Chef-Approved Leftover Storage Containers to Buy and Avoid

Your unassuming leftover container may be the most essential item in your kitchen arsenal. Foodborne illness is not something to take lightly, so homemade gnocchi and uneaten enchiladas need a storage system that maintains flavour while helping to stop bacteria from developing. Chefs know how to keep food fresh, safe and enjoyable even after its first serving.

We asked three chefs to share their leading advice on storing leftovers correctly. They highlighted four frequent food-storage errors to avoid, along with better alternatives and several products they use in their own homes. Read on for chef-approved leftover storage options, including Pyrex glass sets, Rubbermaid containers with locking lids, stackable Anchor Hocking designs and more, from only $3 each.

Don’t Buy: Flimsy Plastic Containers

Do Buy: Durable Glass Storage

Whenever you can, choose glass food storage containers for their practical benefits and high-quality construction, advises Chopped winner Chef Nicholas Poulmentis of Kythira NP. “With growing conversations around microplastics, a glass container with a tight lid is a great option for home use,” Poulmentis explains. “At home, I like Tupperware and OXO. They’re reliable, durable, and seal well.”

• OXO Good Grips 8-Cup Smart Seal Container, $20
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Set of 2, $26, originally $29
• OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Glass Set, $64
• Pyrex Simply Store Glass 12-Piece Set, $47
• Ello Duraglass 5-Piece Set, $43, originally $48

Don’t Buy: Loose-Fitting Lids

Do Buy: Lids That Lock

“The most important factor is that the container has a secure, tight-fitting lid and is thoroughly washed and completely dried before use. Proper cleaning and drying prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth,” Poulmentis explains. Consider a range with a locking mechanism, such as Rubbermaid’s Brilliance collection, or choose containers with an airtight silicone seal around the lid. As well as protecting food safety, these details help retain flavour and quality.

• Rubbermaid Brilliance 4-Piece BPA-Free Storage Container Set, $36, originally $45
• Pyrex Freshlock 5-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set, $41
• Anchor Hocking 4-Piece SnugFit Rectangular Containers, $36, originally $38
• Joseph Joseph Nest Lock BPA-Free Food Storage Containers, $26, originally $30
• Zulay Kitchen 5-Piece Glass Container Set, $38, originally $50

Don’t Buy: Thin, Single-Use Containers

Do Buy: Heat-Safe Glass

For easier meals and less washing up after dinner, it is worth investing in oven-safe containers or a microwave-safe glass set. Remove any plastic lids before placing containers in either appliance. Michelle Wallace, a Top Chef alum and the owner of Houston's B'tween Sandwich Co., is particularly fond of Pyrex.

“Choosing a container that can go from freezer to fridge to oven or microwave will save you space in your pantry. Glass containers are great for this,” Wallace says. “I also refrain from using single-use containers for storage. Disposable, flimsy containers are convenient but not sustainable for long-term use.”

• Caraway Glass 6.6-Cup Food Storage Container, $50
• Pyrex Simply Store 5-Piece Storage Set, $33
• Pyrex Simply Store 3-Piece Round Storage Set, $18
• Vtopmart 8-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set, $23, originally $29
• Ziruma 5-Piece All-Glass Food Storage Container Set, $45

Don’t Buy: Mismatched Sets

Do Buy: Matching, Stackable Containers

Denver-based private chef Steve Ingber relies on Pyrex’s Snapware glass sets and Anchor Hocking’s TrueSeal containers for clients’ meal preparation. Both longstanding brands are popular with chefs, editors and shoppers, and offer close-fitting lids plus slender designs that make organisation straightforward. Anchor Hocking in particular makes oven-safe glass containers with textured lids and a transparent panel.

“These are great for clients because the sizing is practical, the lids are easy, and the shapes stack without sliding around,” he explains. “They’re also widely available, so replacements are simple.”

• Anchor Hocking TrueSeal 4-Piece Set, $38
• Pyrex Snapware Glass 5-Piece Set, $38
• Pyrex Snapware 2-Piece Square Set, $13, originally $15
• Anchor Hocking 6-Piece Glass Storage, $20, originally $21
• Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Circular 7-Cup Container, $15