As someone who doesn’t usually promote “hanging onto extras just in case”, I have to admit that one thing I usually save is glass jars, because I know I can always reuse them for something.
My favorite glass jars to save are:
- Pasta sauce
- Salsa
- Pickles
These jars are easy to clean and a great size to reuse for bulk food storage, freezing broth or liquid items, gifting smaller portions of homemade soup, or making pretty flower bouquets.
I have a special shelf in my laundry room that I devote to extra glass jars. When the shelf is full, I stop saving, but since I’m always using and giving the glass jars, I rarely ever fill the shelf.
Here are some of the ways I reuse glass jars…
Flower Bouquets
This is how it all started many years ago. I wanted to gift some of our flowers to neighbors, the kids’ teachers, friends from church, etc., but I didn’t have enough vases in the house. I started buying them up at thrift stores, but realized that could get pricey over time too (plus, I didn’t want to burden anyone with another vase they didn’t need).
I eventually realized that pasta sauce jars are an ideal size for garden flowers, and the recipient can simply trash or recycle the vase when they toss the flowers.
Storing Bulk Foods
I didn’t think it was possible to run out of Mason jars in my kitchen… but one day, I realised I didn’t have any left in the basement to use for my bulk food storage.
So, I decided to put some of my trusty glass jars to use to store our bulk nuts, seeds, granolas, trail mixes, croutons, and the like.
They fit perfectly in my narrow pantry cabinets and make it easy to quickly see what’s inside.
NOTE: Here’s a link to the chalkboard labels I use.
Freezing Broth
You need to be careful with this, as you don’t want the jar to break in the freezer, but as long as you leave about an inch or two of headspace when filling the jar, you should be fine.
It’s a great way to freeze broth without worrying that it will leak during the defrosting process (like it often does when frozen in zip-top bags).
Smoothies
I don’t personally do this, but we have friends who reuse glass jars for smoothies. They drink them with a straw, so it doesn’t matter if the lip is funny or not. They can secure the lid for easy transport and recycle or trash it when they are finished.
Here’s one of my favorite smoothie recipes.
Sourdough Starter
When I first started making sourdough, many years ago, I used an old glass jar for my starter.
I eventually “graduated” to an actual sourdough crock (which is much easier to stir), but if you’re looking to get into the sourdough world for cheap, these glass jars will work!
Look for one with a wide mouth — that will make your life easier.
Single Serving Soups
We give lots of food gifts to older single folks from church — so they don’t need a lot of food.
I’ll often use a smaller jar to give them one serving of homemade soup, a homemade roll, and a homemade cookie.
It’s easy enough to set aside when I’m making a full meal for our family, and I don’t need to worry about getting any dishes returned to me.
Watch my recent video to see how I reuse these jars!!
If you enjoy giving food or flower gifts, or if you’re just looking for a few extra storage containers for your own pantry, save a few glass jars and put them to use in and around your home this year.
Yup, I did just encourage you to SAVE something! 😉
Do you have any other uses for store-bought glass jars?
Natalia says
I use them for everything, from crafts to kitchen, including dried herbs from my garden.
I’ve been transferring the cereal from boxes to the jars as soon as the box was opened, but I stopped that when I noticed my little one was more interested in the box itself than the cereal.
Kathy says
Your flowers are gorgeous, Andrea! Plus, I enjoy your tips for reusing/recycling glass jars. I have spray painted the lids gold a few times so they match (yeah, a little bit of OCD!).
Andrea says
Thanks so much Kathy!
Others have mentioned painting the lids too — I honestly never thought of that. I’ll have to give it a try!
Alicia says
I love these suggestions. I don’t know why I’ve never thought to save the jars before? Such a great idea! The ideas in the comments are great, too!
Andrea says
in general, I’m not a huge fan of saving stuff “just in case” but with these jars, I always have a use for them so I save most of ours! 🙂
Marva says
I love getting to hear your voice in the video!
Andrea says
haha thanks 🙂
Betty Allen says
There is one more use for store food jars that many people believe is not possible. Food you buy in those jars is canned in a way that puts much more stress on the jar and lids than home canning does. The lids and sealing compound are way tougher than the two piece lids that come with mason jars.
The fact tat ALL lid-producing companies have been purchased by a conglamorite who changed production standards, making the lids unreliable, resulted in seals that can fail long after the food has been stored on the shelf, and rings that begin to rust and corrode after a single use. Rarely will they stand up to 4 or 5 uses.
The grocery store food jars and lids are reusable many times. Since there are so many sizes you have to keep them with the jar they fit, and the wholesalers who produce those lids will sell to individuals. They seem pricey, but the number of times you can reuse them makes them competitive.
Betty says
CORRECTION
That middle paragraph is referring to mason jars with the traditional two piece lids with a flat and screw ring.
Meghan says
Love the video, and I usually prefer reading!
I hate throwing away glass jars and our community no longer accepts them for recycling. I also don’t like using plastic for food storage so this is perfect! And giving flowers without need the vase back? Great ideas! Lime the idea of painted lids. Does anyone know what paint would be best?
Andrea says
glad you enjoyed the video — I’m hoping to do at least 1 or 2 a month. We’ll see how that goes for me!
Barbara says
Andrea, it looks as if you are using white plastic lids on your Mason jars, to unify their “look”. I do that, also.
I re-use glass jars with metal lids; and unify the jars by painting the metal lids in the same color. It’s a short, fun project that gets rid of visual “clutter” and creates a simpler, intentional collection.
Because I’m a visual person, I enjoy using glass containers as much as possible…..it’s easy to see what is there, and become inspired to do something with it!…..oooo – chocolate chips and walnuts! : )
Andrea says
Thanks so much — this is an awesome idea! I can’t wait to try it!!
Tiffany says
The Aldi salsa jars make excellent water glasses… large enough to really stay hydrated. We go thru enough salsa that I have enough to have a “matching set” for fun summer drinks!
Andrea says
I’ve never used them as water glasses, but they are a really great size for food gifts! I honestly don’t even love the salsa that much, but I LOVE the jars!!
Rachel says
I use these glass jars to pour grease into – rather than pouring it down the sink. I just keep it under the sink and add to it until it’s full.
My question for reusing them for food – how do you get the salsa smell out of them. Even after putting them thru the dishwasher – they still smell like what was in them. Even the glass honey jar still smells. If you leave the lids off – does the smell go away after time? after several washings? Am I the only one this happens to? Thanks
Barbara says
Baking soda in the jar, with lid on, for a time, should help eliminate odor.
Andrea says
Good idea for the grease! I often use yogurt tubs (after the grease cools a bit) for this!
As for the smell, I usually rinse them really well and then put them in the dishwasher. Pickles are the worst for me, but yes, if you leave the lid off for a few days, the smell SHOULD be gone. Letting a mixture of baking soda and water sit in the jar for a bit is a simple smell-absorber too!
Betty says
Baking soda – I throw a handful into the dishwasher occasionally anyway.
You could use vinegar BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME AS. BAKING SODA.
The suggestion about baking soda in the jar is a good one. Or use a goodly quantity oh baking soda and fill the jar with water. Seal tightly and allow to set upside down for a few days or however long it takes.
Caro says
As the lids are mostly the smelly part – I put some coffee grounds in it and let it stand for some hours.
Karen says
Great idea! I’ve just started doing this in my fridge instead of baking soda ~ works great.
Andrea says
good idea! Thanks Caro!
Rachel says
Thank you all. I will try the baking soda route first since we are not coffee drinkers. These jars would be great for sharing/storing soup along with all the other great ideas. Just can’t get past that lingering smell. Thanks.
Rhonda says
I don’t usually save these unless they fit a standard Mason jar lid. But now after watching your video, I am going to start!
Christy says
I also use the jars for leftovers! The lids seal better than the plastic or rubber lids for my glass bowls so I don’t have to worry about things leaking in my husbands lunch. I’ve also started using jars to store cut up fruit and veggies in the fridge. My teens can easily see what’s in the jar. This last week I made home made tomato soup and put leftover soup into smaller jars and froze them for individual servings for lunch or snacks when I don’t have leftovers for my husbands lunch.
Caroline says
Coconut oil works really well to remove jar labels.I just put a little bit on a paper towel and rub it over the stickiness and it comes off quickly and easily.
Natalia says
Great idea, Caroline! Thank you!
Ann says
Andrea,
Do you have a trick in removing labels? Have tried without much success.
Thanks,
Ann in SC
J says
Spraying with oil like PAM, or WD-40, nail polish remover, soaking in hot soapy water, scrubbing with steel wool, running through the dishwasher (making sure to clear the screen afterward!) and a razor blade! These are all things I have used/done to remove labels- sometimes it takes a combination! Salad dressing bottles are more “vase-shaped”, for give-away flowers. I’m lucky because we have curb-side recycling here for everything except plastic bags and Styrofoam. Those have to be dropped off at a special place.
Melissa says
BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement!
Priyanka says
I do this too, since we buy the same brand of spaghetti sauce every time, I have a good stock of glass jars that are similar looking.
Love the video post!
Andrea says
Thanks Priyanka! I’m not sure how many videos I’ll do, but hopefully at least one a month!
Chris says
Have you or any of your readers had success in removing Oiu yogurt labels? The jars are so cute. (No lids though)
Heather says
I have removed the labels, then used goo-gone on whatever stickiness remained. My daughter’s preschool teacher used them for crafts.
Chris says
Thank you!
Betty says
Oh! Why on earth do never think of Goo Gone for the sticky stuff? And, it also comes as a spray !
Andrea says
Yes, GooGone is what I use too! It works well — then I run them through the dishwasher once more to remove any extra residue or greasiness.
Diana says
I do this with certain sizes of jars too–especially Classico spaghetti sauce. Did you know the Classico lids fit any regular-mouth Mason jar? (And they seal better than the white plastic lids you can buy.) And in our area, the Classico often goes on sale for less than $2, making a pretty quick, inexpensive meal and I get the jar too!
Question: do you have a process or special substance that helps you get the labels off? I use baking soda + soap sometimes, but it still takes a lot of scrubbing.
Donna G says
try making a paste with baking soda and a little olive (or other) oil. It’s a non-toxic goo-gone and works pretty well! A woman stuck some stickers on my car a few years ago without my knowledge or permission, and this took them right off!
Michele Arias says
We use our jars for cookies in a jar and other jar goodies for holidays. We had to convert the measurements to fit our smaller sizes, but now it’s easy to refer to and so sweet.
Michelle Bonk says
At our local Bulk Barn (bull food store) you can sometimes get a 25% discount by bringing in your own reusable containers.
Andrea says
wow — that’s an awesome incentive!