Herbs and spices are invaluable, even for kitchen novices. Unfortunately, some of us don’t capitalize on these flavor assists because our spice racks are a bit of a mess. Be encouraged. It’s easy to establish order. Start by tossing anything that doesn’t smell fresh. Your nose will tell you if herbs and spices are still flavorful. Replace if there’s no aroma. For whole herbs, break a stem, then try the smell test. If you can’t remember what’s in a bottle or when you used it, throw it out. Store your most frequently used spices front and center, or line up your jars alphabetically. Create groups of spices you use together, such as baking spices. We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly used herbs and spices for fall.

Keep your spices organized with our Spice Jar Labels. Print them out on copier paper. Cut out along solid lines. Use double-stick tape to adhere labels to spice jars.