Apple cider vinegar and water are all you need for this all-natural mouthwash. Takes a couple tries to get used to it, but it's very effective.
Time: under 30 minutes
Everyday Cooking
These are the basics, the simple meals, the make ahead recipes. Everyday cooking for every one.
These are the recipes you sometimes forget even are available. Like, making homemade cleansers and beauty products. Or, convenience items like croutons or coffee creamer. While so easy to buy, they are also easy to make.
Also check out our "make ahead" section for recipe-saving ingredient substitutes.
jump to the recipes
Homemade Mouthwash
Jello Play Dough
Looking for a rainy day craft project with the kids? Try making this homemade playdough made from flavored gelatin powder, flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and water.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Shepherd's Cheddar Pie
It's amazing how quickly a shepherd's pie can come together with a few choice shortcuts.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Weight Watchers Diet Cola Chicken
Cutting down on sugar and fat doesn't mean you have to miss out on BBQ. Lean chicken is cooked in a smoky BBQ sauce making it perfect on buns, in tortillas, or on its...
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar
This hummingbird nectar is easy and inexpensive to make. You'll end up with a sweet, syrupy nectar that will attract these beautiful birds to your yard or garden.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Make Your Own Baby Powder
Make your own gentle baby powder with ingredients you control instead of one loaded with harsh chemicals.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Warm up quickly when you keep a batch of this homemade hot cocoa mix on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
7-Up Lemon Pound Cake
Made with lemon extract, butter, flour, sugar, eggs, 7-Up
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Cheese Sausage Balls
These scrumptious sausage bites could not be easier. Sausage, cheese, and baking mix all kneaded together and baked - perfect for dipping in all sorts of your favorite sauces as an...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Coca-Cola Burgers
Cola and French dressing are used both in the burger patties and as a tangy spread on the grilled buns. The sweet and tangy flavor brings your burgers to a new level.
Method: outdoor grill
Time: under 30 minutes
Gluten-Free Baking Mix
This baking mix is perfect for people who are gluten-intolerant or have celiac disease (or who are just avoiding gluten).
Time: under 30 minutes
DIY Wood Floor Cleaner
Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they can be difficult to clean. This natural wood floor cleaner is perfect for keeping your floors clean and polished...
Time: under 30 minutes
Microwave Croutons
Microwave croutons might just be the kitchen hack you've been waiting for. Your salads will thank you.
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Creamy Potato Soup Mix
Made with seasoned salt, ground turmeric, instant mashed potato flakes, powdered milk, chicken bouillon granules, dried minced onion, dried parsley, white pepper, dried thyme
Time: under 30 minutes
Au Jus (Brown Stock)
This rich brown stock can be used as a soup base, or in any recipe calling for beef broth or stock.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Sugar-Free Vanilla Coffee Creamer
You can still make a sweet, creamy cup of Joe without the added sugar. This pre-mixed blend with a touch of vanilla is a great option to have on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Pie Crust Mix
Save some prep time with this pie crust mix. Flour, salt, and shortening are mixed together ahead of time (and can be frozen) to help make your pie baking a breeze.
Time: under 30 minutes
Venison Sausage And Seasoning Mix
This sausage recipe cuts the venison with ground pork to keep the flavor rich without being too gamey, and throws in a flavorful seasoning mix for a little extra...
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Sour Cream
This recipe takes a couple of days to "sour" so it won't work for a sour cream emergency but it's a great way to make your own sour cream to have on hand (it will last 3...
Time: over 5 hours
Slow Cooker Coca Cola Braised Ham
Out-of-this-world ham with just the right touch of sweetness from slowly cooking in the coca cola sauce.
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Toaster Oven or Air Fryer Chunky Croutons
Why are you still out there buying croutons? Bread brushed with oil and dusted with smoked paprika bakes into crunchy, salad-improving croutons faster than you...
Method: air fryer, roaster oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy And Quick Homemade Whipped Cream
Want sweetened whipped cream with an extra special touch? (hint: it's vanilla!) Try this recipe for a delicious dessert topping that can be made in minutes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Bisquick Chocolate Chip Cookies
Made with semisweet chocolate chips, butter or margarine, brown sugar, egg, baking mix, nuts
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Impossible Pumpkin Pie
A crustless pumpkin pie made with pumpkin pie filling, evaporated milk, butter, eggs, sugar, Bisquick, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Homemade Confectioner's (Powdered) Sugar
Need powdered sugar but don't have any? Make your own with just two ingredients.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
The cost of store-bought dishwasher detergents can really add up, especially if you need a large quantity to keep your dishes clean and sparkling.
Time: under 30 minutes
Mint Ice Cubes
These minty ice cubes are perfect in iced tea or cocktails. They add a little color to the drink and release a light fresh mint flavor as they melt.
Time: 2-5 hours
Yogurt Pancakes
Adding yogurt to the batter is a brilliant way to get moist pancakes every time. Top them off with fresh, matching fruit and you're in fruity flapjack heaven.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Car Washing Soap
The best part about this soap is that it's gentle enough for even the most delicate paint job, but tough enough to handle the toughest grime. So go ahead and give it a try - your car...
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Hand Lotion
This homemade hand lotion recipe is perfect for those with sensitive skin. The lotion is unscented, but you can add your favorite essential oil to give it a pleasant scent.
Time: under 30 minutes
Pedialyte-Type Drink
When little ones are under the weather, sometimes all they need is a little Pedialyte-type drink. This magic elixir can help them feel better in no time!
Time: under 30 minutes
Concord Grape Jelly
Made with concord grapes, water, sugar, pectin
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Heloise's Flavored Coffee Mixes
Looking for a fun and easy way to spice up your morning cup of joe? Try one of these flavored coffee mixes. You can mix and match the flavors to create your own custom...
Time: under 30 minutes
Egg Substitute
This make-ahead egg substitute is reduced calorie and protein packed. It even has a yellow eggy color from a little turmeric added to the mix.
Time: under 30 minutes
Dr. Pepper Texas Chocolate Cake
Made with baking soda, Dr. Pepper, chocolate chips, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, shortening, butter
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Callus Remover
Save that spa money! A pumice stone and a simple solution of baking soda and sea salt are all you need for a naturally effective method of callous removal.
Time: under 30 minutes
Basic Roux
Roux is a key ingredient in many classic French dishes and sauces like etouffee and bechamel. Roux is simply equal parts flour and fat that are cooked together.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Cheesy Garlic Croutons
These crisp croutons are perfect for topping a salad or bowl of soup. They are made by tossing French bread cubes with melted butter, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese before...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Overnight Strawberry Preserves
Letting the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice flavors meld overnight not only improves the flavor but it makes the canning process less exhausting.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Self-Rising Cornmeal
A simple way to make your own self-rising cornmeal - just replace 1 tablespoon with baking powder!
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Honey-Peanut Butter
Homemade peanut butter is so much better than store-bought varieties. Fresher taste, less unnecessary additives, and the bonus satisfaction of making something from...
Time: under 30 minutes
For the Birds Scrap Pie
Use up some leftovers and feed the birds at the same time. The feed can be put in a feeder or sprinkled on the ground.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Flower Ice Cubes
Edible flowers can be found in the produce section of most large grocery stores these days and are specifically labeled as being for culinary uses.
Time: 2-5 hours
An Apple a Day Dog Treat
Imagine the wagging tails as you whip up these delightful apple-infused dog treats. With just a few simple ingredients, your furry friend will be eating like royalty.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Pepperoni
Made with garlic powder, anise seeds, ground beef, salt, liquid smoke, black pepper, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
Beefy Taco Seasoning Mix
This is a great substitute for the packaged taco seasoning you buy at the store. This version has extra "beefy" flavor. Use anytime you need a little Mexican flavor...
Time: under 30 minutes
Loquat Jelly
Curious about loquats and what you can do with them? This jelly is a fantastic introduction to their delicious potential.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Almost Maple Syrup
This almost maple syrup is still way closer than most store-bought syrups. It's made with actual sugar instead of corn syrup.
Time: under 30 minutes
Green Tomato Jelly
Who knew unripe tomatoes could taste this good? Green Tomato Jelly with a raspberry twist. Boil, blend, jar. Done.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Barbecued Chicken
This sweet and tangy cola sauced chicken can be slow cooked in a crock pot or oven-baked.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Easy-Bake Oven Lemon or White Cake Mix
An easy make-ahead mix for the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven for kids. You can use other drink mix powder for even more flavor variations.
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Cola Spareribs
These spareribs are slow cooked until they are wonderfully tender. The glaze is a mixture of ketchup and cola which gives them a tang with a hint of sweetness.
Method: outdoor grill, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Farm Stand Peach Jam
Made with butter, sugar, peaches, lemon juice, powdered fruit pectin
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Low-Fat Heavy Cream Substitute
A perfect low fat cream substitute for soups, sauces, and baked dishes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Baby Bath
Make a soothing baby bath with gentle ingredients like buttermilk. Give your baby a comforting, homemade bath they'll love.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Cake Mix
Pre-portioned cake mix can be a lifesaver when you want to whip up an effortless dessert. Once you've got this mix ready you just need eggs, milk, and a touch of vanilla.
Time: under 30 minutes
Creme Fraiche
Creme fraiche is shockingly easy to make at home. Impossibly creamy soups, velvety scrambled eggs, and other previously out-of-reach recipes are all up for grabs now.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Dog Cookies
Easy dog cookies that your dog will love! Make them even more fun by using bone, dog, or cat cookie cutters.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Pizza night is always a favorite, especially when you have great tasting pizza from some of the most popular restaurants.
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!