Although I may ~technically~ be an adult, I still call my mom for advice every time I forget how to use the microwave or accidentally shrink my clothes. She’s basically Yoda and has taught me everything I need to know about surviving this hell hole we call adulthood. And her most recent piece of advice came when she saw the mountain of plastic containers I had in my tiny kitchen cupboards. To be more exact… she saw the random plastic lids that fell onto the floor every time I opened one particular cupboard of doom. Invest in good glass food storage containers, she told me.
While I love pretending to meal prep and having an aesthetically pleasing fridge, glass food storage is also a lot more eco-friendly than plastic, these containers are easier to clean, they’re stackable, and they’re leak-proof. Folks: I’ve never looked back! Paired with a clever kitchen organizer that's created specifically to hold your containers and lids, you'll wish you'd invested years ago.
Yep, glass food storage containers have completely changed the game for me, and I’ve been surprised by how affordable they are. As a renter on a teeny-tiny budget, I assumed I’d have to sell my soul to buy good-quality glass storage containers, but that’s not the case at all. My Gen Z salary has allowed me to stock up on some of the best glass food storage containers in the biz, and these ones are all highly rated by customers just like me and you.
9 of the best glass food storage containers that won't break the bank
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Lids for days
Size: 32 oz.
When it comes to organization products, The Container Store has more storage and organization solutions than you'll ever need. They have so many containers to suit every single room in your apartment, and these stackable containers are perfect for the kitchen. They come in so many different sizes! They’re stackable!! And they have glass lids!! I mean, what more could you want? As a pasta lover, I can truly appreciate these products. You can shove your tagliatelle nests in the 32-ounce, the 48-ounce can hold your rigatoni, and the 64-ounce will be perfect for your spaghetti. Plus, the airtight seal will ensure that your pasta stays super fresh. They are what pasta dreams are made of.
Pyrex for President
Size: 3-cup capacity
If you want some meal prep containers to plan your lunches instead of buying a Starbucks grilled cheese each day, this glass meal prep set has everything you need. Made up of 10 pieces, including five rectangular containers with matching lids, it’ll cover you for the whole working week, and the major bonus is that they’re made by Pyrex. Pyrex is famous in the glass container business because it's known for its extremely high-quality tempered glass. The glass won’t absorb any flavors or stink even after you wash it, and you can bet your bottom dollar that it won’t stain! As if that wasn’t enough, you can shove these Pyrex containers in the microwave, oven, AND dishwasher. This is a stellar deal.
For big appetites
Size: 36 oz.
Glass lids are cool, but you don’t need to go all-glass-everything if you don’t want to. These super cute glass food containers with bamboo lids offer the same benefits as the glass container while adding a little more *aesthetic* into the mix. But that’s not all. The leak-proof bamboo lid has actually been designed to act as a cutting board, and that’s pretty nifty. And with four large containers all able to hold 36 ounces, there’s so much room for all of your snacks! Alternatively, they’d make great meal-prepping containers if you’re that way inclined.
Airtight but still aesthetic
Size: 32 oz.
I LOVE a bit of color in my life, which is why I’m obsessed with these round glass storage containers with blue compression lids. Not only do they look pretty cool when I whip them out in the office, but they’re also guaranteed not to spill in your purse! Yep, they offer a food-preserving vacuum seal for ultimate freshness and safety — although this does require an extra step on your part. When you press down in the center of the lid, you should hear a distinct puff or release of air. Once you hear this, you know you’ve created the airtight seal. It’s as easy as that.
With locking lids
Size: 30 oz.
One of the reasons why I devoted my life to the plastic container revolution was because I loved the lid-locking mechanism many of them provided. But you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to scrimp on the locks when you switch to glass! These glass containers from Walmart offer that, no problemo… but that’s just the beginning of their magic. Each container is split down the middle, offering two separate areas for two different foods. Plus, they’re all microwave and dishwasher-safe, meaning you won’t have to spend your precious time washing them by hand.
Time to start nesting
Size: 4 oz. / 18 oz. / 44 oz. / 84 oz.
As I live in a tiny apartment, space isn’t something I have a lot of. I barely have enough space to make my iced coffee without bumping elbows with my microwave, and that’s why cupboard space is precious — and why nesting glass storage containers are a must-buy! This four-piece glass nest storage set from Target really spoke to me when I saw it online, and not just because I love the cute colors. They’re also super safe thanks to the snap-together lids and easy-pull tabs, and there are a few different sizes to suit your needs. When you’re not using them, simply nest them all together, and voilà.
Cute and corky
Size: 16 oz. / 27 oz. / 42 oz.
While I certainly don’t have the patience of Khloe Kardashian when organizing my cookie jar, I still want my food to look cute - especially when I’m forced to store my food on the counter in my tiny kitchen. And a jar is still a container, right? There are so many ways to make the most of glass jars, and these glass ones even come with their own Scandi-inspired cork ball lids that I just can’t get enough of! You’ll be happy to know that they’re still super practical, though. There are three different sizes in this pack, and the cork lid is there to block any air, water, or dust in the air.
Totally stackable
Size: 11.5cm x 8.5cm
Whether you want to organize your refrigerator or your kitchen cupboards, these stackable containers are great for people with limited space. After all, when was the last time you took advantage of your cupboard’s full height? By stacking containers on top of each other, you can fill your space with even more food — without causing a giant mound of mess in the process. And I personally love these round glass jars with a wooden push lid. Not only are they adorable to look at, but they’re also super practical and will keep your food fresh!
Square and practical
Size: 37 oz.
If you couldn’t already tell, I’m pretty into glass containers with wooden lids! Yep, while I love the many practicalities of glass, the wooden lids offer a little somethin’ somethin’ extra in terms of aesthetics — and these square glass storage containers are the perfect example of that. The square shape makes it super easy to store your more square-shaped foods, and all four containers in this pack are the exact same size. So, you could even stack them if you wanted to! If you want my opinion, these containers would be great for your coffee or pasta, or even your Cap’n Crunch and candy!
Are glass containers better for food storage?
In the plastic vs. glass container debate, experts almost always land on glass containers as the winner. And while plastic containers are normally cheaper than their glass counterparts, glass containers are becoming more readily available — meaning they’re becoming way more affordable. But that’s not all:
- Glass is healthier for you. Although plastic is everywhere, plastic containers can be extremely harmful and toxic for those who put them in the microwave. That’s because the chemicals in the plastic can leak into your food when heated. But this is not the case with glass, as it’s completely heat-tolerant.
- You can organize your food items easier. There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve run out of pasta, rice, or your favorite candy! But when you store your food in glass containers, you ensure that you are fully stocked at all times. Chris Dance, Director & Head Designer of InHouse Inspired Room Design suggests that you should “store dry food stuff like rice, pasta, and oats in large clear storage jars to keep them neat and allow you to see how much you have left. Airtight jars keep the contents freshers for longer as well.”
- Glass will last longer. Although glass food storage containers can be more expensive than plastic ones, they will last longer - which means that you’ll more than likely end up spending less in the long run. After all, plastic is prone to warping or melting in the microwave, and it’s easily stained. But glass is extremely durable, heat-proof, and stain-resistant, which means it’ll last for years.
How we chose these glass food storage containers
A lot of the glass food storage containers seen here will be featured elsewhere on our site, and we’re confident that they’re some of the best on the market. We only recommend products that are actually worth your money, and they’ve been picked either because we own and love them ourselves or shoppers rate them highly online.
Where to buy glass food storage containers
Find the best glass food storage containers by visiting some of our favorite retailers, as listed below.
- Amazon glass food storage containers
- Crate & Barrel glass food storage containers
- Etsy glass food storage containers
- Pyrex glass food storage containers
- Target glass food storage containers
- The Container Store glass food storage containers
- Walmart glass food storage containers
- Wayfair glass food storage containers
Looking for more organizational ideas? These Instagrammable organization products are both practical AND aesthetic!