If you have followed me for a while, you know that I do a quick weekly recipe once a week. So, my herbs and spices are definitely key for keeping my space organized when cooking. I made this video that hopefully helps you get inspired to organizing herbs and spices. I go through my kitchen and talk about how and why I organized it the way I did. Please be gentle, I haven't made a video in a few years. Time of video: 3 minutes and 22 seconds
If you don't want to watch the video, here is what I talked about.
First, I divided the video, starting with frequently used herbs and spices to less frequently used.
I stored my frequently used items on the right side of my range in the upper cabinet. This cabinet houses all the larger container spices, herbs, salt and pepper that I use. It's the go to cabinet on those quick weeknight meals when I need to make something in 20 minutes. This happens at least 2-3 times each week with the kids' schedule being the way it is.
Then I talked about the frequently used drawer cabinet. This drawer has only frequently used smaller bottles of herbs and spices. It's a tiered drawer organizer
that sits in the drawer so you can see all the herbs and spices at a glance.
The next area I talk about is the spices and herbs I use less frequently. These herbs are usually rotated and cleared out every few months. I use the regular bottles from the store and store them in ABC order. This organizer is a pull out drawer that leans forward so you can see all the items. It's pretty sturdy and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Then I talked about an area in my baking cabinet that houses the spices and other things to use for baking. These items are most infrequently used since I am not a baker. I make too much of a mess, my husband says. LOL
If you are looking for some checklists to help you maintain your herbs and spices, here's a handy checklist that I created to keep all your herbs and spices organized.
If you have different areas where you store your herbs and spices, you can try this checklist. I give you space for everything and you can even track the areas. Click on the image to read more about how to use this checklist for organizing the different locations.
And of course, there is a second page. LOL
I hope this helps you get your herbs and spices organized. It sure helped me! Now it's your turn, do you have lots of herbs and spices? How do you organize them? I would love to hear from you. I would really appreciate you visiting my YouTube channel and subscribing and thumbs up this video. Till next time, happy cooking!
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If I didn't already know you are organized, this post sure convinced me! I've got a few bins in the pantry--labeled with herbs or spices and that's about the best I can do given the space we have. Wish I had a drawer for the pull-out type. My sister has had one for decades and I've always been envious!
My goodness, Sabrina! You are indeed the Queen of Organization! I agree that it's best to have your frequently used spices at arm's reach and others tucked away where you can get at them if needed. I have some spices I've not used in 6 years, but keep them just incase ...
This is a really great tips on storing herbs and spices. Unfortunately for me, I only own a container of Mrs. Dash to store.
Well done, and I have to say how impressed I am with all the spices you use! I think I have maybe 5 in my cabinet so organizing isn't a real problem, but I still enjoy seeing a professional at work. 🙂
Thanks, Marquita. I really love my spices and herbs. =)
It was nice seeing you live and in person. I don't keep many spices because living alone I don't cook much for myself so my spices tend to get old and I end up throwing them out when I actually cook and need fresh supplies. You might want to add a column to your list entitled "expiration date." When I moved I was amazed at how old some of my spices were. Out they went.
Great article. These checklists will come in handy. The number of times I have accident bought my third tub of jerk seasoning forgetting about the other two.........
This came at the perfect time - this morning I looked at my spices and seasoning storage. It is not placed on eye level therefore I pull the whole plastic container out and sort through until I find what I need. A spice rack would be ideal but it would take up space on my kitchen surface which I like to keep clear.
I need more cupboard space.
Storing and accessing spices is one of the trickiest parts of kitchen organization. Your tips really help. I have a spice rack mounted on the inside of a pantry door where we keep our most regularly used spices (alphabetically organized). The lesser ones are in a drawer container inside the pantry (not so alphabetically).
I loved the video. It's great to see people in action that we only really know from their written word. I thought I was pretty organized with my spices. Well, at least I"m organized for me. But you really have a great method for organizing your spices. I've never thought of organizing them in a drawer. I don't have any drawers near my stove where I live now. But it is something I might consider in my next home.
Herbs and spices can be hard to organize, but you gave some great tips! I have mine in plastic handled bins in alpha order.
Great job on the video Sabrina! I'm not a big cook or baker but I found the info helpful. I especially like how you labeled the spot on your drawer organizer of which spice should go where - extra smart organization I love!!
Excellent suggestions, Sabrina. Am a very organized person but when I go through your posts they make me realize how much more I could do. In this case when it comes to herbs and spices. Not at the moment though because I have exams.
Liked the video. I could do a "before" video to go along with this. It would be a 5-minute shot of me digging through about 50 spice bottles before coming up with the one I was looking for.
I have limited space in my kitchen, so keep all my spices a jars in a drawer, I found them short enough that they will stand, enabling me to put more containers together. Love the video aspect, I have been thinking I need to start doing these in my blog posts as well. Great job.
Kudos to you for stepping outside of your comfort zone with your video - it made it all so much clearer. I also have a lot of spices, but a very small kitchen, so I have two small plastic bins in which I put all the jars and packets, one is for A-F and the other is G-Z. There are so many herbs and spices that begin with the letter C! I can easily pull out the appropriate bin and find what I need.
Thanks, Janet. I have done videos before with me behind the camera but never in front of it. So scary. I have to find the right lighting. Like anything else, the more I do it, the easier it is. =)
This information is something most of us can use Sabrina, so thank you. Like you, I'm not a baker and for the same reason so I too keep my baking stuff together.
I also alphabetize the spices I use most often and have those in a rack on the inside of my pantry.
Herbs and spices really help favor up the summer meals. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Lenie.