a supermarket or restaurant, you're paying for convenience, not product.
--- 1 year ago
"It costs more to have someone make your food than it costs to do it yourself" - most of this article.
Load More Replies... Bec 1 year ago
It's all about a cost benefit analysis. I have to plan, shop, and then prepare the meal, and clean up too.
Trillian 1 year ago (edited)
Exactly. You pay with money or you pay with time. Also, I hate cooking/meal prep.
Load More Replies... Sergio Bicerra 1 year ago
Before going into a restaurant, fast food joint etc I imagine doing grocery shooping, then preparing it myself, then cleaning and washing dishes and ask myself if the $15 I saved are worth my effort... and then I get into the restaurant.
Pa4040 1 year ago (edited)
I think its worth the effort. Washing a few pans and a couple plates, knowing how to choose your groceries , researching a recipe, and the whole cooking process (ideally with a loved one) makes cooking fun and a bonding experience.
Load More Replies... Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I say this as a person who cooks at home every night except Mondays--when we just eat leftovers or cereal--but there is a lot of judgement in these comments. People are lazy if they don't cook? Maybe they don't like to cook. Or maybe they work long hours and they'd rather spend their time doing something else. I see nothing wrong if someone works all day and decides take-out is worth it if that means they have more time for video games or whatever they're into. Also, no one ever considers disabilities. It is not easy to cook if you have certain conditions. I have two auto-immune diseases and sometimes I'm in too much pain to cook. Thankfully, I live with people who are willing to step up and cook if I can't. But not everyone has that luxury. Let people do what works for them. Why judge them because it's different than you. If they're spending more money getting take-out, what do you care? It's not your money. And can we stop throwing the word lazy around?
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
People deserve downtime and to spend that downtime the way that brings them the most happiness.
Load More Replies... Celeste Grant 1 year ago
I have a long list of horrible food allergies which makes it difficult for me to have any shop bought processed food and makes eating out/ordering in stressful and potentially life threatening. So I learned to cook; I make every meal from scratch and make all my own bread, cakes, yogurt, and the list goes on. When my partner and I moved in together he decided he would eat what I eat so that we weren't having to cook two meals, and so we weren't stressing about cross contamination. I was worried he wouldn't be happy doing that but we gave it a go. He says he's never eaten as well as he does now and absolutely loves my cooking. When we have family or friends over to eat they are so surprised that I can eat everything I serve as it doesn't taste like they expect. It's also much cheaper too! my re
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Same. Before I had to change my diet, I disliked cooking (partly because my health was bad and it took so much energy) so I bought a lot of frozen meals, or sauces in jars. Now I can't even buy a curry paste or hummus so have to make it myself. I started with small things like that, and now cook much more adventurous meals, because my health has improved so I have more energy. I had previously lived with my brother who is Celiac (which I wasn't at the time) and we did the same, the only non-gluten free food I had was some snacks. It did make it easier (though he doesn't worry that much about cross-contamination, despite knowing it will be doing damage even if he has no symptoms) compared to when we lived with mum and she cooked his food separate. It is definitely so much cheaper to make most things compared to gluten free ones in stores, where they bump the price so much!
Load More Replies... Magazine 1 year ago (edited)
Pizza. So easy to make once you know how, and cheaper, and sometimes better than the one you can have in a pizzeria. And I live in Italy.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I've always preferred homemade pizza. It's what we grew up on, but I found out later in life, how much better it is homemade by Italians!
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 1 year ago
For some people they really know what they're doing with those ingredients, how to prep them, store them, use them all the time enough to not throw it out before it goes bad, and love cooking enough to put in the time so it's not a chore. Not everyone knows how to cook well enough to make it worth their while to make foods by scratch. There's also the space availability. If you live in a small apartment you may not have the room to put in a large freezer chest, nor have the cupboard space to store jars and jars of homemade sauces. If someone does, all the power to them. I'm just saying there's no shame in just buying the foods from the store.
dremetrius 1 year ago
Yes, it's very sad that these discussions always have very classist undertones to them, lots of "you're clearly doing it wrong" rather than just starting from the knowledge that life is vast and variable and not everyone has the same resources or even luck. Space is a huge resource people seem to assume when talking "easy" food prep. Storage for ingredients, for supplies, for prepped food...but also counter space for making it. I lived in a 200sq ft place once that was beautiful and I still miss it...but I only had a mini fridge, and a sliver of countertop space. Making even the most basic meals was a hell of a juggling act. There are lots of "make x meals on a dime" and "30 minute meals" but I sure would love to see more devoted to "meals you can make with a thrift shop frying pan, a spatula and a fork, an oven with temperature problems, and 12"x12" counter space, possibly not all together."
Load More Replies... Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
Compared to a restaurant, almost everything is cheaper. But as for the supermarket? Time and convenience have to factor in at some point. For instance, considering we have spaghetti at most two or three times a month, I'm happy to pay $5-$6 for a jar of really good sauce. Making it myself with ingredients that would still cost nearly half as much seems absurd. (Unless you enjoy cooking your own for fun, of course.) Similarly, doesn't homemade ketchup have to sit on the stove practically all day long? And if you don't have a vegetable garden, fresh tomatoes aren't free. Whereas a $5 bottle of Heinz lasts us for weeks.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
I feel like most of these are only considering cost of ingredients not actual labor and time. That omlette looks cheap ingredient wise, but your average line cook makes $15/hr so if it takes you half an hour, add $7.50 to that bill.
Becky Samuel 1 year ago
If an omelette takes you half an hour then you definitely have a problem.
Load More Replies... Verena 1 year ago
Yes, it is always cheaper at home, because you don't factor in all the "background costs" any meal selling facility has. Wages for various staff involved, energy for cooking, heating, lighting, furniture, cooking appliances, rent, maintenance and repairs and, if in the US, generous tips.
DeoManus Argentem 1 year ago
Pico de Gallo is definitely cheaper and better to make at home - a tiny tub is like $6 (USD) at grocer, and isn't even fresh! Diced roma tomatoes, onion, jalapenos (optional, but for me a must), cilantro, a little garlic, dash of lime juice, and a sprinkle of salt. A huge bowl for maybe $10. A must have for topping tacos and fajitas - but tbh, I sometimes drink it, lol, makes me salivate!
Lauren Wilder 1 year ago
When I do go out to eat I don't order dishes that I can cheaply make at home. This includes any fast food as well as quick meals such as spagetti, fettuccine, Omelets, tacos, etc.
Lucky2BAlive 1 year ago
My love of recreating restaurant quality without having to get a second mortgage to eat out, started quite a few years ago before many restaurants went commercial, a simple cheddar biscuit gave way to me studying menus and going for it. Some were harder than others, of course but over time I love the challenge. Like many I had to stretch the dollar during Covid later had a traumatic knee injury which ended with 5.5 months of in patient OT/PT, and a lot of time on my hands so I watched a lot of cooking competitions *L*. Now that I am home I use kitchen time to bang out home workout and dinner *L* (and can’t look at an ice cream scooper ever again - nearly every meal I was served came via that tool *L*). So, Get in that kitchen, and get creative on a dime. And remember the words of Edison. To paraphrase: He didn’t make mistakes he just found 100 ways NOT to make a lightbulb!
Mell 1 year ago
I'm from the Netherlands and I am absolutely flabbergasted by the amount of times some Americans eat in restaurants. For our family, we always eat at home and we make most of our meals from scratch. It is really healthier (no added sugar, less added salt, no other preservations), it is a part of our daily routine and it is waaaaaay cheaper than going to a restaurant. I just really don't get it...
Steve Hall 1 year ago
You need to remember the cost of equipment, electricity/gas, your time. Not very much on this list is cheaper to make yourself, it may be healthier or taste better, but not cheaper.
Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
And not everyone has access to a fully equipped kitchen. If a tiny microwave, a hot plate, and maybe an electric kettle are all you've got, you make do.
Load More Replies... DarkViolet 1 year ago
The biggest hindrance for most people is time. You have to set aside time to do any of these things. Once it's locked in, the sky's the limit. Make sure that your kitchen is clean, NO traffic, and you have everything you need. Have a sink with dishwater ready, and put away the ingredients as you finish with them. Wash up the used utensils as your food is baking or resting. Voila!
StrangeOne 1 year ago (edited)
(LOL I read that as dishwasher, when you said dishwater.) When you have a kitchen centered in your home, inevitable it's going to be high traffic. Available counter space, cupboard space, fridge and freezer space is a huge factor.
Load More Replies... talliloo 1 year ago
most of the time, it's always cheaper to make it yourself. while there are some younger people that love to cook/bake it seems that many prefer to use prepackaged foods or mixes. schools used to teach home economics which taught the basics. i was lucky to have a year long home ec that included budgeting/finances as well as starting the year with sewing. we made our kitchen mitts & aprons for the rest of class where we cooked.
Pa4040 1 year ago (edited)
okay, so all i see here are extremely basic foods ( pizza, burgers, deep fried stuff, bread, yoghurts and topings). So I assume the post is from the U.S.A? Generally I dislike eating out ever, as the food is c**p, overpriced and from shady ingredients. And no McDonalds/Burger King or whatever you guys eat there 6 times a week is not a restaurant. Learn to cook at home, save money and actually eat delicious and nutritious food, not just pizzas and pastas. Look up some nordic or slavic cuisine, proper chinese cuisine as well (none of that greasy noodle slob they sell to the students and drunks).
Two_rolling_black_eyes 1 year ago (edited)
Eating healthy is expensive. At minimum wage, over 2 hours of work to pay for spaghetti sauce. 25% of all the work you did that day and you still don't have noodles or any other part of the meal. Weekly flyer for my local Kroger's affiliate. 4 vine ripened tomatoes -2.93, organic green pepper -1.79, organic onion -1.09, organic mushrooms - 2.99 VS Ragu garden variety with green peppers, onion, and mushrooms - 1.99. Mom's recipe requires 4 lb of tomatoes. About $16 (before multi-use staples like olive oil, garlic, spices) vs $1.99 for sauce. For those who say you can substitute paste or other items - that can of Hunt's paste isn't pesticide free grown and used ethylene instead of letting the tomatoes grow on the vine. Its still not healthy.
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