9 Store-Bought Sauces You Can Make at Home

In our modern world, we may take for granted the fact that we can buy pretty much any type of food whenever we want, regardless of where we live. This no doubt has made us more dependent on packaged foods and jarred condiments and sauces. While going to the store to pick up some hummus, peanut butter and almond milk may be a win for convenience and a time-saver for cooking, it’s also good to take a step back and ask: hey, can’t I easily make that same thing I buy at the store myself?

Yes, you can! There are so many vegan products that take few ingredients and are as easy to make as it effort it takes to place things in a food processor and whir. Check out these 10 store-bought foods that can easily be made at home.

1. Pizza Sauce

Use this sauce to make pizza, pasta dishes or use as a simple dip for breadsticks or mozzarella sticks.

2. Vodka Cream Sauce

Toss this creamy, tomato vodka sauce in some whole wheat penne or gluten-free pasta for a filling meal.

3. Pesto

Many jars of pesto sauce contain rennet, which is an animal product and thus no bueno for vegetarians and vegans. This recipe contains a creamy, basil pesto sauce that you can quickly throw over pasta for a five-minute meal.

4. Salsa

The flavor of tomatoes, onion and peppers come out so much stronger when you make fresh salsa instead of buying it jarred.

5. Hummus

This delicious chickpea dip can be used in several ways for vegan cooking, and it makes an excellent dip for pita and veggies.

6. Cashew Cream

Cashew cream is the secret behind creating creamy, cheesy vegan sauces. With a blender and some cashews, it’s very simple to create.

7. Nut Milk

Plant-based milks have become more common in grocery stores alongside the dairy milk. Save some cash and make your own almond milk at home.

8. Tahihi

Sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium. Try tahini paste on stop of a salad or falafel.

9. Vegan Moxarella Cheese

This cheese will brown and stretch just like dairy mozzarella cheese.

Lead image source: Homemade Tahini