5 Simple Ways to Tackle Your Messy Herb Drawer

5 simple tips from Cook and Pan to tidy up your messy spice drawer!

Take stock of your spices

Take all your spices out of the cupboard, even those hidden way at the back of your pantry. Lay them all out on the counter, or another surface where you can clearly see what you have. This is usually the first step in organizing a space, because it’s really important to see what you have to decide the best solution. Once you have all the spices lined up, try grouping them by flavor. We often have multiples of the same spices, so this step is crucial to sorting them out.

Find the expiration date

We’ve all played fast and loose with expiration dates at times; like that yogurt that expired a week ago but still smells and tastes fine, or that can of beans that’s past its date but never opened. Spices are a different story, in that some food experts believe they don’t really expire because they’re dried. However, they do lose some of their potency and flavor over time, so it’s really up to you how long you want to keep them. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t cooked with it in over a year, it’s probably time to let it go. So take a few minutes to go through your collection and toss any spices that don’t need to be there anymore. This step alone will help free up a lot of space.

Give them a home

Once you’ve gathered your spice collection, you need to think about where all these spices will live. Preferably somewhere near where you cook, so you can easily reach them. But this spot will really depend on the space you have available. The classic spice drawer? Open shelves on the wall? A lazy Susan in your cabinet? Don’t be afraid to move other kitchen items around so you can create a home where all your spices can live together.

Create unity in the jars

There’s just something visually appealing about uniform jars. Unfortunately, unless you’re very brand loyal with your spices, you probably have a mix of jars, bottles, and bags where you currently store your spices. Consider putting your spices in matching jars. You can use a jar designed specifically for this, a mason jar, or really any jar that fits your kitchen style. Try to make sure the jar seals airtight to keep freshness. It’s also important to consider the opening. Choose a shaker if you sprinkle your spices, but if you prefer spooning them out, the top should be wide enough to fit a measuring spoon. Or simply go for a combination of both!

Label, label, label

Think of the label, like the cherry on top, as a decorative but absolutely necessary finishing touch. It not only helps you identify the contents, but a clear and consistent labeling technique also helps reduce visual clutter. Labels can be as simple as handwriting the name on masking tape or as fancy as a custom printed design. Just like with any other space you want to organize in your home, it’s about what works for you, your lifestyle, and budget.