Somewhere stacked in the back of your cupboards may be some ice cube trays. Instead of ice, they’re gathering dust. But don’t toss them out. We pulled out those plastic trays to try to come up with some cool new ways to use them in the kitchen. And don’t worry—if you don’t have some in your house, they’re available to buy pretty cheap on eBay and at home stores. So you can still use these great ideas.
Pesto chunks. Make pesto, then line a tray with plastic wrap (unless you don’t care if the sauce stains the tray a bright green) and fill the squares with the herb mixture and freeze. Drop a cube in as you’re cooking soups or pasta sauce.
Juice. Don’t toss those lemons that are going bad. Instead, squeeze the juice into a tray and freeze. Those juice cubes can add flavor to a glass of water. Or add to recipes like hummus—it’ll chill the mixture while giving it a firmer texture.
Flavor boosters. Store leftover tomato paste and canned chili peppers in trays, cover with wrap, and freeze. The small portions are handy when you need just a tablespoon or two for a recipe. Along with saving money, you reduce waste by not opening a new can.
Prep tray. Especially for recipes that call for loads of ingredients, an unused ice cube tray can be your best friend. Prepare for cooking ahead of time by putting any ingredients in the sections along with a few drops of water. When it comes time to cook, you can dump in the already chopped ingredients as needed.
Smoothie cubes. If you like to make smoothies but often have leftovers, save what you don’t drink by pouring it into ice cube trays. The small, frozen chunks are easy to mix back into a yummy drink by adding a little fruit juice or water. The cubes can also be a quick treat that’s easy for the kids to grab.
Chilled coffee drink. For a “gourmet” coffee drink, brew twice as much as you’d normally use. Pour coffee in the trays and freeze. Then, add the cubes to a batch of cooled, regular-strength coffee and enjoy.
Drink mixes. Regular ice cubes can dilute mixed drinks. But you still need that margarita chilled, right? So pour drink mix into ice cube trays then use it instead of ice cubes. This trick works great with Bloody Mary mix.
Self-serve counter. Make self-serve trays for things like ice cream toppings, dips, or taco toppings. This self-serve tray is especially good if you have kids making their own dishes—it’ll keep portions small and messes to a minimum (imagine that!).
Comments from Members
This would work great for lemonade to not get watered down too. Thanks!
Ice trays sound like a good idea. I will have to try. Good comments/
I've got 5 ice cube trays I was going to put in a garage sale. Needless to say, they're coming back in the house now! Thanks for the great ideas!
I put fresh chopped basil, which seems to spoil quickly, into ice trays for quick addition to eggs for breakfast and sauces.
I use ice cube trays for earings and other small jewelry. They fit in a drawer, stack on top of each other, and you can easily see what pieces will match what you are wearing. 
You can use ice cube trays to keep earrings and other jewelry seperated. The trays stack on one another, they are easy to put in drawers, and you can see everything you have to choose from at once. 
I use ice cube trays to put home-made baby food in. They are a good portion size and you can store them easily.
We have a Meyer Lemon tree which makes so many lemons that we have plenty to share with friends. We juice enough during the harvest season to last all year in the ice trays. As they freeze we dump them into freezer bags and refill the trays to repeat until all the juice is frozen. You can take out as many cubes as you need for your recipe. One cube is one tablespoon of juice.
Great thoughts especially on the Margarita..
Some new ideas here, which I appreciate! I have accumulated some ice trays at garage sales based on a tip I read elsewhere--saving individual eggs in them. Since we use very few eggs at my house, I loved that idea. However, I haven't found an ice tray with "slots" big enough for eggs. Now you've given me some new ideas to use my trays and satisfy my frugal nature. Thanks!
I freeze my fresh chives with water to enjoy in the winter.
should we cover them?
here's an original use for ice trays. ice. lol thats all i use mine for.
I use ice cube trays to sort out jewelry so I canfind each piece readily. Takes little space and can be stacked on top of each other and stashed in a drawer.
My son fills them with juice and covers with saran wrap. He then punches thru a toothpick in each and freezes for little popcicles.
Pat, I'm so envious of your Meyer lemon tree! Nothing better on a hot day than a perfectly chilled glass of tea w/ lemon.
I don't like wasting anything, these are great ideas!!
Love the idea !!!
What great idea's! My ice trays are indeed in the back of my cupboards. I will get them out today, and try some of the idea's. Thanks! 
I USE MINE TO MAKE BROTH CUBES. SAVE BROTH FROM CHICKEN, ROAST BEEF AND REFRIGERATE UNTIL THE FAT CONGEALS. SKIM THE FAT OFF AND FREEZE THE REST. GREAT FOR SOUPS, ETC. I USE IN PLACE OF BOUILLON CUBES. NO MSG OR EXTRA SALT.
Don't forget baby food. Make your own in bulk and put it in the ice trays. As your child gets old enough just warm a few cubes and food you know exactly what went into it ready in minutes. If it is a fruit it makes a great teething tool, a little messy but what is better than something nutritious.
Instead of buying those little seed starters, I use ice cube trays and they seem to grow faster for some reason. Then all you have to do is gently pull out the 'growth' and plant where you want. Judy in Melbourne, FL
I'm moving and was going to toss the ice cube trays. Now I'm taking them with me. Thanks for the great ideas.
Ice cube trays also work great in a desk or junk drawer. Instead of of loose screws,nuts,nails push pins paper clips ,rubber bands,and etc. (you get the idea) laying loosely in the bottom .The trays coral them easily and neatly making them right at your fingertips.
I use ice cube trays to put kool-aid in. Keeps the next batch of kool-aid from being diluted. It is also good to make a tray full from a single serve packet of Crystal Light. Then when you make a quart of it, the ice cubed versions keep it cooler! Plus a small ice cube of kool-aid or Crystal Light is a wonderful thing to let gradually melt in your mouth.
