These Are the Best To-Go Containers for Potluck Leftovers
Leftovers are one of the very best things about both potlucks and Thanksgiving dinners, so leftovers from a Thanksgiving potluck are the most exciting leftovers of all. You might have brought a casserole, but now you get to take home green beans, gravy, potatoes, and a little bit of everything else provided. Huzzah!
That’s why it’s a smart and thoughtful move for a host to stock up on some takeout containers before the party. Not just any to-go container will do, though. The containers need to be good enough to help people get food home, but not so good that you care about getting them back. That’s why these restaurant-quality to-go containers are perfect.
Anyone who has ever ordered takeout from a restaurant knows the struggle of a bad container versus a good one. A tinfoil swan looks cute until you have to reheat the food. A container that’s too flimsy doesn’t help anyone. A leaky one is enough to make you want to unfriend your once-gracious host. A heavy-duty restaurant-quality container, on the other hand, well, that’s just right! And one with various compartments is even better.
All of that’s to say that we prefer a bento-style restaurant-level to-go container. You can buy them online from Webstaurant Store, an online restaurant supply store. They sure are handy — even though they’re not much to look at. They’re BPA-free; microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe; and they’re lightweight enough to carry easily, but durable enough to support heavy foods like mashed potatoes without bending or cracking.
They’re technically recyclable, but they can also be washed and reused. Best of all, they’re big enough to hold a good amount of leftovers; the compartments allow guests to take home multiple dishes. And someone could theoretically pack up a single container or two for a ready-to-grab lunch for the following week.
Buy: Plastic Microwaveable Take-Out Containers at Webstaurant Store
Webstaurant Store offers these takeout boxes in several different sizes and shapes — with varying numbers of compartments. No matter how many compartments you decide to get (although we suggest at least two, so that dishes don’t meld together) we suggest rectangular containers over over round ones. Why? Rectangular containers fit better in the refrigerator than round ones.
Buy some now and make sure you keep a few for yourself. You deserve a few to-go containers even if you’re keeping them at home.
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What containers do you usually use for Thanksgiving leftovers?