Simple Solutions for Kitchen Organization: 7 Creative Spice Storage Ideas

Join me for the next few weeks as we look at simple solutions for kitchen organization. I will show you some inexpensive and creative ways to deal with those annoying kitchen areas--such as the Tupperware avalanche, the stuffed-into-a-box-in-no-apparent-order recipes and finding that one spice jar that you know is in there somewhere. Wait...maybe that is only going on at my house! ;)

Week #2 ~ 7 Creative Storage Ideas for Spices and Seasoning Mixes



Note the "shelf extension" and the air
freshener! LOL

Last January I set out to overhaul my entire house and whip it into shape. I started in the kitchen, naturally, because I spend a good portion of my time there. I quickly realized one of the areas that was sorely in need of a good old-fashioned organizational system was my spices. I use a TON of spices. I'm not talking little grocery store jars of spices...I buy salt, cinnamon, chili powder, dried onions and other seasonings a half-pound at a time! When you cook from scratch as often as I do, you go through spices in a hurry. Last week I counted up the various spices I used in dishes on my meal plan and came up with 13 different spices--not including the previously blended taco seasoning mix and ranch seasoning/dip mix. (Links for my recipes can be found by clicking HERE.)

Photo Credit

I was having to dig through my hefty spice collection frequently to find the ones I needed, not to mention having to open all those dumb little plastic shaker lids to measure out the needed amounts. I stumbled across an idea on Pinterest for storing spices in cute labeled jars in a dedicated spice drawer. Sadly, I do not have a spare drawer available in my kitchen. The two small shelves next to my stove were the next best thing. Labeling the tops of the jars wasn't going to work for me since they were above eye level, therefore I opted to place my labels on the sides.

Organizing spices alphabetically
makes them easier to find.

Voila! Here is the end result of my project. I purchased my 4 oz. Ball jelly jars in a case of 12 at my local they-have-everything-under-the-sun store. The entire project cost me around $15. The jars came with the little oval labels, which I simply wrote on using my best teacher handwriting and a fine point Sharpie. I find that measuring out spices from big open jars like this is much easier than those tiny little containers. You know...the ones that measuring spoons don't even fit inside. Yeah, those. Ha ha!

Other Creative Spice Storage Ideas

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

I don't have any seasoning packets anymore because I cook most everything from scratch. However, if you happen to have a collection of packets and mixes, an inexpensive over-the-door shoe holder might just work for you. Or you could use the shoe holder has a convenient way to organize spice jars, as shown in the picture above.



SpiceStor Organizer Rack ~ 20 Cabinet Door Spice Clips

Another creative solution for the occasional spice user (whose collection is much smaller than mine) would be this back-of-the-pantry-door spice holder you can buy on Amazon.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

What about using magnetic jars to organize your spices? I absolutely love these two solutions--especially the one using recycled baby food jars! I believe the photo on the bottom uses a magnetic knife bar, mounted under the cabinets, to hold spice jars with magnetized lids. Cool, huh? Perfect for those spices you use most frequently.

KitchenArt Pro Auto-Measure Spice Carousel

Last, but not least, imagine a world where no measuring spoons are needed and you can merely push a button to have the correct amount of spice dispensed. Dream no more! Get 1/4 teaspoon of spice with every push of the button. This gadget, pictured above, really exists! You can purchase your own HERE.

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The only pitfall I have run into with my spice jar shelves is being diligent in returning the spices to their proper location. I put the less frequently used spices on the top shelf and the ones I use all the time on the bottom shelf. If I put them back in the proper order, they are very easy to find when I need them. In fact, when I walk into my kitchen and see my well organized spice shelves...I can't help but smile from ear to ear.

Did you miss Week #1--Taming the Tupperware? You can find the post HERE. Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates and never miss a new blog post. Just add your e-mail address to the box on the upper right side of the home page to subscribe to These Precious Days.

Do any of these spice storage ideas appeal to you? How are your spices looking? The new year is the perfect time to toss outdated seasonings and give your spices a make-over!



Homemade Cornbread Mix

This recipe makes the same amount as a box of Jiffy cornbread mix. I like to make 3 or 4 of these up at a time and store them in plastic storage bags in the cupboard or freezer. I mix one, pour it into a sandwich sized bag...mix another, pour it into a bag....etc.

2/3 c. flour (all-purpose flour makes this taste most like Jiffy brand)
1/2 c. cornmeal
3 T. sugar or honey (the sugar gives the more Jiffy-like flavor)
1 T. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
2 T. oil (I use melted, refined coconut oil but another oil would work okay)


Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in a tightly sealed container. 


To make cornbread or muffins: Add 1 egg, 1/4 c. milk and 1/2 c. sour cream (I've also used plain yogurt)
Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 min. for muffins, slightly longer for an 8 x 8 size pan.

Homemade "Cream of Something Soup" Recipe

Photo credit: Once a Month Mom

All of my "easy meal" cooking dreams have just come true! I found a from-scratch recipe for "cream of something soup". Woohoo!

For almost a year now, I have stopped making any dish that called for condensed canned soup because of all the unhealthy MSG and other unpronounceable ingredients. Now, I have a homemade recipe to use that can be customized for cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of celery or even cream of asparagus soup.

Head over to Once a Month Mom and check out this easy condensed soup recipe. OAMM even has a chart to help you figure out how to make your recipe dairy-free, gluten-free or whole foods. Looks like all you need to make this stuff is broth, flour, garlic, butter, onion and a "main ingredient" like mushrooms or chicken. Easy peasy!

I am planning to make a quadruple batch (or perhaps even more) and freezing the extra portions in pint-sized freezer bags. Look out casseroles and crockpot meals....here I come! :)


Photo credit: Taste of Home

Here's a recipe for Chicken Supreme with Gravy from this week's Dinners by Design post. This could be made healthier with some homemade cream of chicken soup. Check it out!


What is your favorite dish that calls for "cream of something" soup? Share it in the comments section below!

Taco Seasoning Mix

This recipe makes a TON, so feel free to cut it in half (or even a quarter). I store this in a pint-size canning jar in my pantry. Two tablespoons of seasoning are the equivalent to one package of taco seasoning mix.

1/2 c. Dried minced onion
1/4 c. Chili powder
1/4 c. Cornstarch
2 T. Sea Salt (I like the brand "Redmond's Real Salt".)
2 T. Dried minced garlic (or garlic powder)
1 T. Red pepper flakes
1 T. Oregano
1 T. + 1 t. Paprika
2 t. Cumin
1/2 t. Ground black pepper

Combine spices thoroughly and store in an airtight container. Stir well before each use to prevent the settling of heavier spices.

Use 2 Tablespoons of seasoning mix (the equivalent of one packet) per pound of cooked ground beef or chicken. Add 1/4 c. of water and simmer for 5 min.

Ranch Seasoning Mix for Dressing or Dip

I make this mix up in large quantities and store it in a half-pint (one cup) glass canning jar. You could easily cut this down by a half or a quarter if you don't want to make so much. I use it in any recipe that calls for a pkg. of "Ranch seasoning mix" or to make Ranch dressing or vegetable dip.


8 T. Dried parsley
4 T. Sea Salt (I like the brand "Redmond's Real Salt".)
3 T. Ground black pepper
4 T. Garlic powder
2 T. Dried dill
4 T. Dried minced onion

Combine all spices thoroughly and store in airtight container.

One tablespoon of seasoning mix is equivalent to one pkg. of Hidden Valley Ranch dip or dressing mix.

For Ranch dressing:
Start with 1/2 Tablespoon seasoning mix added to 1/2 c. mayo and 1/2 c. buttermilk (or make your buttermilk with milk and vinegar). If the "Ranch flavor" is not strong enough for you, add more seasoning 1/8 teaspoon at a time until desired flavor is achieved. For best results, allow dressing to sit 2 hours in the refrigerator for flavors to blend.

For sour cream Ranch dip:

Start with 1/2 Tablespoon of seasoning mix, combined with 1 c. of sour cream. Add more seasoning, 1/8 teaspoon at a time, until desired flavor is achieved. For best results, allow dip to sit 2 hours in the refrigerator for flavors to blend.