Did you know it’s so easy to make your own homemade, DIY peanut butter? Seriously: If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out! Stores will have you convinced you need to buy it, but what if I told you making your own tastes better, saves you money, and reduces waste? Plus, it’s fully customizable!
I’m a peanut butter and jelly lover. And to me, there’s nothing more satisfying than making the condiments for it myself (yes, I’ve made my own jam). Not only does this help reduce so much waste, but it also feels great knowing exactly what’s in my food. Heck, you could even make your own sandwich bread from scratch if you’re feeling ambitious! I really want to tackle that myself…
But making at home DIY peanut butter is one of those kitchen staples that can be used in numerous ways. Whether you enjoy PP+J like me, or love using it in cooking, peanut butter is surprisingly easy to make! Here’s how to do it, from a zero waste perspective.
DIY Peanut Butter: The Best + Quickest Homemade Recipe
Why make your own DIY peanut butter?
You might be questioning why I’m talking about homemade peanut butter on a sustainability blog. Well, I’ve talked about this before – but I will say it again – one big entryway into eco-friendly living is through slow living.
The two are often hand in hand – slowing down to make your own homemade meals and condiments from scratch can reduce a lot of waste. After all, so much of our food is ultra-processed and comes in excessive packaging.
For example, approximately 700 million pounds of peanut butter is made per year. That’s a lot of packaging you can help cut down on, if you start making your own. Even better if you can source the organic peanuts plastic-free from bulk bins!
Is it cheaper to make your own peanut butter?
Yes, it is cheaper to make your own peanut butter! Depending on the brand, if it’s organic, and other factors – peanut butter can cost anywhere from ~$3-$11. Maybe even more with tax.
But, if you buy the peanuts yourself, you’re not paying for the packaging or branding. Even better if you get the peanuts in bulk at a local refillery!
I advise checking to see if your local refillery sells peanuts in bulk. If they do, pay their shop a little visit and bring an upcycled jar!
Also, if you’re really tight on cash – you could do what I do and get 1lb of peanuts from Trader Joes for ~$2.99. It’s not plastic free, but in a pinch, it does the trick. Sadly, it’s a trek for me to get to a refillery, so this is often the option I am forced to take. But, the way I see it, it’s still helping reduce waste and saving me money in the long run – so still a win/win!
How long will homemade peanut butter last?
This varies, but homemade peanut butter can last up to 2 months stored at room temperature, and 6 months when stored in the refrigerator. It just needs to be kept in an airtight container, like an upcycled glass jar.
Should I roast my peanuts before making peanut butter?
Yes, I definitely recommend roasting your peanuts before making peanut butter. This will enhance the flavor.
If you buy roasted peanuts, you can even re-roast them in the oven to bring out the flavors more, but that’s not necessary. Honestly, I just buy them pre-roasted and don’t do anything extra – it still turns out tasty.
DIY peanut butter recipe
Ingredients:
- Roasted peanuts (or any nut you prefer)
- Optional add ins: Salt, maple syrup, and/or cinnamon
Note: If you can’t find roasted peanuts at the store, or at the bulk bins, you can roast them yourself! Just place them, shelled or unshelled, on a baking pan. Roast in a 350 degree F oven; 15 to 20 minutes for shelled and 20 to 25 minutes for unshelled peanuts. Let them cool, then they’re ready to use!
Directions:
- Add your roasted peanuts to a food processor, as well as any add-ins you’d like, and blend for 8-10 minutes, or until it gets to the consistency you want. The longer you let it blend, the creamier it will be.
- Transfer to an upcycled glass jar (or even an old peanut butter container!) and store in the fridge. Enjoy!
And that’s it! It tastes so silky smooth and oh so creamy. I won’t be going back to store-bought peanut butter any time soon. I’ll be pairing it with some homemade strawberry jam too for the ultimate from-scratch PP+J!
What are some zero waste condiments you want to see me make next? Let me know in the comments!
For more zero waste edibles you can make at home, check out my zero waste tomato sauce and quick cashew milk.
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