When I’m putting things away in my pantry, function usually wins over form. I need it to work more than I need it to look pretty. But I do still enjoy seeing things lined up neat and tidy, and I try to choose containers and storage options that look nice, even if they don’t all match. Here are some of the ways I store my pantry staples.
Jars! Some canning jars I purchased when they were on sale. I also saved some old applesauce jars, although the best price on applesauce where we shop now is a plastic container. And I have several coconut oil jars from Tropical Traditions, which are great for storing dry goods.
Old trail mix containers. I make our trail mix most of the time, but sometimes we still buy it. These are good for popcorn, and when they’re not holding dry goods sometimes I’ll make up muffin mixes ahead of time so all I have to do is add the wet ingredients and mix.
Glass canisters. I originally got these because they looked pretty on the counter, and now they’re in the cupboard and I don’t use them as often, because we don’t use as much flour and sugar as we used to. But canisters are a great option for baking goods, so that you have enough room to scoop with a measuring cup.
Ziploc bags. I honestly only used these because I ran out of jars and containers when I was unpacking some purchases, but they are another valid option for storage you can see through to know how much is left.
Plastic containers. I save my glass containers for leftovers and foods that are going to be reheated, but I keep dry goods in some of the plastic containers we used to have for leftovers before we switched.
1 really huge restaurant plastic bin for oats. When we discovered that we could get 25 pounds of oats for less than $20 at the local restaurant supply store, we bought a big plastic bin as well. It only holds about half of them, but it’s an easy way to save myself from having quite so many jars and containers in the cupboard otherwise!
An old coffee creamer container for chocolate chips. I don’t think I’ve had storebought coffee creamer in at least a few years now (largely due to reading this), but I rinsed out one of the containers when I did buy it and put my chocolate chips in there. I’ve been using that same one ever since. It’s just so handy to dump a few in your hand for a snack! Maybe that’s a bad thing…
One thing that’s really useful for transferring all of the dry goods into new containers? A wide-mouth funnel. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spilled things trying to dump them into a jar, and this at least helps that happen less often.
What does your pantry look like? Lots of pretty matching things, or whatever the items come in? I’d love to know.
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