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Best food storage containers for cabinet organization and leftovers

Dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe

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For the past few months, we’ve tested kitchen containers to find the best in two key categories: dry food and leftovers storage. The goal was to have immaculately organized cupboards and fridges. But after all of this testing, we learned a critical lesson: there aren’t two distinguished “dry food” and “leftovers” categories, it’s all about size. For dry foods, larger containers worked best for ingredients like flour, sugar, cereals and pasta. For leftovers or meal prep, smaller options did the trick. 

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Here’s how we’re defining “the best” storage food containers: 

  • They’re clear
  • Microwave, dishwasher and freezer-safe
  • Durable
  • Easy to close
  • Simple to store
  • Spill-proof/resistant
  • Airtight
  • Not too expensive

Overall, Rubbermaid is in the lead with the most variations and options ideal for all types of food storage. These are not the Rubbermaid containers you find in the dollar store. They are clear, durable and come in many shapes, sizes and materials. 

Summary of the best containers

Best overall: Rubbermaid 16-Piece (extra for pantry): Rubbermaid 6-Piece
Best meal prep: Rubbermaid EasyFindLids | Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container
Best splurge: OXO Good Grips 10-Piece
Best glass: Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage | Zwilling Fresh & Save Large Container
Best value buy: AmazonBasics 22-Piece

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The containers

Best overall: Rubbermaid 16-Piece

Rubbermaid 16-Piece Brilliance Food Storage Containers.
Rubbermaid 16-Piece Brilliance Food Storage Containers. Photo by Amazon

Key specs:

  • Airtight
  • Secure latches
  • BPA-free
  • Shatter, stain and odour-resistant
  • Stackable
  • Available in a variety of sizes
  • Dishwasher and freezer-safe
  • Microwave safe

Why buy: These are the clear winners. They completely revamped my baking ingredients and dry foods. I poured all my flour and sugar into these containers and turned a dusty grainy mess of a drawer into a ready-to-get-creative-in-the-kitchen organized pantry. I have baked more since transferring dry ingredients into these containers because they are so easy to use.

They’re clear as glass but made from shatter-resistant BPA-free plastic. The containers stack, which makes storage easy. The lids don’t stack on top of each other that well, so I like to store unused containers with the lid on. This also makes it easy to grab when you want to use a container.

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The base of these containers is so clear and clean looking that it could also be used as a serving dish, for a casual meal. If I were to completely redo my pantry and container inventory, it would be with this set.

Where to buy: Amazon (extra for the pantry: Rubbermaid 6-Piece)

Best meal prep: Rubbermaid EasyFindLids | Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container

Rubbermaid EasyFindLids Meal Prep Containers.
Rubbermaid EasyFindLids Meal Prep Containers. Photo by Amazon

Key specs: Rubbermaid EasyFindLids

  • Three compartments
  • BPA free 
  • Freezer safe
  • Dishwasher safe (top rack)
  • Microwave safe
  • Stackable, lids and containers snap together

Why buy: The Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers are the same as the ones above, just in perfect “meal prep” size. However, these containers just have one compartment. If you’re looking for containers with different sections, the Rubbermaid EasyFindLids are a good option. They’re easy to stack and store in the fridge and in the pantry when not in use.

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Where to buy: Amazon – EasyFindLids | Amazon – Rubbermaid Brilliance

Best splurge: OXO Good Grips 10-Piece

OXO Good Grips 10-Piece POP Container Set.
OXO Good Grips 10-Piece POP Container Set. Photo by Amazon

Key specs:

  • Button seal
  • Airtight
  • Stackable
  • Dishwasher safe (top rack)
  • BPA free
  • Clear

Why buy: You open and close the OXO Good Grips containers with a button. This is a good way to ensure your containers are properly closed and keep food fresh.

There are various shapes and sizes, so you can likely find a set of containers that work perfectly for your needs.

Where to buy: Amazon

Best glass: Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage | Zwilling Fresh & Save Large Container

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Containers.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Containers. Photo by Amazon

Key specs: Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass

  • Leakproof
  • Airtight
  • Oven safe (up to 450 F)
  • Microwave safe
  • Freezer safe
  • Dishwasher safe (top rack for lids)

Key specs: Zwilling Fresh & Save

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  • Vacuum sealed
  • Says it keeps food fresh 5X longer
  • Perfect for marinating
  • Must have Zwilling pump

Why buy: Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass: These containers are wonderful but a bit expensive, which is why they didn’t get crowned “best overall.” Rubbermaid’s glass containers are heavier and more breakable than its plastic variety. But aside from that, these are pretty perfect. Their biggest differentiator is that they’re oven-safe so ideal for leftovers. 

Zwilling Fresh & Save: This container (collection of containers) is great if you mean business with leftovers. You need to have a Zwilling pump to properly use the container, so that’s not ideal. But if you’re looking to increase the longevity of your food, vacuum sealing is the way to go. It’s more effort and more expensive but provides the freshest option. 

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Where to buy:  Amazon – Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass | Amazon Zwilling Fresh & Save 

Best value buy: AmazonBasics 22-Piece

AmazonBasics Tritan 22-Piece Locking Food Storage Containers.
AmazonBasics Tritan 22-Piece Locking Food Storage Containers. Photo by Amazon

Key specs:

  • Airtight
  • Leakproof seal
  • Durable tritan plastic
  • Microwave safe
  • Freezer safe
  • Dishwasher safe

Why buy: These are essentially the more affordable version of the Rubbermaid 16-Piece, the first option on this list. They’re good containers, but not as beautiful, clear and crisp as the Rubbermaid set. They check off all our requirements for this roundup: microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. And they’re leakproof.

Where to buy: Amazon

Bottom line

Rubbermaid offers the best container options and prices. When evaluating your options from the selections above, know there are other set combinations (for example, the Rubbermaid 16-piece also comes in a 14-piece set). Also, make sure you check sizing. I ordered and returned quite a few containers because the sizing didn’t work for my ingredients. Enjoy reworking your fridges and pantries. It’s worth the ease of use and the organization.

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Shopping Essentials is a category written by research-obsessed shopping experts. Explore product reviews, recommendations and launches — plus behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and hidden gems — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter.

rmann@postmedia.com

instagram.com/randimann

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