Save Money by Making Your Own Condiments

I was making a recipe recently that called for pickle relish. It’s something I rarely use, but I haven’t made this dish in a long time, and the pickle relish really adds to the flavor. About two days after I spent close to $3 on a small bottle of pickle relish, it dawned on me that I could have made it myself.

There are so many things we can make ourselves, with ingredients we have on hand, that are not only cheaper, but faster than driving to the store and healthier than many store bought products. Here are few for you to try.

Pickle Relish

Chop a few slices of your favorite pickles with a kitchen chopper. It’s that easy, and it lasts as long as your pickles do in the refrigerator.

Fresh Salsa

Four romas tomatoes, quartered

Half of an onion, quartered

Half a bunch of cilantro

One ore more jalapeno peppers

One teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Salt to taste

This is my absolute favorite salsa. I rarely even follow a recipe. I just throw some stuff into a food processor, turn it on, then poor in the lemon juice (or vinegar) and sea salt while everything is mixing. It lasts for weeks in my refrigerator and takes less than five minutes to make.

Yellow Mustard

Mix four parts mustard powder, two parts water, one part white wine vinegar and one part white vinegar with a whisk until well mixed. Let sit about 15 minutes. You can also get creative by adding bolder spices and flavors.

Basic Mayonnaise

Place two large egg yolks and three tablespoons of lemon juice in a food processor. While the food processor is running, drizzle about a cup of oil (olive, sunflower, canola or vegetable) into food processor until everything is thoroughly mixed. Add salt to taste. There are some alternate recipes that call for a little bit of Dijon mustard, as well. If you have it on hand, you may want to try it. If you want the mayonnaise to be white instead of yellow, use egg whites, instead – about two whites for every one yolk. For specialty flavors now sold in stores, add extra flavors like basil, horseradish and other herbs.

Thousand Island Dressing

Mix together ketchup and mayonnaise.

Homemade Italian Dressing (taken from copykat.com)

1 C. vegetable oil
1/2 C. cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. crushed chili pepper
1/2 tsp. minced garlic

Mix all ingredients together well. Store in an airtight bottle or jar.  Chill several hours before serving. Shake well before serving.

What condiments do you like to make at home. Please share the recipes here and continue the conversation.