We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Making healthier, easier meals is a top priority for many. Finding the time to do so, however, is often easier said than done. Glass food storage containers make healthy eating possible. Glass resists the staining, odor, and taste issues that can come with plastic and metal. Free of BPA and other harmful chemicals, the best glass food storage containers offer a strong, durable option that can withstand extreme temperatures, whether it’s the freezer, oven, or microwave.
These containers come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. The right container or container set will depend on how you plan to use the containers. Some people prep and store a single-serving meal in each container, while others make and store baby food for the week. Your goals, available storage, and preferences all come together as you decide on the best glass food storage containers for you and your family.
- BEST OVERALL: Prep Naturals Glass Storage Containers with Lids
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: AmazonBasics Glass Locking Lids Storage Containers
- BEST WITH LOCKING LID: Fine Dine 24-Piece Glass Food Storage Containers Set
- BEST FOR MEAL PREP: Bayco 8 Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers
- BEST FOR BABY FOOD: WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Containers
- BEST FOR DRY FOOD: Sweetzer and Orange Glass Food Containers with Lids
- BEST FOR SMALL KITCHENS: Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers
- BEST FOR THE FREEZER: C CREST 10-Pack Glass Food Storage Containers
- BEST SET: Razab 35 pc Set Glass Food Storage Containers
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Glass Food Storage Containers
There are enough glass food container options to make it somewhat daunting to make a final purchasing decision. Factors like the lid type, shape, and size play an important role in a container’s functionality. Storing dry foods puts different demands on a glass container than freezing soup for next week. A quick rundown of the basic features, options, and variations can help you wade through a growing sea of glass containers.
Intended Use and Storage
Glass storage containers are used to store baby food, freeze premade dinners, hold single-serving meals, or keep dry foods fresh in the pantry. Of all of the considerations on our list, intended use and storage are two of the most important factors to consider.
Food prep isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Some food preppers, for example, store single-serving meals, stacking them in the fridge for quick weekday lunches. For this kind of meal prep, containers with two or three compartments and locking lids will keep your food separate and secure until you’re ready to eat.
Others prep vegetables for an entire week and store each kind of vegetable in a separate container. When it’s time to cook, the veggies are ready to go. Separate compartments aren’t as important with this method, though some people may want to store similar vegetables or fruits in the same compartmentalized container to save space. Again, locking lids are a great option to keep juices, sauces, or soups fully contained. Containers used for either kind of food prep should also be stackable to save space in the fridge or freezer.
Another common use for glass food containers is dry food storage in the pantry. Dry food containers may have locking lids, but it’s not as important because they don’t usually hold liquids. However, the container lids need a good airtight seal to preserve the food’s freshness.
Dry food storage containers typically come in a variety of sizes that include tall, cylindrical, or square canisters rather than the flatter rectangle, square, and circle shapes of food-prep containers. You can organize an entire pantry in glass food storage containers, but you’ll most likely need a set with multiple sizes to accommodate a variety of foods. A set that stacks can also bring stability and organization to the kitchen.
Glass food storage containers are also a popular way to store homemade baby food. These small, BPA-free containers can store one to two servings. Containers with measurement marks and screw-top lids are ideal, as the lids are easy to remove and the measurements let you know just how much your baby is eating.
Number of Pieces
Glass food storage containers can be bought individually or as a set. Usually, sets will save you both money and space because you’re buying in bulk, and they’re more likely to nest when not in use.
The number of pieces you need will depend on how you intend to use the containers. If you’re prepping all of your lunches for the week, you’ll need at least five containers. If you’re organizing your pantry, you may need twice as many containers to last an entire week.
Container Sizes and Shapes
Glass food storage containers are made in rectangle, square, and round shapes. Shape choice affects how easy the containers are to store. Square and rectangular containers tend to stack well, especially in the fridge or freezer. Their uniform shape allows you to stack other foods on or around the containers. Containers made for dry storage often come in taller shapes and sizes to utilize vertical pantry space.
Size options vary greatly. Dry storage containers come in larger, taller sizes to store bulk items like pasta, beans, or cereal. Depending on how you use the containers, you may need smaller sizes to store dips and dressings or seeds and nuts. Families may need several quart containers to store dinners that serve four or more along with containers that hold single-serving meals for weekday lunches.
Lid Type
Glass storage container lids should create an airtight seal to preserve food freshness, whether that food is wet or dry. Locking lids are a huge benefit, whether the containers are used in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. However, they’re vital for storing wet foods like soups and sauces. That airtight seal and lock can prevent a wet, sticky mess.
Like containers, lids are made of different materials, too. Many locking lids are made of plastic because plastic holds up well to temperature changes. There’s more material variety in the lids made for dry food storage. Wood, bamboo, or stainless steel are common materials for dry food storage lids. No matter the lid type, it should create a good airtight seal.
Versatility
Glass food storage containers aren’t just used for food prep. They can store leftovers, kitchen supplies, and anything else you need to organize in the kitchen. That’s why you’ll see department store shelves stacked with sets that include a variety of shapes and sizes. These sets usually offer large containers for main dishes, midsize containers for sides, and small containers for dips or treats.
Locking plastic lids also adds versatility. A container with a locking, plastic lid works just as well in the pantry as it does in the fridge or freezer. However, wood and metal lids can’t be used under certain conditions such as a drastic temperature change.
Our Top Picks
Our top picks offer high-quality materials, multiple size and shape options, as well as different lid designs. Whether you’re prepping for a week or storing leftovers, there’s a glass storage container for you.
Best Overall
Prep Naturals Glass Storage Containers with Lids
This set offers a solution for food prep, fridge or freezer organization, and better storage organization because of their ability to nest inside one another. It includes 13 containers in three shapes and different sizes. The largest containers can store a whole meal or be used in the oven for cooking. In fact, the glass is safe for use in the freezer, microwave, or oven. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe for easy sterilization.
Each container comes with an airtight, locking lid. The BPA-free lids create a stackable surface for containers of a similar shape. Overall, this set offers a variety of glass containers in the most common shapes and sizes with durable, locking lids that won’t spill.
Best Bang For The Buck
AmazonBasics Glass Locking Lids Storage Containers
This AmazonBasics set includes seven containers in two different shapes and of all different sizes. Each container comes with a locking lid to keep food fresh and secure.
The containers can be used in the refrigerator, freezer, or microwave. However, you have to be careful with extreme temperature changes. These containers can’t go from the freezer to a hot oven or vice versa.
The locking lids are microwave safe. But the lid must be arranged for venting so that steam can escape. The glass containers are dishwasher safe, as are the lids as long as they’re on the top rack.
Best With Locking Lid
Fine Dine 24-Piece Glass Food Storage Containers Set
With this set, you get 12 storage containers in three shapes and 12 sizes. Each container comes with a locking lid. However, the lids have a hinged design that makes them unique among storage containers.
Each lock acts as a hinge, which means you can leave one locked in place to hold the lid as you open or close it. That keeps the lid and container together and provides easy access to food without putting the lid on a countertop or table.
Each of these containers is fridge-, freezer-, microwave-, and oven-safe. They’re also strong enough to combat extreme temperature changes, so the containers can go from the freezer to the oven without damage.
Best For Meal Prep
Bayco 8 Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers
Meal prep relies on organization. The Bayco 8 Pack includes eight containers of uniform size, each divided into three compartments. They’re great containers for organizing lunches. The large compartment holds the main dish, and the two smaller compartments are designed to store fruits, veggies, or other sides.
The lids are also divided into three compartments, creating a seal strong enough to keep liquids separate from solids within the container. Silicon sealing rings around the lids’ edges keep food airtight. The containers are freezer, fridge, microwave, and oven safe. While the BPA-free containers and lids are dishwasher safe, the lids’ sealing rings can be damaged from exposure to high temperatures over time. For that reason, the manufacturer recommends hand-washing the lids.
Best For Baby Food
WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Containers
WeeSprout’s baby food storage containers give you better control over your baby’s nutrition. Each container holds up to 4 ounces and has measurement markings, so you know exactly how much to put in and how much your baby has eaten.
Simple screw-top lids provide an airtight seal. Both the lids and containers are BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free. The lids’ containers are also dishwasher-, fridge-, and freezer-safe. While the containers are microwave safe, the lids are not and need to be removed before heating. Convenient to use and easy to clean, these glass storage containers make it easier to make, stack, and store fresh food for your baby.
Best For Dry Food
Sweetzer and Orange Glass Food Containers with Lids
This set by Sweetzer and Orange turns ordinary food into an attractive, well-organized display. Glass enables you to see the food, so it’s easy to identify. You can also see the food’s color and texture, which adds to the pantry and kitchen décor.
This set includes glass cylinders in four sizes. Each cylinder comes with a bamboo, airtight lid. That airtight seal makes sure you have fresh food for days or weeks to come.
Best For Small Kitchens
Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers
Space is hard to come by in small kitchens. This Prep Naturals set includes five 36-ounce glass containers, each with a locking lid. Their uniform size lets you use them for single-serving lunch prep or leftovers. The stackable lids allow you to securely organize the fridge or freezer.
Another reason this set is great for small kitchens? The containers are built to nest inside one another. When they’re not full of food, you save cupboard storage space. This set saves space, whether empty or full.
Best For The Freezer
C CREST 10-Pack Glass Food Storage Containers
This set features five 34-ounce and five 12-ounce glass containers, each with locking lids. The lids create a stacking surface, so you can fit more containers on top and keep them stable in the freezer. And, when they’re not full of food, they can nest inside one another, saving storage space.
The lids snap and seal into place to keep food fresh and free of freezer burn. The containers are freezer-, fridge-, microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe. However, the lids are only safe in the fridge, freezer, and dishwasher (top rack). Whenever possible, hand-wash the lids to preserve the sealing ring and plastic.
Best Set
Razab 35 pc Set Glass Food Storage Containers
The Razab set is about as complete a set as you’ll find. It includes 15 glass containers and five small plastic sauce containers. The glass containers have plastic locking lids, and the sauce containers have screw-top lids.
The glass containers come in sizes large enough to freeze an entrée; the glass is safe for oven and microwave use for cooking and baking. This set also includes sizes for storing individual servings or side dishes as well as leftovers, fruits, and vegetables. The plastic sauce containers provide extra options. For example, with this set, you can pack an entire picnic lunch, including the condiments.
These glass containers are either rectangular or square, making them easier to stack, saving space in the fridge or freezer. The variety in sizes, shapes, and the extra sauce containers make this an ideal set.
FAQs About Your New Glass Food Storage Containers
Glass food storage containers offer a safe way to store, reheat, and preserve food. However, there are a few tricks for their best use. We’ve answered a few common questions to kick-start your journey to fresher food.
Q. How do you sterilize glass food storage containers?
Glass food storage containers are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and sterilization. However, the lids may need to be boiled or hand-washed, depending on the material. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you don’t damage the lid or its sealing mechanism.
Q. Are glass food storage containers safe?
Glass food storage containers are usually safer than plastic for a couple of reasons. They aren’t porous like plastic, so they can heat and reheat in the microwave and, sometimes, the oven without chemicals leaching into the food. For the same reason, glass also resists staining and doesn’t absorb odors like plastic or metal.
Q. Do glass containers keep food fresh longer?
Glass containers don’t necessarily keep food fresher longer. The length of freshness depends on the effectiveness of the lid’s seal. However, glass doesn’t pose a threat of leaching; is easier to clean; and can be used in the fridge, freezer, microwave, and oven without damaging the container or changing the flavor of the food.
A word of caution—the container lids are usually made of plastic, metal, or wood, which may have different care instructions than the glass container. For example, plastic cannot go in the microwave or oven, nor should metal.