Spice Drawer Organization

After moving house, I changed from a spice rack to a spice drawer. The pantry-door rack in our old kitchen had worked well, so I wanted a similar way to keep spices nearby and out of the way.

Our new kitchen was larger, but it didn't have an obvious spot for them.

I settled on a large drawer.

It was easy to reach while cooking and kept the counter clear.

The mixed containers inside were harder to manage, though:

My husband was looking for a taco sauce packet one day, and the rummaging made it clear the drawer needed a better arrangement.

The next day, I took everything out and started again.

Spice Drawer Organization Steps

Here's how I sorted the spices and chose jars that fit the drawer.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Spices & Spice Drawer

I grouped the spices on the counter by the meals I usually used them in. My groups were European, Indian, Asian, and Mexican cooking.

I put duplicate containers together so I could see how much I had.

I separated empty jars and old spice mixes I hadn't used.

Then I wrote an inventory. There were 28 different spices, fewer than I'd expected.

I measured the drawer before choosing containers.

Step 2: Choose New Spice Jars

I wanted jars that would fit well and be useful each time I cooked.

I looked at spice jar kits, but wanted 8 oz jars with openings wide enough for a tablespoon. Many of the kits I found used smaller jars.

A wide-mouth half-pint canning jar I'd used for smoked paprika gave me the answer. I tried a few empty ones in the drawer to see how they'd fit.

I bought two more packs of twelve. These are the jars I chose; compare local and online prices if you're considering them.

Step 3: Fill Spice Jars, Label and Organize Drawer

At the time, the 24 extra jars cost $16. With the twelve I already owned, I had enough for this arrangement:

I also use these jars for yogurt, overnight oats, and small desserts.

The wide opening makes them easy to fill, clean, and scoop from. The two-part lids haven't bothered me in use.

I set the jars on their sides and liked being able to see the spices through the glass.

I added labels to the lids so anyone else cooking in the kitchen could identify them too.

I used my Brother P-Touch label maker. The labels were easy to move if I placed one incorrectly.

These were the settings I used:

• Label Length: Auto
• Margin: Narrow
• Tab Length: 0.0"
• Size: Small
• Width: Normal
• Style: Bold
• Underline/Frame: Off
• Font: Helsinki

Spice Drawer Organization: Final Thoughts

I cook most days, so I notice this small change often. It's easier to open the drawer and pick out what I need.

There's room at the back for a few more jars. I moved sauce packets and decorative sugars to other suitable places.

Measure your space and think about how you use your spices before choosing containers. You may find something you already own works well.