While it may be faster to pick up a ready-made jar of pasta sauce or bottle of marinade, there are so many reasons to consider creating your own condiments: It allows you to control the flavor (including level of sweetness or spice) as well as the ingredients list – which is especially great for those avoiding something specific, such as gluten. Making homemade versions of your ready-made favorites can also save you money – or (if you have the necessary ingredients already on hand) a trip to the grocery store altogether.
Try these easy and inexpensive homemade recipe substitutes:
Soy Sauce Substitute, allrecipes.com
A tasty and allergen-friendly alternative to soy sauce, this recipe is both soy- and wheat-free. It’s super easy to make using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and it’s delicious in anything you would otherwise add soy sauce to.
Pancake Syrup, Simple Bites (pictured)
This “recipe” is actually a set of three: Molasses-Cinnamon Syrup, Buttery Maple Syrup, and Honey-Orange Syrup. The first is rich and spicy, the second the spitting image of your favorite store-bought variety, and the third a light and fruity option. All three are absolutely exceptional drizzled over pancakes or your dessert of choice.
Balsamic Vinaigrette, Damn Delicious
Because ready-made salad dressings may contain gluten, we recommend that you try making your own – especially since it’s such a fun and easy thing to do. This balsamic vinaigrette recipe is an excellent place to start, as it takes only five minutes and a handful of ingredients.
Quick Ranch Dressing, The Kitchn
More of a creamy dressing kind of person? We’ve got you covered, too. This cool and savory dressing can be whipped up in mere moments – and the chopped fresh herbs make it taste so much better than store-bought dressing, you may never go back.
Tangy Barbecue Sauce, Simple Bites
Kick up your next cook-out with this classic barbecue sauce. It’s wonderful as is, but can also be easily customized: Like your sauce a little sweeter? Increase the amount of honey. Want it to pack some heat? Add a splash of your favorite hot sauce or a diced jalapeno.
Authentic Italian Spaghetti Sauce, I am That Lady!
Perfect for pasta night, this sauce is savory, fragrant – and, according to the recipe, about half the cost of brand name pasta sauce. Plus, things just seem to taste so much better when you make them yourself. Add your Ancient Harvest Supergrain Pasta® of choice and a side salad, and you’ve got a delicious and nutritious meal.
For even more delicious recipes and cooking tips, be sure to check out the recipes page at AncientHarvest.com.
