If you’ve been following me on Instagram or reading my blog for a while now, then you know within the last two years I’ve started trying to make more items that I used to buy. Part of my reasoning for this is a mindset shift that I have gone through. To put it simply, my goal is to be a maker and a producer, and not just a consumer.

Although this is a big goal I’m working toward, of course, I still purchase things. In fact, I buy a lot of our food, but since 2021 I’ve slowly started making, growing, and preserving things rather than buying them. There are several reasons for this shift in my life, but the main ones are saving money and controlling the ingredients I consume. Also, when it comes to condiments, it’s actually kind of ridiculously easy to make most of them. 

So far, I’ve made (and canned) ketchup, hot sauce, and taco sauce, as well as making my own mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce, but I haven’t tried to can this one (yet). With the price of groceries continuing to rise, I’m always looking at ways to make my food budget stretch and luckily with a little help from the internet, you can find recipes to make just about anything yourself.

Also, what I love even more than saving money is that I can search for recipes made with specific ingredients. In the case of the ketchup and mayo, I was looking for ways to cut out certain ingredients, like corn syrup and seed oils (also known as vegetable and canola oil, which can cause inflammation and gut issues). 

What started as a quest to save money and eliminate unsavory ingredients turned into an experience I enjoy, even though it’s not always easy or convenient to whip up mayo or ketchup if we run out, especially if I’m in the midst of article deadlines, or it’s a hectic week at our house. But, those minor issues are just that, minor, when compared to a finished product that is waaaaaay tastier than the store bought version, at least in my opinion. 

Are you looking for ways to save money, or are you looking for more things you can make yourself? Then I encourage you to search the internet for a homemade version of your favorite simple condiment (barbecue or teriyaki sauces are great for beginners!) Or make one of the recipes I’ve linked to in this post, even if you have no interest in learning to can food, you could simply cut the recipe in half and store it in the fridge, or make it as is and share the excess with a neighbor, friend or family member.