What’s In Your Junk Drawer: Top 10 Essential Items To Help You Manage Your Kitchen

By Naomi Ross

Everybody has that drawer in their kitchen. You know what I’m talking about, the infamous “junk drawer,” the tiny cubby with no semblance of organization where you can find a mish-mash of random items, some helpful, most of them not. In a mad rush to clean up when Auntie Sadie unexpectedly shows up, we tend to chuck things that don’t belong anywhere else into that handy little drawer.

But indeed, some of those non-essential, non-cooking items are often a big help when it comes to running an efficient kitchen. Some of these items, when employed effectively, can aid in our culinary exploits in the most unexpected ways.

Check out my Top 10 List to find out if you have the “right stuff” in your kitchen drawer!

Bag Clips: Save the waste and expense of food gone stale from poor storage. The simple invention of the bag clip can prevent waste! Packages that are closed properly will keep food fresh and unwanted critters out. Here’s a kitchen hack: a box of small pressure clips (think office supplies) will take up less room and work just as well.

Rubber Bands: the easiest and cheapest way to tie up small packages (like bags of peas or brown sugar). Rubber bands are also essential for securing items, like giving an extra measure of closure around a bowl that has been covered with plastic wrap, or for securing cheesecloth over a bowl to strain liquids.

Kitchen Twine & Dental Floss: whether trussing a chicken or tying a roast, the heavy-duty string is a food-safe lifesaver for keeping things tidy and intact during the cooking process. Dental floss (not minted!) can be used like a thin wire to neatly slice through soft items like goat cheese.

Rubber Gloves (disposable): some kitchen jobs are too dirty and messy for anyone but yours truly to do, or these jobs require covered hands to prevent bacterial cross-contamination. If no gloves are handy, a great kitchen hack is to use a sandwich bag secured with a rubber band. Works like a charm!

Toothpicks: one little poke will answer all your probing questions about the “doneness” of your cakes, muffins, etc. without leaving a noticeable mark in your baked goods. Classic baking wisdom 101: if it comes out clean, it’s done! Toothpicks are also a handy item for small detail work, like smoothing or removing excess frosting, meringue, etc. Wooden meat skewers work well, too, but leave a larger indentation.

Sharpie Markers: Permanent markers are the sine qua non of good labeling. This is key for frozen items, where liquids can wash away any evidence of what you tried to mark properly. Permanent markers also work well on multiple materials that pens do not, such as plastic containers, tin foil, glossy cardboard, etc.

Sticky Labels: Dispensable for an organized kitchen. Deciphering unrecognizable containers or bags is a poor use of your time. Labels are a clear way to mark and store perishables. And be sure to include dates and kashrut status. Freezer friendly labels are also helpful since they wash away well without leaving a sticky residue.

Meat Thermometer: a small appliance that will ensure juicy, perfectly cooked meats and poultry. The question really is, who wouldn’t want one?

Cheesecloth/ Bouquet Garnis bags: an easy wrap-up for the quick removal (and disposal) of herbs or spices, and an effective way of straining sauces and custards (or making cheese, which is why they call it “cheesecloth”).

Bandages/Ointment: Let’s face it, the kitchen can be a dangerous place and accidents do happen. Be ready when they do and always keep bandages (and ointment) ready and accessible. No one likes to run around the house when bleeding searching for bandages.

What about the actual “junk” in your drawer? If expired coupons, missing toy pieces, and broken crayons are hogging up space, it may just be time for a summer cleanout! n

Naomi Ross is a cooking instructor and food writer based in Woodmere, NY.  She teaches classes throughout the country and writes articles connecting good cooking and Jewish inspiration.  Her first cookbook, The Giving Table, was released in December 2022. Follow her at @naomirosscooks on Instagram/FB/TikTok or visit NaomiRossCooks.com.