The Best Freezer-Safe Containers to Preserve Your Food, According to Experts
Help your soups, stews and lasagna stay fresh longer in the freezer with an airtight container.
Freezer-safe containers come in handy whether you batch-cook on the weekend so you have meals ready for the week ahead or buy in bulk and stash grains, nuts or dried fruit you can't eat right away. Choosing freezer-safe containers might seem like a minor decision, but good ones keep food fresh longer, preventing waste and saving money.
It's a good idea to stock your cabinet with containers in an assortment of sizes and shapes, so regardless of what you're freezing, you'll have the perfect one on hand. For individual portions of dishes like lasagna or mac 'n cheese, shallow containers are the best choice, while deeper ones are preferable for soups and sauces as well as dry foods like flour and granola. Like all food storage containers, freezer-safe ones should have tight-fitting lids and be easy to handle, stain-resistant, and dishwasher-safe.
Individual containers might not cost much, but buy enough of them for all the items you store in the freezer, and you'll very quickly spend a lot. We've rounded up the best freezer-safe containers for every scenario so you can make the most of your hard-earned money. Depending on how you cook and shop for food, we have recommendations to meet your needs and preferences.
Best Overall Freezer-Safe Container
For freezer storage, you can't beat Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers. They are composed of glass bodies and have plastic lids with latches that snap on super securely, making them as airtight as possible. It takes a little effort to lock and unlock the lids, but we think it's worth it for the great protection against freezer burn. You can use Brilliance in either the microwave or the oven up to 450 degrees F. The lids have vents for splatter-resistant microwaving. As they're rectangular with flat lids, these containers are easy to stack to keep your freezer neat. As you would expect from our top choice, they can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Best Silicone Freezer-Safe Container
We've all reused the clear plastic containers that potato salad or wonton soup come in, even though we know they're designed for takeout, not for long-term freezer storage. A great alternative is Anyday's Anydeli silicone containers, which have the shape we love for storing homemade soup and tomato sauce as well as items like granola, almonds and grains.
Measurement marks let you keep track of how much is in them. The containers have a microwave-safe rim to help them keep their shape, and the lids feature built-in vents to allow steam to escape. They don't have handles, so be sure to use pot holders when you take them out of the microwave. Anydeli can go in the oven at up to 450 degrees F as well as in the dishwasher. They're designed to nest in the cabinet and stack in the freezer.
Best Plastic Freezer-Safe Container
If you're comfortable with using plastic, we recommend Snapware Total Solution Plastic, which is BPA-free. The lids have four latches on the sides, a place to write contents on and the same gaskets that give Snapware Total Solution Glass its tight seal. With their shallow shape, these are best for prepped meals or leftovers. This reasonably-priced set gives two each of 1.2-, 3-, 4-, 5.5- and 8-cup containers.
Best Metal Freezer-Safe Container
As Black + Blum Meal Prep containers are made from stainless steel, they allow you to avoid plastic as well as the weight and breakability of glass. And yes, although they're metal, they can be safely used in the microwave as well as the oven. The BPA-free plastic lids lock on for airtight freezer storage but need to be removed before oven heating. Since you can't see through these containers or lids, you'll want to be sure to label them before stashing them in the freezer. Also, be careful to avoid dents or scratches, which could affect their microwave safety.
Another Great Metal Freezer-Safe Container
Misenware is a new option for stainless steel freezer storage that can be used in a microwave (up to 1200 watts of power). It's also oven- and even grill-safe. One of Misenware's advantages is that it has glass lids, so you can see what's inside the containers if you don't take the time to label them. Measurements on the inner walls help you keep track of amounts. You can safely pop these pieces in the dishwasher. In this set, you'll receive small, medium and large containers.
Best All-Glass Freezer-Safe Container
We love Pyrex Ultimate containers because they're some of the only ones around with glass lids, letting you avoid plastic entirely. With white silicone trim around the lids, they're also among the most stylish freezer-safe containers you can buy. An easy-to-open vent in the lid releases steam during microwave cooking. Pyrex cautions that frozen food should be thawed before you place a container in a preheated oven. This collection includes one each of 16-, 24-, 32-, 48- and 56-ounce containers. The large ones are shallow and rectangular and would be perfect for freezing a whole lasagna or shepherd's pie.
Best Freezer-Safe Container for Meal Prep
With their shallow configuration, OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass containers are ideal for storing portions of baked ziti, beef stew or meatloaf for reheating. Thanks to lids with latches on all sides and a gasket, they seal tightly. They're both microwave- and oven-safe, and OXO says they can go straight from the freezer to the oven, even if it's not preheated. Keep in mind that the lids are plastic, which means you'll want to prevent them from coming in direct contact with food, and of course, they may stain if tomato sauce spatters on them in the microwave. Pop them in the dishwasher for cleaning.
Another Great Freezer-Safe Container for Meal Prep
Like OXO, Snapware Total Solution Pyrex Glass containers have plastic lids with gaskets and four latches to create an airtight seal to keep air out and odors in. However, while they can be used for microwave heating, they can't go into the conventional oven. One nice feature is the area on the lid where you can write with a marker to label and date the contents; you can easily erase the writing when you need to. Snapware is microwave-safe. This set gives you two 1-cup, two 4-cup and one 6-cup container.
Best Freezer-Safe Container for Dry Foods
Think of Caraway Airtight Containers as canisters for your freezer. Fill them with flour, pretzels, brown sugar or anything you buy in bulk that's perishable if stored at room temperature for long periods. Activate the switch in the lids to make them airtight. While you can use them in the microwave or the oven, most sizes are taller than they're wide, making them more appropriate for storage. The containers themselves can go in the dishwasher, but the lids require hand washing. While this set is pricey, it includes two 1-quart, two 2.5-quart and one 4-quart size, a scoop, measuring cup and an organizer to corral them.
Best Freezer-Safe Container for Cooking
If you want to cook, then freeze, reheat and serve from just one container, look no further than Anyday glass containers. Designed for cooking as well as storage, they come with detailed recipes and microwaving instructions for a variety of foods. Their glass lids are reinforced with microwave-safe metal rims and have silicone gaskets and vented silicone knobs. Before you freeze food, you create a tight seal by pushing down on the lid knobs, and then when you're ready to reheat, push again to release the seal and open the vent. Both the containers and the lids can be safely used for oven cooking.
Best Freezer-Safe Container for Short-Term Storage
If you're prepping ahead of time for just the next week’s meals or an upcoming gathering, and are not totally averse to using plastic, these inexpensive containers are a convenient option. Although they’re made of thin plastic, the Gladware containers do a good job of keeping air out. They're also surprisingly spill-resistant, making them suitable if you're bringing food to the office or a potluck. While Glad is BPA-free and is microwave-safe, they're best for quick zaps and certainly not for heating food that's frozen. Glad is easy to find at the supermarket or discount store in a variety of sizes, shapes and sets.
Easiest-to-Clean Freezer-Safe Container
As Caraway glass containers have a ceramic nonstick coating, they're super easy to clean. Their see-through glass lids have silicone seals, and if you don't set the temperature higher than 450 degrees F, you can use the containers with their lids on in the oven. And yes, you can put them in the microwave and dishwasher, too. The exterior finish is available in six on-trend colors, including cream, gray, aqua, green, coral or navy. This set is composed of two 4.4-cup, two 6.6-cup and one 10-cup container, plus three magnetic storage organizers to house the containers in your cabinets.
How to Choose the Best Freezer-Safe Container
Use and Needs: Your very first consideration should be what you will be freezing. If you plan to also use freezer containers to heat food up in the microwave, you'll want to make sure they’re safe for zapping. For individual portions of precooked meals, you'll want shallow or bowl-shaped containers. On the other hand, you'll find it easy to pour out chicken stock and marinara sauce or measure out walnuts or raisins from tall containers.
Material: Glass has a big advantage in that it doesn't interact with food. That makes it the best choice for cooked or saucy foods, especially if you'll be heating them right in the container. In addition, glass excels at warding off freezer burn and maintaining freshness, as air can't pass through it, with the caveat that it should have a tight-fitting lid. On the other hand, glass can shatter in the freezer. To avoid this, follow our suggestions below for safe usage.
Lightweight and unbreakable plastic freezer-safe containers are great for storing dry items like flour or cereal and baked goods like muffins and cookies that are unlikely to absorb chemicals. If you do want to use plastic for freezing cooked foods and reheating, look for ones that don't contain BPA or phthalates.
Stainless steel or silicone containers are good alternatives to plastic and, unlike glass, are lightweight and unbreakable. There's not a big selection in these materials, and they can be pricey, but they might be worth seeking out.
Seal and Lid Design: Lids with latches and gaskets generally give the tightest seal for the best protection. However, it can take a little extra effort to lock and unlock them, and the latches are susceptible to breaking. Look for lids with steam vents if you plan to use your containers for microwave heating.
Ease of Cleaning: For the easiest cleanup, purchase containers that can be safely put in the dishwasher. If you don't have a dishwasher or often wash items by hand, seek out containers without crevices, as they can be hard to get into for thorough cleaning and drying.
Shape: Square and rectangular containers are more space-efficient and can help you keep your freezer neat and organized. However, if you plan to microwave in your freezer-safe containers, you might prefer round ones, which heat food more evenly.
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Tips for Using a Freezer-Safe Container
Don't overfill: As they freeze, liquids expand, which can cause glass to crack or plastic to deform. Leave 1 to 2 inches of space at the top of the container.
Cool Food First: Chill hot food for up to 2 hours on the countertop and then in the refrigerator until it's chilled before moving it to the freezer.
Check Freezer Temperature: A freezer temperature of 0 degrees F or lower is ideal.
Keep Track: With a marker, tape or sticker, note what's in the container and when it was frozen. Put newer items in the back or on the bottom of the freezer and older items where you'll grab them first.
Defrost Before Heating: Even if the manufacturer says a container can go directly from the freezer to the oven, it's a good idea to defrost before heating as insurance against shattering.
Toss: Chipped or cracked glass can break, and degraded plastic can leach into food and should be discarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What containers are best for preventing freezer burn?
Thick-walled containers with tight seals are the best defense against freezer burn.
How long do foods stay fresh in freezer-safe containers?
Food can be frozen for up to a year. After that, it'll still be safe to eat but may be lacking in taste and texture.
Are plastic freezer containers safe to use?
In the cold temperature of a freezer, plastic is unlikely to migrate into food. However, if you will be using the same container to heat food up, you might prefer containers made of another material like glass.
Can freezer-safe containers go from freezer to microwave?
Start by checking the manufacturer's recommendations. However, even if the use and care info recommends going right from the freezer to the microwave, it's a good idea to defrost food first to protect against breakage.
How full should a freezer-safe container be?
Freezer-safe containers should be filled almost to the top, with 1 to 2 inches left for expansion. Avoid using containers that are a lot larger than the amount of food you are freezing to prevent excess air from causing freezer burn.
Why You Should Trust Our Writer
Sharon Franke has been a contributor to Food Network for many years, writing articles to help readers make educated decisions about all types of kitchen equipment, from stoves and ranges to dinnerware. After a seven-year career as a professional chef, Sharon joined the prestigious Good Housekeeping Institute, where she worked for three decades, serving as Director of the Kitchen Appliances Lab and establishing standards for testing. With over 37 years of experience testing, writing and consulting about tools used for cooking, storing and serving food, as well as cleaning up, she is a respected authority on kitchen gear.
