I feel like these would save us a significant amount of money (we have SL debt to pay off) but they are SO GROSS and salty. I usually am a scratch cooker, but sometimes these things ARE cheaper – and it'd be nice to spend less for a while.
Is it me, my tastebuds, or the product that actually taste bad? Are there any cheapy alternatives like this that don't taste so salty?
grocery shopping frugally – the knorr packets, pantry pastas, etc – why are they so salty?
byu/CreativeJudgment3529 inFrugal
Posted by CreativeJudgment3529
32 Comments
Look at the ingredient list and get the things that make it taste good, like minced onion, garlic and herbs, then make your own.
You can easily buy the bulk ingredients and make your own versions.
I do a taco seasoning that’s handy to have. You can even use old spice containers and make your own labels.
I actually love the broc cheese Knorr rice, but while it’s cooking I add frozen broc, fresh spinach & then whatever protein. And of course I add pepper, cilantro & onion powder.
I don’t think it’s salty at all & I’m on a low salt/low sugar DASH diet.
Are you talking about things like craft mac and cheese? I have not eaten those for years just because I find it so easy to make better mac and cheese. I literally buy egg noodles for like 1 something dollars, fill much dutch oven with water and cook them. 2 cups of chedder cheese, some tobasco sauce and some garlic salt and it is prestine mac and cheese.
I agree about the saltiness, I add more starch (pasta or rice) and a little more liquid. It helps to even out the taste and stretch the dish further. Depends on which one, I might add more vegis too.
Dude, you’re the one tasting it. If it tastes bad to you, then it tastes bad.
Idk, you can fix it being too salty by thinning it out or using less… but if you’re paying a few dollars for a few tablespoons of expensive salt I don’t think you’re actually saving money. I barely bother with sauces besides putting some spices in the pan with the oil, but it’s not too hard to get a little fancier and use a roux or potato starch slurry to make saucy sauces.
You can buy MSG from a restaurant supply store and mix MSG and salt to taste to get the equivalent effect of bouillon cubes.
Typically when it comes to processed foods, cheaper = more filler, and tons of added salt to enhance the flavor due to said fillers. I find Pastaroni to taste better and be less salty (still on the salty side, though). The trade-off is that it is a little more expensive than Knorr brand.
Adding more veggies, pasta, or rice will cut the saltiness and will make a bigger portion out of the one packet.
Also, instead of using those pasta or rice mixes as a stand-alone side, use it as a base for a one-pot meal. Add chicken or ground beef and more veggies to it.
Because those packets are shit. Full of preservatives, not healthy. I used to eat them when I was younger but now my body rejects them. I just make the flavours from scratch now
You should buy the Walmart great value brand spaghetti noodles($.98 per 1 pound box) and Walmart great value brand tomato basil garlic pasta sauce ($1.67 for a 24 ounce jar, use two per pound of spaghetti noodles)
I bought the Knorr teriyaki noodles and chicken rice and pasta blend on super clearance with digital coupons for 5 for $1, and they are gummy, super salty, and barely any flavor. Unfortunately, I bought 10.
I use them for fillers in burritos because nutritionally they’re no worse than Rice–A-Roni, which is as processed a food I ever buy. I have two left, and I still question my thinking.
I try to be frugal by never buying any premixed stuff like that. Those packs of rice / pasta /seasonings are not worth it. It’s just salt, there’s a reason you think they taste bad.
I don’t understand why you would keep buying something that tastes bad.
We are steering away from as much process stuff as we can. It’s incredible what they put in our food and get away with it.
They’re salty because they’re full of salt. Salt is cheaper than spices.
I can only comment no knorr — they are seasoning. i.e for soups (at least it’s how we use it).. i.e one table spoon not the whole packet.
“Why are they so salty?” Because you’re paying for 95% salt in any of those spice packs
I adore salt. My plate usually looks like a blizzard hit it. Those Knorr pasta sides are too much. I couldn’t eat them if I was starving and stoned. I regret spending $2 on two of them. I threw the second one out because it’s not gonna be good food for anyone.
That said, I love their soup mixes for use as a base for dips.
They taste salty because they ARE salty, friend! My immigrant parents rejected these seasonings because of the salt and because it really didn’t save time or money for them .
You can make most of those packages cheaper than buying them. They have a miniscule amount of noodles or rice and usually salt is within the first 3 ingredients.
All processed foods / additives are packed with salt because it’s the cheapest way for them to boost flavor.
Forget the fact that the insane levels of sodium in these products can cause long-term health issues for people, they just gotta pump up those sales numbers!
salt is cheap. so they can put a load of it in and still charge you the same price.
buying salt free seasoning packets (they exist!) might be more affordable in the long run. you can always add your own salt, to your own taste levels.
You easily get used to it. Switching back will be harder.
I usually follow the knorr packet directions then mix in a half a pound of whatever meat I have and half a bag of frozen veggies then add some cheese. My extra additions probably water down the knorr flavoring, but I’ve never noticed them being too salty and I like all the flavors I’ve tried.
maybe you are using too much of it?
I usually don’t get these and hate premade stuff but had some a few times they were fine… but I don’t put a lot I would cut it depending on what I cook… because yeah it is salty . usually I cube would be for 1/2 a liter to 1 liter of stuff and of course no added salt
I like the “better than boullion” paste better than the knorr packets. Still salty, but it packs more flavor so I can get away with using less. More expensive, but it’s worth it to me because it tastes better.
You can also make your own pasta sauce and use the amount of salt that you want. It does take more effort, but you could make it in bulk or can it.
I suppose i should price them…. but have a hard time imagining them being cheaper than rice or pasta by the pound…
A bowl of rice or pasta dressed simply is hard to beat cost wise.
Maybe pad it with extra rice and water?
Like how some people dilute juice
It’s not you. Food is too salty.
Most pre-packaged foods are salt bombs.
If you’re buying the store brand versions, those absolutely have more salt than the name brand.
You can make your own version of all of those. It’s not particularly difficult and takes about the same amount of time as using the packet.
Because there is a high sodium content in heavily processed foods.
Some are good – McCormick powdered Alfredo is amazing – and some are salty shite. I find that 90% of the Clubhouse powdered sauces and gravy are good if that helps