YOUR THRIFTY SPICE CABINET
In this post I want to share with you some ways to save money on your spices and stretch them further. I will try to help you determine how long your spices can last, where you can buy quality spices the cheapest and, even if generic spices are as good as store brand.
Have you cleaned out your spice cabinet in a while? How old are your spices and how good are those spices you have in your spice cabinet currently?
I recently decided while spending more time at home to start some spring cleaning. I chose to start with something I have been wanting to do for many years, cleaning out my spices. When I started I was shocked at what I discovered in my spice cabinet.
I could not believe how old the spices actually were in my cabinet. I knew there were many in there that I rarely ever use but I never had a clue just how bad my cabinet was. My husband and I married in 2006 and as I was cleaning my spice cabinet in 2020. I actually found spices that were given to us as a wedding gift. Yuck! I am a very frugal person but this really got me started thinking about a lot of things related to my spices. Below I share what I learned about my own spices and how I discovered to save money on spices.
How to best organize the spices in your cabinet?
Go to the Dollar Tree and find some colorful plastic baskets or drawer organizers. Or if you prefer to order online you could even order them on Amazon. Here are a few options that might work on Amazon that I really liked. These links are affiliate links that help me keep Saving Joyfully going when others purchase using them. I sometimes use them if I find great suggestions that might be helpful to others on Amazon. 1st option and second option both options are fairly budget friendly, come in multi packs and could have other uses around your home.
Smaller baskets would be ideal if your cabinet is small and if you have less space in general like we do. Larger ones may work better if you buy more in bulk or if you have a bit more room or a lot more spices.
Label and arrange these in a way that works best for you. I would suggest keeping the ones you use most often easily accessible.
I would also add a very bold date to each individual item. This date might be the date that you opened it or the year that you believe you should discard it. Label's or even a simple sharpie marker would work great for this.
Where to find good quality spices for cheap?
Aldi has a great selection of cheaper spices. Although the selection might be limited they are recommended by Kiplinger as one of the best items to buy at Aldi.
Dollar tree is another favorite of mine I buy many spices there and never notice a difference. You can buy most basic spices at dollar tree for just $1. Parmesan cheese, bacon bits and even basil pesto are also sold at Dollar Tree for just one dollar.
Many other stores offer various store brand spices. It is really up to you which spices you choose to purchase and whether you wish to spend more. Many spice companies claim their products are the best but according to a study by Consumer Reports there is often no notable difference in taste.
You can even order some items on Amazon that might be harder to find in your area. Examples would be one that I purchase often when I cannot locate it in stores Hidden Valley Ranch Powder in bulk sizes. This can save you a lot of money buying them this way. Amazon may be pricier if you can find them in local stores but if you can't it is still far cheaper than buying by the individual packet.
If you are trying to support local or small businesses right now there are usually many spice companies that offer some great deals. Some sell their spices in loose where you buy in bulk, in bags or even in containers similar to other spice companies. Make sure to always seal your spices well in an air tight container after opening.
Costco, Sams club and Gordon foods offers many spices in bulk. I caution buying spices in bulk however unless you actually use it frequently. There are many that we buy in bulk because we use them so much. The ones I choose to buy in bulk are listed below.
What are my favorite spices to buy in bulk?
Taco Seasoning
Hidden Valley Ranch Powder
Garlic Powder
Chili Seasoning
Ground Cinnamon
Lawry's seasoning Salt
What spices / seasonings do you need in a basic spice cabinet?
Salt
Pepper
Cinnamon
Chili seasoning
Italian seasoning
Garlic
Onion powder
Basil
Oregano
Rosemary
Baking soda
Baking powder
Pure vanilla extract
How long is it safe to keep spices and use them?
In general spices can be used for quite a while after the use by date on the container. Spices generally begin to lose flavor and become less favorable for making that delicious dish. The link below will take you to a great article on how long spices really last. This article explains far better than I can and offers some other great recommendations . In this article McCormick suggests that spices lose their flavor within 1- 4 years depending on the spices.
How long do most spices stay fresh?
I found a great article that actually lists the shelf life of most spices. It varies by different spices and by whether they are fresh, ground, dried, whole or even extracts. Spices are an important part of a delicious meal so make sure your spices are not ruining your dish and are doing their job enhancing the flavor.
What spices can be substituted for other spices?
What spices can be substituted to save money on spices? There are many spices that are similar to each other and can be used as a substitute if you are in a pinch. I love this article I have linked to below because it offers a great solution if you run out of something and need a quick replacement. Also If you are trying to eliminate unnecessary spice purchases buying multiple spices might not appeal to you. This post could really help you narrow down that list and buy only the spices that you absolutely need.
This Article from The Great American Spice Company offers some solutions to substituting spices that might work well for you. This can help you to save more money on spices in the long run.
What spices never expire or last longer?
Pure Vanilla extract
Salt without iodine
Iodized Salt can last approximately 5 years
Most seeds and whole spices last about 4 years
Do spices expire or just lose their flavor?
After a certain point most spices lose their flavor or become less effective. They might not expire in the sense that most food does but they might not work as well as they once did. Spices do have expiration dates. These dates are good to help you determine when the spices will become less effective and have less flavor.
How can you prevent spices from losing flavor?
The spice company McCormick offers a great tip in this article about maintaining spice freshness . McCormick suggests that you can place your dry spices in a skillet one at a time. Dump the seasoning into a skillet and stay close by when doing this. They will burn easily and you don't want them in there long. Toast the spices just a little and add them back to the container once the spice has cooled down you can return it to the jar. This will bring back some of the flavor and aroma.
How can you stretch and preserve your spices further?
Purchase basic spices to save money on spices and make your own spice mixes
Store most seasonings in a cool dry place away from the stove
Some spices (red spices) Chili powder, Paprika, Red Chili peppers may last longer if stored in the refrigerator. However be careful that condensation does not enter the spice because this can actually decrease it's flavor and effectiveness.
Always re-seal the spice container securely
Purchase whole spices instead of ground and grind yourself the flavor and aroma will last longer
Can you makes your own spice blends?
A great way to save money on spices is to make your own spice blends. This would require you to purchase the basic spices and determine how much of each to add for the appropriate seasoning mixture. Some of these articles that I found could be very helpful in creating some different spice mixtures.
Just some of the great seasoning mixes that you can try making yourself that might help stretch your budget. These seasoning mixtures should be stored the same as any other seasoning mix unless otherwise specified in the article.