Organizing your spice rack can take a bit of time and effort but it will save time and money in the long run. When cooking any recipe that calls for a spice, if you cannot locate the spice in time your food will not turn out the way you wanted it to.
There have been times when I could not find a spice so I went out and bought it, a few months later I could not find it again so I again bought a bottle of it. In the end, I had 4 bottles of the same spice with each bottle only being used once. The spice expired before I could use it all sending about $15 out with the trash.
Don’t Fall Victim to Chaos, Organize Your Spice Rack
How to Organize Your Spice Rack
- Inventory Your Spice Collection
Start by pulling all of your spices out and discard any spices that are expired or have no scent. Combine any duplicate spices you have into one jar. Lable any spices that are not labeled.
- Find the Space
Spices are best kept in a cool dark area to prolong their life so find a space that will protect the spices from direct sunlight or heat. Try and find space in a cabinet or cupboard, in a pantry, in a drawer, hanging on a door or wall, or on the counter if you have no other alternative. If you keep spices on the counter, try to limit them to the spices you use most often.
- Group and Alphabetize Your Spices
I found it best to arrange spices first by groups according to use, then alphabetically within that group. Don’t be afraid to group spices together and place them in different areas of the kitchen. I group the most commonly used spices, such as salt, pepper, and even red pepper flakes, in the front so they can be close at hand when cooking. Baking spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cream of tartar, ginger, nutmeg, pumpkin spice mix, and extracts are kept towards the back because I bake less than I cook on the stove. Other spice groupings might include dried herbs, spice mixes, and spices specific to ethnic cuisines.
- Find a Spice Organizer That Works for You
Take advantage of the many different types of spice organizers available. They come in all shapes and sizes, and many expand to fit the size of your space. Find one that works for the space you have. If you keep your spices in a cabinet, make use of door-mounted spice racks or magnetic strips (with magnetic containers), turntables and double turntables, and tiered shelves that maximize vertical space. If you’re short on enclosed storage space, hang racks or magnetic strips on the walls or underneath high cabinets.
- Recycle When Possible
Clear spice jars that are the same shape and size will be more pleasing to the eye. They can be purchased empty, or consider buying spices from the same company so that the jars match. Try using recycled small glass containers like baby food jars.
- Labels and Stickers to Identify
Label your spices so you can easily identify them. Place the label or sticker on the top of the lid if they’re only visible from the top. Place the label in a visible spot on the side of the jars when they’re staggered on tiered shelves or lying on tilted racks in a drawer.
- Save Money
It may seem cost-efficient to buy larger bottles of spices. However, if the spice or herb is not something you’re going to use often, buy a smaller container or share with friends so you’re not throwing out your “savings” when buying in bulk.
Shop for Spice Racks
So there you have it, seven tips to help you organize your spice rack. And although it may sound simple, it is not as easy as it sounds. However, the pros outweigh the cons in this matter, life in the kitchen will be better if you do it.
