Whether you are a fan of spending time in your kitchen or not, my guess is that you have a some spices that are ready and waiting. Spices tend to populate our kitchens. In fact, they also have a tendency to duplicate and triplicate! (Don’t let this happen to you!) Here are three tips for organizing your spices.
Well, because I’m a fan of less is more, I want to walk you through how to streamline and systemize your spices – once and for all! Yes, it can be done.
Streamline – only purchase what you need.
This is a critical first step. Don’t buy four new bottles of spices for a new recipe, a recipe that you may end up only making once. Instead, search via the helpful internet and find ways to substitute or create a combination of spices (spices you already have on hand) to adapt to the recipe.
However, if you need to invest in spices, spices you know you will use in the future, then do so. But otherwise be an intentional spice shopper. I have a handy dandy free spice list that lists the most commonly used spices, to access it join the MWM Community HERE. Download this resource to see which spices you have and/or don’t have. This is a great starting point.
Systemize – design a coordinating set up.
While not necessary, this does look really nice and also makes it easier to keep things maintained.
My favorite methods for displaying spices are turntables or drawer inserts. Both allow you to see and access all of your spices quickly. These can be found at stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond or on Amazon (affiliate link).
Then for the matching jars and labels, I recommend the jars and labels by Talented Kitchen, on Amazon (affiliate link). They have a great selection and wonderful products.
The labels I use (pictured above) are from Talented Kitchen. Doesn’t it look so nice to have them all coordinate?
Seasonal Spot Check – reset and replenish quarterly.
Once you have streamlined and set up a system, it’s then helpful to have a plan for maintaining and restocking. About once a quarter, I make a list of what needs to be replenished and then I shop from the list. (You can purchase from a store that sells spices in bulk or purchase individual spice jars.)
Then I refill everything that needs more and store the leftovers in a basket (on the top shelf in my picture above). This seasonal spot check keeps our spices ready to go and in tip top shape.
If you like to keep track of expiration dates, a small sticker on the bottom of the spice jar will work. I find that we go through our spices pretty quickly and with my quarterly clean up I’m able to keep an eye on the quality of our spices without needing to use stickers. But you’ll want to do what works best for how you cook, bake, and use your spices.
Spices generally don’t take up a lot of space but they can quickly overrun a space if you don’t have a plan.
If you streamline (only keep on hand what you really need and use) and systemize (coordinate and categorize), then you’ll have a set up you can easily maintain on a seasonal basis. And most of all, you will help to speed up your cooking and/or baking time!
So, tell me what’s your favorite spice?
Happy Organizing!
