Best Freezer Containers for Food

Storing meals, fruits, and snacks in your freezer is the best way to prolong its shelf life, not to mention that you’ll minimize the waste of good food. Everyone has different food-freezing habits, and after seeing some of them online, I felt the urge to create a guide that can help establish safer, healthier, and more efficient practices. 

There are many types of freezer storage containers, and if you exclusively used the plastic bags you picked up at your local deli so far, you can probably use better alternatives. 

From quality Tupperware and freezer safe bottles to bags, reusable freezer containers, and various other kinds, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about food storage freezer containers, as well as recommend quality products that you may want to stock up on. 

Our Top Picks

Before I dive deeper into the main things you should keep in mind when shopping for non toxic food storage containers, let me give you a quick rundown of the best models available in the current market:

	Freezer Containers	Type	Size	Capacity	Set Contains
1	Tupperware Freeze It Starter Set	Best Tupperware for freezing	6.6 x 5.9 x 9”	15 oz	5
2	Tafura Twist Top Soup Storage Containers with Lids	Best container to freeze soup	4.5 x 4.5 x 6”	32 oz	10
3	Arrow Home Products	Best plastic container for freezing food	11.9″L x 4.4″W x 3.8″H	16 oz	10
6	Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag	Best container for freezing blueberries	10.25 x 0.1 x 8”	Up to 104 oz	4
7	PlasticPro Twist Top Deli Containers	Best container to freeze smoothies	12.64 x 4.65 x 4.57”	48 oz	4
8	Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lids	Best healthy non-toxic glass food container	4.65 x 4.65 x 5.43”	32 oz	20
9	Luxail Ice Cream Containers	Best for Ice Cream	11.77 x 8.46 x 4.49”	48 oz	2
10	VICARKO Vacuum Zipper Bags	Best vacuum freezer containers	11 x 10.5 x 0.5”	98 oz	30

Benefits of Freezing and Use Cases

In my opinion, there are no reasons against freezing food. When it is done properly, freezing food can only benefit you in the long run. It helps to extend the shelf life of frozen dishes, reducing waste, and giving you quick access to delicacies that otherwise may require a great deal of time to prepare. 

1. Extends Food Shelf Life

Different types of food experience what is referred to as “microbial spoilage” at different rates, excluding certain non-perishable foods, such as white rice, honey, white salt, or soy sauce. 

Meat, vegetables, and your favorite sweets & snacks have an expiration date for a reason. Various microbes are present in all kinds of food, especially processed products. While dormant, these microbes are harmless and fairly useful, but over time, they grow and literally “spoil” the food they reside in. 

2. No More Wasted Food

Food can become spoiled on its own after a certain period has passed, but it spoils the fastest once opened and exposed to air. While keeping it in a fridge can be a good solution for the short term, this won’t save your food for longer than a couple of days.

If you have bought or prepared more food than you can eat or serve in a couple of days, the best thing you can do to avoid throwing it in the can is to put it in your freezer. Buying freezer-friendly containers for your favorite dishes won’t cost much, but make sure to get the right sizes and shapes. 

3. Meal Prep: Freeze Dishes to Save Time on Prep Work

Although there are quite a few dishes that you can make in a couple of minutes, there are also meals that will take an entire hour of your time before they’re ready. I love cooking lasagna, but I imagine not many people love spending hours next to the oven every day.

As soon as you prepare a meal, let it cool before freezing it. Next time you want to eat the dish, unfreezing it will take considerably less time than making it from scratch. It is important to note that the thawing process isn’t the same for all types of food. 

4. Extra Supplies

One of the best shopping habits my wife and I acquired is buying quality luncheon meats in high quantities when it’s on discount. The same goes for foods that are usually in high demand and low supply, such as a good wheel of matured Gouda cheese, or specialty vegan mozzarella sticks. 

When you know that you’ll have a hard time finding the foods you want, buying them in bulk and freezing them can save you a lot of money. Not to mention that you can defrost nearly any type of food relatively quickly. 

Guide: What to Look for When Choosing Freezer Containers

Once you start your search for freezer storage containers, you will encounter hundreds if not thousands of products, many of which may look almost identical. The size, shape, capacity, and materials are some main factors you should keep in mind when you begin your search.

Before I dive into explaining all the important elements that make the best freezer containers better than others, I want to give you a couple of buying tips:

• Set your budget. Even though most freezer containers are under $50, you’ll probably need more than a few, and the expenses can rack up quite quickly.
• Multi-purpose containers are nice to have, but they are rarely as great as “specialty” containers meant to protect specific types of food. 
• Bundles save money. Brands often sell packages containing several containers of the same type at lower prices. 
• Have at least one “just-in-case” freezer container. Even if you never froze soup in your life, you may want to start someday, and a bowl-shaped container can help with that. 

Material

The majority of freezer containers are made of either glass or plastic materials. Polyethylene-made containers are, by far, the most popular choice, especially the ones made by Tupperware. 

Glass offers better protection “in” the freezer but is heavier and as such breaks easily if accidentally dropped. 

Size & Shape

Tall, short, wide, slim, symmetric, rounded, squared – freezer containers come in all kinds of shapes. There are two things you may want to consider when deciding the shape of your container. 

1. The first is the kind of food you want to freeze; for instance, tall containers are ideal for pasta while wide & squared containers are best for large chunks of meat. 
2. The second factor is optional but can make your life a lot easier, and that is the proverbial “freezer Tetris”, or the stackability of the containers you are using at any time. 

Buy a mix of containers that can stack with each other while considering the available space and dimensions of your freezer. 

Capacity

The capacity of a container tells you how much food it can contain. It shouldn’t be confused with “load”, which is the amount of weight it can physically endure before breaking. 

For example, Komax Biokips is an ultra-wide freezer container that can hold about 169 ounces’ worth of cookies. 

Weight, Portability & Safety

The capacity of a freezer container should not be confused with its weight. If you’re buying containers online for the first time, pay close attention to the specs since most containers can hold food and items that are considerably heavier than them. 

A container can become much heavier once you place food inside, not to mention that frozen food becomes “even” heavier once its liquids freeze up as well. 

For instance, a massive airtight container made of thick glass can weigh about 5 pounds when empty, and you don’t want to risk dropping it on your feet after you put 5 extra pounds of frozen poultry inside of it. 

Lids, Seals, and Design

Not all freezer containers come with a lid, and even the ones that feature matching lids are not guaranteed to prevent spillage or microbial spoilage. There are several types of containers in terms of how effective they are at stopping water and/or air from entering or leaving, including leakproof, airtight, and vacuum containers. 

Leakproof Design

Leakproof design is one of the most important attributes to look for in freezer containers. It essentially means that there aren’t any holes from which liquids and tiny pieces of food can escape the container. 

Airtight Design

Don’t confuse airtight containers with leakproof containers. The latter is inferior when it comes to freezing. Although, it is somewhat convenient in that you can rest assured you won’t have a mess to clean up if anything gets spilled in the freezer (or on the way out). 

Airtight containers are both liquid and air-proof. These kinds of freezer containers feature special seals that block all entry points. A degree of oxygen will still remain trapped, meaning that these containers can only somewhat slow microbial movements in food. These containers are also decently effective at minimizing freezer burn. 

Vacuum Containers

Vacuum bags have many advantages and one little flaw – you’ll usually need a vacuum-sealing machine to pull the trapped air out. Other than that, they remove all oxygen from the container. Without it, microbes in food become dormant and the shelf life of frozen dishes is significantly increased. 

Reviews: Best Freezer Storage Containers in the Market

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options you have when choosing your freezer storage containers. While variety and more options are usually a good thing, that may not be the case for people who can’t discern a flimsy freezer-unfriendly from quality-made ones, especially since the former makes up the majority of the market. 

With that in mind, I scoured Amazon for the best brands, and most popular products so that you can get a set of reliable containers. Without any further ado, these are my picks for today:

Best Tupperware for Freezing: Tupperware Freeze It Starter Set

Tupperware is considered the best manufacturer and provider of plastic containers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all of their models are top quality. A handful of Tupperware products are made of plastic that contains BPA chemicals, so to save you time and guesswork, let me recommend the Tupperware Freeze It Starter Set.

This package contains a set of 5 containers in different sizes and with different colored lids. Decently spacious and exceptionally portable, these containers are good for most types of food regardless of their texture. 

One of the best things about these Tupperware containers is that they’re made of sturdy dishwasher-safe plastic materials. The only thing I wasn’t too thrilled about is the mediocre capacity, but this bundle is so cheap that buying several packages won’t be a problem for most people. 

Best Container to Freeze Soup: Tafura Twist Top Soup Storage Containers with Lids

Freezing dry food is significantly easier than freezing liquids. As one of the best and most convenient spill-proof bundles of plastic containers, Tafura’s Twist Top soup containers are great for this occasion. 

Assuming that you’re following relatively standard recipes to make soup, the average bowl should weigh around 12 ounces; the capacity of Tafura’s containers is 32 ounces, so you’ll have plenty of extra space, just in case. 

These freezer containers are made of BPA-free, freezer-safe, and most importantly, food-safe plastic materials. Tafura soup cups are also reusable and do a great job at minimizing (although not completely eliminating) freezer burn. The bundle is fairly cheap, and you’ll get a set of 10 containers in each. 

Best Plastic Container for Freezing Food: Arrow Home Products

Introducing the perfect plastic freezer containers for food storage! These BPA-free, made in the USA containers come in a set of 10 with a 1-pint capacity and green lids. They are dishwasher safe, stackable, reusable, and break-resistant, making them an excellent choice for “best plastic freezer containers.

Top reviewers praise these containers for their flexible material, which doesn’t crack when frozen, and their easy-to-use lids. Their compact size makes them great for meal prepping, freezing produce, and even organizing small items.

Upgrade your food storage game with these highly-rated, versatile freezer containers!

Best Container for Freezing Blueberries: Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag

As much as I love blueberries, I hate that they are unusable after 5-10 days, even when stored in a fridge. If you want to freeze them and extend their shelf life by up to six months, I recommend Stasher’s Silicone Storage bags. 

The non-toxic silicone material these containers are made of is both freezer and microwave-safe. They’ll take up only a small portion of your freezer while thawing them is a breeze. Maintenance-wise, Stasher’s Silicone Storage bags can be put in a dishwashing machine or washed by hand. 

Featuring the proprietary Pinch-Loc™ sealing mechanism, these freezer bags prevent all liquids from escaping and air from entering. 

Best Container to Freeze Smoothies: PlasticPro Twist Top Deli Containers

There are so many reasons to freeze smoothies, and as someone who jumped into the world of fitness a bit late, I mainly keep them chilled to save some hours of prep work. 

PlasticPro’s Twist Top containers are ideal for this occasion as they boast full leak-proof protection, a tall machine-washable design, and a convenient twist-top enclosure in case you need to keep your smoothies in the fridge instead. 

Best Healthy Non-Toxic Glass Containers: Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lids

All of the freezer containers I’ve included in this list do not contain Bisphenol A or other toxic chemicals according to the manufacturer. But I personally prefer using glass.

These Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lids come in a 10-pack set that includes 5 large 34oz containers and 5 small 13oz containers, perfect for meal prepping and storing various meal portions. They are made from high-quality borosilicate glass, making them stronger and more durable than cheaper alternatives. The containers feature airtight smart-locking lids with silicone seals, ensuring that your food stays fresh for longer.

They are food-grade, BPA-free, and can be used in the microwave, freezer, dishwasher, and oven (without the lids).

Customers are generally happy with these containers, praising their quality, versatility, and value for the price. They appreciate the two different sizes and the ease of use in the microwave, freezer, and oven.

Some have mentioned minor issues with the lids, like the silicone gaskets falling out and the need to pay attention while closing them to ensure a proper seal.

Overall, these freezer containers are a great choice for those looking for durable and versatile food storage solutions.

Best Container for Ice Cream: Luxail Ice Cream Containers

If you love making ice cream but often end up with bucketloads of leftovers that turn into mush overnight, let me introduce you to Luxail’s Ice Cream Containers. 

Boasting a non-slip base and airtight stackable design, these containers are perfect for storing large batches of ice cream, as they’ll occupy very little of your freezer space. With a non-slip base and sturdy construction, they’re much better than the average plastic cans available in delis. 

They’re also dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, plus they rock additional layers of wall protection to ensure your ice cream doesn’t get freezer burnt. 

Best Vacuum Freezing Containers: VICARKO 30 Vacuum Zipper Bags

I am not a huge fan of vacuum bags, mainly because I rarely put food in the freezer for the full “safe time”. Additionally, they don’t offer the same level of “physical” protection as other containers, but there are a couple of hidden gems that are well worth the buck.

A perfect example of a well-made vacuum-sealed freezer container bundle is Vicarko’s 30-pack zipper bag package. They have a decent storage capacity and are double-layered to provide extra protection against freezer burn. Furthermore, each Vicarko bag is made of food-friendly BPA-free materials. 

They are cheap, and you’ll get more than enough to freeze a dozen dishes and snacks. However, you’ll need a vacuum-sealing machine to pull the air out, which you’ll need to purchase separately if you don’t already own one. 

Top Tips for Using the Freezer Containers

Now that you know how to find the best freezer-safe containers, I want to give you a bit of advice on how to properly use them. This section is dedicated to explaining the processes of freezer container use, maintenance, and defrosting, so let’s start from the top.

How to Use Freezer Containers

In a nutshell, freezer containers are boxes, wraps, bags, cups, and jars and are meant to be used as such. The main difference is that they will provide your food with additional properties, such as freezer burn protection, lower risk of liquid spillage, and such. 

There are several additional steps to using freezer containers; if you follow this step-by-step guide, your food will always be safe:

• Never put warm food in your freezer or fridge. Make sure it has cooled down before placing it in the appropriate container, and then in the freezer.
• Always thoroughly clean the containers after use. Small bits of leftover food can introduce a mix of different microbes to the food you want to freeze, ruining it in the process. 
• Prepare the food for freezing by making smaller portions (e.g. shred, grate, or slice cheese instead of trying to freeze the entire wheel).
• Certain types of food are well-suited for freezing whole, such as spaghetti sauces or soups. If you have larger batches of such food you want to freeze, use multiple containers of the same type. 
• Properly stack bits of food to utilize the space as best as you can. 
• Mind the capacity of your storage container. If you’re about to reach a limit, pack the leftovers in another container. 
• Use matching lids whenever possible. If not, place a nylon wrap on the neck/top and ensure the container is liquid and airtight. 
• Check if your freezer container is reusable. If it is not, it may, rip, crack, or release dangerous chemicals after being put in the freezer more than once.
• Use good freezer labels to keep things organized.

How to Keep Freezer Containers in Good Condition

There’s more to container maintenance than just cleaning, although it is the most important element of the process. Follow these tips to ensure the long-term usability of your containers:

• Inquire about the methods by which your containers can be cleaned. Dishwasher-safe can be put in a machine, but some need to be washed by hand or gently scrubbed to avoid damage.
• Check if your containers are microwave-friendly. If not, thaw the food in your fridge.
• Clean the container as soon as you put the frozen food out. Small chunks of frozen food can get stuck to the surface, requiring a forceful scrub to remove, which can (again) damage the container. 
• Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean your freezer containers. Natural liquid dish soaps are perfect, although a bit of lemon and lukewarm water can do the trick. 

How to Thaw Frozen Foods

There are two typical methods of thawing frozen food, each with a different set of benefits and disadvantages. These include microwaving your food or thawing it in a fridge.

Microwave Thawing

This is the easiest and fastest way to thaw food. Keep in mind, certain freezer containers are not microwave-friendly; in such a case, pull your food out before placing it in the microwave.

Depending on which type of food you’re thawing, the process can last about 2-3 minutes (for fruits and veggies), or around 10-15 minutes (for meat and poultry). Once the timer is done, your food will be ready to be used.

Fridge Thawing

Although it may be more time-consuming, thawing your food in your fridge is perfectly safe. The only thing you need to do is ensure that your fridge is operating at a constant temperature. Simply place the container in the fridge, and let it thaw overnight. To be safe, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Freezer Containers

Conclusion: The Best Freezer Safe Containers in 2023

Even if you’re a weekend chef who never experimented with freezing different kinds of food, it’s always a good time to stock up on freezer-safe containers as you never know when you may need them. 

You can find a quality bundle of durable containers under $50 but I warmly recommend getting at least several different kinds so that you’re prepared for any scenario.

It’s easy to remember what to look for, just memorize “SPCS” – size, price, capacity, and shape.

As long as the container is freezer-friendly and sturdy enough, it is safe for use; if it’s dishwasher and microwave-safe too, that’s a welcome bonus. 

I hope that this article helped you find the best freezer containers for your meals and dishes!