The 8 Best Glass Food Storage Containers of 2023
Updated: Jun. 06, 2023
It's time to make the switch from plastic to the best glass food storage containers. A professional chef explains why.
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Whether you’re looking for refrigerator organizing ideas, new meal prep containers or a more sustainable way to store yummy leftovers, glass storage containers are a total kitchen game-changer. While they may cost more upfront than plastic containers, glass containers last longer and are better for the earth and your health. Home cooks and chefs alike agree that glass is the way to go when it comes to the best food storage containers.
“Everything lasts so much longer in glass storage containers—exponentially longer!” explains professional chef, Laura Pauli. “Glass doesn’t absorb the color, odor or flavor of food the way plastic does. Glass storage options are also far sturdier and survive the dishwasher and microwave without any adverse effects. I wouldn’t microwave plastic containers, for example, because of the potential to leach chemicals into the food.”
What to Look for When Buying Glass Food Storage Containers
Choosing the right glass storage containers boils down to picking the right size for your space, function and style. Some are both oven- and microwave-safe, while others offer only one benefit. Generally speaking, opting for tempered glass provides the safest food storage experience. Choosing thicker glass also protects against potential cracks, and may even be labeled as “shatter-proof.”
Overall Best Glass Food Storage Container
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Containers with Lids
These 100% airtight, leakproof glass storage containers are an affordable find you’ll reach for every time. They’re easy to wash and offered in four convenient sizes that fit everything from prepped veggies to tonight’s dinner leftovers. They even have vented, microwave-safe lids. It’s rare to find kitchen storage containers with lids that are also safe for microwave use, and that puts these slightly ahead of the pack for the average user. (You’ll still need to keep the lids unlatched in the microwave, though.) The base of this container is also oven-safe. Best of all, the containers are a space-saving refrigerator storage helper since they stack easy in the fridge.
Pros
- Affordable
- Airtight, leakproof design
- Microwave-safe core and lid
- Oven-safe base
- Modern design with 360-degree clarity
Cons
- Relatively limited variety of available sizes
Best Budget-Friendly
Ailtec Glass Food Storage Containers
Amazon shoppers love this versatile Ailtec set of nine complete storage containers with glass bases and BPA-free airtight lids. This set also boasts four-sided snap closures and easy cleaning in the dishwasher. The tempered glass is thicker than some of the competitors and can withstand temperatures up to -40°F in the freezer or up to about 750°F in the oven and microwave. This durable, cost-effective set also boasts 10,000 enthusiastic Amazon reviews and a nearly-perfect rating.
Pros:
- Tempered glass safe for use in the freezer, microwave and oven
- Four-sided airtight locking
- Modest price point
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Lids can’t be microwaved or placed in the oven
- No color-coded lids for meal prep
Best Compact
Ball Glass Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids
Believe it or not, classic Ball glass jars with lids are among the best glass food storage containers—and made our list of editor-loved kitchen gadgets. They’re also one of Pauli’s most treasured kitchen companions: “I put all my spices in mason jars to keep all the odd sizes and plastic jars from jamming my drawers. Plus, all my leftovers are quickly packed in mason jars and into the fridge. Every Sunday I roast a chicken and make a big batch of soup, then portion them into serving-size mason jars. I always have healthy grab-and-go or grab-and-heat meals.”
These may sound too good to be true because they’re so easy to work with and incredibly affordable, but they’re genuinely a home chef’s best friend. The 16-ounce wide-mouth design makes these an ideal size for single portions, herbs (or try the Prepara herb saver), dry goods and even gifts. If you don’t like the metal lids, pick up a 16-pack of colorful plastic mason jar lids and swap them out. Pair them with these cute mason jar accessories, too.
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide mouth opening is easy to fill
- Dishwasher-safe glass base
- Stands up to heat from soups and your refrigerator’s coldest temperatures
- Fun, timeless visual appeal
Cons
- Metal lids aren’t suitable for dishwashers, microwaves or ovens
- Limited size offerings
Best Size Variety
Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Containers
These Pyrex glass containers with colorful lids were designed specifically for meal prepping. The distinct colors help you keep tabs on contents through easy identification. The pure Pyrex glass stands up to regular microwave and dishwasher use, and it’s an odor and stain-resistant wonder that preserves food’s truest flavors without the hassle of added cleanup. Plus, over 16,000 Amazon five star reviews have called this set “the best” and “impossible to live without.” Don’t forget to add the beloved guac lock guacamole container to your fridge organization rotation if you’re an avocado-lover, either.
Pros
- Non-porous glass won’t absorb odors, flavors or stains
- Affordable
- BPA-free color-coded lid system
- Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
- 18 total pieces
Cons
- Not marked oven- or freezer-safe
- Some reviewers say the lids tend to warp and bend after repeated runs through the dishwasher
Best Glass Storage Containers with Dividers
MCirco Glass Meal Prep Containers
Whether you’re taking glass containers on the go for picnics or lunch at the office, these MCirco glass meal prep containers with dividers offer the perfect solution to otherwise messy meals. They’re made of high-quality borosilicate glass that offers added durability, so they can go straight from the fridge to the microwave (and back again if necessary). The bento-style dividers also offer portion control and separation where it’s needed. That means your yogurt, granola and fruit don’t have to touch until the right time—because preserving the ideal texture is priceless. Check out these produce keepers on Amazon and lettuce keepers ideal for storing greens.
Pros
- Genius dividers to keep food separate (or for portion control)
- Airtight lids thanks to silicone seals
- Microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe
- Perfect for meals on-the-go
- Affordable
Cons
- Lids are not heat-safe
- Less ideal for storing leftovers
Best Vacuum Storage Glass Containers
Zwilling Fresh & Save Starter Set
This space-age Zwilling Fresh & Save Starter Set comes with a vacuum sealer, a vacuum-sealed glass container and four vacuum-sealed reusable bags. It’s an advanced way of preserving freshness and offers a simple way to try your hand at new cooking techniques like sous vide. It’s also the best glass storage container set for advanced home chefs and those who can’t stop tinkering with kitchen technology. Keep the freshness going by tacking on these three extra glass containers when you’re ready for more!
Pros
- Vacuum seal technology
- Comes with a vacuum sealer (nothing extra to buy)
- Preserves food integrity and freshness
- Allows for more advanced cooking and preservation techniques like sous vide
Cons
- Comes with fewer containers than average starter sets
- More expensive than a regular set of containers
Best for Dry Goods
Neat Method Glass Jars
Here’s one of the best pantry storage containers to organize your dry goods. If you love clean lines and minimalist design that meshes well with your sleek appliances and modern cabinet hardware, these Neat Method glass jars are going to be your favorite dry storage showpieces. They’re made of crystal-clear glass and feature acacia wood tops that boast an airtight inner rim to keep food fresh. Better yet, 10% of the glass comes from recycled goods. You’ll store grains, sugar, salt, pasta, beans and so much more in these gorgeous glass cylinders.
Pros
- Modern minimalist design
- Trendy wooden tops with airtight seals
- Eco-friendlier glass
- Available in four sizes ranging from small to extra large
Cons
- Not ideal for wet storage
- Not microwave-, oven- or dishwasher-safe
Best Vintage-Style Glass Storage Containers
The Pioneer Woman Cassie Glass Canister Set
This eye-catching Pioneer Woman three-piece glass storage container set is a charming vintage-style addition to any kitchen island cart or pantry. Choose from a soft, dusty rose hue or happiness-inducing teal glass embossed with Ree Drummond’s signature patterns. Each set comes with three sizes that make storing coffee, grains, sugar and other dry goods way more beautiful. The lids also feature a silicone seal to offer airtight protection that works just as nicely with your pantry staples as it does with cotton balls and other items you’d store in a bathroom organizer.
Pros
- Affordable
- Comes as a set of three
- Charming vintage style with early 20th century-inspired colors and detailing
Cons
- Best for dry storage only
- Not dishwasher-safe
How We Found the Best Glass Food Storage Containers
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQs
How to organize glass food storage containers?
Luckily, most glass food storage containers stack together for easy storage. We recommend organizing the containers by shape then stacking them together (if possible). Stack the lids and keep in a separate drawer, or snap them onto the containers before stacking by shape.
Are glass containers better than plastic food storage?
Yes! Not only is glass more eco-friendly and durable, it’s safer. Plastic containers often release chemicals in the heating up or freezing process. Plus, plastic containers wear out quicker.
Are glass food storage containers safe?
Yes, it’s safe to store food in glass storage containers. Unlike plastic, glass doesn’t emit chemicals on food. It’s also non-porous, which prevents it from staining and producing smells. (Speaking of bad fridge odors, check out the chilly mama and Bluapple to keep your appliance fresh.) From the fridge, to freezer and microwave, glass storage containers make food prep a breeze.
Are glass food storage containers freezer-safe?
For the most part, yes. Just make sure the glass is tempered or the product description states it’s safe to freeze. Glass storage containers are one of favorite freezer containers for soup thanks to their durability. You can also explore our list of the best freezer containers.
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