A great set of food storage containers can help you stay organized, keep food fresher for longer and even be aesthetically pleasing. Whether you’re meal prepping at the beginning of a week, saving leftovers for your lunch or packing up meals for your family, different types of containers can come in handy for all your various needs. And if there’s anyone who uses lots of food storage containers, it’s chefs.
To find out what the pros are using, we turned to a pair of experts who weighed in on the food storage containers they actually use at home. Jennifer Aaronson, global culinary director of Marley Spoon, told us that for years, she “used the classic quart, pint, and half-pint deli containers you’ll find in just about every professional kitchen. They’re lightweight, stack really well, and their tall shape doesn’t take up much room in the fridge.”
A few years ago, she switched to glass containers for most of her home cooking to cut back on plastic, and it’s what she reaches for most days. She uses glass for everything from leftovers to prepped veggies, sauces and more. “I also think food stays fresher longer since many glass containers have airtight, leakproof lids,” she added.
Molly Wilkinson, a pastry chef based in Versailles, France, told HuffPost, “This is going to be funny, but I absolutely love re-using old Bonne Maman jars. There’s something about the size and shape that’s perfect for egg whites to freeze, lemon curd, or caramel — or on the savory side, a personal portion of pasta salad, washed berries or cherry tomatoes.”
Below, we’ve rounded up our experts’ favorite food storage containers, and added a few editors’ picks based on their suggestions. Take a look and pick a few up for yourself to elevate your food storage game while keeping your kitchen cabinets nice and tidy.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Amazon
A complete set of BPA-free clear plastic deli containers
Jennifer Aaronson, global culinary director of Marley Spoon, said, “I’m not very brand loyal, but I’m more loyal to the type of container. In restaurant kitchens, those classic deli containers are the go-to because they’re stackable, space-efficient, and incredibly versatile, and this brand is actually BPA-free.”
This set includes 70 containers and lids in three different sizes. They are microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe, and the lids are interchangeable between sizes, making it an incredibly versatile and convenient set to have on hand. They will also come in handy if you’re someone who likes to cook for others; you won’t ever be left waiting to get your container back!
Promising review: “I find all kinds of uses for these cups. One of my favorite things is to make mini cheesecakes (not the cooked ones) in them. The individual sizes are great for quick snacks or for taking to an event or for taking a few to a sick friend.” — Domestic Engineer
Amazon
A set of nine glass food storage containers from the HuffPost reader-fave Rubbermaid Brilliance line
Aaronson shared that, “At home, I just look for sturdy glass containers with airtight lids. They’re durable, easy to clean, and do a great job keeping leftovers and ingredients fresh.”
These Rubbermaid Brilliance glass containers are among HuffPost readers’ favorite kitchen items; they are often among our bestsellers during Amazon Prime Day. This 18-piece set is made of airtight and leak-proof glass containers that are also made to be odor- and stain-resistant, have a stacking, modular design to help you stay organized, are oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, microwave-safe and aesthetically pleasing.
Promising review: “Good quality and very easy to close. I haven’t used them in the oven, but they are great for storage and reheating in the microwave. Covers fit snugly and the glass is thick and durable.” — Alida Thorpe
Amazon
A three-pack of Bonne Maman fruit preserves to repurpose as storage jars
Molly Wilkinson, a pastry chef based in Versailles, France, told HuffPost that she loves reusing old Bonne Maman jars to store food. She thinks the size and shape make them surprisingly versatile and multifunctional. If you’ve ever purchased Bonne Maman jam, there’s a good chance you’ve been tempted to keep them to store all kinds of things, and now you have a professional encouraging you to do so.
This set of three includes apricot, cherry and strawberry preserves, so you can enjoy the taste of summer before repurposing these useful little jars to your heart’s content.
Promising review: “Bonne Maman. My favorite! I have enjoyed these jams and preserves ever since I was a young child. So natural and fresh. I enjoy them on toast or on a PB&J. Best jams and preserves on the market.” — KarenAma
Ikea
A set of three glass containers and lids from IKEA
Wilkinson shared, “For larger containers, I use IKEA! I like their glass containers with the plastic lids that clip along the sides…They’re good sizes, work great, and you can even put them in the oven, so they’re great for storing leftovers and reheating.”
This set of three containers comes in at just under $15, which is very reasonable given the quality and seal of approval from an expert. They’re square-shaped and hold up to 20 ounces of food. The snap-on lids are airtight and leakproof, while the glass container is designed to be stain-proof and not absorb odors. Best of all, these versatile containers are oven-, microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe. You can even plop one in an air fryer!
Promising review: “These glass storage containers are a very convenient size. The lids easily snap on and off, and they can be stacked.” — Carolyn
Amazon
A four-pack of glass storage containers with a bamboo lid
For those looking to infuse a bit of minimalist beauty into their kitchen, these multifunctional storage containers are a must-have. I own the vertical versions of them for storing my dry goods and absolutely love them. These containers can hold up to 36 ounces each and are made of borosilicate glass and are freezer-, microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe. The bamboo lids have a silicone seal that makes them airtight, and they also function as cutting boards.
Promising review: “Really nice quality glass, great size for leftovers. Have used in freezer and fridge. Great buy. Love them.” — Julie Ruggins
Amazon
A 12-pack of Snapware glass containers and lids
I own this exact set and truly cannot live without it. It’s perfect for leftovers, transporting food, storing baby food and more. They’re made from high-quality, durable glass with BPA-free plastic lids. They are stackable and easy to store, along with being dishwasher-, freezer- and microwave-safe. They’re an absolute must in every kitchen.
Promising review: “Leakproof and sturdy. I love that these are glass rather than plastic. The lids snap on securely and they are perfect for meal prep. You definitely get your value for your money. It doesn’t hold on to food odor. You can stack them up nicely.” — Miriam Rodriguez
Amazon
A set of three Pyrex mixing bowls that double as storage containers
If you’re a fan of the vintage aesthetic, look no further than these colorful, sculpted glass mixing bowls from Pyrex. They have all the visual appeal of mid-century Pyrex containers, with the benefits and longevity of modern construction. The set of three containers includes BPA-free lids, and both the tempered glass and lids are freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: “I LOVE these, they’re so pretty and the sizes are perfect. I’ve used the big one for bringing salads to gatherings as well as baking and the other too are staples in my kitchen. I use them all the time and they’re a great swap for plastic bowls and the covers make them leak-proof!” — Jennifer
Amazon
A 10-pack of glass storage containers and airtight snap lids
These glass containers were designed to nest inside each other, which is a must for those of us looking to save space. They’re stackable, dishwasher-safe, can be used for freezer storage, and the containers are microwave-safe. With 20 pieces in two sizes, this set has everything you need and is surprisingly affordable for such a robust collection.
Promising review: “I’ve been really happy with these glass meal prep containers. The glass feels sturdy, the lids seal tightly to help keep food fresh, and they stack neatly in the refrigerator to save space. They’re the perfect size for meal prepping lunches or storing leftovers, and I like that I don’t have to worry about food sitting in plastic. They’ve held up well through regular use and cleaning, and I haven’t had any issues with leaks. Overall, this is a great set if you’re looking for durable, reusable food storage containers.” — Dominic Cancilla
Amazon
A roll of dissolvable food labels
As a parting gift, Wilkinson shared an incredible kitchen tip. “Also… one big suggestion for food storage: when labeling the containers, use dissolvable labels. You’ll usually find these for jam production, but they are so good just for everyday labeling so there’s no question of if it’s a gravy or a chocolate mousse. Ha!”
This roll of dissolvable food labels will help you keep your containers organized without ruining them. They are designed to dissolve at any water temperature in less than 30 seconds, and are made with high-quality, safe materials that are PFAS-free. They will stick to everything from glass, wood, metal, plastic and more.
Promising review: “I make everything from scratch and my fridge is full most of the time. The only problem is knowing how long something has been in the fridge. I was using labels from a label maker and while they worked well. However, removing them was a nightmare. These labels easily dissolve in water and leave no sticky residue on my glass or plastic lids. They’re the perfect size to clearly write what’s in the container and the date the food was made. The labels are high quality, they don’t smudge, look nice on my containers and affordable. I highly recommend these dissolvable labels.” — Ben Amos
