The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I’ve Been Using for Years

There’s a little drawer in my kitchen that’s a total mess—measuring spoons, random chip clips, several rarely used gadgets, and at least one thing I meant to return during the pandemic. But somewhere in that drawer, you’ll always find a clear squeeze bottle or two from Dollar Tree.

They’re unassuming, the kind of product you might walk right past in the store. But I’ve been using mine for almost a decade, and I consider them kitchen essentials. I use them for everything, including sauces, pancake batters, and salad dressings I make on repeat.

They come in a two-pack for $1.25, and contribute ease to my meals, help with keeping track of food in my fridge, and are fun and helpful when entertaining. 

Why I Love Dollar Tree’s Clear Condiment Bottles

Each week, I meal-prep two or three sauces that I can store in the fridge and use throughout the week to help upgrade meals and make things a little easier—for example, a garlicky yogurt sauce that I drizzle over grain bowls, a sweet-and-spicy gochujang glaze for grilled meats, vegetables, and tofu, or a big batch of tangy, herby vinaigrette that I throw on everything from salads to store-bought hummus. 

The bottles help keep everything easily accessible, fresh, and clean. I love that I can have my favorite flavors at the ready and get a perfect, controlled drizzle every single time. (Seriously, it’s very satisfying.) My only note is that you may need to cut the opening to suit the consistency of whatever sauce you’re working with.

How I Use Dollar Tree’s Clear Condiment Bottles

With kids in the mix, I also keep things fun when I can. These bottles are brilliant for pancake art. I just pour the batter in (thinner batters work best), and breakfast instantly becomes an exciting activity because we’re making initials, hearts, and goofy animal shapes.

And when friends come over, especially for a casual taco night or a burger spread, I fill them with condiments like crema, different salsas, and my homemade burger sauce and garlic aioli. It’s much easier for everyone to serve themselves, and it reduces post-party cleanup. 

When I make a sauce, I add a name and date to the bottle using tape and a Sharpie or a chalk marker, which helps everyone in my house know what’s in it and when it expires. I also appreciate that they’re reusable. They clean up easily with a bit of hot, soapy water and the occasional help of a bottle brush. 

These squeeze bottles have been quietly making my cooking life easier for years, and I know they’ll do the same for you. At 62 cents apiece, there’s really no reason not to grab a pack next time you’re at Dollar Tree. Even if you only use them a few times a year, I promise it’ll still be worth it.

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