Article: Saving Money on Spices
Archived on 11/30/2009
Tips for saving money on spices.
Check Your Co-Op
I was surprised to find sea salts for only 23 cents per pound at my local co-op! I couldn't believe how cheap it is there, and I'll never buy it elsewhere again.
By AuntyB
Buy Just What You Need
Visit your local bulk store where you can buy only a little bit of the spice you need at a time. When you get home, place it into a small sealable jar (I use little tupperware containers that hold 1/4 cup, but baby food jars would work, too.)
If you go to the grocery store, you have to buy a jar of the spice. Then the spice will probably sit in your cupboard for years before you will be able to use that amount.
Buying bulk will give you the ability to buy as little as a few teaspoons at a time and you'll always be able to have FRESH spices in your cupboard. Just compare the prices, you'll be amazed at the money you save by buying at the bulk store.
By valleyrimgirl
Buy Bulk At Health Food Stores
The health food store here sells spices in bulk. You can buy as little or as much as you need with the minimum being 25¢. I buy all my spices there and store them in the little tiny jars that come in Jelly sampler packages that one usually receives at Christmas time. Or you could use empty pill bottles with the labels stripped off to store them.
By Harlean from Arkansas
I buy mine at our local health food store. I even buy yeast for the bread machine. 3.69/lb compared to about $20/lb in the grocery store. The first Thursday of every month you get an extra 15% off your order. Can't go wrong!
By Mikki
Find A Bulk Food Store
Look for a bulk food store (not a warehouse store) in your area. This is where you can purchase any amount you need at less per ounce/pound than you would pay for prepackaged at a traditional store. There is one not far from where I live so I stock up on spices I use frequently.
By thriftsavvy
Mexican Food Section
I buy most of my spices in the Mexican food section. I keep small jars from old spices to put them in because they are always in cellophane packages. They seem to be larger amounts but at a smaller cost!
By GH in OK
Order Spices Online
Order spices in bulk online from places like Emergency Essentials http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=944
Pure garlic powder, 7 dollars a pound instead of 4 dollars for a 4 ounce bottle. Salt-free "Mrs. Dash" type seasoning, 7 dollars a pound instead of three dollars for an ounce and a half. Whole black pepper for pepper grinders, 7 and a half dollars a pound instead of...
Too much for your own use? Split the cost and the spices with a friend.
By Speedwell
Get together with some friends and order them by mail order from http://www.bulkfoods.com, so that you get them very inexpensively, plus you don't have to drive anywhere to get them.
By teachpad
Check Dollar Store For Spices And Seeds
My local dollar store has name brands for a buck, sea salts, mustard seeds. Learn to make your own blends. What a savings! For me, it was taco seasoning, blackened mixes, chili powder and ranch mixes. I make my own now and save loads. Garlic powder is not that hard to make, plus there is no filler. Same with grow your own, no stems only the best of the plant, plus great taste. A small package of seeds will give lots of parsley, basil and such.
By Shirley
Great Store In Tennessee
We have a tiny store that sells spices, noodles, flours, different types of sugars, just about everything that you can imagine for cooking in small scale. They buy in bulk and break it down. I'm in west Tennessee. If anyone is in this area I'll be glad to furnish the name and town where this store is.
By Megan's mom
Costco Has Common Spices In Bulk
I buy large salt and pepper grinders at Costco for much less than at the grocery store. I also stock up on larger containers of the herbs and spices I use often, like thyme. I just refill the little container in my spice rack as needed. For less used spices, I buy what I need in the health/bulk section of Fred Meyer. I grow rosemary and basil and experiment each year with different herbs. Oh, and mint! I have more mint than I know what to do with.
Jess in Portland, OR
Tips On Storage, Purchasing And Growing
Buy spices in their whole form if possible. Like whole nutmeg will keep almost indefinitely; where ground nutmeg loses it's punch fast. Then grind your own as you need it. I have a coffee grinder that is dedicated for herbs and spices. That way I don't get a unusual taste in my coffee (which I also grind fresh)! They are inexpensive to buy new and turn up at garage sales, thrift stores frequently too. Once you taste the difference of fresh ground spices you will never go back to buying the pre-ground type! Believe me there is a big difference!
Never buy spices at the grocery store. You have no way to know how long those spices have been on the shelf and the staff will not know anything about them, nor can you buy small amounts. Scout out local co-ops and health food stores that have a bulk spice area where the spices are sold fast enough to keep them fresh and the help should be able to help you with questions you may have and may even share a favorite recipe with you. Ask your friends where they shop for spices and ask questions at the stores too about the age of the spices where they came from, etc.
Grow your own. Few will be able to grow a nutmeg tree but you can easily grow basil, chives and many others in your yard in the summer months, on a bright window shelf or under lights in the winter.
Freeze or dry your extra harvest for later use. Freezing fresh herbs like basil in a little water will keep a lot of the color and flavor too. Put your herbs chopped in a ice cube tray with enough water to cover, freeze and you will have "fresh" basil whenever you need it.
By Denise
Feedback:
RE: Saving Money on Spices
While your buying your spices in bulk here are a few spice blends to make up and keep on hand. With the great prices you are getting these should be wonderfully cheap.
Mexican Spice Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chili powder
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. ground dried red pepper, fresh if possible
- 2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
- 1 tsp. salt
Instructions
Combine all and mix well. Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place up to four months.
Fines Herbes Seasoning Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. chopped tarragon
- 1 Tbsp. chopped chervil
- 1 Tbsp. chopped chives
- 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
Instructions
Fresh herbs: Chop finely and combine. Because these herbs quickly lose their flavor when heated, add to the cooked dish at the end of the cooking process.
Dried herbs: Combine dried herbs in equal proportions. Place in a glass airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to four months
Herb Salt Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. ground cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp. dried savory
- 1 tsp. ground mace
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. dried sage
- 1 tsp. dried marjoram
- 1 tsp. ground dried grated lemon peel
Instructions
Combine dried herbs and spices and mix well. Place in a glass airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to four months. Use on all types of savory foods. Yield: about 1/3 cup months.
Poultry seasoning mix
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. ground bay leaf
- 1 tsp. garlic
- 1 tsp. summer savory
Combine ingredients. Mix well, rub into poultry before grilling.
A Little Italian Seasoning
2 Tbsp. dried basil
2 Tbsp. dried marjoram
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 Tbsp. dried coriander leaf
2 Tbsp. dried thyme
2 Tbsp. dried rosemary
2 Tbsp. dried savory
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Use this herb and spice mixture in pasta sauces or with braised or roasted vegetables.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the ingredients. Process for 30 seconds until finely ground. Transfer to a tightly sealed container, label, and date. Store in a cool dark place for up to 3 months
(01/26/2007)
RE: Saving Money on Spices
Buy the smallest amount you can, especially spices you won't use much.
If you do a lot of cooking, then buying the more common spices in bulk is perhaps prudent. (01/26/2007)
By Debbie52
RE: Saving Money on Spices
Buying in Bulk is only prudent when you are making large quantities of food and right away, AND if you don't mind using more than you would because the spice is older. Generally health food stores that sell in bulk are very aware of how long a spice is considered "fresh" and then just past it's time. Dollar store herbs are past past their time, you'd be amazed at the difference between a pinch of Cayenne pepper from the dollar store versus the bulk bin at the health food store.
I drive 50 miles (ok, I visit my Grandfather too) to go to a health food store in Santa Cruz, CA that sells bulk vanilla, it's cheaper than those nearly $10 bottles of Real Vanilla in the grocery store and SO good, my daughter and I use it in lots of things. We always buy tons of bags while there, new things to try (can't beat the bulk bins for that) and to add to our spice cabinet. Sometimes the stores even have bottles that you can fill right there (ex. for vanilla, pb, honey and sometimes even spices). Coming from my Mom whom is a chef at a "Nuts and Granola" college in AZ, I've learned the value of good spices, drying takes some of the punch, but AGE takes a LOT of it. Buy often and you'll be surprised at the difference you'll see in your foods! (01/27/2007)
By michawnpita
RE: Saving Money on Spices
It depends if you are talking about saving on herbs or spices. (Herbs are things like rosemary, sage, etc, while spices are mixes usually using herbs.) I'm not sure about the herbs but if you look around, esp on the net, you can find recipes for the spice mixes. (01/28/2007)
By jessie
RE: Saving Money on Spices
Dollar General sells spices at 50 cents a jar. I think they are about 6 oz. or so. (02/06/2007)
By Sue
RE: Saving Money on Spices
Buy a vanilla bean and a bottle of inexpensive brandy. Cut the bean lengthwise along the middle, then into 1-inch strips and put the whole thing into the bottle of brandy. Try to get all the tiny black seeds into the bottle. Shake, then store. Once in a while, shake it again.
In a month, you'll have mild vanilla flavor - three months for strong. It keeps till the brandy's gone and keeps getting stronger. Use it just like real vanilla extract in your recipes. The alcohol bakes out. (11/12/2007)
By 4libros
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