Are you trying to save money at the grocery store by not spending a ton of money on premade mixes?
Did you run out of something while you are making a favorite dish?
What if you could make homemade dry mixes with pantry staples you probably already have?
You can make most homemade dry mix recipes for your pantry at home by purchasing normal everyday items and keeping them on hand. To save time, you can make these easily on the weekends and even let the kids help and store them in your pantry for when you are ready to use them.
I used to be a single mom of one with a huge debt. By saving money on my grocery bill I was able to pay off a 5 figure credit card bill with my entry level job within six months. I used mixes just like these to help stretch my grocery budget and still make most of the same meals we loved so much. It is all in how you think about it.
Homemade Dry Mix Recipes for Your Pantry
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Biscuit Mix (Homemade Bisquick)
Use organic rolled oats like this brand to make cookies, muffins and just plain ole oatmeal.
Homemade Cream Soup Mix – Thrifty Frugal Mom
Chocolate pudding mix – Country Cleaver
How to save money using your pantry
Having these mixes made and on hand will help save you time during meal time. If you are trying to cut back on your budget, your pantry is the best place to start. Start making your own mixes to have them on hand when ever you need them. Or keep these handy in case you run out. These have definitely saved me a time or two. Be sure to check out my complete list of pantry staples and homemade seasonings you can make at home.
How to stock your pantry
One thing for sure, buying the basic ingredients costs way less than purchasing a box of a premade mix. Plus you know exactly what ingredients you are putting in to your mixes.
Use this pantry list I have already created to help you keep your pantry stocked and help you know what you need to buy next. Try to buy bulk items like flour, oatmeal and beans to keep on hand. Use my homemade chicken stock recipe to keep in the freezer for soups and stews.
Best Pantry Storage Ideas to Stock Your Pantry
It is best to get organized with great containers to keep all your basic ingredients and your homemade mixes in order. I highly recommend storage containers like this starter set from OXO or this smaller set. These containers easily stack together to create a clean an organized shelf. I like to label all my mixes and ingredients with a label maker like this one. That way everyone can find what they are looking for, and it keeps your pantry nice and tidy. It is also a great idea to have a great set like these Pyrex glass measuring cups and these metal measuring spoons to help you while creating your mixes. I recommend using medium glass jars like these or quart jars like these for larger mixes like the brownies or cookies. Label the jars the with the recipe and the wet ingredients you need to add. Simply wash and refill when needed.
It warms my heart hearing from you and seeing the recipes you create! Share your creations on Instagram and tag me @mainlyhomemade and use #mainlyhomemade, or you can also find me on Facebook, and Pinterest. Thanks for helping me spread the word about homemade delicious food!
Tips to make the best mixes
Since you are making these pantry staple mixes yourself, use quality ingredients you will feel glad feeding your family. Let the kids help you make these mixes, since measuring helps with math and baking is science.
A substitution to consider instead of using white flour, try organic whole grain wheat flour for your mixes like this one.
Same thing with oatmeal, use organic rolled oats like this brand to make cookies, muffins and just plain ole oatmeal.
Next store your mixes in glass jars to keep them fresh.
Do you have a recipe for the dry ingredients to make chocolate gravy? I bought some recently at a supermarket, but it has lots of artificial and unhealthy sounding additives.
Thank you very much!
No I do not have a recipe for Chocolate gravy, but that does sound delicious.
Would you recommend vacuum sealing the jars or no?
Great Question Kelly. You can seal them and they will last longer. But if you are using them in the next couple of months no need to seal.
Chocolate Gravy
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
7 mins
Total Time
12 mins
Servings: 2 cups Author: Stacey Little | Southern Bite
Ingredients
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and salt. Pour in the milk and whisk until all the lumps are gone. Place the pan over medium heat and cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until the gravy just begins to boil and then thickens. Once thick, remove from the heat stir in the butter and vanilla. Stir until the butter has melted. Serve over hot biscuits, pound cake, or even over ice cream!
Thanks for this recipe. I plan on mixing the dry ingredients and adding the cooking instructions. Great gift idea‼️
Here are the dry ingredients for a batch of chocolate gravy:
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
3 Tbs. flour
To make the gravy: add 2 c. milk, 1 tbs. butter and 2 tsp vanilla.
I would just sift together the dry ingredients and set it aside with gravy instructions.
I think you could use powdered milk cocopower and sugar in the dry ingredients then just add butter to the mix while it cooks
I haven’t tried that. Let me know how it turns out. -Amy
How long can you keep the mixed ingredients for?
And
Do you add wet ingredients to it too, or use wet ingredients at time of service?
Cause I’d love to do this with peach cobbler, but do I put it all together, or put the wet stuff in just before cooking?
Great questions Nic. This is only for the dry ingredients. You would add the wet at the time you want to prepare the dish. -Amy
Love the site
I need to get a few of these made. Winter prep in full swing.
I cannot wait to make these dry mixes. Thank you for the recipes. I love to make my own dry mixes and keep them on hand rather than buy them.
Do you have recipes for dips? I have looked in vain and I’m
So tired of only seeing Ranch Dip. To get a southwest chipotle dip, I have to buy them 3 for $20 at a local craft show, which is very expected.
I do have ranch dip. You can find it here: https://www.mainlyhomemade.com/recipes/ranch-dressing-recipe/ instead of buttermilk use another 1/2 cup of yogurt or sour cream.
Do you have a basic cake mix recipe with assorted variations available? I think it would be much better than the store bought ones.
Great question. I don’t right now, but I will look into providing one.
I’m loving this site! I look forward to making some of these. Any chance of getting some LoCarb mixes in here?
Great question. I don’t have any at this time, but I will definitely look into it.
Sorry if I missed it, but how do you seal the jars, if they even need it. Do you just hand tighten the lids or use a vacuum sealer? Thanks
Great question. I just hand tighten these, since I use them within about a month. They should stay fresh for longer. I am just now learning about canning dry ingredients inside jars with a hot water bath. I may update my post, once I experiment with success using this method soon.
If you put in a coffee filter over the top of the dry ingredients then you can use the jar vacuum sealer on the jars. It will pull it all the air and keep it fresh. Another way would to be just put an oxygen absorber on top of the ingredients and hand seal it. The absorber will pull the oxygen out and seal the jar.
Is there a book for dry mixes with receipees for amounts