TIPS DIY It — Don’t Buy It – Save money. Reduce additives. Control ingredients.

DIY It — Don’t Buy It – Save money. Reduce additives. Control ingredients.

by Thelittleshine
by Thelittleshine

Many everyday foods are surprisingly easy to make at home. Store-bought versions often contain preservatives, gums, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and unnecessary fillers. With a few simple ingredients, you can recreate them in minutes — usually cheaper and healthier.

Here are 20 foods you can DIY instead of buying.

DIY It — Don’t Buy It - Save money. Reduce additives. Control ingredients.

1. Oat Milk

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 3–4 cups cold water
  • 3–4 ice cubes
  • Optional: 1 tsp honey or vanilla

Method

  1. Blend oats, water and ice for 30 seconds.
  2. Strain through a nut milk bag or fine cloth.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

2. Teriyaki Sauce

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

Method

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small pan.
  2. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thick.
  3. Cool and store in a jar.

3. Homemade Salad Dressing

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a jar.
  2. Shake well until emulsified.
  3. Use immediately.

4. BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Method

  1. Mix ingredients in a saucepan.
  2. Simmer 5 minutes.
  3. Cool and store.

5. Sports Drink

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)

Method

  1. Stir everything together.
  2. Chill and drink.

6. Greek Yogurt Dip

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried herbs
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Mix everything in a bowl.
  2. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

7. Smoothies

Ingredients

  • 1 banana
  • ½ cup frozen berries
  • ½ cup yogurt
  • ½ cup milk

Method

  1. Blend until smooth.
  2. Drink immediately.

8. Homemade Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basil or spinach
  • ¼ cup nuts (pine nuts or almonds)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tbsp parmesan

Method

  1. Blend everything until smooth.
  2. Add more oil if needed.

9. Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Method

  1. Mix and store in an airtight jar.

10. Self-Rising Flour

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Method

  1. Whisk everything together.
  2. Use immediately or store airtight.

11. Pancake Mix

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 tbsp melted butter

Method

  1. Mix dry ingredients.
  2. Add egg, milk, butter.
  3. Cook on a hot pan until golden.

12. Greek Yogurt

Ingredients:

  • 1 liter milk
  • 2 tbsp plain yogurt (starter)

Method:

  1. Heat milk until hot but not boiling.
  2. Let it cool until warm (you can touch it comfortably).
  3. Add 1 tbsp yogurt and mix well.
  4. Cover and keep in a warm place for 6–8 hours.
  5. Once set, refrigerate and use.

✅ Thick, natural yogurt ready.

13. Mayonnaise

Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Salt

Method

  1. Whisk yolk, mustard and lemon.
  2. Slowly drizzle oil while whisking until thick.

14. Peanut Butter

Ingredients

  • 2 cups roasted peanuts
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)

Method

  1. Blend peanuts for 2–3 minutes until creamy.
  2. Add salt and honey if desired.

15. Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

  • 4 tomatoes (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt

Method

  1. Cook garlic in oil.
  2. Add tomatoes and simmer 15 minutes.
  3. Blend if smoother texture is desired.

16. Chocolate Syrup

Ingredients

  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp vanilla

Method

  1. Heat cocoa, sugar and water in a pan.
  2. Stir until smooth.
  3. Add vanilla and cool.

17. Granola

Ingredients

  • 2 cups oats
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • ½ cup nuts or seeds

Method

  1. Mix everything.
  2. Bake at 170°C / 340°F for 20 minutes.

18. Garlic Butter

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • Pinch salt

Method

  1. Mix everything well.
  2. Refrigerate until firm.

19. Hummus

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Method

  1. Blend until smooth.
  2. Add water if needed.

20. Simple Jam

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped fruit (berries, mango, etc.)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

  1. Cook fruit and sugar on medium heat.
  2. Stir until thick.
  3. Cool and refrigerate.

💡 Why DIY foods?

  • Fewer preservatives
  • Less sugar and additives
  • Much cheaper
  • Customizable flavors
  • Fresher taste