Repurposed Spice Jar
Ingredients:
- 6 g (2 tbsp) dried oregano
- 4 g (2 tbsp) dried basil
- 3 g (1 tbsp) dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary, crushed
- 3 g (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 2.3 g (1 tsp) onion powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) red wine vinegar
- 5 g (1 tsp) Dijon mustard
- 5 ml (1 tsp) honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 clean empty spice jar
- Small pebbles or gravel
- Activated charcoal (optional)
- Potting soil
- 1 small succulent or moss cutting
Equipments:
Features:
20 minutes or less
Gluten-Free
Raw
Grain-Free
Soy-Free
Refined Sugar-Free
Nut-Free
Nutrition:
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Make sure the jar is completely dry before adding the spice blend — any leftover moisture causes the dried herbs to clump or mold in storage.
Instructions:
Option 1: Homemade Spice Blend
- Clean the jar — Wash your empty spice jar thoroughly with warm soapy water. Remove the old label. Let it dry completely.
- Mix your spices — In a small bowl, combine oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- Fill the jar — Using a small funnel or spoon, pour the blend into the jar. Tap gently to settle.
- Label it — Add a handwritten or printed label with the blend name and date made.
- Store — Keep in a cool, dry place. Use within 6–12 months for best flavor.
Option 2: Salad Dressing Shaker
- Prep the jar — Remove the sifter insert and replace with a solid lid or leave as-is for a drizzle effect.
- Add ingredients — Pour in olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey. Season with salt and pepper.
- Shake and serve — Seal tightly and shake vigorously before each use. Drizzle directly over your salad.
- Refrigerate — Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake before each use.
Option 3: Mini Herb Terrarium
- Prepare the jar — Remove the sifter lid. Clean and dry the jar completely.
- Add drainage layer — Place a thin layer of small pebbles at the bottom (about ¼ inch).
- Add charcoal — Sprinkle a small pinch of activated charcoal to keep things fresh (optional but recommended).
- Add soil — Spoon in potting soil to fill about half the jar.
- Plant your cutting — Use tweezers to gently place a small succulent, moss, or herb cutting into the soil.
- Water lightly — Add just a few drops of water. These mini terrariums need very little moisture.
- Display — Place on a sunny windowsill and enjoy your tiny garden!
Tips & Notes: Spice jars with sifter tops are perfect for homemade blends — no additional tools needed. Larger spice jars (3-4 oz) work best as dressing shakers and terrariums. For dressing, leave the sifter in place to control pour speed.
More Repurposing Ideas: Craft storage: fill with glitter, beads, or small buttons for easy crafting access. Seed packets: store leftover garden seeds by plant type. Travel toiletries: fill with sea salt scrub, dry shampoo, or bath salts. Candle holders: remove the lid and drop in a small tea light. Baking sugar shaker: fill with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar for easy dusting.
Storage: Spice blends keep up to 12 months in a cool, dark pantry. Salad dressing should be refrigerated and used within 7 days. Terrariums do best kept near indirect sunlight, watered sparingly every 2-3 weeks.
Common Mistakes: Not drying the jar fully before filling — moisture ruins dry spice blends. Overfilling terrarium jars — leave space for the plant to breathe. Using jars that previously held strong spices (like curry) for dressings without thorough cleaning.
Every ingredient here earns its place, but a few really shape the dish. The dried oregano adds an earthy, aromatic herbal backbone. The dried basil adds a fresh, peppery herbal note. The dried thyme adds an earthy, aromatic herbal backbone. The garlic powder builds a savory, aromatic base.
Repurposed Spice Jar
Ingredients:
- 6 g (2 tbsp) dried oregano
- 4 g (2 tbsp) dried basil
- 3 g (1 tbsp) dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary, crushed
- 3 g (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 2.3 g (1 tsp) onion powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) red wine vinegar
- 5 g (1 tsp) Dijon mustard
- 5 ml (1 tsp) honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 clean empty spice jar
- Small pebbles or gravel
- Activated charcoal (optional)
- Potting soil
- 1 small succulent or moss cutting
Equipments:
Features:
Why These Ingredients:
Every ingredient here earns its place, but a few really shape the dish. The dried oregano adds an earthy, aromatic herbal backbone. The dried basil adds a fresh, peppery herbal note. The dried thyme adds an earthy, aromatic herbal backbone. The garlic powder builds a savory, aromatic base.
Prep:
Make sure the jar is completely dry before adding the spice blend — any leftover moisture causes the dried herbs to clump or mold in storage.
Instructions:
Option 1: Homemade Spice Blend
- Clean the jar — Wash your empty spice jar thoroughly with warm soapy water. Remove the old label. Let it dry completely.
- Mix your spices — In a small bowl, combine oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- Fill the jar — Using a small funnel or spoon, pour the blend into the jar. Tap gently to settle.
- Label it — Add a handwritten or printed label with the blend name and date made.
- Store — Keep in a cool, dry place. Use within 6–12 months for best flavor.
Option 2: Salad Dressing Shaker
- Prep the jar — Remove the sifter insert and replace with a solid lid or leave as-is for a drizzle effect.
- Add ingredients — Pour in olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey. Season with salt and pepper.
- Shake and serve — Seal tightly and shake vigorously before each use. Drizzle directly over your salad.
- Refrigerate — Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake before each use.
Option 3: Mini Herb Terrarium
- Prepare the jar — Remove the sifter lid. Clean and dry the jar completely.
- Add drainage layer — Place a thin layer of small pebbles at the bottom (about ¼ inch).
- Add charcoal — Sprinkle a small pinch of activated charcoal to keep things fresh (optional but recommended).
- Add soil — Spoon in potting soil to fill about half the jar.
- Plant your cutting — Use tweezers to gently place a small succulent, moss, or herb cutting into the soil.
- Water lightly — Add just a few drops of water. These mini terrariums need very little moisture.
- Display — Place on a sunny windowsill and enjoy your tiny garden!
