This $6 IKEA Herb Storage Gem Stops Your Fresh Herbs from Wilting and is the Bestseller Every Fridge Needs
It's compact, non-toxic, and will keep your herbs crisp for up to three weeks
Buying a beautiful bunch of fresh, crisp herbs such as cilantro or mint, only to find it has turned into a sad, slimy science project three days later, is a bit of a disappointment, to say the least.
As a second-generation Persian and avid home cook who uses fresh herbs in almost every meal, and has felt that pang of food-waste guilt all too often, I was thrilled to find a neat and useful non-toxic solution for just $6. The fit-for-purpose IKEA KLIPPKAKTUS fridge herb storage container is a constant bestseller, and I can see why.
I'm Getting Four of These Clever Fridge Herb Storage Containers
Loaded with a useful viewing window, lift-top access for picking leaves, and a tall design that will still fit in the average fridge door, this IKEA bestseller will prolong the life of your most delicate produce.
I’m a big fan of fresh mint tea, and also use a lot of it, basil, and other fresh herbs in my Persian cooking at home, but I am fed up with wasting food due to a lack of proper storage. I am now saying goodbye to my cobbled-together fridge herb greenhouse, consisting of a glass cup and a plastic freezer bag, and getting four of the IKEA herb gems instead.
They have a little pull-down window so you can grab the leaves you need without removing the storage from its snug spot in the fridge door, which makes it a great fix for busy home cooks like me.
With my current setup, I have to take it all to the counter, remove the bag, clip the strands or leaves that I want, then fidget with the plastic bag’s zip to get everything squared away again. The IKEA bestseller is a much more practical solution built for this exact purpose.
Plus, it fits in the average fridge door easily at just 3 ¾ inches long, 11 inches high, and 3 5/8 inches wide.
It’s made from SAN plastic and Polypropylene which is exceptionally durable, though there is a note on the listing, referring to a 'California AB 1200 Warning'. This warning is regarding styrene and acrylonitrile in this product.
It’s important to know, however, that these labels are required by California law because those chemicals are used in the manufacturing process of SAN plastic, which is part of this product.
However, in the finished, solid state of your herb storer, these elements are chemically locked and stable. The product is therefore non-toxic, BPA-free, and perfectly safe for keeping your cilantro, parsley, and other green herbs fresh.
What Shoppers Say
Many shoppers on the IKEA website rate it as a five-star product, commenting on the useful height, so their herbs do not bend or snap, and that the reservoir design helps their fresh herbs last two more or more in their fridge door, rather than wilting or going off before they can get to use it without fuss.
One shopper, Sabine, gave the ‘very practical’ herb storage item five stars, and said, ‘[I] have four that fit nicely on fridge door. Keeps my cilantro, parsley, bay leaves, and dill fresh. Easy to use. Pull down the window at the front when you need some herbs, and then pull it up to close. I highly recommend these.’
Fellow happy shopper Ruth said, ‘I bought this herb storage because I am always having to throw away the herbs that I buy. They don't last long in the fridge. So far, I have thyme in one of them, and it looks fresh. So I am happy.’
Where one reviewer mentioned the build being too loose, IKEA replied that they’re always continuing to ‘renew and improve’, and it doesn’t appear to be a consistent issue for those who have purchased and reviewed the item. The only other negative review was from someone who found their cilantro did not stay fresh. As a lifelong fresh herb prepper, I have some advice to avoid this issue.
Getting the Most out of Your Herb Storage
As someone who grew up prepping, storing, and eating an enormous volume of fresh herbs for, and alongside, my family’s Persian recipes and dinner parties, here are my top tips for keeping yours fresh:
- Wash, pat dry, and trim the stems of fresh herbs as soon as you bring them home. This helps the sealed ends start taking water up again, keeping leaves fresh and crisp. I found leaving them in the plastic bags from the grocery store sends them to the trash far sooner than properly prepping and storing them as soon as they enter your kitchen.
- Remove any blackened leaves to avoid the damage from spreading. I find this is usually related to being stored at too high a temperature, or the odd leaf that became overcrowded.
- Replenish your water reservoir every few days. This reduces the risk of mold and bacteria impacting your fresh herbs, so they’ll last longer.
- Clean and dry your herb storage container before every use. I tend to give my herb containers in the fridge a clean and dry weekly to prolong the life of my produce.
What to Shop
Keeping your fresh produce in good condition for as long as possible, and creating a non-toxic home with specially-designed food storage, will not only prolong the period in which you can safely use them and reduce food waste in your kitchen, but also help you streamline your space and improve functionality without introducing materials that can leach chemicals and harmful microplastics into your ingredients.
This is my vetted selection of other useful food storage products that may be of interest to you.
This popular, affordable herb storage container slots into your fridge door and keeps your leaves crisp and fresh for a number of weeks. Cleaning and drying your produce, and clipping the stems will help you get the most longevity.
This herb storage has a water reservoir you can easily top up, and keep herbs fresh in your fridge for up to three weeks. Much like the IKEA bestseller, this one, apparently loved by Oprah Winfrey, slots neatly in your fridge door.
I swear by food storage containers like this with drip trays for my weekly rotation of fresh salad items and soft berries that I wash, pat dry, and prep for my lunchtime poke bowls. It keeps my prepped red cabbage fresh for two to three weeks.
If you’re anything like me and enjoy a squeeze of lemon, half an avocado, or some tomato slices in your lunch, you’re probably keeping the leftovers in aluminum foil or a bowl. Save space and keep extra portions crisp with reusable, air-tight, silicone bags.
For those who enjoy a large volume of fresh herbs, this 1.8 qt container is perfect for taller, crisp herbs at a larger volume than fridge doors allow. It is also available in 1.6 qt, 4.3 qt, and 5 qt options across the matching collection at The Container Store.
This set of non-toxic bags is great for packing lunches, storing fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables, or freezing portions of your favorite batch-cooked meals. They can be used up to, on average, 450 times each, vastly reducing your plastic usage.
Switching to non-toxic cookware and one of the best non-toxic air fryers will also make your kitchen safer.
Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
