If you havent replenished your spice cabinet lately, you might be surprised at thesupermarket prices.
How can that tiny bottle of ancho chili powder cost $5?
or leave out the main flavor agent inGrilled Five Spice Chickenbecause you forgot to buy the Chinese spice mixture.
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We rounded up 10 ways to save money on spices and dried herbs, too.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
Herbs are the leaves of a plant.
Common herbs are basil, oregano and thyme.
Spices come from the roots, stems, berries and other parts.
Cumin is a seed.
Though fresh garlic and onions are considered vegetables, once powdered, they are spices.
This means that they all last for different amounts of time.
Loose herb leaves will last longer than powdered herbs.
Conversely, fresh herbs and spices, like basil and ginger root, should be used quickly or frozen.
Know Just What Youll Need and How Much of It
you might definitely save money on spices.
The first step is to see if you have everything you need for dinners youreplanning or holiday mealsand treats.
Glance over your list of recipes.
For instance, lentil soup recipes often call for ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika and bay leaves.
Do you have them in the cupboard already or do you’re gonna wanna shop?
Then ask yourself some questions.
Dont buy a large container of anything you just need a pinch of.
It is well worth your time to pull out all your spices and see what is still good.
Then, dont forget the leftovers!Planning on making tacos with leftover rotisserie chicken or roasted turkey?
Does the color look sharp or faded?
If there is a nice strong smell or flavor, then its a keeper.
A lot of factors can influence the strength and shelf life of your spices.
Time certainly is one, but the way spices are stored is another.
see to it there is a lid (not just a shaker top) on the jar.
Freezing.it’s possible for you to freeze herbs, but be very careful about freezing spices.
Organizing.When you clean out your spice cabinet, do you discover three little bottles of cream of tartar?
Those little stubby bottles are easy to lose track of.
A well-organized person might keep a list of all the spices they have.
But a trick used in restaurants is just as helpful in the kitchen: group them by use.
So why spend more?
Now that you know what you need, lets figure out some ways to save money on spices.
You might need just 112 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning forCajun Crab Stuffed Pepperoncinito bring to the potluck bash.
Be aware, though, that some bulk stores have a minimum order, often $2.
Bulk sections in health food stores like Whole Foods usually dont have that minimum.
Whole spices that you grind as needed can be more economical, last longer and really enhance flavor.
Is it hard to grind your own spices?
Not at all, but it helps to have the right equipment.
it’s possible for you to get ahandy nutmeg graterfor $5.
Cinnamon sticks can be ground up in a blade coffee grinder.
Some sites also recommend adding a little granulated sugar to provide extra friction.)
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Make Your Own Spice Mixes
you might save money on spices by creating your own mixes.
you could create a custompumpkin pie spice mixout of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.
The grocery store sells the McCormicks version for $4.82 (1.12 ounces).
Making it at home costs less than a third of that.
Organizing an Italian or Mexican feast?
The herb and spice mixes recipes from both cuisines are easy to create, too.
Try Dollar and Discount Stores
Dollar stores and discount department stores are great places to find spices.
These are great places for stocking up on spices that you use regularly.
One thing you want to be careful about is sizing when you shop for bottled spices.
And these arent always the best places for less common spices.
For that, hit up theethnic grocery stores.
Just pace yourself when shopping in ethnic grocery stores the prices are usually very low and everything is tempting!
Dont Overlook Spice Stores
You might think spice stores are not the place to save money on spices.
Spice stores also have whole versions of ground spices like allspice, which is a better value.
Theyre ideal for finding hard-to-find specialty spices, and youll get advice about what you need.
Many of these stores also guarantee that there are no hidden additives.
And, like many small businesses, they offer extras to attract and keep customers.
Buy Fresh at Farmers Markets
Another way to save money on spices is to check out local markets.
Depending on your states rules, herbs and spices can be found at farmers markets.
Fresh herbs are very common, and you might dry them easily in your oven.
Spices like turmeric and ginger, which are roots, are often sold fresh at markets, too.
Just adding the cost of shipping can bring spice prices to ridiculous amounts.
But online retailers know that and have become responsive to cost cutters.
Most offer free shipping over a certain amount (usually $1545).
Others offer discounts and free shipping on your first order (Spice Jungle,Savory Spice).
When you sign up withPenzeysyou get an email with lots of deals for spices, and they keep coming.
Of course, there is always Amazon.
Look for Off-Brand Spices
Just because you havent heard of the brand doesnt mean its not worth a try.
One example isBadia Spices, a popular Florida brand that people in Seattle might never have heard of.
Compare their selection and prices with McCormick, Schilling and Spice Islands, and Badia comes out ahead.
There are manyeasy substitutionsto make instead of panic-buying a big jar of something.
Dont have any chervil on the spice rack?
it’s possible for you to use parsley or tarragon.
Ran out of cinnamon?
Use nutmeg or allspice (but only a quarter of the stated amount).
Thyme, oregano and basil can often substitute for each other.
Substituting will help save money on spices you may not use often.
Dont make it more stressful than it already is.
Having the right spices for the job can save you time and money.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you should probably wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
The Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke writes on lifestyle and culture topics.
