What Does It Mean to Make Something "from Scratch"?

Brownies that are made from scratch are typically easy to distinguish from store-bought sweets.
Gravy is usually best when made from scratch using meat drippings.
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  • Written By: Elle Jay
  • Edited By: Daniel Lindley
  • Last Modified Date: 21 March 2015
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Most people say they make something from scratch when they cook or bake using only basic ingredients and nothing that has been prepared ahead or processed. The official definition describes creating or preparing something “from the beginning.” Just like other idiomatic expressions, this saying is used regularly, but the original meaning has changed.

The term “from scratch” dates back to the 1800s, but this idiom used to be about races or sporting events instead of cooking or baking. Bicycle and foot racers were said to start from scratch if they had no advantage. Non-scratch racers were given the advantage of an early start or shorter distance. Scratch racers had no lead and began the race at what was then called the scratch line, which was simply a line scratched into the ground to mark the start of a race.

Baking from scratch means the cook uses only fresh, basic ingredients to prepare a cake, cookies, or other treat, instead of using boxed mixes or other pre-made ingredients. Since baking from a box is fairly common, scratch cakes and baked goods are frequently the exception to the rule. Sayings like “from scratch” make it possible to distinguish who is doing the old-school baking and who is fudging it a bit.


One of the most recognized ways to use this phrase is with sweet treats. All kinds of goodies can be bought ready made or baked from a boxed mixture, which requires few additional ingredients to bake. Making a scratch cake or cookies, on the other hand, means the baker started from the beginning with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Many dessert lovers prefer baked goods made from scratch over something store-bought or made from a box.

This saying also applies to cooking meals, especially with the easy availability and popularity of processed and prepared foods. Making a meal from scratch means the chef uses fresh ingredients instead of items that have been purchased or pre-made. Gravy is a good example. Scratch gravy is made from mixing other ingredients with the drippings created as the meat cooks, but it takes time to prepare and get the right thickness. Store-bought gravy comes in a bottle and is simply heated and served.

A benefit of scratch baking and cooking is that it can be healthier than using pre-mixed products. Processed goods often contain preservatives that provide a longer shelf life in the supermarket. Scratch meals and baked goods use fresh, basic ingredients without unknown additions. Unknown sometimes equals unhealthy, so most true chefs prepare foods from scratch whenever possible.



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Post 2

My mother used to make chicken and dumplings from scratch, and they were ten times better than anything I've ever gotten in a can. She also made mac and cheese from scratch, and took it to all the covered dish dinners at church. I think something made from scratch is almost always going to beat processed food every time.

I say almost, because I made the mistake of following a pumpkin pie recipe from scratch. I had no idea how complicated and messy it is to scrape out a roasted pumpkin to make the filling. Real pumpkin can be very stringy, which is why a lot of people prefer to use canned pumpkin in their pie recipes. Live and learn.

Post 1

I tried to make pizza dough from scratch one time and it turned into an all-day project. I didn't mind making the pizza sauce from scratch, but the dough was another story. I had to mix all of the ingredients together early in the morning, then let the dough rise for a few hours. I then had to punch it all down and let it rise again for another two hours. By the time it was ready, I was already tired.

I decided after that experience to buy certain things from the store, like bread dough and cake mix, and do other things from scratch, like gravy and noodles.

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