When not in use, many of our food storage containers can cleverly be stacked inside one another to save space. Aside from food storage, we also offer plenty of clever kitchen wall storage and kitchen pantry storage solutions to help you remain in control of your stuff.

This means you can store freezer friendly food for longer. And on lazy days, when cooking seems like a chore, just pop that thing straight out of the freezer into the microwave. You can thaw, heat, and enjoy your leftovers directly out of the box, meaning less dishes to do and less hassle.

To find out which of our food containers are freezer and microwave safe, check the material descriptions on the product information pages.

Sort and Filter items. Top seller. New Lower Price. KORKEN Jar with lid, 34 oz. Maximize the space in your pantry with labeled baskets in bright colors.

Stash unboxed individually wrapped snacks and breakfast essentials in the bins to make mornings a breeze. As an added kitchen storage idea, label shelves with the category of its contents. Don't want to spend money on new shelves?

See how to convert your existing cabinetry into open shelves. This DIY kitchen storage idea can help a small space seem larger and provide quick access to kitchen essentials. Add hooks to the back or side of a shallow cabinet that face a mudroom or front entryway to keep track of items you need as you head out the door.

Screw-in cup hooks are ideal for holding keys; use removable adhesive-back hooks for umbrellas or backpacks so you can change the arrangement and number of hooks when needed. An ordinary drawer becomes more purposeful with this kitchen storage idea. Use compartmentalized drawer organizers to neatly store utensils.

Alternatively, buy low-cost kitchen storage containers at dollar stores, like the plastic containers in this baking drawer , to group items.

Not all storage belongs behind closed doors. Make frequently used items easy to find and access when you outfit an island with affordable add-ons.

Consider bars for tea towels and paper towels or a repurposed wire bin to house cutting boards and rolling pins. A collapsible riser designed for cabinet interiors lends heightened storage when cooking or baking. Prepare a workstation by arranging ingredients in the lower space and placing dishes and utensils on top.

Once you're finished cooking, collapse the riser flat and store it in a pantry or base cabinet. Take a cue from restaurant kitchens and add a stainless-steel storage shelf to an empty wall in your kitchen.

This kitchen storage idea makes use of the height and bare wall space. Outfit an affordable wire rack with seldom-used small appliances , perishables purchased in bulk, or dishware saved for special occasions to free up space in your cabinets and pantry for items you use regularly.

Baskets help organize kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and fresh produce. Place baskets above a sink using a metal rod or adhesive hooks for easy access. A wire design allows you to see contents at a glance and helps wet dishes and sponges dry more quickly.

Applying cork to a door face or cabinet interior is a handy kitchen storage idea for notes and lists. Use spray adhesive or double-sided adhesive strips to apply the inexpensive sheets of corkboard.

Store recipes, chore lists, and coupon clippings on the boards while keeping the front of your cabinet doors clutter-free.

Repurpose a vintage metal caddy or milk crate as moveable spice storage. Stock it with salt and pepper, frequently used herbs , and oils to season meals at the table. Keep the container near food prep and cooking zones, then transfer it to the table during meals.

If the items in your freezer are expiring because you can't find what you need when you need them, seek out low-cost storage for a tidy space.

A trip to a dollar store or down the clearance aisles at the home center can yield storage bargains galore. Opt for stackable clear containers to keep foods in view; add labels to note contents and "use by" dates. A blank wall holds untapped potential.

One kitchen storage idea to put this space to work for pennies: Add magnetized strips to one side of a finished board and secure it to your backsplash to hold knives. This makes knives easy to grab and use, plus simple to put away.

Keep your cleaning supplies organized and ready to use with an over-the-door metal caddy. The lower rack is perfect for bottles of products , while the upper rack holds sponges and scrubbers. Multiply the capacity of any cabinet when you add storage to the interior side of the door. Six shallow shelves fit neatly between this door and the inner shelving to offer space for single-file lines of small packages of juice and tea and kitchen dry goods.

Lips on each door shelf keep items from tumbling off. We were impressed with these containers for their tight seals, how easily they cleaned up, and the lack of stains and smells left behind. For more extensive organizing, Rubbermaid offers this set in several configurations, from individual pieces to larger sets.

We find the piece set just right for storing everything from pantry essentials to cut vegetables or fruit in the refrigerator.

Material: BPA-free plastic Number of Pieces: 10 plus lids. As we mentioned, the best set of storage containers depend on your preferences. If we were to choose one best overall, it would be the Glasslock Piece Assorted Glass Storage Container Set for its strong, oven-safe glass; tight, locking lids; versatile shapes and sizes; and the fact that it can stand up to the oven and freezer alike.

We tested 76 food storage container sets, which included 35 plastic sets, 24 glass sets, 13 reusable silicone bags, two reusable fabric bags, and two ceramic canister sets.

We tested containers in several everyday situations to see how well they could keep brown sugar from drying out, preserve cut avocados, freeze berries, and resist stains from tomato sauce and odors from raw onions, to name a few scenarios.

We tested the containers as it made sense, so pantry canisters and taller bins did not go through our refrigerator, freezer, and microwave tests.

The food storage containers that made our list received top marks in testing, in addition to meeting our standards for capacity, ease of cleaning, and design.

This set includes a nice assortment for singles or a couple. Made of thick glass with locking airtight lids, these containers can be used in the fridge, freezer, and microwave and can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. This is a glass version of the popular Brilliance Tritan set on this list.

The glass bases are suitable for use in the oven up to degrees, allowing them to double as cookware and serveware. It's more expensive than the average glass set, however. Made of borosilicate glass, these containers can go from the freezer to the oven. We love that this set stacks and nests really well, saving space wherever you decide to use them.

They performed well in our leakproof tests and are also easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. This vintage-styled set includes 18 containers with lids, ranging in size from 1. This set is great for a one- or two-person home to preserve cut produce, meal prep, and holding leftovers. We love the look of them, and the price point makes this set a great value.

We really liked the easy, secure seal of these storage bags. The flat bottoms of these reusable bags make them extra versatile, working even better than your typical plastic zip storage bag. A fantastic option for dry storage, these essential containers seal and un-seal with a press of the large button on the lid.

This set is designed specifically for baking ingredients, with built-in scoops for larger sizes and a specially designed lid to keep brown sugar from hardening.

As we tested 76 storage container sets and reusable bag sets, we had to cut dozens from our final list for various reasons. It leaked during testing, however, which was a deal-breaker at this high of a price point.

Finally, we preferred storage containers to most reusable bags, and fabric storage bags ranked lowest in our tests. Food storage containers typically come in sturdy plastic, glass, or stoneware, while reusable bags tend to be made of silicone or fabric. Each material has its merits, so choosing one will depend on what is most important to you.

Plastic containers tend to be less expensive, lightweight, and more durable than glass or stoneware. Glass and stoneware tend to be more aesthetically pleasing, heavier, a bit more expensive, and more fragile, on top of resisting stains and odors better than plastic, in general.

To keep contents fresh, you want a container or bag that seals well. Look for features like silicone or rubber gaskets that provide an air-tight seal and snap closures that help to keep items contained even if the bin takes a small tumble.

If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may prefer clear or windowed lids, and if you're storing in a pantry, you may prefer lids that allow you to stack containers securely to maximize space. When picking a storage set, you want to be sure that the sizes included are useful for your household.

For pantry storage and leftovers, it's better to have containers that are slightly larger than you think you need. If you're packing containers for the office or school, on the other hand, you may want smaller containers or some designed for meal prep.

Most food storage containers and reusable bags can be easily washed by hand, but for a more thorough cleaning, you may prefer to pick a set that is dishwasher-safe.

Always check with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your set can be run through the dishwasher without warping or damaging its seal.

A set that stacks will take advantage of any vertical space you have. Place heavier, larger containers on the bottom, and stack lighter, smaller containers on top.

If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may want to opt for uniformly sized containers with see-through lids for easy identification. To make organization easier, you can also use a label maker or wine bottle pen to note each container's contents.

This depends on the quantities and varieties of food you need to store. We recommend starting with a small, buildable set that you can add onto once you know your storage needs. For example, keeping some containers in the freezer will mean having fewer on hand for workday lunches. And if you like to freeze meals, you'll likely want to supplement a set with more large containers.

If you stock your pantry with bulk ingredients like all-purpose flour, rice, dry beans, or nuts, you'll likely want larger, dedicated containers for each, as you can refill them when they're low or empty. If your pantry contains small quantities of a variety of ingredients — think chocolate chips, coconut flakes, nutritional yeast, and dried chilis — you may want an array of smaller containers.

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Budget pick. Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 16oz Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids, 50Pcs Reusable Deli Disposable Meal Prep Containers, Leakproof, Microwaveable Missing

Cheap food storage solutions - Runner-up. Glasslock Piece Container Set. The best leakproof glass container set Budget pick. Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 16oz Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids, 50Pcs Reusable Deli Disposable Meal Prep Containers, Leakproof, Microwaveable Missing

It's also available as a single and larger set. These are our favorite dry food storage containers and we included them here, too, for your shopping convenience. They're large, have super-secure lids, and are narrow enough to easily fit in any pantry or cabinet.

Models with flexible slip-on lids like Anchor, Frego, and Pyrex all failed majorly at keeping the dyed water inside in our shake tests. If clicking down the latches into place required a little oomph, that was a good sign the container was leakproof.

Plastic is lighter, glass is heavier. Plastic is cheaper, and glass is more expensive. Glass can shatter, and plastic is for the most part more shockproof. Most glass models can go into a hot oven without their lids, but of course, plastic containers can't.

Some plastic lids even the ones with glass bases held onto odors from the turmeric-oil mixture, but others, like Rubbermaid and Glasslock, did not.

We can say that silicone was the worst perpetrator when it came to clinging to stains and odors. By far, models that were constructed with a lot of silicone like Frego , Ello , and Anchor stained and smelled the most.

The most important feature of a food storage container is, of course, containing, which is why our leakage test was first. This began to separate the winners from the losers right away, with some models absolutely gushing water and others leaving their paper towel-lined trays without even a drop.

As noted above, our winners all had two or four tight-fitting latches and not a flexible slip-on lid. This made them leakproof and air-tight. If you prefer lighter, less expensive containers, opt for plastic. We recommend avoiding any containers with silicone anywhere besides the seal.

On all of our winners, a strip of silicone where the lid met the lip of the base was responsible for the air-tight seal.

Containers with silicone cages or with lids made from mostly silicone stained and held onto more odors. And unlike the light blue silicone lids, cages, and seals of other competitors, its seal is dark gray, which disguises most staining.

These containers are interlocking, so we could stack one on top of another with the base fitting perfectly in the shallow divot of the lid below it. This makes it harder for the top container to slide off. And if you want to buy both the plastic and glass versions from this line, they use the same plastic lids, so you can interchange them without having to keep track of which is which.

Of our winners, this one handled heating up frozen peas in the microwave best. After heating up the sweet peas for two minutes on standard power, every part of the container stayed warm and not too hot to handle, while the peas inside were cooked perfectly.

When opening the container, there was a bit of annoying friction when trying to get our fingers under the latch. And because of its strong seal, with the silicone pressing up against the inside of the container, lifting the lid up takes a little bit more effort than you think it will.

Overall, though, we don't think any of this really detracts from this model. It has a leakproof seal, resists staining and lingering odors, stacks easily with interlocking lids and bases, and is easy to clean up.

With this plastic model, it was much more intuitive to tell when the latches were locked and the lid fully secured, clicking into place in a satisfying way. Plus, unlike the glass model, there was more room to get your fingers under the latches for an effortless opening.

Also, even though the lid is the same, when sliding up the plastic sides the silicone seal experiences a lot of resistance. And while that makes for a good seal, it does at times take two hands and a little oomph to open it.

What we liked: Despite having four latches instead of two, opening and closing this model was seamless compared to the Rubbermaid models. It was easy to get our fingers under the latches, a cinch to click them into place, and the lid lifted right off with one hand after being unlatched.

Its glass body and plastic lid resisted staining for the most part and lingering odors after being smeared with the turmeric and oil mixture. Place baskets above a sink using a metal rod or adhesive hooks for easy access. A wire design allows you to see contents at a glance and helps wet dishes and sponges dry more quickly.

Applying cork to a door face or cabinet interior is a handy kitchen storage idea for notes and lists. Use spray adhesive or double-sided adhesive strips to apply the inexpensive sheets of corkboard.

Store recipes, chore lists, and coupon clippings on the boards while keeping the front of your cabinet doors clutter-free.

Repurpose a vintage metal caddy or milk crate as moveable spice storage. Stock it with salt and pepper, frequently used herbs , and oils to season meals at the table.

Keep the container near food prep and cooking zones, then transfer it to the table during meals. If the items in your freezer are expiring because you can't find what you need when you need them, seek out low-cost storage for a tidy space.

A trip to a dollar store or down the clearance aisles at the home center can yield storage bargains galore.

Opt for stackable clear containers to keep foods in view; add labels to note contents and "use by" dates. A blank wall holds untapped potential. One kitchen storage idea to put this space to work for pennies: Add magnetized strips to one side of a finished board and secure it to your backsplash to hold knives.

This makes knives easy to grab and use, plus simple to put away. Keep your cleaning supplies organized and ready to use with an over-the-door metal caddy.

The lower rack is perfect for bottles of products , while the upper rack holds sponges and scrubbers.

Multiply the capacity of any cabinet when you add storage to the interior side of the door. Six shallow shelves fit neatly between this door and the inner shelving to offer space for single-file lines of small packages of juice and tea and kitchen dry goods. Lips on each door shelf keep items from tumbling off.

A plate rack is a kitchen storage idea that offers a pretty way to display dishes. Position your plate rack in a spot that's convenient to the dishwasher so dishes are easy to put away or near the dining table for quick access. For a budget-friendly option, build your own DIY plate rack.

S hooks suspended from the ventilation hood above the cooktop make simple, stylish storage for pots , bowls, and utensils. Hang a collection of shiny copper bowls or other vintage cooking pieces. Install hooks and labels inside a cabinet door in your baking center so every measuring cup and spoon has its proper place.

Add a conversion chart for good measure. For a baker, a rolling pin must be close at hand at all times. A storage hook mounted to the side of a cabinet keeps this baking essential easy to reach and frees up a drawer for smaller utensils.

Add cottage style to any table setting and make serving a snap by upcycling glass jars. This utensil caddy is made out of glass milk jars and a simple metal handle. Mason jars also work for organizing silverware into a simple serving station. Keep your eyes peeled for vintage wicker picnic baskets at estate sales or flea markets, and use them to stow kitchen gear and keep countertops clear of clutter.

Stack baskets in a corner to store linens, dishware, or even stacks of coupons and household paperwork. Make use of the backside of cabinet doors, as well as the insides, for additional kitchen storage ideas.

An over-the-door storage unit keeps mismatched towels out of sight and handy for dish duty. Measure the width of your cabinet door and consider the contents of your cabinet to determine the best size for over-the-door cabinet storage.

Turn an open display shelf into triangular storage niches for just a few dollars. Add intersecting 1x boards, as shown, to one or more shelf sections to create attractive, angular storage that works well for displaying and storing everything from wine to rolled cloth napkins.

A single ledge or shelf installed near the ceiling can take advantage of untapped storage potential. This long shelf displays and stores bottles of oil and vinegar, showing off golden hues and shapely outlines while drawing attention to the r ustic ceiling beams and beautiful lighting.

We encourage independence, so on the most part they do it themselves, and these containers make that so much easier and reduce the mess! With these containers, no extra cereal escapes and being in an airtight container, they stay fresher for longer.

Kilner Spaghetti Jar, Amazon, £ Set of 2 Glass Sprinkle Jars with Spoons, Willow and Stone, £8. Set of 3 Pink Canisters, Robert Dyas, £ Geometric Blossom Canister, The Range, £6. Potato Bag, Amazon, £7. Set of 2 Cupboard Shelf Organiser, Amazon, £ Dymo Label Maker, Amazon, £

Cheap food storage solutions - Runner-up. Glasslock Piece Container Set. The best leakproof glass container set Budget pick. Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 16oz Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids, 50Pcs Reusable Deli Disposable Meal Prep Containers, Leakproof, Microwaveable Missing

They are perfect for organizing craft supplies, pet food, jewelry, things you want to keep dry while camping , and much more. Many foods are sensitive to temperature and can spoil or become unsafe to eat if stored at the wrong temperature.

For example, perishable foods such as meat, dairy, and produce should be stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Dry goods such as grains and legumes should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Always follow the USDA guidelines for food storage. Among other things, the USDA recommends storing refrigerated food under 40°F and to consume most leftovers within three to four days.

Using these budget-friendly food storage options can save money and reduce waste. They are durable, affordable and in many cases free, and easy to use, making them a great choice for anyone looking to save money on food storage. Jenn Allen is a retired chef turned cookbook author, blogger, and traveler.

She lives at home with her family and the cats that rule them all. Sign up for all her best recipes at CookWhatYouLove. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

Learn how your comment data is processed. Menu Home Food and Drink Food Drinks Travel Lifestyle Home and Garden. Food , Home and Garden Budget-Friendly Food Storage Ideas. Get your copy today! In this ebook, you will find: Easy and delicious recipes from a variety of top chefs and recipe developers.

Consider keeping the items with the closest expiration dates up front to remind yourself to use those first.

Wicker baskets are a practical storage solution for canned foods and other pantry staples. They are the perfect option if you prefer a neutral look instead of an array of colorful food packaging filling every shelf.

This way, the contents of the baskets are hidden, but the open tops allow for easy access. Tina Ramchandani. If you're remodeling your kitchen, opt for drawers in addition to shelves in your pantry. They make it easier to reach every item, and unlike with a shelf, you don't need to move multiple cans to get to the back.

To maximize kitchen storage space , install a cabinet door organizer to hold canned foods. Despite being small, this custom detail makes a world of difference. They add storage space without using up extra square footage and keep pantry staples neatly tucked away.

NEAT by meg. Plastic risers are easy to clean, inexpensive, and utilize shelf height and depth to store as many cans as possible. The staggered tiers keep cans in the back visible and give pantry shelves a professional, store-like appearance.

Store cans horizontally in a can dispenser that typically holds up to 36 cans and automatically moves them forward when you take one out. Refill it as you restock canned goods and keep it low to the ground to avoid any falling can-related accidents. Use labeled bins to store canned foods and other essentials.

Labels are especialy helpful on opaque bins that don't reveal their contents, and they add a professional look. Hang floating pantry shelves so you can control the spacing between them. Due to their weight, lace any extra large cans on lower shelves, and sort them into groups such as baking, side dishes, and main meals.

Britt Design Studio. Consider using cabinet drawers if you tend to purchase canned food in bulk. Keep a couple of each item on a shelf or riser and hide the overflow in drawers. Studio Peake. Add charm with a built-in hutch-style kitchen cabinet and fill it with regularly used pantry items, such as canned foods, tea, coffee, and jellies that you can easily grab and restock regularly.

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Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.

Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Maria Sabella is an E-Design consultant and has spent the last six years working in the interior design and staging industries, as well as writing digital content focused on home-related topics.

Maria Sabella. Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process. Trending Videos. Incorporate Expandable Wood Risers. Continue to 2 of 18 below. See Everything With Wire Baskets. Continue to 3 of 18 below. Simplify Things With Tiered Drawers. Continue to 4 of 18 below. Put in a Pull-Out Cabinet Organizer.

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