When it comes to cooking and preparing meals, the right condiments can make all the difference. While nothing is wrong with store bought condiments, I am always wanting to give my clients a variety of options for homemade things. Condiments are perfect to make yourself and that is because store-bought condiments can often be packed with preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors, which is why making your own condiments can be a healthier and more flavorful option. BUT let me repeat if you love buying your own, that is totally cool, I still do from time to time out of convenience. However, if you want to try something new or are tired of buying something that you could make yourself, this is for you!
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of making your own along with 4 recipes to make your own easily at home.
Benefits of making your own condiments
The first and obvious reason is customization. If you are anything like me, you may head to the store for a BBQ sauce only to be overwhelmed with the abundance of options – not to mention the long list of ingredients listed – that you just want something basic and you get so frustrated and leave with nothing … It is quite annoying.
The second reason is honestly, it is much healthier. Store-bought condiments often contain preservatives, additives, and high amounts of sodium and sugar. By making your own, you can use fresher and more natural ingredients, which can be better for your health in the long run.
The third reason is it’s actually quite cost-effective to make your own. You can buy some of the ingredients in bulk, make large batches, and save money… what’s not to love?!
Finally, making your own condiments helps reduce waste. Instead of buying single-use plastic bottles, you can reuse jars and containers, and avoid throwing away half-used bottles of store-bought condiments … guilty!
One final thing before you grab your copy of the recipes
Here are a few tips that will help you in this process.
- Experiment with flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations when making your own condiments. Try adding garlic, ginger, or herbs like basil or cilantro to give your condiments a unique twist. If you don’t like something in the recipe, feel free to remove it or add in one of these other ideas.
- Label and date your jars: To keep track of when your condiments were made and how long they’ve been stored, label and date each jar before storing them in the fridge.
- Invest in quality ingredients: The quality of your condiments will depend on the quality of the ingredients you use. Invest in fresh herbs, spices, and high-quality oils and vinegars for the best results. Trust me, it is worth it in the long run.
Which condiment recipe will you start with?
Included in this e-book (it’s free, I won’t even ask for your email address!) there are 4 recipes:
– Easy BBQ sauce
– Homemade ketchup
– Homemade enchilada sauce
– Basic lemon-garlic dressing
All recipes are easy to follow, use every day ingredeints (yay for not having to drive around town looking for some crazy ingredient), and will store or freeze well.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:
- The Easiest Chimichurri Sauce
- Roasted Tomato Sauce
- Homemade Salsa Made in Less Than 5 Minutes
- Oil-Free Hemp Seed Pesto
