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When it comes to your food storage, quality matters. Sure, you could use an old takeout box for your leftover fried rice (and make your entire fridge smell like fried rice in the process).
You could also use a plastic container that’s seen years of use for your chili or pasta (and end up with a stained, rather gross-looking container that you’re embarrassed to take out at the company potluck). But why bother with lackluster food storage when you don’t have to?
The 10 Best Glass Food Storage Containers
Glass storage containers come with a range of perks. They’re easy to clean (just pop them in the dishwasher, and you’re ready to go). They keep food tasting and smelling fresh. They can withstand microwaving and freezing. They’re even pretty aesthetically attractive, and some are small enough to carry along in your tote for lunch or snacking on the go.
As with most things in your kitchen, though, some glass food storage containers are better than others. To help you with your shopping, here are our 10 favorite glass food storage containers.
Best Set: Pyrex 18-Piece Simply Store Food Storage Set
In the world of food storage, one name stands above the rest: Pyrex. This decades-old brand is beloved by mothers and grandmothers, and its quality has stood the test of time. Whether you’re searching for a set of glass food storage containers or just one-off pieces, you can’t go wrong with Pyrex.
In terms of a container set, though, this 18-piece Pyrex option is a good pick, as it comes with lots of pieces, as well as an affordable price tag (when shopping with Amazon). You receive a variety of round and rectangular glass food storage options, all with colored lids, and the options come in a variety of sizes, too. There’s something for storing leftovers, an option for small lunches and even a tiny glass bowl that you could use for storing your smallest items, like condiments or sauces.
The containers are microwavable, oven-friendly, freezer-safe and dishwasher-safe. The only downside is that the lids can pop open if not handled with care, so you’ll want to exercise caution. You may also want to go with another option from this list if you want an airtight solution.
Related: Our 17 Favorite KitchenAid Accessories
Best for Kids: Wean Green Wean Tubs
These smaller, tempered glass food containers are safe, eco-friendly food storage options perfect for little fingers. The 5-ounce, leakproof containers can be used for toddler snacks and small portions of your child’s leftovers that you don’t want to waste and simply throw away. The lids are outfitted with silicone seals for extra durability (just make sure to remove the airtight seals when washing the containers to prevent any bacteria build-up).
The containers are freezer, microwave and dishwasher-safe, and the strong glass can stand up to little hands accidentally dropping them on your hardwood or tile floors. The lids are easy enough for toddlers to open and remove, too.
Best Non-Slip Option: Ello Duraglass Glass Food Storage Containers
Some glass food storage containers are prone to slipping and sliding around, no matter where you put them, from the fridge to the oven, sink to the countertop. This annoyance is no more when you go with a non-slip option, like these food storage containers from Ello.
You get five storage containers in this set, all rectangular and all holding 3.4 cups, making them ideal for lunch prep or taking your leftovers to the office. What makes these containers unique, though, is the silicone sleeve that fits snuggly all around the glass container.
The multi-colored and weave-designed sleeves allow you to get a glimpse into the glass container to see your leftovers and provide a sturdy base for your box, no matter what the situation.
Best Glass Meal Prep Containers: Prep Naturals 2-Compartment Containers
These Prep Naturals food storage containers are the best for meal prep for several reasons.
The divided interior allows for taking multiple items on the go at once, with no need to carry around numerous containers. The locking lids are leakproof and vented, so you can easily microwave and then cool your food for quicker lunches at your desk.
You get five containers in a set, and each holds 29 ounces. The containers are dishwasher, oven, freezer and microwave-safe. The lids are plastic and not oven-safe, but you can use them in the microwave for short periods.
Easiest Storage: Rubbermaid Easy Find Glass Food Storage Containers
For small glass food storage containers that are easy to grab and always stay organized in your cabinets, look to this option from Rubbermaid. The tempered glass food storage containers come in a pack of three with matching lids. The lids snap directly onto the container bottom, making them easy to store and stack. Plus, once you’re ready to use the containers, the OnePress Seal feature allows you to easily close them with a simple push.
The microwave- and dishwasher-safe bases can be used in the oven up to 425 degrees, while the lids can be used in the dishwasher only. The entire set is freezer safe. Each container holds 1 cup.
Best for Pantry Storage: Oggi Round Glass Canisters
Glass food storage solutions aren’t only for leftovers and prepared foods. Many home cooks find that glass food storage containers are also an attractive way to keep their pantry items and dry goods fresh and organized. So, ditch the bags of flour and boxes of sugar, and go with matching glass containers that keep dry food organized, easy to reach and way fresher than any rolled-up bag will.
These nine-ounce glass canisters are 12 inches tall and five inches across. They feature silicone gaskets for keeping air out and freshness in.
Beyond using the canisters for pantry items, you could also use them on your countertop for any snacks or other things that you want to keep handy, but also organized, from cookies to candy, coffee pods to salt and sugar.
Best for Long-Term Storage: Zwilling Fresh & Save Glass Starter Set
If you want to really preserve your food items for the long run, you may want to consider vacuum storage, but you’ll need a few things to get started — like this Zwilling Fresh & Save Glass Starter set. The set comes with two vacuum-sealable glass containers, reusable sealable bags and a vacuum sealer.
In addition to using the set for your vacuum-sealed food items and keeping food fresh longer, you can also use them to try out some more complicated cooking options, like sous vide.
Best for Baking: Pyrex Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set
How easy would it be to cook and store your food all in the same container? With this option from Pyrex, you can cook up a lasagna, casserole or cake right in the glass bakeware, and then snap on the BPA-free plastic lids for transporting your baked item to a relative’s house or the office or merely storing in your fridge or on the counter.
The set comes with two baking dishes with lids and two smaller, round storage containers with lids (great for bringing along a dipping sauce or a topping that you only want to add to your baked item right before serving).
The tempered glass bottoms are dishwasher, freezer, microwave and preheated oven-safe.
Best for Baby Food: OXO Tot Glass Baby Blocks Food Storage Containers
If you’re into making your own baby food, you’ll want a baby food-friendly set of storage containers to make your job easier. These small, 4-ounce glass containers are freezer, microwave and oven-safe, and can be used to store, heat and then serve your baby’s food. They feature measurement markings on the glass sides and fit in a convenient square tray for storage (the trays can be stacked if you purchase more than one set).
Once you’re done using these small containers for baby food, you can use them for little bits of ingredients that you might otherwise throw out, from flavored butters and oils to fresh herbs.
Best for Large Items: OXO Good Grips 8 Cup Smeart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Container
When you have a lot of leftovers, you may not want to spread them out over multiple food storage containers. If that’s the case, you’ll need a container that can fit everything at once, like this option from OXO. The glass container can hold a whopping 8 cups of food, from huge portions of leftover soup or homemade broth to a big helping of potato salad that you plan on taking to a picnic.
The durable borosilicate glass can go straight from the freezer to the oven, and the lids are leakproof and foolproof. A silicone seal in the top can be removed for easy cleaning.
What to Consider When Shopping for Food Storage Containers
Whether you’re shopping among our favorite options above or looking for something else to better fit your needs, there are a few things you’ll likely want to consider when shopping for your food storage containers.
Material
While glass storage containers are often considered the superior option, when it comes to glass containers, you might find that many don’t come with glass lids. Some come with plastic, wood or rubber lids. Take a look at the type of lid your container comes with and see what’s best for you, whether your concern is durability, eco-friendliness or another factor.
Size
Some people don’t necessarily need a massive set of storage containers or Tupperware taking up every square inch of space in their fridge. Look for storage containers that fit your needs, whether you want small containers that can hold small servings (think individual servings of baby food, dipping sauces, etc.) or extra-large containers that can hold entire casseroles and more. Maybe you want to do all of the above, so you’ll need a set that comes with different sizes.
Shape
You also want to look at the containers’ shapes. If you’re storing a lot of casseroles, side dishes, meats and other leftovers, you may want to go with rectangular options that can fit more of those types of items in the containers. If you’re storing liquids or soft items, like salads or soups, you may want to go with a circular option, ideal for serving straight from the dish.
Storage Options
When you’re not using those food storage containers, you’ll have to store them somewhere. We’ve probably all seen the infomercials where someone opens up their kitchen cabinet, only for a shower of Tupperware to rain down on their head. Don’t let that happen to you.
Look for food storage sets that work with your individual storage options. Maybe you need stackable containers or containers that interlock. Consider this when shopping to avoid a headache later.
Use
Who will be using your food storage containers and how?
You may need a kid-friendly option if you plan to send the food storage containers to school in your child’s lunchbox. You might want an easy-to-heat, easy-to-clean option if you’re using them to store leftovers for an elderly parent or grandparent.
You may need an easily portable choice if you want to use them for food prep and taking your lunch on the road. If you want to do all of the above, you might need a container set with plenty of versatility.
Number of Items
If you’re purchasing a set of food storage containers, pay attention to how many items you get in a set (and keep in mind that many sets that are listed as “10-piece,” for example, are counting the lid as a piece, too, so you’re really only getting five storage containers).
If you’re outfitting a new kitchen or replacing many old containers, you may need a 20-piece set, but if you just want a new solution for food prep and on-the-go lunches, you might want something with only five or six pieces.
You might also like: 13 Creative Kitchen Corner Storage Ideas
Our 10 Favorite Glass Food Storage Containers:
- Best Set: Pyrex 18-Piece Simply Store Food Storage Set
- Best for Kids: Wean Green Wean Tubs
- Best Non-Slip Option: Ello Duraglass Glass Food Storage Containers
- Best Glass Meal Prep Containers: Prep Naturals 2-Compartment Containers
- Easiest Storage: Rubbermaid Easy Find Glass Food Storage Containers
- Best for Pantry Storage: Oggi Round Glass Canisters
- Best for Long-Term Storage: Zwilling Fresh & Save Glass Starter Set
- Best for Baking: Pyrex Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set
- Best for Baby Food: OXO Tot Glass Baby Blocks Food Storage Containers
- Best for Large Items: OXO Good Grips 8 Cup Smeart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Container
Holly Riddle
view postHolly Riddle
Holly Riddle is a travel, food and lifestyle writer, and a full-time freelance content creator after several years on editorial staffs for a multitude of publications ranging in topic and audience demographic. She currently acts as the editor at large for Global Traveler magazine and is a regular contributor at Trazee Travel, WhereverFamily, TravelMag, CruiseHive and more. Ghostwritten work for travel clients has appeared on Forbes, Bloomberg, Inc. and other top publications. She also manages blogs for tour providers, hotels and tourism boards.
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