Save Money on Groceries with Homemade Mix Recipes

With gas prices continuing to climb and the current state of the economy, people are looking for more and more ways to save money. While some bills are less easy to manipulate, your grocery budget is one place where you can really make a difference. One way to save on your grocery bill is to stop buying packaged mixes. Stop making all those less healthy, more expensive processed foods and learn how to make mixes from scratch. Don't worry! They are not difficult to whip up. Here are some easy, frugal mix recipes that will help you start saving money on your grocery bill.

Start the day with some hot pancakes using this mix. Double or triple the batch if you would like, and store it in an airtight container.

Homemade Basic Pancake Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients. When ready to prepare pancakes, stir in two eggs, 2-1/2 cups milk and 1/3 cup oil. Makes eight six-inch pancakes.

If your day just does not begin until you have had a hot Cappuccino, you could be blowing a bundle on your daily coffee fix. Save money by making your own at home.

Homemade Cappuccino Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup instant coffee creamer
1 cup instant chocolate drink mix
2/3 cup instant coffee crystals
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container. Add three tablespoons to six ounces of very hot water and stir well. It is also delicious iced! This will make fifteen six-ounce servings.

Do you frequently use mixes to make your favorite standby dinners? You know, those little spice packets for everything from sloppy Joes to tacos. You might be surprised to learn that, rather than shell out money on those cute little packets at the grocery store, you can make seasoning mixes using spices you probably already have on hand. If you buy two of those packets every week, you could save hundreds of dollars a year!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine ingredients and keep in an airtight container. Again, feel free to double, triple or quadruple your batch! To use, pour two tablespoons of the mix and ½ cup water onto browned ground beef or shredded chicken in a pan. Simmer for about ten minutes until liquid is absorbed. These tacos will be so tasty you will forget you are saving money!

Homemade Sloppy Joe Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Combine ingredients, making a bigger batch if desired. Store in an airtight container. To use, add three tablespoons of the mix, 1/2 cup water, and an eight-ounce can of tomato sauce to ground beef and simmer. This is also great for making goulash.

Save money at the grocery store making mixes for dressings and dips. Onion soup mix is great in meatloaf and hamburgers. Italian dressing mix is great for dressing, pasta salad or in a marinade. And ranch mix can be used for delicious chip dip, over oven-roasted potatoes, or as a dressing your family will devour.

Homemade Onion Soup Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 cup dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Combine ingredients in the quantity you desire (again, you can save time and money by making extra ahead of time). Store in an airtight container. This amount will substitute an envelope of soup powder from the grocery store.

Homemade Italian Dressing Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground basil or basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme or thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried celery leaves or dried celery flakes

Combine ingredients in your desired quantity. To make dressing, combine two tablespoons of mix with 1/4 cup vinegar, two tablespoons water, and 1/2 to 2/3 cup of your favorite oil.

Homemade Ranch Dip or Dressing Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

Mix all ingredients, doubling up as desired, and store in an airtight container. To make dip, combine a tablespoon of mix with a cup of sour cream. To make dressing, mix a tablespoon of mix with a cup of mayo and a cup of buttermilk. You will never want ranch from the grocery store again!

It just would not be right to fail to include a recipe for a mix to make something sweet! This cake mix will please every chocolate lover, and save you money on your grocery bill.

Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
3/4-1 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Combine all of the dry ingredients and stir well. Add the shortening and blend on medium speed until there are no visible lumps. To make cake, add 1-1/3 cups water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 3 large eggs to the mix. Mix well, pour into greased 9x13 pan (or two 8x8 or 9x9 pans) and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Next time you are at the grocery store, look at the expensive mixes and consider what you could make at home. Saving money on your grocery bill and keeping your family healthy are two great motivators!