A Mexican kitchen runs on things made ahead. A pot of pozole is better the second day, frijoles de la olla get cooked by the pound, and the salsas and pickled jalapeños live in the refrigerator all week. None of it keeps well in a container whose lid pops off, lets air in or holds on to last week’s smell.
This guide covers eight food storage container sets in glass and plastic, from latching sets made to go from freezer to oven to cheap screw-top tubs for soup. We used the makers’ specifications, the Amazon listings and America’s Test Kitchen’s reviews of glass and plastic storage containers. Where a maker says nothing about the oven, the microwave or leaks, we say so.
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Quick verdict: which food storage containers to buy
For most kitchens, buy the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass 9-Container Set. It was America’s Test Kitchen’s top glass pick, its seals “never leaked” in ATK’s tests, and Rubbermaid rates the glass bases oven-safe to 450°F. If you want lighter plastic, the Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic 5-Container Set was ATK’s plastic winner. For glass lids instead of plastic, choose the Bentgo Signature Glass 12-Piece Set. On a tighter budget, the Pyrex Simply Store 9-Container Set, and for freezing soup and beans, Ziploc Twist ‘n Loc containers.
If you want a dish to bake the enchiladas in before anything is stored, our guide to the best baking dishes covers 9×13 and 8×8 pans.
Five food storage container sets compared
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of kitchen, with the material and lid each maker or listing states. All eight sets are reviewed in full below.
| Container set | Best for | Material | Lid (as stated) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass 9-Container SetBest overall
|
Leftovers that go back in the oven | Glass bases, plastic lids | Latching, vented; leakproof and airtight | View on Amazon |
Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic 5-Container SetBest plastic
|
Light, clear, stackable storage | Tritan plastic | Latching, vented; leak-proof | View on Amazon |
Bentgo Signature Glass 12-Piece SetBest glass lids
|
Cooks who want no plastic lids | Borosilicate glass, tempered glass lids | Press-on, silicone seal, steam vent | View on Amazon |
Pyrex Simply Store 9-Container SetBest value glass
|
Salsas and sides in the fridge | Tempered glass, plastic lids | Snug press-on; no leakproof claim | View on Amazon |
Ziploc Twist ‘n Loc Medium ContainersBest for soups
|
Freezing pozole and beans | Plastic | Screw-on; leak resistant | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Lid, oven and microwave details are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best food storage containers
These eight sets cover the main choices: glass with latching plastic lids, all-plastic sets, glass with glass lids, simple press-on lids for the refrigerator and round screw-top tubs for liquids. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass 9-Container Set – Leakproof Glass That Goes in the Oven
America’s Test Kitchen named this set the winner of its glass storage container review, writing that “the seals on the containers remained effective throughout our tests and never leaked.” For a kitchen that stores caldo, salsa verde and bean broth, that is the test that matters most.
The set holds nine containers: three 1.3-cup, two 2-cup, two 3.2-cup, one 4.7-cup and one 8-cup, each with its own lid. Rubbermaid says the lids are airtight and leak-proof, latch on and have vents for splatter-resistant microwaving with the latches open. The glass bases are oven-safe up to 450°F, according to Rubbermaid, so the 8-cup container can take leftover enchiladas from the refrigerator straight into the oven once the lid is off.
The lids fit every Brilliance container of the same size, in glass or plastic, so a mixed collection stays easy to match. Rubbermaid lists the set as freezer-safe and dishwasher-safe, with lids on the top rack.
Why we like it
- ATK’s glass winner; never leaked in its tests
- Glass bases oven-safe to 450°F, per Rubbermaid
- Vented lids for microwaving with latches open
- Lids fit plastic and glass Brilliance bases
Key specifications
| Set | 9 containers, 9 lids (model 2118308) |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass bases, plastic lids |
| Pieces/sizes | 3 × 1.3 cup, 2 × 2 cup, 2 × 3.2 cup, 4.7 cup, 8 cup |
| Lid type/leakproof | Latching, vented; airtight and leak-proof (maker) |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | Bases to 450°F; microwave with latches open; freezer-safe |
| Stackable/nesting | Stackable (modular) |
| Dishwasher | Yes; lids top rack |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one set that holds soups without leaking, reheats in the microwave and goes into the oven, with the strongest independent record of the sets here.
Skip it if weight matters; glass is heavier than plastic to carry to work or school.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No leaks in ATK’s tests
- Useful spread of nine sizes
- Oven-safe glass bases
Cons
- Heavier than plastic
- Plastic lids must stay out of the oven
- Only one large container
2. Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic 5-Container Set – A Tight Seal Without the Weight
In America’s Test Kitchen’s plastic container review, the Brilliance set was the winner: when testers filled and shook it, “the seal was so tight that no drops of water escaped.” ATK also liked the flat lids, which stack, and the attached gasket, which it found easy to clean.
This set has two 1.3-cup containers, two 3.2-cup containers and one 9.6-cup container, with lids. The bases and lids are clear Tritan plastic, and Rubbermaid describes the material as stain- and odor-resistant. Vents under the latches let you microwave with the lid on, according to Rubbermaid, and the set is listed as dishwasher-, microwave- and freezer-safe, with a lifetime warranty.
ATK’s own advice is more cautious than the maker’s: it suggests never microwaving food in plastic containers or washing them in the dishwasher, and notes that acidic foods such as tomato sauce “can also interact with plastic over time.” If you follow that advice, keep salsa roja in glass and use these for beans, rice and cooked meat.
Why we like it
- ATK’s plastic winner; no water escaped in the shake test
- Large 9.6-cup container for a batch of beans
- Flat lids that stack, per ATK
- Lifetime warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Set | 5 containers, 5 lids (model 1976520) |
|---|---|
| Material | Tritan plastic |
| Pieces/sizes | 2 × 1.3 cup, 2 × 3.2 cup, 1 × 9.6 cup |
| Lid type/leakproof | Latching, vented; leak-proof (maker) |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | No oven; microwave and freezer-safe (maker) |
| Stackable/nesting | Stackable |
| Dishwasher | Yes (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want light containers that seal as well as glass for carrying lunches, stacking in a crowded refrigerator or freezing beans.
Skip it if you want to bake or reheat in the same container in the oven; plastic cannot go there.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very tight seal in ATK’s test
- Light and clear
- Gasket easy to clean, per ATK
Cons
- Not for the oven
- Only five containers
- ATK advises against microwaving in plastic
3. Bentgo Signature Glass 12-Piece Set – Glass Lids With a Steam Vent
Most glass sets still close with a plastic lid. Bentgo’s Signature set uses tempered glass lids in a silicone frame, and the containers themselves are borosilicate glass, according to the listing. America’s Test Kitchen rated the set Recommended, finding that the attached gaskets “ensured a tight seal” and that the glass lids were easy to clean in the dishwasher.
The lids press on rather than latch. Each has what Bentgo calls a VentSmart valve, so you can let steam out and microwave without taking the lid off. Bentgo lists the set as safe for the microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher, and the containers nest for storage. ATK found the containers held up to hot and freezing temperatures, though the lids kept a little odor after washing.
The listing does not give the sizes of the containers in the 12-piece set, so check the product images before you buy if you need a particular size for a pot of pozole.
Why we like it
- Recommended by ATK; tight seal from attached gaskets
- Glass lids, no plastic lid tops
- Steam vent for microwaving with the lid on
- Containers nest, per Bentgo
Key specifications
| Set | 12 pieces, containers and lids (model BGSIGLPK2) |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass; tempered glass lids, silicone frame |
| Pieces/sizes | Not stated in the listing |
| Lid type/leakproof | Press-on, silicone seal, vent; leak-proof (maker) |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | All three, per Bentgo |
| Stackable/nesting | Nests |
| Dishwasher | Yes (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you would rather not have plastic touching your food and want lids you can see through and wash in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you carry soup in a bag; press-on lids without latches are less reassuring on the move than the Rubbermaid’s clips.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass top and bottom
- Withstood hot and freezing temperatures in ATK’s review
- Vented lids
Cons
- Lids kept some odor, per ATK
- No latches
- Sizes not listed
4. Pyrex Simply Store 9-Container Set – Plain Glass for the Fridge
Pyrex Simply Store is the simple version of glass storage: tempered glass containers with soft plastic lids that press on, no latches and no gaskets. Pyrex says the glass resists stains and odors, which is why plain glass suits pickled jalapeños, escabeche and salsas that would leave plastic smelling of vinegar and chile.
The set has nine containers in rounds and rectangles: a 7-cup round, a 6-cup rectangle, two 4-cup rounds, two 3-cup rectangles, two 2-cup rounds and a 1-cup round. Pyrex lists the lids as freezer-, microwave- and top-rack dishwasher-safe, and gives a two-year limited warranty on the glass and the lids. On its own site, Pyrex describes the containers as dishwasher-, freezer- and microwave-safe; neither the listing nor that page addresses the oven, so we would not count on it.
Pyrex says the lid “fits snug” but makes no leakproof claim, and that is the trade-off. These are refrigerator containers, not ones to carry pozole across town in.
Why we like it
- Glass resists stains and odors, per Pyrex
- Round sizes suit sauces and beans
- Two-year limited warranty, per the listing
- Simple lids with no gasket to clean
Key specifications
| Set | 9 containers, 9 lids (1123268) |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass, plastic lids |
| Pieces/sizes | 7 cup, 6 cup, 2 × 4 cup, 2 × 3 cup, 2 × 2 cup, 1 cup |
| Lid type/leakproof | Press-on; no leakproof claim |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | Oven not stated; microwave and freezer-safe (maker) |
| Stackable/nesting | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Yes; lids top rack |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if most of your containers sit in the refrigerator and you want glass for salsas and pickles without paying for latching lids.
Skip it if you pack lunches or carry food in the car; without a seal claim, liquids can escape if the container tips.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass that resists odors
- Good spread of sizes
- Easy-to-clean lids
Cons
- Not sold as leakproof
- Oven use not stated
- No latches for carrying
5. Ziploc Twist ‘n Loc Medium Containers – Round Tubs for Soup and Beans
For liquids, a screw-on lid makes sense. Ziploc’s Twist ‘n Loc containers are round plastic tubs with a lid that twists down, and Ziploc calls them leak resistant and “ideal for liquids.” This pack has six medium containers; the medium size holds 32 ounces (4 cups), according to the package details on a grocery retailer’s listing.
That is a useful size for a Mexican kitchen. One container holds a couple of servings of pozole, menudo or frijoles charros, and a row of them stacks in the freezer. Ziploc says the containers are made without BPA or phthalates, and the package directions on the retailer listing say to unscrew or remove the lid before microwaving, to wash them on the top rack of the dishwasher, and never to use them in a conventional oven or on the stovetop.
These are lighter than the latching sets above and the plastic is thinner, so think of them as freezer and refrigerator workhorses rather than containers for years of daily lunches.
Why we like it
- Screw-on lid, leak resistant per Ziploc
- 4-cup round size suits soups and beans
- Stacks in the refrigerator or freezer, per Ziploc
- Inexpensive enough to send leftovers home with guests
Key specifications
| Set | 6 medium containers with lids |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic (made without BPA or phthalates, per Ziploc) |
| Pieces/sizes | 6 × 32 oz (4 cups) |
| Lid type/leakproof | Screw-on; leak resistant (maker) |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | No oven; microwave with lid off; freezer-safe (package directions) |
| Stackable/nesting | Stackable |
| Dishwasher | Top rack (package directions) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you freeze soups, stews and bean broth in portions and want a lid that screws down rather than snaps.
Skip it if you want containers that look and last like the Brilliance sets; these are thinner plastic.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Screw lid for liquids
- Round, stackable, one size
- Low cost per container
Cons
- Thinner plastic
- Only one size in this pack
- Lid must come off in the microwave
6. OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass 16-Piece Set – Freezer to Oven in One Dish
OXO’s Smart Seal glass containers are borosilicate glass, and OXO says they can go from the freezer to a preheated oven, or the microwave, “without the risk of shattering.” That suits anyone who freezes a pan of enchiladas or chilaquiles sauce and wants to reheat it without moving it to another dish.
The set has eight containers: one 4-cup, one 3.5-cup, two 1.6-cup, one 1-cup and three 4-ounce, plus eight plastic lids with four locking tabs and a removable silicone gasket. The small 4-ounce containers are useful for crema, lime wedges or a little salsa for a packed lunch. The containers nest and stack, and the lids fit OXO’s plastic Smart Seal containers of the same size.
America’s Test Kitchen rated this set Recommended with Reservations. The latches “kept a seal tight and never leaked,” but ATK found them stiff to close, and the lids held on to fishy odors, with gasket channels that were hard to clean and dry.
Why we like it
- Freezer to preheated oven, per OXO
- Never leaked in ATK’s review
- Removable gasket
- Small 4-ounce containers for toppings
Key specifications
| Set | 8 containers, 8 lids (model 11321200) |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass, plastic lids |
| Pieces/sizes | 4 cup, 3.5 cup, 2 × 1.6 cup, 1 cup, 3 × 4 oz |
| Lid type/leakproof | Four locking tabs, removable gasket; leakproof (maker) |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | All three for the glass, per OXO |
| Stackable/nesting | Nests and stacks |
| Dishwasher | Top rack (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook ahead for the freezer and want glass that the maker says can go straight into a hot oven.
Skip it if stiff latches would bother you every day; ATK found them harder to close than the Rubbermaid’s.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Freezer-to-oven glass
- Leakproof in ATK’s review
- Nests to save cupboard space
Cons
- Stiff latches, per ATK
- Lids kept odors, per ATK
- Largest container only 4 cups
7. Glasslock Tempered Glass 10-Piece Set – Square Glass That Stacks
Glasslock makes glass storage containers, and this set gives you five square and rectangular tempered glass containers with five lids. The listing says the glass bodies are oven-safe to 450°F and microwave-safe, so leftovers can reheat in the container they were stored in, and the lids have a removable silicone gasket for cleaning.
Square and rectangular shapes use refrigerator space better than rounds, and the listing describes the set as stackable. That makes it a good fit for a week of cooked rice, shredded chicken for tacos and roasted vegetables lined up on one shelf. The listing does not give the size of each container, and it does not make a leakproof claim for this set, so treat it as refrigerator and reheating storage first.
As with every set here that has plastic lids, the lids stay out of the oven; only the glass bodies are rated for it.
Why we like it
- Oven-safe to 450°F, per the listing
- Square shapes use shelf space well
- Removable silicone gasket
- Stackable
Key specifications
| Set | 5 containers, 5 lids |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass, plastic lids |
| Pieces/sizes | Square and rectangular; sizes not stated |
| Lid type/leakproof | Removable silicone gasket; no leakproof claim in this listing |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | Glass to 450°F; microwave-safe; freezer not stated |
| Stackable/nesting | Stackable |
| Dishwasher | Yes (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want square glass containers that line up on a shelf and go into the oven for reheating.
Skip it if you need to know the exact sizes before you buy; the listing does not give them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Oven-safe glass
- Space-efficient shapes
- Gasket comes out for cleaning
Cons
- Sizes not listed
- No leakproof claim for this set
- Only five containers
8. Anchor Hocking TrueSeal 6-Cup Containers, 4-Pack – Bake, Store and Reheat in One
Four identical 6-cup rectangles may sound limiting, but it is the size of a family’s leftover rice, a tray of enchiladas or a batch of picadillo. Anchor Hocking says the tempered glass is microwave-, oven-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe, and describes these as containers to “prep, bake, store, and reheat all in one.”
The TrueSeal lids are plastic, and Anchor Hocking says their sealed design is meant to prevent spills and leaks; the lids go on the top rack of the dishwasher. The glass, the maker says, does not stain or absorb odors, which matters for anything with chile, achiote or tomato. The listing mentions a five-year warranty.
Because all four are the same size, they stack neatly, and any lid fits any base.
Why we like it
- Glass rated for the oven, per Anchor Hocking
- 6-cup size suits casseroles and big batches
- Glass does not stain or hold odors, per the maker
- Five-year warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Set | 4 containers, 4 lids (model 13100L20) |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass, plastic lids |
| Pieces/sizes | 4 × 6 cup (48 oz) rectangles |
| Lid type/leakproof | TrueSeal lid designed to prevent spills and leaks (maker) |
| Oven/microwave/freezer | All three for the glass, per Anchor Hocking |
| Stackable/nesting | Stack (identical size) |
| Dishwasher | Yes; lids top rack |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook in batches and want a few large glass containers that double as baking dishes.
Skip it if you need small sizes for salsas and toppings; every container here is 6 cups.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large, oven-safe glass
- Interchangeable lids
- Long warranty
Cons
- One size only
- Heavy when full
How to choose food storage containers for a Mexican kitchen
Glass or plastic
Glass does not take on the color of salsa roja or the smell of pickled jalapeños, and many glass bases can go into the oven. Plastic is lighter and does not break when dropped. America’s Test Kitchen notes that acidic foods such as tomato sauce “can also interact with plastic over time,” so many cooks keep tomato and vinegar-based foods in glass and use plastic for beans, rice and meat.
A lid that actually seals
In ATK’s plastic review, sets with press-down lids and no gasket leaked, while the latching Rubbermaid did not spill a drop. If you store caldos, bean broth or salsas, or carry food anywhere, buy latching lids with a gasket, or screw-on lids for soup. Press-on lids are fine for food that stays on a refrigerator shelf.
Shallow beats deep for cooling
North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s guidance on leftovers, based on USDA advice, is to refrigerate leftovers within two hours (one hour if it is above 90°F) and to store hot food “in shallow, small containers” so it cools quickly to a safe refrigerator temperature of 40°F. A big pot of pozole is better split into several 4- to 6-cup containers than put away in one deep one.
Sizes you will use
A good set has a couple of 1-cup containers for salsas and crema, a few 3- to 4-cup containers for beans and rice, and at least one of 6 to 8 cups for a casserole or a batch of soup. Sets with many tiny containers look generous but leave you short of the sizes you reach for most.
Oven, microwave and freezer: read the maker’s words
“Oven-safe” usually applies to the glass base only; plastic lids stay out. Some makers want lids unlatched or removed in the microwave. Follow what each maker states, and if a listing does not mention the oven, do not assume it.
Stacking and storage
Flat lids that stack, and bases that nest when empty, decide whether your containers live tidily or fall out of the cupboard. Sets whose lids fit several sizes, like Rubbermaid Brilliance and OXO Smart Seal, are easier to keep matched.
How we chose these eight container sets
We started with America’s Test Kitchen’s two current reviews, of glass and of plastic food storage containers, which named the Rubbermaid Brilliance glass and plastic sets as winners, rated the Bentgo Signature glass set Recommended and the OXO Smart Seal glass set Recommended with Reservations. We added Pyrex, Ziploc, Glasslock and Anchor Hocking to cover a budget glass set, screw-top containers for liquids, square glass and large casserole-size glass. Specifications come from each Amazon listing and maker; we wrote “Not stated” where they were silent. Every pick was in stock on Amazon when we checked.
We left out the plastic Snapware Total Solution set, because a container in ATK’s test “spilled liquid when we gave it a shake,” and the Pyrex FreshLock set, which ATK found built up significant odors on its gaskets and was not ovensafe. We have not used these containers ourselves, and we did not read Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Consumer Reports or The New York Times for this guide, so we do not quote them.
Food storage container questions, answered
What are the best food storage container brands?
Rubbermaid’s Brilliance line won both of America’s Test Kitchen’s current reviews, for glass and for plastic. Bentgo and OXO also did well with ATK, and Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, Glasslock and Ziploc are long-established makers whose specifications are clear on their listings.
Which food storage containers does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK’s glass winner is the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers, and its plastic winner is the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers Set. It also rated the Bentgo Signature Leak-Proof Glass Food Storage set Recommended.
How long do leftovers keep in a storage container?
North Carolina Cooperative Extension says leftovers keep “for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or 3 to 4 months in the freezer,” and advises storing them in airtight packaging. A good container keeps the food from drying out, but it does not extend those times. Our guide to reheating Mexican leftovers covers what to do on day two.
Are glass containers the more eco-friendly choice?
Any container you reuse for years replaces a lot of single-use plastic. Glass does not stain or hold odors, according to Pyrex and Anchor Hocking, so it tends to stay in use longer, but a well-made plastic set like Rubbermaid Brilliance comes with a lifetime warranty, according to its listing. Buy the set you will keep using.
Can I store salsa and pickled jalapeños in plastic?
You can, but glass is the safer bet for keeping color and smell out of your containers. ATK notes that acidic foods like tomato sauce can interact with plastic over time, and it found that several plastic sets held on to odors after washing.
Our final pick for leftovers
Buy the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass set for the best mix of seal, sizes and oven-safe glass, or its plastic sibling if you want light containers. Choose Bentgo for glass lids, Pyrex Simply Store for inexpensive glass that stays in the refrigerator, and Ziploc Twist ‘n Loc for freezing soups and beans.
More storage guides: meal-prep containers, flour containers, canister sets, spice jars, beeswax wraps, bag clips.
Want to keep plastic out of it? See our guide to the best glass food storage containers.
Prefer glass on a budget? See the best value glass food storage containers.
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For longer storage, a vacuum sealer keeps meat and masa-based foods in the freezer with less air around them, and our guide to charro beans and refried beans explains the two kinds of beans most likely to end up in these containers. If you would rather we did the cooking, see our menu or call to order.