What’s for dinner? Having a freezer stocked with appealing frozen food choices means dinner prep is one step closer to completion, and there is no need to waste time and money ordering takeout from a local restaurant. Preparing your food for freezer storage in the right container is the difference between a delicious meal happening soon or disappointing and tasteless leftovers from last week.
Your options for food storage containers can include glass, plastic or silicone materials, depending on your needs. Each has its benefits: Glass containers can save time by moving from oven to table, whereas tough but lightweight plastic containers can be packed with lunches the night before to take salads to the office. As another alternative, reusable silicone bags can store dinner leftovers and prepped chopped veggies to make meal prep a breeze.
However, no one wants leaks in the freezer from containers that didn’t handle the job or, worse, find the dreaded freezer burn on a spinach casserole or butternut squash soup. We tested freezer storage containers in our Test Kitchen and our homes for durability, the ability to keep food fresh, design and cost. Find out which freezer storage containers kept our frozen food tasting as fresh as the day it was made.
What we like: Using one container for a microwave, freezer, dishwasher and oven can be a time-saver in the kitchen.
What to know: Only the glass containers are microwave and oven-safe, not the lids.
This set was our favorite of all the glass containers we tested, with the ability to go from your freezer to your microwave or oven and the dishwasher for cleanup. The Glasslock freezer storage containers have latch tabs for airtight food storage and remain free from residual food stains and odors after use (which made this set a standout in previous tests).
This BPA-free set is available with one 6.3-cup rectangle, one 1.6-cup rectangle, one 3.3-cup square, one 1.5-cup square, one 3.1-cup round, one 1.6-cup round and one 0.7-cup round container with accompanying lids. We also like that the containers can go from oven to microwave and dishwasher, but the lids are made of polypropylene and aren’t microwave- or oven-safe.
This set offers a good selection of container sizes with large and small options for food and liquids. We think this set is a good choice for storing leftovers that can be reheated easily and retain the freshness of the food. When freezing soup, we found that it tasted just as flavorful as when it was first made, with no lingering freezer flavors or other off-putting taste to the food. As an added bonus, these sturdy containers are attractive enough to work as serving pieces for your table in a pinch.
Material: Glass, plastic | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Seal Type: Snap
What we like: These bags will keep out freezer burn for frozen food storage items and help maintain the flavor and texture of food.
What to know: Your food must be transferred to an oven- or microwave-safe container for reheating.
With a double seal closure, these bags will lock in freshness with a leakproof seal to store and preserve food. Sturdy material means Quinline Reusable Food storage bags stand up to multiple uses and remain tear-resistant, which also helps cut down on single-use plastic. This set of bags includes two reusable gallon bags, four reusable sandwich bags, and four reusable snack bags for various storage needs.
We like the eco-conscious design of these bags, which are made from PEVA material, and the variety of sizes to cover a wide range of storage needs for sandwiches, individual snacks, frozen fruits or vegetables and leftovers. We appreciate the construction of the bags, which are strong enough to be filled with heavier food items and liquids, but the bags are not suitable for use in the oven or microwave.
During testing, we found these bags did a dependable job protecting stored food and avoiding freezer burn. Sweet potatoes retained structure and did not get mushy in texture, even after reheating. You’ll just want to remember that your food must be transferred to appropriate containers for heating, which you’ll need to plan for if you’re counting on a quick meal of frozen leftovers.
Material: PEVA | Microwave-Safe: No | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes, top rack only | Seal Type: Double closure zip
What we like: These glass containers offer a time-saver in the kitchen that can go from freezer to oven.
What to know: The smaller sizes of containers are best used for items like leftover salsa, serving sauces, dips or chopped ingredients.
Our choice for the best glass freezer storage containers is from OXO, which can easily go from the freezer to the oven or microwave for speedy prep. This set includes two 1-cup rounds, a 1.6-cup rectangle, a 3.5-cup rectangle glass and two 4-oz. rectangles containers that keep food airtight and fresh when packing lunches, snacks or storing leftovers.
We like that these no-leak containers are easy to fill with leftover food, soups or stews and are dishwasher-safe. We also found the transparency of the container helpful in viewing contents with a functional opening that is wide enough to pour liquids easily. The see-through lids snap tightly into place, and the containers remain free from stains. When reheated, our frozen soup was just as good as when it was first made, with no lingering freezer flavors or other off-putting tastes. Our only qualm is that four out of the six of these containers are made for small portions, making them better suited for folks who don’t need to freeze leftovers in bulk. Still, their performance and affordability (these were also a top budget pick in previous tests) make them an excellent freezer storage option.
Material: Glass | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Seal Type: Snap
What we like: Designed to be stored compactly, these containers help organize leftovers with handy write-on lids.
What to know: While these are dishwasher-safe, you’ll want to keep them on the top rack to avoid warping.
It’s no surprise that Snapware, a trusted brand in locking and latching lids, delivers on keeping food fresh for your weekly meal prep. Whether you are prepping a healthy lunch or leftovers for next week’s dinner, your food can be safely stored, and there is no confusion about what is in the container and who it belongs to with the handy write-on lids.
This 20-piece set includes two 8.5-cup, two 5.5-cup, two 4-cup, two 3-cup, and two 1.2-cup plastic containers with lightweight and durable BPA-free plastic lids. These Snapware containers are also freezer- and microwave-safe. While they can go in the dishwasher, be aware that placing them anywhere but on the top rack could result in warping.
In testing, we liked how the container lids fit snugly with an airtight seal, and the openings of the containers were wide enough for pouring soup without spilling. However, we especially liked the write-and-erase lids. This extra touch made it easy to identify the contents of our containers and, perhaps more importantly, the dates when they went into the freezer. The construction of the lids, with an extra outer lip on the edges, was also helpful for storage, as they helped prevent slipping when stacking.
Material: Plastic | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes, top rack only | Seal Type: Snap
What we like: This lightweight container set is convenient for carrying packed lunches.
What to know: Some might find it tricky to close the tight-fitting lids securely.
It’s no surprise that a product that provides leakproof and airtight food storage comes from a reliable name like Rubbermaid. This portable set comprises two 0.5-cup, two 1.3-cup, two 3.2-up and one 9.6-cup container. With the included lids, you get 14 pieces, making this stackable set an excellent option for larger households.
We like that these see-through containers are odor- and stain-resistant and lightweight enough to pack up and carry for lunches to school or the office. The snap-on closures provide a strong seal, and when left unlatched, they provide ventilation for splatter-free reheating. While these provide a strong seal, some users might find these clips challenging to secure.
These containers are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but the real appeal for us is how easy they are to stack and store. These nest easily inside each other and stack securely if you store them with the lids on. Their space-saving capabilities made them a favorite for folks with small kitchens or limited cupboard space.
Material: Plastic | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Seal Type: Latch
What we like: These sturdy and roomy storage bags are easy to wash and reuse.
What to know: Ello’s bags are not microwave- or dishwasher-safe.
When you need to store large items of food, a roomy storage bag can help maximize your valuable freezer space. These reusable Gallon Storage Bags from Ello are leakproof and constructed of sturdy PEVA plastic to keep your food fresh-tasting and easy to store. This particular set includes two 2-gallon bags that work for packing hefty sandwiches or snacks for tomorrow’s lunch or for storing prepped ingredients like chopped onion, veggies or fruit slices.
We found these freezer containers challenging to maneuver as the storage bag did not stand up on its own. This made filling the bag with food or liquid a bit tricky. However, we do like having the option of the gallon-size bag for storing larger food items and for travel meals, lunches or snacks. These bags are hand-washable, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic, but they are not microwave-safe for reheating.
Material: Food-grade PEVA material | Microwave-Safe: No | Dishwasher-Safe: No | Seal Type: Zipper
The Bottom Line: The Best Freezer Storage Containers
If you want a set that contains a variety of sizes that you can freeze, pop in the oven or microwave and then toss in the dishwasher for easy cleanup, the Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set (view at Amazon) has you covered. When it’s time to store leftovers or pack a travel lunch for a work bag or school backpack, reach for the Rubbermaid Brilliance BPA Free Food Storage Containers with Lids (view at Amazon); they’re lightweight, easy to clean and come at a budget-friendly price.
EatingWell / Brierley Horton
Choosing a Freezer Storage Container Set
Ultimately, the freezer storage container set that works best for you will depend on your storage needs, the type of food you’ll need to preserve, and if you intend to travel with and reheat your leftovers in your freezer storage containers. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
Durability and safety of your materials
Proper food storage starts with choosing a freezer storage container made with materials that are safe for use. Available options include non-toxic glass, BPA-free plastic containers or storage bags labeled as freezer-safe. Containers should be able to be labeled with the name and contents of the food items or transparent enough for you to easily view food items stored in the container.
When shopping for the durability of a freezer storage container, consider the material of the product, the type of seal, whether it is safe for use in your microwave or oven, whether it’s dishwasher-safe, and the stackability of the container and any coordinating lids.
Leakproof seals to prevent a mess
No one wants to clean up after a leaky storage container. A leakproof seal is an essential part of a freezer storage container because of its ability to safely store food, preserve the flavor of the food and avoid unwanted spillage or leaks in your freezer.
Stackability for ease of storage
When making space in the freezer or your kitchen cabinets, stackability means you can take advantage of available space and keep multiple containers organized efficiently. Consider the material and shape of containers, compatibility of lids to containers, and transparency for clear viewing of food contents.
EatingWell / Brierley Horton
Our Freezer Storage Container Tests
For this test, we evaluated over 50 popular freezer storage containers across various criteria. Tests were conducted both in our Test Kitchen and at home, where senior commerce editor Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, put each set through its paces and evaluated it from a food safety perspective. We considered design aspects such as the container’s size, the seal’s effectiveness, leakproof capabilities and the stackability of the sets. Ease of use was also a factor, and we took into account features such as the container’s ability to store food, pour liquids and the effectiveness of its closures. Additionally, each set’s overall performance was carefully rated. We looked at factors such as the presence of freezer burn, the condition of thawed and reheated vegetables and soups, and the taste of thawed food before and after freezer storage. Last but certainly not least, we looked at how easy each container was to clean, including whether the containers were dishwasher-safe and if they exhibited any staining or lingering odors after washing.
We Also Considered
Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set ($42 at Amazon): We like this set for the high-quality tempered glass that resists stubborn staining from sauces and stews and unpleasant lingering food odors. The containers are convenient to use, with a wide opening that allows contents to be easily poured without spilling, but the colored lids are opaque, making it more challenging to identify the contents.
Caraway Glass 14-Piece Food Storage Container Set ($245 at Amazon): Removable inserts give Caraway’s food storage containers the feel of a bento box with individual compartments to keep food neatly organized for food storage or travel lunches. Sushi, anyone? We like that this set keeps food stored in separate compartments with transparent lids, but reheating food can be an issue since the containers are microwave- and oven-safe, but the lids and inserts are not.
Homelux Theory Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags, 6-Pack ($37 at Amazon):
These heavy-duty bags can stand up on their own but the heavy plastic slide sea tends to fall over, making it hard to fill with food or liquids. However, these bags are great at maximizing freezer storage space, and the containers are both easy to label and have helpful measurement markings on the outside of the bags.
Stasher Silicone Reusable 4-Pack Lunch/Travel Bundle ($45 at Amazon): We like that food stored inside these leakproof bags stays fresh-tasting, and we found no freezer burn on food items after being stored in the freezer. The Pinch-Loc seal on these bags preserves taste and is easy to use, but we sometimes found it challenging to get residual air out of the bag before freezing.
Common Questions
What are the best freezer storage containers to prevent freezer burn?
Freezer burn is the formation of ice crystals in a container that will result in frozen food with an unpleasant appearance, texture and taste. The best freezer storage containers to prevent freezer burn are those that provide an airtight seal and lock out moisture. Look for BPA-free plastic containers with snap-on lids or silicone options that stay flexible even in freezing temperatures. Resealable freezer bags with double-lock zippers are also great for saving space while keeping air out. (Fill them as full as possible, then gently press them to remove as much air as possible.) Vacuum sealers are also a great option, as they remove nearly all the surrounding air from your food. Whatever container you choose, label and date everything to ensure you’re not going beyond your food’s best-by date.
Are glass or plastic containers better for freezer storage?
Glass containers for food storage are generally freezer-proof and leakproof, and they are made with a tight seal to prevent any air or liquid from coming into contact with food stored in the container. Most glass containers can move from the freezer to the microwave or oven. Plastic food containers should be made of materials that are free of chemicals and made for freezer storage. Always check your container’s instructions for temperature limits.
How do I properly label freezer storage containers?
No one wants to have to guess what is in a container when looking through a freezer for frozen food selections. When labeling food for freezer or refrigerator storage, the container should include information about the item of food stored and the date you placed it in the freezer. Include cooking instructions if the stored food will be taken out and prepared by someone else. Options for labeling depend on the type of container; you can consider freezer-safe labels, masking tape and a pen, or wet-erase markers or chalk markers. Some containers, like the Snapware set, have erasable labels built into the lids for easy identification.
What is the safest way to defrost food stored in freezer containers?
To defrost food safely, a little planning ahead is key. By far the safest method is to transfer your frozen food from the freezer to the refrigerator, allowing it to thaw slowly and evenly. While this process can take anywhere from several hours to a full day, it helps ensure that your food stays within a safe temperature range (below 40°F) and prevents harmful bacteria from growing.
If you forget to thaw your leftovers and dinner is fast approaching (no judgment here), there is a quicker option: Submerge your freezer storage container in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to keep it cool. Avoid defrosting at room temperature or in hot water, as this can encourage bacteria.
If you’re really getting down to the wire, using your microwave’s defrost setting (assuming your freezer storage container is microwave-safe) is another safe option. You’ll just want to be sure to cook your food immediately after thawing.
How long can food be stored in freezer containers before it goes bad?
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of many foods, but even frozen items have their limits. When stored correctly in freezer-safe containers, most foods can last for several months, though the exact time varies depending on the type of food. For example, soups and stews can typically be stored for two to three months, while meats like chicken or beef can last up to six to 12 months (depending on the cut).
EatingWell / Brierley Horton
Our Trusted Expertise
Alice Knisley Matthias writes about food, recipes, kitchen, home and garden for EatingWell, Allrecipes, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times Kids, TIME for Kids and Kids Discover. Alice serves as a judge for the IACP cookbook awards, and her book, Tasty Snacks in a Snap! was published by Scholastic.
Testing insights were compiled by senior commerce editor Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, who used her expertise to determine which containers earned a spot on our list.
This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. Her OXO glass container set has seen her through two moves and countless leftovers.
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