The Very Best Glass and Plastic Containers for Freezing Food
The containers you use to freeze leftovers and batched meals matter more than you might think. For one, you’ll need to have all the key sizes on hand. (It’s the air circulating around frozen foods that can lead to freezer burn, so your best defense is to find a container as close to the size of what you want to freeze as possible.) You want something with a tight-fitting lid (see above), a stackable design (for organizing reasons), and versatility to go in the microwave if not also the oven. Pick the wrong set of containers and your food could dry out and/or you could end up very frustrated.
What would constitute as the “right set of containers”? Any of the options below! These sets all include appropriately sized containers, have a proven track record to protect our food against spoiling, are relatively leakproof, and help us save space. We’re a staff full of meal preppers and freezer-users — and these are the containers we’ve come to swear by.
Snapware Total Solution Glass and Plastic Food Storage Set
Buy: Snapware Total Solution Glass and Plastic Food Storage Set, $43 for a 26-piece set
If you’re just starting to stock your kitchen or you’re fed up with your current stash of food storage containers and want a do-over, go for this mega set. It comes with 13 containers in various round and rectangular sizes and matching lids. We like that it’s got a mix of glass and plastic containers, but what really stands out with this set is the lids. They all have four latches that really do snap when they’re closed into place (the snaps are oh-so-satisfying!) and a silicone gasket that makes for an airtight seal. There’s even a spot on the lids to mark what’s inside and when you froze it. The containers are all dishwasher-, freezer-, and microwave-safe and they nest neatly when not in use.
“I’ve collected a random, jumbled assortment of storage containers over the past several years, but when I reach into my cabinet, I always grab the Snapware ones first,” says Grace Elkus, deputy food editor. “These containers have never leaked on me and I love that they don’t hold onto smells or stains the way the other ones in my collection tend to.” Our Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand, has and loves these, too. Her only complaint? That she doesn’t have even more of them.
Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers
Buy: Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers, $32 for an 18-piece set
Pyrex is a brand we love and trust when it comes to freezing and baking (although it’s important that you let the containers sit out at room temperature for a little in order to avoid thermal shock!). And we’re not the only one who loves these specific containers: They’re a bestselling option on Amazon and have a 4.7-star rating, which is incredibly hard to get.
While the lids don’t click on the same way that the Snapware ones do, these have proven to be mostly leakproof for Kitchn editors. (We don’t recommend throwing a soup-filled container into your bag, but we do recommend freezing and reheating soup in these at home.) They’re also not bulky, which means they store nicely and the containers stack neatly in the freezer when they’re in use. This set comes with nine containers in various sizes and each size is more useful than the last.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container
Buy: Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container, $53 for a 22-piece set
These plastic containers came on the market relatively recently and Kitchn staffers were quick to get on board with them. Plastic, in general, does have its advantages — namely, it’s lighter than glass and it’s (way) less likely to shatter. The plastic used in the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers is thicker than other plastic containers (which is good news for your enclosed food) and always comes clean (no matter what we store in it). Again, each lid has snap-on fasteners (just two this time, but they get the job done) and a reliable gasket. These clearly can’t go in the oven, but the built-in vents under the latches make them splatter-resistant microwave all-stars.
“These are the only containers I trust when it comes to stashing liquids,” says Lifestyle Editor, Lauren Masur. “I also feel like my microwaved food comes out better in these versus other containers. And I love how well they stack in the freezer.”
DuraHome Food Storage Containers with Lids
Buy: DuraHome Food Storage Containers with Lids, $18 for 44 containers and lids
This style of containers is also known as “deli containers” and you’d be hard-pressed to find a professional kitchen that doesn’t have some in heavy rotation. Chefs and home cooks alike love these containers because they’re ridiculously affordable, incredibly durable, and come in various key sizes. Plus, they can go in the fridge, freezer, and dishwasher. This set, with more than 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, comes with 44 containers (and lids) so you’ll be fully stocked. You can also use them to give out homemade goodies/dishes to friends and neighbors without missing them or having to worry about getting them back.
It is important to note that not all deli containers are created equally. We’ve seen some that are too thin literally shatter when they’ve fallen from the freezer (whoops!). And we’ve struggled with some that jusssst ever so slightly don’t match up with their lids. This set, however, is perfectly thick enough and the lids always work.
Microwavable Nested Storage Bowls
Buy: Microwavable Nested Storage Bowls, from $62 for 4 containers and 4 lids at Food52
Will you just look at these stunning plastic bowls? They’re a million times prettier than your average storage bowl, which means you can feel good about using them for serving, too. Each set comes with four bowls and you can opt for shallow or deep bowls. (They also come in nine fun colors!)
Pro tip: Kitchn editors report that they prefer the deep bowls and use them for things like storing soups, marinated meat, cookie dough, and flour. We wouldn’t exactly call them leak-proof, but for general freezer storage, they’re great. And did we mention they’re gorgeous?
Read more: The Gorgeous, Useful Storage Containers Every Cook Needs
Do you have containers to you love for the freezer? Tell us about them in the comments below!