Skip to main content

Kitchen Organizing-The Refrigerator

I don't know about you, but at my house refrigerator organizing can be challenging! I'm pretty sure my husband can open the door and stand there, right in front of everything and still can't find what he's looking for! It has taken me quite a few years to figure out a system that actually works for us. I thought I would share my tips and maybe some of them will work for you.
  • I limit my groceries for what I will be cooking or eating that week. I like to freeze meals ahead so my freezer is full and I don't have to waste time on what I am going to cook every night. I usually buy organic produce which doesn't keep too long and I hate to throw food away, so my refrigerator might look a little bare, but that's how I like it!
  • Many of the items I make myself such as chicken and beef stock, yogurt, peanut butter, salsa, jelly, applesauce, syrup, dressings, and iced coffee. Most of my jars are labeled so my husband knows what is in them, and some I date with a sharpie so I know if it is getting outdated. 
  • I keep my condiments in a clear container because we usually have more than one with a meal, it's easy to take the container out and put it on the table.
  • I use another basket for my baking ingredients such as yeast, dry buttermilk, and coconut.
  • I use a basket for my eggs because I don't like cartons. (I know - weird).
  • I keep one shelf reserved strictly for leftovers or the current day's meals.
  • I store cheese sticks, goat cheese, and soft cheese in a basket in my cheese compartment. It works great when the kids come and grab a cheese stick, then everything doesn't get all mixed up.
  • I keep my fruit in a basket in the fruit and produce compartment. I use the meat compartment sometimes for extra veggies because I don't keep extra meat around, I either freeze it or cook it the same day that I buy it.
  • I use the enclosed door on the side of the refrigerator for milk, cream, half-n-half, and iced coffee.
  • On the other door shelves I keep items that we don't use as frequently such as dressings, bottled lemon and lime juice, grapeseed oil, and protein drinks.



I bought my baskets at the dollar store for a grand total of $4.00! I clean my refrigerator with white vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Happy organizing!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it! Ingredients : 5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread.  1/4 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 T vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Caramel Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla Directions : Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins.  Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk and butter
Read more

Homemade Goulash

Last weekend I made meals for the freezer. It takes a few hours but this will save you time during the week (in case you have nights like I do when you don't feel like cooking) and your family will love it! I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen (it's called Bobby's Goulash). I used organic ingredients but use the products of your choice. I would have liked to use fresh tomatoes from the garden but my tomatoes weren't quite ready. You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni. It's so tasty - my family loved it! Ingredients : 1 pound ground turkey 1 pound lean ground beef 1 -2 small onions, diced ( I used red onions) 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 3 cups water 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T Italian seasoning 3 bay leaves 3 T soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 1 T seasoning salt course ground pepper to taste 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) Putting it together: Brown meat and onions in a lar
Read more

Dad's Homemade Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler fresh from the oven! One of our favorite desserts is Dad's peach cobbler. This is a recipe that I use when I need a quick dessert. I always have the ingredients and it only takes a few minutes to mix it up. I modified it for gluten-free by making a change to the flour type, just in case you're looking for gluten-free. You can use fresh or frozen peaches, or even canned peaches work. I usually freeze enough Colorado peaches to take me through the seasons so I use those. This recipe makes about 6 servings. Ingredients : 1/3 c butter, melted 1-2 cups peaches, peeled and sliced 1 c sugar (white or organic cane) 1 c all-purpose flour ( or white rice flour for gluten-free ) 1 tsp cinnamon (this is optional, my family loves cinnamon!) 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 c milk (I use organic 2%) Directions : Melt butter and pour it into a baking pan, a 9x9 square glass pan works great.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and sa
Read more