Food Bank Article: Sauces, Condiments & Seasonings

Making your own sauces, condiments, or seasonings has multiple benefits, as Sarah Clement with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares in this article. You'll also find an easy recipe for homemade tomato sauce.

Posted 12:38 a.m. Sep 2, 2020 — Updated 12:38 a.m. Sep 2, 2020

Sara Clement

, RD, LDN

Sauces, Condiments & Seasonings

By Sara Clement, RD, LDN

Do you make your own sauces, condiments, or seasonings? There are many benefits to making your own: including taste, cost savings, and health benefits. Not only can homemade sauces and dressings be tailored to your family’s favorite flavors, but you can make the quantity you need so there is less waste. When developing your favorite recipe, you are in complete control over the ingredients. This helps control the amount of salt, sugar, and extras you may not need.

Some easy recipes to make at home are taco or chili seasoning, salad dressings, hummus, pesto, and tomato sauce. Some recipes are great to make in bulk to have it readily available and save money. If making your own seasoning blends, store in airtight container for six months to one year.

Making a large batch of tomato sauce is a great way to have quick and easy meals. It can be used for spaghetti, pizza, or lasagna. After tomato sauce is done and cooled, store desired amounts in airtight containers or sealed bags in the freezer for quick meals anytime. Make sure to label with contents, amount, and freeze date to use in order of freezing. Try making your favorite dressing and share the recipe with friends and neighbors!

Following is an easy recipe for Tomato Sauce provided by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Tomato Sauce Recipe Card from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

AllRecipes.com has a huge number of homemade spice blend recipes at AllRecipes.com HERE. There are also over 1,700 sauce recipes at Allrecipes.com HERE.

Healthy Recipe Videos

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina has put together a series of healthy recipe videos that are available to watch on YouTube.com HERE.

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington.

The Food Bank not only feeds those who are hungry; but also works to benefit community health. That’s why, in 2016, the Food Bank launched a Community Health & Engagement Department. With two nutritionists on staff, the Food Bank shares recipes, healthy tips, and other resources for partner agencies and neighbors in need. The on-site teaching kitchen in Raleigh offers cooking demonstrations and nutrition education to highlight easy, quick, and low-cost recipes using healthful foods like whole grains, fresh produce, low fat dairy, and lean meats.

Monthly Articles from the Food Bank

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares regular articles about nutrition and health education so we know what to look for when we head to the grocery store and plan our healthy meals.

February 2020 Article: New changes to the food label guidelines