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Fridge Organization Ideas, According to Serious Eats Staffers

As a staff of people who grocery shop and cook more than most—and make the same recipe over and over again until it’s seriously perfect—we use our fridges a lot.

So, we went ahead and compiled a list of our staffer’s favorite fridge organization ideas—ranging from the very practical (labels to keep track of stuff!) to the slightly-silly-but-still-useful (a baking soda penguin!). 

Serious Eats / Alli Waataja


Tape for Keeping Track


PHOTO: Amazon

Sharpie Permanent Markers Set

PHOTO: Amazon

I can’t say it enough: label everything. Taking a minute to write the food item and date on a piece of tape and slap the label on a container has massively helped me cut down on is-this-still-good guesswork. Plus, the act of writing a label helps me mentally organize what’s in my fridge. Blue painter’s tape is great, but I also like this freezer tape for its stickiness. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate commerce editorial director

FIFO: First In, First Out. I lived by this motto when I worked in professional kitchens and had to organize huge walk-in fridges and freezers, and I rely on this (on a much smaller scale) at home by rotating food so I am always using the “oldest” items first, and labeling dates on everything. I rely on freezer tape and markers to keep track of what I should use up first from my fridge or freezer. — Leah Colins, senior culinary editor

Lichamp Tape Dispenser

PHOTO: Amazon

I keep a weighted tape dispenser and sharpie on my kitchen counter for easy labeling. Like Riddley, I just need to label the things in my fridge—otherwise I lose track of what’s in my fridge and what needs to be eaten pronto! — Genevieve Yam, culinary editor

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik


Versatile Vessels You’ll Find in Professional Kitchens

Munfix Plastic Deli Containers with Lids

PHOTO: Amazon

Deli containers are the darling of restaurants everywhere, but they make the jump to the home kitchen splendidly. My fridge isn’t what I’d call organized, but these simple containers make it easier for me to at least attempt to keep things in order. They stack easily, they’re cheap, and they come in a variety of sizes (and the lids are universal, so no more scrabbling for one that’ll fit). — Grace Kelly, commerce editor

I sat here contemplating a fun and original answer to this question and then saw that Miss Grace Kelly had already nailed it. We are packed to the brim with delis over here and would be a disorganized, squished mess without them. Plus, they’re a perfect “oops, I forget my emotional support water bottle in the car/at the office/in the baby’s room while she’s napping” fix. A filled-to-the-brim deli is a perfect way to stay hydrated. — Tess Koman, executive editorial director

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik


Reusable Wraps That Rock

Amazon Trifecta Living Co. Beeswax Wraps

PHOTO: Amazon

I sometimes still use plastic wrap when it’s truly needed, but in more recent years I’ve switched to reusable beeswax food wrappers. They work just fine for covering up leftovers or sealing any container that lacks its own lid, and remove an otherwise heavy dependence on single-use plastics. — Daniel Gritzer, editorial director

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly


Stuff for Sorting Stuff

Utopia Home Large Refrigerator Organizer Bins

PHOTO: Amazon

Utopia Home Egg Container

PHOTO: Amazon

Would I call my fridge organized? No, but these organizers keep it from descending into complete and total chaos. They help me remember to place cans, condiments, cheese, herbs, and small produce in their place. The egg tray allows me to see how many eggs I have left and ensure I always have enough eggs to make brunch on Sunday. — Kelli Solomon, senior social media editor

Serious Eats / Sasha Marx


An Arguably Cute Deoderizer 

Monkey Business Chill Bill Refrigerator Deodorizer

PHOTO: Amazon

I’ve long kept a container of open baking soda in my fridge to help mitigate odors. A couple of years ago, I bought this penguin that holds baking soda in its belly instead. It’s entirely unnecessary, but I think it’s adorable (its name is Chill Bill). Plus, it takes up less space than a cardboard box. — Riddley

Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm


Bags for…Bagging Things

Ziploc 2 Gallon Food Storage Bags

PHOTO: Amazon

I store bags of flour in my freezer to keep it fresh for months. Sealing them in thick plastic bags keeps out mysterious smells (gross!). — Rochelle Bilow, commerce editor

Serious Eats / J. Kenji López-Alt


Reusable Bags for…Bagging Things

rezip 5-Piece Stand-Up Reusable Bag Bundle

PHOTO: Amazon

Greater Goods Reusable Silicone Containers for Food Storage

PHOTO: Amazon

There’s a theme to my recommendations and they all center around reducing plastic use in the kitchen, and in particular single-use plastics. I’ve come to rely on reusable zipper-lock bags thanks to my small collection of thinner plastic and silicone models. They’ve allowed my family to pack school lunches for months on end without resorting to disposable plastic, and are just as handy for shoving things in the fridge. Our use is so heavy that I’m confident we’ve more than made up (in both cost and overall plastic consumption) for what we would have used with disposable plastic sandwich and zipper-lock bags. — Daniel

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi


Useful, Absorbent Kitchen Towels

Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels

PHOTO: Amazon

A few years ago, I started lining my crisper drawer with a cotton towel and I’ve been doing it since. It absorbs extra moisture and keeps my produce from wilting too quickly. After a couple of weeks, if there’s any built-up debris (stray broccoli florets, torn kale leaves, etc.), I just swap out the old towel for a new one. I get to clean my produce drawer less and my vegetables stay crisp for longer. It’s a win-win! — An Uong, commerce writer

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik


Containers for Meal Prep

Pyrex Simply Store 6-Cup Rectangular Glass Food Storage Dish

PHOTO: Amazon

My fridge is a bit of a disaster area, but one thing I have found very helpful is having plenty of glass food storage containers on hand. I particularly like these rectangular Pyrex ones, which are easy to stack. I make big batches of quinoa, rice, and roasted veggies and spread them out in these so they cool quickly, and stack them in the fridge to use throughout the week in lunch salads and various dinners. — Megan O. Steintrager, associate editorial director

Serious Eats / Eric King


And Something for Fun

Burlap & Barrel Fridge Magnets

PHOTO: Burlap & Barrel

Do I *need* a set of spice-themed magnets for my refrigerator door? Obviously yes. The sumac is my favorite. — Rochelle

Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow


Why We’re the Experts

  • Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate commerce editorial director for Serious Eats. She’s been with the site since 2021 and has been testing gear professionally for more than six years. 
  • Riddley cleans her fridge every week.

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