The DIY Pantry: Everyday Staples Made Simple
Let’s face it—those little jars, packets, and tubs of pre-made pantry staples at the grocery store add up. And for what? A blend of preservatives, fillers, and mystery ingredients you can’t pronounce? No thanks. The truth is, making your own pantry staples at home is easy. It is also cheap and one of the most rewarding kitchen upgrades you can make.
Here are six homemade mix heroes that are not only budget-friendly but also a whole lot better for you.
You can watch the video here where we make these together The DIY Pantry | Everyday Staples Made Easy and Cheaper!
1. Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
That salty-savory sprinkle has gone from bagels to, well, everything. But have you checked the price of a tiny jar lately? Making your own is shockingly easy—and you get full control over the salt levels and the freshness of the spices. Sprinkle it on eggs, avocado toast, salads, popcorn… heck, even cottage cheese. It’s pure magic.
Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp poppy seeds
- 3 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp garlic granules
- 3 tbsp onion flakes
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the ingredients, then transfer to an airtight container. This will keep for several months in the pantry.
2. Nacho Seasoning Mix
Forget those single-use taco seasoning packets with sky-high sodium and a list of unpronounceable ingredients. This homemade nacho mix is your go-to dry seasoning blend. It transforms plain minced beef into a flavor-packed filling for nachos, burritos, tacos, or rice bowls. It’s full of bold, smoky spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder—plus just the right balance of savory and heat. Not only is it cheaper to make your own, but you also get to skip the fillers and preservatives. Keep a jar in your pantry and weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier (and tastier).
Nacho Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp paprika
- 3 tbsp onion flakes or powder
- 2 tbsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp garlic powder or granules
- 1 tbsp dried oregano mixed herbs will do as well
- 2 tbsp dried coriander
- chili flakes to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the herbs and spices, then transfer to an airtight container. This will keep for several months in the pantry.
3. Pancake Mix
Those boxed mixes? Mostly flour with a few mystery extras. You can make your own in five minutes with ingredients you already have. Homemade pancake mix stores beautifully. It lets you wake up to fluffy pancakes without any weird aftertaste. There are no added sugar bombs. Bonus: you can boost it with whole grains, cinnamon, or a touch of vanilla for an extra cozy breakfast.
You can find the recipe for this one this post Homemade Pancake Mix and the best way to store it
4. Savory Scone Mix
Scone mix might not be a pantry regular—yet. But once you have a jar ready to go, you’ll never go back. Think buttery, flaky scones with herbs, cheese, or even sun-dried tomatoes, ready in a snap. Homemade versions skip the hydrogenated oils and sketchy shelf-stabilizers while giving you maximum flavor control. Perfect for brunch, soup nights, or snack attacks.
You can find the recipe for this one this post The Best Scone Recipe for DIY Pantry Mix
5. Ranch Dressing Mix
We all know ranch is a condiment legend. But bottled dressings are usually loaded with sugar, weird oils, and thickeners. Making your own dry mix lets you whip up ranch dressing, dip, or seasoning without the junk. Keep it simple with herbs and spices from your cupboard—and revel in how much better homemade ranch tastes.
Ranch Dressing with No Buttermilk
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk powder full fat is best Or butter milk powder if you have it
- 2 tsp dried dill I would add another for my liking
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes or normal salt is fine
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried chives
Instructions
- To make the ranch dressing: In a bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream and 2 tbsp of the ranch seasoning mix together. You can thin it to the consistency you wish with either milk or water. Set aside in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.
Notes
6. Chicken Bouillon Powder
Store-bought bouillon cubes can be salt bombs with more sodium than flavor. A homemade chicken bouillon mix gives you all the depth and umami. It uses real spices and dried herbs. There is zero artificial nonsense. It’s shelf-stable, customizable, and perfect for soups, grains, sauces, or even a quick cup of “broth tea.”
Equipment
- 1 coffee grinder or spice grinder
Ingredients
- 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
- 2 tbsp onion flakes or powder
- 1 tbsp dried chives
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic granules or powder
- 1 tsp dried turmeric
- 2 tsp celery seeds
- 2 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Blend ingredients together, then transfer to an airtight container. This will keep for several months in the pantry.
- Add 1 tsp of the mix to a mug of boiling water for a lovely warming cup of soup. Mix well
Why Bother?
Because it’s cheaper. Because it’s healthier. Because it tastes better. And honestly? Because it’s fun. Making your own pantry staples gives you a little extra confidence in the kitchen. It also gives you a whole lot more control over what you’re feeding yourself and your family.
Next time you’re about to toss another pre-made mix into your cart, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: Could I make this myself? Odds are, you absolutely can—and you’ll be glad you did.
