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Is your spice drawer a huge mess? When you go to find cinnamon, do you instead find every other herb, spice, and salt you’ve ever owned? It may be time to revisit how you store your spices. Take a page out of Meggan’s book and snag some of the best spice jars to upgrade the look and organization of your cabinet.
I consulted Meggan to learn her tricks for buying the best spice jars. “No matter what kind of jar you use, try to get matching ones if possible and keep all the labels visible for easy access,” Meggan says. “It helps with storage so they can line up evenly and they are more pleasant and less chaotic to view. ”
While Meggan relies on the Gneiss Spice Pantry Kit, we wanted to find out what other great options are out there. Together we researched the top sellers, looking for features like materials, capacity, and labeling to help with organization and space-saving.
With these spice jars and a little pantry organization, you’ll never have to wonder how on earth you ended up with three containers of expired cream of tartar ever again.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Gneiss Spice Pantry Kit – $150 at Amazon
- Best Glass Spice Jars: AOZITA Glass Spice Jars with Labels – $19.88 at Amazon
- Best Spice Jar Set With Rack: Orii 20-Jar Spice Rack – $48.88 at Amazon
- Best Mini Spice Jars: Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Jars – $18.99 at Amazon
- Best Spice Jars with Labels: The Simple Housewife Glass Spice Jars – $29.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Spice Jars
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Gneiss Spice Pantry Kit
The Gneiss Spice Pantry Kit is a game-changer if you’re serious about organization and space-saving in your kitchen. The hexagon-shaped spice jars come with labels and have a magnetic bottom so they can be stored on the refrigerator or a magnetic strip instead of taking up cupboard space. They have silver air-tight lids and everything is dishwasher-safe. You can mix and match different sizes, buying small jars for spices you don’t use often and larger ones to hold homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning or Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
“I love the Gneiss Spice Jars,” says Meggan. “My Aunt Tammy told me about them and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I love their size and that they save space in my cupboard. Plus, I can see exactly what and how much I have of any given spice.”
The set is expensive, but it’s a great all-in-one option because they can be purchased empty or pre-filled with certified organic and fair-trade species like allspice, basil, sea salt, garlic, ginger, curry, dill, and more. Better yet, all of the jars fit together to make a honeycomb shape. Meggan’s toddler likes to arrange them in different designs on the fridge to create his own masterpiece!
The Specs:
- Capacity: 4 ounces
- Containers: Set of 24
- Material: Glass and steel
The Pros:
- Strong magnets
- Airtight and waterproof
- Pre-filled with organic seasonings
- Available in small or large size
The Cons:
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
The Gneiss Spice Pantry Kit has a 4.7 rating on Amazon with more than 200 reviews. The Spruce Eats named them the best-filled spice jars.
Buy the Gneiss Spice Pantry Kit:
2. Best Glass Spice Jars: AOZITA Glass Spice Jars with Labels
The Aozita Glass Spice Jars are made of high-quality glass, which works to ensure long-term freshness, aroma, and flavor. This set comes with 24 jars for more than enough spices, and the metal lids are easy to open and close, and they have a strong seal to lock out moisture.
Inside you’ll find a remover cap that transforms these jars into shakers so you can easily control how much spice you use. The set offers three labeling choices: Pre-printed labels of commonly used spices in a white font on clear PVC, pre-printed blank chalkboard stickers, or blank labels (chalkboard pen included) for customization. They are also affordable, at less than $1 each.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 4, 6 or 8 ounces
- Containers: Set of 24
- Material: Glass and stainless steel
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Built-in shaker lids
- Lids are dishwasher-safe
- 3 labeling options
The Cons:
- Pre-printed labels don’t name all the spices
What Others are Saying:
The Aozita Glass Spice Jars have a 4.8 rating and more than 35,000 reviews. Forbes also named them the best budget spice jars.
Buy the AOZITA Glass Spice Jars with Labels:
3. Best Spice Jar Set With Rack: Orii 20-Jar Spice Rack
The Orii 20-Jar Spice Rack comes prefilled with quality spices. The best part? The company will send you refills for the next 5 years as long as you pay shipping!
Each jar is made of high-quality glass with a stainless steel cap and comes equipped with an inner shaker lid. The spice rack is made from steel wire and a durable bamboo base that has a stylish minimal design, so it’ll look pretty on the counter. Since it has a built-in carry handle, it’s easy to lift and move as needed.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 3 ounces
- Containers: Set of 20
- Material: Glass and stainless steel
The Pros:
- Stylish design
- Free refills for 5 years
- Convenient carrying handle
The Cons:
- Small capacity
What Others are Saying:
The Orii 20-Jar Spice Rack has a 4.6 rating on Amazon.
Buy the Orii 20-Jar Spice Rack:
4. Best Mini Spice Jars: Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Jars
The Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Jars feature a nice space-saving design and strong magnetic backs. The stainless steel set is durable with highly functional sift-and-pour lids that twist to reveal holes in the side, so you can choose whether you want to sprinkle or pour.
The lids are also removable, so you can use measuring spoons, too. Each set comes with 12 jars and 269 labels in 2 styles (144 round chalkboard-style and 125 clear).
The Specs:
- Capacity: 3 ounces
- Containers: Set of 12
- Material: Stainless steel
The Pros:
- Attractive labels
- Strong magnets
- Sift and pour lids
The Cons:
- Lids can get stuck
- Small set
What Others are Saying:
The Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Jars has a 4.2 rating on Amazon with more than 8,500 reviews. Additionally, this set was named the best overall magnetic spice rack by The Spruce Eats.
Buy the Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Jars:
5. Best Spice Jars with Labels: The Simple Housewife Glass Spice Jars
The Simple Housewife Glass Spice Jars are some of the most attractive spice jars we found. The set comes with 40 pre-printed labels with an appealing printed font. The label paper is waterproof, too, so they’ll hold up to messy kitchen spills. We’re also obsessed with the tiny wooden tablespoon and teaspoon, which are so cute and functional! Meanwhile, the borosilicate glass is extremely durable, and all parts are dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
The manufacturer suggests using these jars in other areas of the home and we agree that they would look great in a medicine cabinet, craft room, or anywhere else you need to organize small items.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 6 ounces
- Containers: Set of 12
- Materials: Glass and bamboo
The Pros:
- Stylish
- Waterproof labels
- Large capacity
The Cons:
- No shaker cap
What Others are Saying:
This spice jar set has a 4.7 rating on Amazon and was named the best wooden cap spice jar by Forbes.
Buy the The Simple Housewife Glass Spice Jars:
Other Spice Jars to Consider
Bormioli Rocco Quattro Stagioni Mason Jars
If you love the look of traditional mason jars, this set is perfect. It features a beautiful cursive motif on its side and on its classic twist-off cap. Each jar has a 5-ounce capacity and can be used for spice storage, at-home canning, or long-term fermentation. The rubber seal is airtight to ensure the contents stay fresh. The Bormioli Rocco Quattro Stagioni Mason Jars are available on Amazon for $19.99.
Turnco Wood Goods Glass Jars with Wooden Lids
If you want to mix it up and get spice jars of different sizes, you can snag this set of mixed sizes or buy them individually. Each jar is handmade in the USA with mold-blown glass and black walnut wood. They are modern and clean in design but a bit of an investment to buy piece by piece. The Turnco Wood Goods Glass Jars with Wooden Lids are available at Food 52 starting at $32.
Tzerotone Glass Jars Set
These jars would be a beautiful addition to any cupboard because of their simple design. They are made with extra thick transparent glass so you know what’s inside and how much is left at a quick glance. The bamboo lids have silicone rings to lock in the freshness of dried herbs. We love their 6-ounce capacity and the durable borosilicate glass but wish the bamboo lids were dishwasher-safe. The Tzerotone Glass Jars Set is available at Amazon for $28.99.
Churboro Spice Jars with Labels
This set is packed — you receive 48 empty glass spice jars and shaker lids, 48 natural bamboo lids, 547 labels in three different designs, 1 white chalk pen, and 1 silicone funnel for refilling. The shaker lids have 2 different designs: One version has small holes for powder spices and the other has large holes for grains and herbs. The Churboro Spice Jars with Labels are available at Amazon for $45.99.
Lenox Butterfly Meadow Cooking Spice Jars
This porcelain set by Lenox includes 4 assorted spice jars that hold 6 ounces each of basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme. The butterfly and flower designs are so pretty that you’d almost hate to put them in the cupboard. They would also be a great gift idea, but since the design may not be for everyone, they didn’t make the list of our top picks. The Lenox Butterfly Meadow Cooking Spice Jars are available at Amazon for $59.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Belle, an award-winning content creator and adjunct professor who works in restaurant PR in the Midwest. Over the course of 20 years, I’ve held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants, including ownership of a Korean-concept hot dog cart (that was named after my dog’s teeth). My writing and on-camera work have been featured on Better Homes & Gardens.
Meggan is a classically trained chef, professional writer, and the Editor-in-Chief of Culinary Hill. She’s developed hundreds of recipes, and she knows what tools make the job easier.
To create this guide for the very best spice jars out there, I worked with Meggan to find out which spice jars she personally loves. We chatted about features and must-haves, along with what she would take into account before purchasing a set. From there, I researched highly recommended options and read hundreds of online reviews to find the best options out there based on practicality and overall value.
Everything to Know Before Buying Spice Jars
What to Consider Before Buying Spice Jars
There are a few things to think about before purchasing a set of spice jars. By carefully considering these factors, you can find the perfect spice jars that will keep your spices fresh and the cooking process easier. Before buying, consider the following.
Size and capacity: Think about the size of your spice collection, how much of each spice you keep on hand, and how often you use different spices. Small jars are likely suitable for spices you don’t use too often, while larger jars are better for the spices you frequently use, like salt or basil.
“Personally, I like the small jar size,” says Meggan. “There are many spices I don’t use daily so I don’t need to keep a ton on hand. Great companies like Spicely sell small amounts of spices in boxes instead of jars so you can replenish more often and have the freshest spices available.”
You may want to use measuring spoons that are sized and shaped to fit in spice jars, too, like these Zulay Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons that Meggan uses.
Materials: Spice jars come in a variety of materials like glass, plastic, and metal. Glass jars are great because they are transparent, allowing you to quickly identify what’s inside. Plastic jars are lightweight and shatterproof. Metal jars add a great aesthetic, but could rust. Regardless of which spice jar you choose, Meggan advises that any jars you buy be dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleanup!
Labels: If you’re all about the design, the label could make or break your decision. Make sure you choose spice jars with labels that are waterproof or easy to customize.
Accessibility: The ability to grab and go is essential while cooking. Opt for spice jars with lids that are easy to open and close. “No matter what kind of jar you use, you’ll want all labels and spices visible if possible,” says Meggan. “That might mean laying them in a drawer or installing a rack so they are visible and easily accessible.”
Design: Spice jars are where form meets function. Since they add to the visual appeal of your kitchen, consider whether or not they complement your kitchen’s style. This is important when looking at the labels as well, as they can vary from sleek and modern to rustic and charming.
Should You Have Matching Labels for Your Spice Jars?
When it comes to the topic of matching labels, it all comes down to personal preference. Matching labels have a uniform and consistent aesthetic that looks neat and tidy. Plus, they’re easier to read when you’re in a hurry.
A potential downfall to holding yourself to one aesthetic is that it comes with limitations. You may need to eventually buy more jars after one breaks or you expand your spice collection. When in doubt, consider buying an extra set to have on hand or disregard the labels that come with your spice jars and print them yourself at home.
Is it Necessary to Store Homemade Spices?
Absolutely. Storing homemade spices in airtight containers to avoid humidity will maintain their flavor, potency, and quality and increase their shelf life, just like the containers for store-bought spices. Make sure to label and date each one to keep track of expiration dates.
If you haven’t made homemade spice blends before, check out some of Meggan’s absolute favorites.
How Tall and Wide Should a Spice Jar Be?
There’s no set rule here, but it does depend on your space and storage. Choose spice jars that are tall enough to hold a reasonable amount of spice while still fitting or stacking in your cupboard. If you want to use a measuring spoon, make sure they’re wide enough to fit one.
What to Do with Old Spice Jars?
The opportunities are endless for repurposing old spice jars! You can clean them out and use them to create one of Meggan’s custom spice blends, like this delicious vanilla sugar. Large ones are great to hold craft supplies like beads and buttons, or can even be converted into herb planters by filling them with soil and seeds.
The Best Homemade Spice and Seasoning Recipes
Once you’ve purchased empty spice jars, you’ll need to fill them up! You can skip the store-bought spice blends and stock your cabinet with Meggan’s homemade spice blend recipes. We recommend trying out:
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Belle DuChene is an award-winning digital content producer who has a passion for all things lifestyle including food, fashion, and French culture. (And French wine, of course!) Over the course of 20 years, she's held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants and has eaten her way through the side streets of more than 20 countries. Always a student, her kitchen looks like a library of culinary school textbooks and she will sit for the level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers this summer. Belle owns an award-winning content creation agency, teaches communications at three colleges and universities, and tutors in French. In addition to Culinary Hill, her writing and on-camera demonstrations have been published on BHG.com.