Spice jars and other containers that hold all the fragrant seasonings for your recipes are used in homes around the globe.
Spices are an essential part of cooking, which can add extra flavor and texture to improve a dish from okay to spectacular.
However, if these spices aren’t stored properly, they can end up making a dish taste worse instead of better.
Best Pick
Our best pick for spice jars is the Talented Kitchen Glass Spice Jars, which come either 14 or 24 high-quality glass jars and all the accessories you need to keep your spices fresh and tasting great for all your future meals.
Budget Pick
The Simple Houseware Square Spice Bottles is our budget pick that offers 12 standard sized spice jars, along with black and pre-filled labels, a funnel, and several other accessories to help out in the kitchen.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Options for Spice Jars
1. Talented Kitchen Glass Spice Jars - Editor's Pick
These jars from Talented Kitchen come in four-ounce or six-ounce sizes, and you can choose to receive 14 of them or 24 if you need more room for extra spices.
Also included are two types of labels, several kinds of shakers, and a silicone funnel, which makes it simple to fill the jars. These are premium glass bottles in a square size with silver metal caps that create an airtight seal to keep out air and moisture.
These jars can be used in a drawer since they won’t roll around like circular jars or can be used in many spice racks on the market.Pros
Cons
2. Simple Houseware Square Spice Bottles - Best for Pull-Out Spice Racks
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Simple Houseware offers a combination pack that includes 12 square spice jars, along with 48 preprinted labels, and 20 blank labels.
This makes it easy to organize your spices and keep track of them in the kitchen. In addition to the jars and labels, you will also get a funnel to fill the jars, metal lids, and shaker inserts to more easily use your favorite herbs and spices.
These are elegant bottles with an excellent design that will look great in most kitchens, whether they are used in drawers, cabinets, or on a countertop.Pros
Cons
3. DecoBros Spice Bottles with Label Set - Best for Small Kitchen
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If you want a simple set of spice bottles that come with labels, lids, and shaker inserts, this product by DecoBros could be the answer.
It includes 12 different round spice jars and 48 spice labels, as well as plastic lids that are airtight and keep out moisture. They’re a smaller spice jar than most and can hold about three ounces of spice when completely filled.
These bottles would work well in a small kitchen since they are only 1 ¾ x 3 ¾ inches in size yet can hold plenty of spices for a small family. If you’re someone who prefers a round jar, rather than a square one, this will suit your needs better than the other jars we’ve looked at so far.Pros
Cons
4. Ultimate Hostess Square Glass Spice Jar Bottles - Easy to Clean
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This set from Ultimate Hostess comes with either 14 or 24 spice jars, along with stainless steel caps that are rustproof and simple to clean. You also get tight shaker caps, a wide funnel, silver lids, and both preprinted and blank labels.
There’s also a chalk marker included so you can write on the blank labels to organize your collection of spices better.
These are stackable square jars that can fit into small spaces to store spice, house party favors, contain office supplies, and more. The labels that come with them are also reusable, so you can change them up as you switch what you hold in each jar.Pros
Cons
5. SpiceLuxe Premium Square Spice Jar Set
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SpiceLuxe offers premium square spice jars that are ready to use, as they include everything from sifter tops to a funnel, lids, and printed labels that are easily added onto the jars.
These are a commercial-grade product that hold four ounces of spices and measure 4 1/8 x 1 ¾ inches to fit in most spice racks, cabinets, and drawers. The funnel is made to avoid clogging for extra convenience.
The steel lids included are airtight to keep out moisture and air to keep your spices fresh for longer. You can also count on the company to offer free replacements if you break a jar, so you keep a full set.Pros
Cons
6. Gneiss Spice Small Empty Magnetic Spice Jars
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Gneiss offers these magnetic spice jars in a set of 10, 12, or 24 jars. While the ten pack comes with only small jars, you can choose small or large when you purchase a larger set.
Each of the spice jars in the set is refillable and reusable to add an eco-friendly touch to a kitchen and can help create a zero-waste space in your home.
The jars can stick to a refrigerator door and come with label stickers that can be used on either the included lids or the bottom of the jars. These jars measure two inches tall and 1 ¾ inches wide to hold about ¼ of a cup of spice and herbs. They are made in a woman-owned and operated business using materials from the USA and other countries.Pros
Cons
7. Salusware Plastic Spice Bottles by RoyalHouse
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These spice bottles from Salusware come in two different sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your cooking needs.
Each of the jar sizes can hold a large amount of herbs, spices, and other powders and includes an inner seal that will keep the items tasty and fresh. It comes with a set of 12 bottles made of safe plastic without using BPA.
You can select from lids that are black or red, depending on your kitchen décor and choice of style. These lids also have two sides, one of which allows you to pour spices and the other side of which is designed for shaking spices into a recipe.Pros
Cons
8. Grant Howard 50520 Cylindrical Clear Glass
Spice Jars
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If having spice jars that are BPA-free is a priority for you, these clear spice containers from Grant Howard offer that and much more. You get a large set of 24 jars that come in a durable box to keep things in place during transport.
Another perk offered with these jars is that they can easily be washed using the dishwasher to save you time and effort.
These jars measure 3 1/3 inches high and are 1 ¾ inches in diameter for storing spices, herbs, and seasoning blends. The lids that come standard are a clamp-top design and include a rubber gasket to prevent air and water from getting inside the bottles to ruin your spices.Pros
Cons
9. Good Cooking Adjustable Glass Spice Jars
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Whether you need only a few glass spice jars or enough to hold 24 different ingredients, these bottles from Good Cooking will meet the needs of your kitchen.
In addition to offering different amounts of jars, the metal lids have various pouring sizes to match up with the amount different spices require. All the jars are designed to look great in any modern kitchens so you can place them wherever you wish.
The clear design of each jar makes it easy to see what’s inside, while the labels ensure you use the right spices for every meal.Pros
Cons
10. Cook N Home Windowed Spice Bottle Jar Set
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For something that looks a bit different, there is the Cook N Home spice jar set that comes with eight stainless steel jars and lids.
Rather than being transparent throughout the item, there are small windows at the bottom and on the sides so you can see what’s inside. The lid on top is a screw-top type that is designed to keep your herbs and spices fresh and free of moisture.
The small size and weight of these bottles makes them ideal for spice racks, cabinets, drawers, or other spaces.Pros
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How to Choose the Perfect Spice Jars for Your Home
We mentioned earlier that there are various containers to hold spice on the market from dozens of different brands.
The first thing you need to be aware of is what your options are. So, below, we’re going to offer a short primer on the types of spice jars you may encounter while you search.
Spice Container Types
One of the most common types of spice containers you will see is made of metal. These jars are a good choice since they keep your spices away from the light, which helps keep the aroma and flavor at their best.
If you decide to go through with purchasing a metal spice jar, make sure that it has a tight lid that keeps out air and moisture for the best results.
Glass spice containers are another common choice and have the advantage of letting you see inside the container to decide what spices are there.
However, you need to keep these away from light to ensure they keep the best shelf life for your seasonings. Because of that, glass jars should be stored in a dark, cool place such as a closet shelf.
Assuming you use a glass container in an appropriate space, your spices can stay fresh for as long as two years.
You’ll also want to be sure the jar has an airtight lid to keep the spices safe for cooking down the line. Some container has a cork top and will also keep your seasonings safe, but for shorter periods.
Each of the ten spice jars above comes with features that go above and beyond and will be a great addition to your kitchen. However, you can use our information below the products to see what your priorities should be when selecting the best spice containers for your kitchen. In no time, you can have an organized kitchen packed with all your favorite herb blends and seasonings.Regardless of the material you choose for your spices, a small jar may be best if you don’t use spices regularly.
When the jar is smaller, that means there is less chance for air to contact your spices. Without air and moisture reaching the spices, they are going to be safe and delicious for longer than large jars.
You might wonder whether you should toss out the plastic bottles that many spices initially come in. That’s entirely up to you, but the truth is that there is nothing wrong with using these bottles and the spices that come in them the way they are.
However, this can make your spice racks look a bit mismatched, so take that into consideration.
Another option available to you is using a spice shaker for some of the spices you use daily. These containers are versatile and can store any powdered spices and then used to sprinkle the seasoning into a dish.
These are going to be best used for things like pepper, salt, and other powdered seasonings.
Alternate Spice Storage Options
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If you aren’t interested in traditional spice jars or need something that works in a pinch, you still have a few options available to you. However, these items may not keep the spices as fresh and safe as traditional spice jars would.
The first solution is to use a paper bag, but this works best for whole spices instead of ground spices.
One of the ways to increase freshness and aroma with spices in a paper bag is by placing it in the refrigerator if you won’t be using it immediately. However, keep in mind that moving the spices to a jar is the best option at some point.
Ziplock bags are another option when you don’t have spice jars available for some reason. The zip that is included on them helps keep out moisture and air to ensure the freshest spices possible.
Since these spices should still be protected from light, they should be stored in a cool, dark place or inside of your refrigerator.
Available Space for Storing Spice Jars
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Now we move to traditional spice jars and the factors that make them appropriate for your kitchen. The first thing you are going to want to think about is how much space you have in your kitchen to put the spice jars.
Those who are interested in placing the jars on their countertops can choose glass or metal spice containers. If there isn’t extra space on the counter, consider storing your spice jars inside of a cabinet or pantry instead.
Capacity of the Spices Jars
One of the first questions you might think of is, “what size of spice jars are right for my kitchen?” Size is something that is a consideration in most things you buy but can be especially important when it comes to spice jars.
Your needs may vary here based on how often you use spices, how many people you’re cooking for, and what kind of recipes you tend to create.
Spice jars capacity is typically measured in ounces and can range from small two-ounce jars all the way up to jars that can hold more than 10 ounces of spices.
You are going to want to consider the amount of spices you like to keep at once so you can ensure your jars have plenty of space.
Types of Spices Used
Another thing to consider when choosing spice jars is what sort of spices you tend to use. For instance, a jar with a shaker lid isn’t going to be ideal for whole spices but will work well for powdered seasonings.
There are also certain spices that need to be stored in a specific type of container, which you should be aware of before you start buying spice jars that might not fit your needs.
Material Used to Make the Spice Jars
Many people believe that the best spice jars are made of glass since they ensure that moisture and air cannot get into the spices and create quality issues.
While these jars are often transparent, they can be stored in dark places to prevent problems from exposure to light. However, metal containers can also be a reasonable option since it protects your spices from light, air, and moisture without any extra steps involved.
Versatility and Intended Use
Most people will find that the best spice jars are the ones that feature versatility for the buyer. For instance, you may not need a considerable capacity container for spices like garlic, rosemary, and coriander. However, jars for coffee beans, tea leaves, and jam may need larger containers. If you are going to be storing a large number of spices, herbs, and other items, make sure you choose a type that fits your requirements.
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Type of Lids on the Spice Jars
While nearly every spice jar is going to come with lids, that doesn’t mean they are all the same level of quality. What really matters is how tight the caps fit onto the jars that you want to purchase.
Having a tight fit is crucial since it will ensure your spices stay fresh longer; it can also help retain the flavors of the spices for a more extended period.
How Spice Jars Dispense Seasonings
Once you’re sure that you have spice jars with tight lids to fit on top, you next want to think about how it will dispense those herbs and spices into your recipes.
This can be a matter of preference, as some people prefer shaker lids, while others may prefer a pour system or a silt lid. Think about the delivery method that will work best for you and be sure that the jars you choose offer that.
Labels and Extra Features
Any decent set of spice jars should come complete with a set of labels. However, you should be sure that you get both preprinted labels and unprinted labels. Some of the most common types of labels you will find are plastic and chalkboard labels.
Finally, think about other features that make spice jars more convenient and more straightforward to use. A spice jar set that includes extra items, such as rack storage, shaker tops, and a refill funnel, will offer more versatility and make organizing spices easier in your kitchen.
Conclusion
When you need to store spices in your kitchen, relying on paper or Ziplock bags is not the path to freshness and good taste.
Instead, having the best spice jars can help you keep track of what spices you have, allow you to organize spices easily, and give you a specific space to find the herbs that you need. The right spice jars can also complement the look and feel of your kitchen to make the décor shine.
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