11 Best Food Storage Containers That Help Keep Your Food Fresh
Updated: Dec. 14, 2022Whether your leftovers simply need somewhere to live or your produce could use a pick-me-up, the best food storage containers help you preserve food and combat food waste
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Food storage made easy
Back in the ’50s and ’60s, the only food storage containers available to us came via Tupperware parties at our neighbor’s house. Nowadays, there are a lot more options for storing food. Many use new technology to keep things fresh for longer and minimize food waste (so you don’t always have to toss food after the expiration date passes) and feature thoughtful designs that help you maximize fridge organization and pantry organization. Sometimes more isn’t always more, though, and it can be overwhelming to figure out what refrigerator organizers, canisters and other food keepers will be most effective. Which is why we’ve made your life easier by rounding up the 10 best food storage containers.
What to consider when buying food storage containers
When buying these containers, first consider functionality, followed by lifestyle. What do you actually need them for? The best food storage containers are often small tubs, which allow you to group similar items for optimal organization. Large food storage containers, on the other hand, can be great for family-size food but may become disorganized when filled with smaller items.
They come in so many different materials, though. That’s where lifestyle comes into play. Something silicone and collapsible will be useful if you’re short on storage space. Something plastic will be lightweight and affordable. And something glass will last for years.
Still stumped? In general, glass food storage containers are better than plastic. Glass can last forever with the right care and can also be recycled, whereas plastic cannot. It’s also the better option for your health because heat can release the toxic chemicals used to make plastic. And not only can you put glass in the freezer but it’s also a smarter choice for frozen foods because it doesn’t release chemicals when frozen.
That said, glass is much heavier than plastic and silicone, making it impractical for transportation. It also tends to take up more room than plastic or silicone. And glass is more likely to break when dropped, so if you’re worried about accidents—say, your kid dropping his lunch on the ground—silicone and plastic are a better bet.
Other factors to consider include storage location, quality, size, price, features and aesthetics.
How we picked the best food storage containers
From combing through user reviews to peeking at what the pros are using to testing products ourselves, an extensive amount of research went into selecting the best food storage containers. In the process, we identified different organizational needs to give you a list of food storage products with range. Whether you’re tidying up one of the best refrigerators on the market or organizing an old clunker, these tools will help you get the job done.
Here are our picks for the best food storage containers out there:
- Best overall: Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Set
- Best reusable bags: Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bowls
- Best set: Caraway Food Storage Set
- Best for dry ingredients: Progressive Prepworks ProKeeper Baking Canister Set
- Best collapsible containers: Kitchen + Home Thin Bins Collapsible Container Set
- Best reusable wraps: Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
- Best vacuum-sealed saver: Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Starter Set
- Best lazy Susan: Copco Nonskid Lazy Susan Turntable
- Best storage bins: Utopia Home Organizer Bins
- Best for produce: Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Savers
- Best for herbs: OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Herb Keeper
Best overall
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Set
The best food storage containers do more than just contain, like this translucent glass set from Rubbermaid. You can use the containers in the fridge or freezer (where they’ll help prevent freezer burn) and modularly stack them. Our favorite part is the BPA-free plastic lids: Not only are they airtight, leakproof and stain- and odor-resistant, but they’re also created with built-in steam vents under the latches, so you can microwave with them on. The lids are also designed to fit across other containers in the Rubbermaid Brilliance line. Then there are the glass bases, which are oven-safe for up to 450 degrees.
Pros:
- Modular design for easy stacking
- Lids can be reused for the whole Brilliance line
- Built-in steam vents under the lid latches for microwaving
Con:
- Only comes in one color
Best reusable bags
Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bowls
If green living is your objective, you’ve probably heard of Stasher, a reusable bag company known for its planet-friendly stance (it even donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental organizations). But did you know it recently came out with an amazing line of silicone reusable bowls? What makes them some of the best food storage containers out there is their versatility. While you can use these for any leftovers or snacks, they’re especially great for liquids, which benefit from their leak-free seal, upright design and built-in spout. From an organizational perspective, Stasher bags are great because they don’t have lids (less to lose) and store inside one another.
Pros:
- A melding of a bag and bowl design for greater versatility
- Built-in spout for mess-free pouring
- Leak-free seal
- Nest inside one another for space-saving storage
Con:
- An investment upfront
Best set
Caraway Food Storage Set
Who says food storage containers can’t be as attractive as they are functional? Caraway’s Food Storage Set will level up your kitchen organization game with glass containers and storage organizers to keep them tidy. The ceramic-coated glass is nontoxic and nonstick, and though they may look like the sort of handwash-only goods you’d find at a high-end shop, they’re completely safe to pop in the dishwasher—and microwave and freezer too. Bonus: You can use them as a bento box, packing your lunch in the smaller containers and toting them in a larger one (straps to secure the container included!).
Pros:
- 14-piece set includes nine glass containers, three organizers and two straps
- Stylish design that comes in six colors
- Dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe
Con:
- Higher priced than competitors
Best for dry ingredients
Progressive Prepworks ProKeeper Baking Canister Set
These airtight food storage containers put all others to shame. Truly designed with dry ingredients in mind (there are measurement marks on every container), this set of six includes a removable level for flour, a flip-pour spout for sugar, a terracotta disk to keep brown sugar fresh, a dusting spoon and level for powdered sugar and a dusting screen and level for the two mini keepers. As for the airtight seal, one Floridian reviewer says the containers were proven “hurricane storm surge-proof.” So they should do just fine storing flour and other essentials in your pantry.
Pros:
- Designed with dry ingredients in mind
- Unique functional feature for each container
- Three different lid color options
- Literally hurricane-proof seal
Con:
- No labels provided
Best collapsible containers
Kitchen + Home Thin Bins Collapsible Container Set
If you’re over the idea of dedicating an entire drawer or even cabinet to your food storage containers, it’s time to give these collapsible ones a try. Even when they’re compacted to a third of their original size (a feature that alone makes them one of the best food storage containers), the airtight lids can still easily snap on, putting an end to your missing-lid crisis. The silicone is nontoxic, BPA-free and food grade, as well as odorless, tasteless, nonstick and temperature resistant. Use them to organize your freezer or fridge, then toss them into the microwave and dishwasher as needed.
Pros:
- Compacts to a third of its original size
- Airtight lids snap on even when container is collapsed
- High-quality silicone
- Safe for the microwave, freezer and dishwasher
Con:
- Available in only one color combination
Best reusable wraps
Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
No one actually likes plastic wrap, least of all Mother Earth. These reusable wraps—made from certified organic cotton, responsibly sourced beeswax, certified organic plant oils and tree resin—are way more sustainable and work the exact same way. With proper care, you can use them for a year in your fridge, pantry and more. When it’s time to say goodbye, toss them in your compost bin. Bonus: As a B Corp and certified Green America company, Bee’s Wrap supports ocean conservancy and environmental stewardship.
Pros:
- Reusable and compostable wrap
- Made from sustainable materials
- Company gives back to environmental causes
Con:
- Not transparent
Best vacuum-sealed saver
Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Starter Set
How long can leftovers last in the fridge? It depends. Food stays good in the fridge for different lengths of time, but vacuum-sealing can help keep food fresh for up to five times longer than other methods. This starter set is the perfect way to dip your toes in, complete with a rechargeable vacuum sealer machine, four reusable zip-closure bags and one glass container (perfect for making food like chicken last in the fridge). Use the bags and container for organizing the freezer or fridge, and even for microwaving. One cool extra is the Zwilling app, which you can use to track your storage and prevent food waste.
Pros:
- Keeps food fresh for up to five times longer by using a vacuum sealer
- Includes everything you need
- App tracks food storage
Con:
- Starter set comes with only one container
Best lazy Susan
Copco Nonskid Lazy Susan Turntable
Your kitchen organization will never be the same after you begin incorporating this Copco turntable. Ideal for both the pantry and the fridge, it not only keeps items contained but also ensures they’re reachable and in sight. A couple super thoughtful details: The nonskid base and raised rim ensure everything stays where it’s supposed to, while the 16 color combinations are just plain fun.
Pros:
- Turntable design that keeps everything reachable and within sight
- Nonskid base and raised rim
- 16 color combinations
Con:
- Base’s pattern can be tricky to clean
Best storage bins
Utopia Home Organizer Bins
Utopia Home’s large food storage containers come in two sizes and are incredibly versatile. You can use them for organizing chest freezers, fridges, kitchen cabinets and pantries. Instead of stressing over a system that’s too niche, you can update it as needed without having to add or take away too many bins. The transparent design makes it easy to see what’s where, while the built-in handles help you actually get it all without taking up any extra space.
Pros:
- Each set of eight bins includes two sizes
- Versatile in placement and use
- Available in eight transparent colors
Con:
- Not dishwasher safe
Best for produce
Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Savers
Are you rebuying lettuce every week because it keeps wilting too fast? Even the best refrigerator brands can’t solve your problem, but this BPA-free, dishwasher-safe set of four storage containers can. Each Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver comes with a built-in, no-refills-needed filter that regulates oxygen and carbon dioxide to maximize the lifespan of your produce. They also have an elevated base that keeps produce away from moisture and helps with airflow. Modular details include lids that fit multiple bases and bases that can nest together. Fruit and vegetable storage has never been so easy.
Pros:
- Built-in filter and elevated base maximize the lifespan of your produce
- Modular design is space saving and efficient
- Lots of size options
Con:
- For unwashed and uncut produce only
Best for herbs
OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Herb Keeper
When it comes to storing fresh herbs, the all-around favorite is this herb keeper from OXO. There are a lot of good reasons it’s considered one of the best food storage containers: The hinged basket helps air circulate and makes it easy to access your herbs (it even has a handle), and filling the bottom with water keeps them hydrated and creates humidity in partnership with the closed lid. Some herbs that usually last for days can stay fresh for weeks with this—no experimenting with fridge temperature necessary.
Pros:
- Hinged basket circulates air and makes herbs easy to access
- Water on the bottom hydrates the herbs
- Water and the closed lid create humidity
Con:
- Some herbs are too flimsy to stand unaided
Best for liquids
Souper Cubes 2-Cup Extra-Large Silicone Freezer Tray with lid
Storing liquids is tricky because they’re more likely to leak in containers made for solids, which is why we were so thrilled to discover the soup storage solution with thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon. Featured on Shark Tank, the food grade silicone trays let you freeze foods in perfect two-cup portions, which is super helpful for meal-prepping and managing leftovers of soups, stews and sauces. A clear tight-fitting lid keeps food fresh and safe from freezer burn. Also available in 1-cup trays and 2-tablespoon trays.
Pros:
- The compartments have fill lines for exact measuring
- They’re dishwasher and oven safe (without the lid)
- They’re BPA free
Con:
- The trays don’t nest so they will require extra storage space
